The Gospel

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, 'But the righteous man shall live by faith.'"- Romans 1:16-17

What Is the Gospel?

The term "gospel" means "good news," and the news about the person and work of Jesus Christ is the best news of all.

The Bible teaches us that God is perfect and that we are all separated from God because of our sin (our failure to meet God's perfect standard).  That's bad news, but that's where the good news of the gospel comes in.

The good news (gospel) is that God the Son became a man (Jesus Christ) to identify Himself with us humans, and, after living a perfect life, died on a cross to pay the penalty for our sins.  We can believe that He really did accomplish that because three days later, He rose from the dead and shortly after went to the right hand of God the Father to make intercession for us forever.

The last part of the good news is that forgiveness of sins and restored relationship with God (sometimes called eternal life) are a free gift from God.  We can't do anything to earn this.  In fact, God says that if we try to earn it, that's a deal-breaker.  Instead, we receive salvation by faith alone.  When we place all of our trust in who Christ is and what He did for us, we are identified with Him in God's eyes, forgiven of our sins, and welcomed into God's presence forever.

What Does the Bible Say?

Sin and Death

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.- Romans 3:23

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.- Romans 6:23

The Person of Christ

He Is God

Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am He [the Son of God], you will die in your sins.- John 8:24

He Is Man

Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, so that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives.- Hebrews 2:14-15

The Work of Christ

Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast to the word which I preached to you, unless you have believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.- 1 Corinthians 15:1-3

His Death Paid the Penalty for Our Sins

When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.- Colossians 2:13-14

His Resurrection Secured Our Salvation

But for our sake also, to whom it will be credited, as those who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, He who was delivered over because of our transgressions, and was raised because of our justification . . . Jesus Christ is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.- Romans 4:24-25; 8:34

We Receive Salvation by
Faith Alone in Christ Alone

By Faith Alone

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.- Ephesians 2:8-9

In Christ Alone

And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved . . . He said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"  They said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household."- Acts 4:12; 13:30-31

Questions?

If you have any questions about the gospel, or if you have recently made a commitment to follow Jesus Christ, please contact us at CBC.  We would love to help you grow in your relationship with Christ here at CBC!