The Gospel

The Good News

The gospel is the good news. It is what we hear from God about our fallen state: we do not have to redeem ourselves, because there is no way we can.

John puts it this way:

For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. John 3:16-17

This message is not only in the New Testament. It runs through the Old Testament, even where it is not said in so many words.

The first clear saying of it comes much earlier than people expect. It is all the way back in Genesis.

Learn more: Names of Genesis 5

Why It Is Needed

When we look at our lives, we are not as great as we portray ourselves, or even as we think we are.

Jesus put the standard where we cannot hide from it:

You have heard that it was said, "Do not commit adultery." But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. Matthew 5:27-28

On the surface, that already shows how far we have fallen short. It shows more when we look inside. We hide what we think, because we worry people would think much less of us if they knew. Then we see how far we are from perfect.

That sin must be judged. Genesis already names the sentence. Before the fall, God said that eating would bring death. Genesis 2:17 After the disobedience, the curse includes that death. The whole curse is in Genesis 3:14-19. Romans names the wage: the wages of sin is death. Romans 6:23

Romans 3:23 says it of us: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

We cannot make that payment. We do not have the wealth. That is why we need Christ.

How It Is Received

How, then, are we to pay for salvation from the death we have earned?

We have no payment, and we need none. God gives salvation by UnrollGrace through UnrollFaith to everyone who believes. Ephesians 2:8-9

John already said it: God gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

In our inability to pay, the debt is paid in full by Christ on UnrollThe Cross.

Christ called people to repent and believe the gospel. Mark 1:15 Peter put that call with baptism: repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Acts 2:38

If you have never come to Christ, one way to put that into words is UnrollThe Sinner's Prayer. The prayer does not save you. It helps you see what you are doing.