What is the Gospel?

The word ‘gospel’ literally means “good news.” When we say the “Gospel of Jesus Christ” we are talking about the Good News of Jesus Christ. The first four books of the New Testament are called the Gospels because they are four accounts and descriptions of the Good News of Jesus.  

Using John 3:16, you can share your faith and explain the Gospel with one verse and eight words.  

John 3:16 

16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 

1. GOD LOVES

God loves you. He created the world and He created you on purpose and with a purpose. Your life has value and meaning, and God wants to be with you forever. However, there is a problem. We all have sinned, which separates us from God.  

2. GOD GAVE

But God loves you so much that He sent His Son, Jesus, to die on the cross as payment for your sins. Through dying on a cross, He exchanged His righteousness for our sin. He took our curse and gave us His blessings.  

3. WE BELIEVE

We believe that Jesus is both Lord and Savior. Jesus is Lord because He is God. He was the only one qualified to die in our place. We believe He is Savior because through dying on the cross and rising again, He covered our sins and conquered death. It is only through trusting in Jesus can we be saved and go to Heaven. Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6) 

4. WE LIVE

Through belief in Jesus, we receive forgiveness of our sins, eternal life in heaven, and purpose and power here on earth. 

Here are additional verses to help you understand our need for salvation and how we are saved. 

Romans 3:23 

23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 

Romans 5:8 

8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 

Romans 6:23 

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

Romans 10:9-10 

Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. 

Personal Application 

We receive salvation when we stop trusting in ourselves and put our trust in what Christ did for us. Our salvation is a result of God’s grace. It is based on what Jesus did for us on the cross. It has nothing to do with what we do for Him. We cannot save ourselves or earn God’s approval through the good works we do. We are saved by God’s grace when we realize our need for a Savior, turn from sin, and receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, putting our trust in Him alone for salvation. 

• Have you stopped trusting in yourself and started trusting in Christ alone for salvation? 
• Have you turned away from all known sin? 
• Have you confessed Jesus as Lord and Savior of your life? 
• Are you willing to follow and obey Him for the rest of your life? 

Prayer for Salvation 

Heavenly Father… I admit that I have sinned…. and my sin separates us…I have fallen short of your glory… I thank You that You sent Your Son, Jesus… to pay the penalty for my sin…I believe that He died on the cross for me… I believe that You raised Him from the dead…I am sorry for my sins… and I ask You to forgive and cleanse me… I want to turn away from everything the Bible calls sin… and receive Jesus as my Lord and Savior… help me to love, serve, and obey You… for the rest of my life… in Jesus’ name… Amen. 

If you have sincerely prayed that prayer, the Bible promises that old has passed away and the new has come. You are called a “new creation.” And now begins your journey of following Jesus. 

2 Corinthians 5:17 

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.