What is the Gospel?

If you do a search on the internet you are going to get some wacked out explanations. The interesting thing is how certain verses in the bible are never mentioned and are tip toed around to bring about a certain agenda that leads to the sinners prayer that is nowhere in the bible. Millions of people are staking their salvation on a manmade prayer and the amazing thing is that during their explanation they say to stay away from manmade salvation then turn around and ask you to say a manmade prayer to bring forth your salvation.

That’s all you have to do just believe and say this prayer. Where is that in the bible??? I can’t find it. Why don’t they quote (John 3:3-8) which speaks of being born again. Read (WIP Article - “What does it Mean to be Born Again?”) to understand more on that subject. Sure the bible says that you must believe but it says a whole bunch more that goes with it and one must rightly divide the word of truth. All scripture… not bits and pieces needs to be looked at, not to mention that the bible is not for private interpretation.

The bible will answer any question itself and does not need man to interpret it. The bible is clear on what the gospel is…

1 Corinthians 15:1-4
1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 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; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

The interesting thing to note is that the Gospel is the Death, Burial and Resurrection of Jesus Christ and that you are saved by the Gospel. The book of Romans mentions this as well:

Romans 1:16
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.

Ephesians acknowledges the power of the gospel to bring the gentiles into the body of Christ. This scripture makes it clear that the gentiles become sons of God by the gospel.

Ephesians 3:6
6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:

The Gospel is the power of God unto Salvation (Romans 1:16) and (Ephesians 1:13) says the gospel of your salvation.

Ephesians 1:13
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,

At this point there are those that will say see all you have to do is believe and you have salvation. They never mention the verse in Mark…

Mark 16:16
16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

This verse says you need to do more than just believe. They never mention these other verses about the gospel either. The bible goes further and tells us that we must obey the Gospel.

Romans 10:16
16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?

1 Peter 4:17
17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

There is one scripture that no one seems to want to quote when it comes to salvation:

2 Thessalonians 1:7-9
7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;

This scripture makes it clear that those who do not obey the Gospel will suffer God’s wrath. So we have already studied what is the Gospel, the Death, Burial and Resurrection of Jesus Christ but how do you obey the Death, Burial and Resurrection? We must be careful the bible makes it clear that some will not see the truth of the gospel.

2 Corinthians 4:3-4
3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

Paul warns against those who would pervert the gospel and that anyone preaching anything different then what he preached in (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) should be cursed.

Galatians 1:6-12
6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9 As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. 10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. 11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. 12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

From the above scriptures we have studied the Gospel is the Death, Burial and Resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) and we must obey the Gospel (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9, 1 Peter 4:17, Romans 10:16) to receive salvation (Ephesians 1:13, Romans 1:16). To receive salvation is to be saved. We have also identified that we must be baptized to be saved. To be saved is to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven or Kingdom of God. Jesus says you must be born again to see the Kingdom of God. So is there a connection between the Gospel, Baptism and being born again? Read (WIP Article - “What does it Mean to be Born Again?”) to understand more on that subject.