What Is Our 'Good News'?

In the study: The Gospel Of The Kingdom, I highlighted what the good news was to the circumcision believers and some Gentiles that came into their hope through the Acts period. In this study, I hope to now highlight what exactly our gospel (good news) is today.

First of all, in our dispensational circles, the two most predominant theologies are “Mid Acts” and the “Acts 28” viewpoints. I hope all that fall under these two categories at least understand, that the same gospel unto salvation runs through all of Paul’s books. This is a short look into that gospel.

Rom 1:15 So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.
Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Rom 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

Even a first time reader of the Word should be tipped off by verse 16. Anyone curious about salvation and how to attain it should now be very intrigued. Verse 16 above says that the gospel of Christ is the power that God uses to save EVERYONE that believes it! Of course the next question would have to be: What is it? Believe me, the apostle Paul spares no words in explaining what it is enough that there should be no confusion today in how to attain salvation.

1Cr 15:1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
1Cr 15:2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
1Cr 15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
1Cr 15:4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

This is what I have found to be the most clear and concise description of the Gospel that Paul preached.

Here are just a few quick things to show that this was not known throughout even what are called “The four gospels”.

Luk 18:31 Then he took [unto him] the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished.
Luk 18:32 For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on:
Luk 18:33 And they shall scourge [him], and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again.
Luk 18:34 And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken.

Notice how “The gospel of Christ” is perfectly laid out in vs. 32, 33. If the twelve were already preaching a gospel message, and they were, then it clearly must have been a different one than that of the apostle Paul.

Jhn 20:8 Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed.
Jhn 20:9 For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.

So now we see again that even after the resurrection, Christ’s own followers knew nothing of His resurrection from the dead. Which is an itegral part of our gospel today.

Paul also lays out for us that we receive and are sealed forever with the Holy Spirit by believing this same gospel:

Eph 1:12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
Eph 1:13 In whom ye also [trusted], after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
Eph 1:14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

Paul even tells us in 1 Corr. That Christ did not commission him under the same commission as the twelve disciples. They were told to go out and baptize all men unto repentance. Here is Paul’s commission:

1Cr 1:17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.
1Cr 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

So you can see from this that the preaching of the gospel is the preaching of the cross. Pretty clear isn’t it? If only more of this world would grasp this freeing fact that salvation is wrapped up in just the belief in the finished work that Christ accomplished on the cross for us.

Rom 3:21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
Rom 3:22 Even the righteousness of God [which is] by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
Rom 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Rom 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
Rom 3:25 Whom God hath set forth [to be] a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

A propitiation is a total satisfactory payment for something. Christ is that for our sin if we only accept it and stop relying on our own works or what we think is obeying God. The gospel has made us free from any commandments to keep us righteous. But we are now kept righteous forever “Through faith in His blood”. I hope anyone that has not yet done it, can put faith in His blood and stop trying to live up to expectations that all men and women before you have only failed at. Believe me, Christ will never fail you! If you would like to read more on just how free this gift is to you, you can click on this link: Salvation is a Gift

Enjoy His Word,
Paul