Hello! If you’ve clicked on this tab, I take it that it is because you have some interest in knowing what Christians believe as “the gospel.” Perhaps you’ve heard about the gospel before, and perhaps now you want to know more about it. If so, thank you for your interest, for your open mind, and for taking this time to read about it. Here are the essential points of the gospel that God graciously gives us in the Bible:
God created and owns everything, including you.
“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” (Gen. 1:1)
“The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, / the world and those who dwell therein . . .” (Psalm 24:1)
God is perfectly holy.
“You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48)
God requires your perfect obedience to His law.
“For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it.” (James 2:10)
You have broken God’s law.
“[I]t is written: ‘None is righteous, no, not one . . .” (Romans 3:10)
“[F]or all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23)
You will be judged by God and held accountable for your sin.
“[Y]ou are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed.” (Romans 2:5b)
“God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.” (Romans 2:16a)
You will pay the eternal penalty for your sin.
“For the wages of sin is death . . .” (Romans 6:23a)
“40 Just as the weeds are gathered and burned with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. 41 The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers, 42 and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 13:40-42)
You cannot save yourself by your good works.
“8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)
Therefore,
“fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matt. 10:28b)
But–and what a wonderful “but” it is–there is good news! You can be saved from your sin and its ultimate penalty! The word “gospel” simply means “good news,” and that’s exactly what it is. If you understand and believe it, the gospel is the best news that you will ever hear! It is this good news that gives you the ability to find, to know, and to love God, not to mention escaping your bondage to sin, and the ultimate penalty of that sin: eternal death and separation from God. Here is what else the Bible has to say:
Christ came to earth as both God and sinless man.
“For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily . . .” (Col. 2:9)
Christ demonstrated His love by dying on the cross, suffering the wrath of God in our place, to pay sin’s penalty.
“God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)
“For our sake [God] made [Christ] to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Cor. 5:21b)
“[T]he Lord has laid on [Christ] / the iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:6b)
Christ rose from the grave and is alive today.
“[H]e was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:4b)
You must believe in Christ as Lord and Savior, and be willing to follow after Him.
“. . . 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.” (Romans 10:9)
Should you believe these things that the Bible teaches, God will give you a new heart, one that desires to please and honor Him (Ezekiel 36:36). You must repent of your sins, which means to turn away from sin and to do what is right, and pleasing to God. To repent means recognizing your sinfulness and rebellion against God’s authority and to live in a way that honors Him. Fight sin, and follow your newly granted desires for all things that pertain to God.
“[L]et the wicked forsake his way, / and the unrighteous man his thoughts; / let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, / and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.” (Is. 55:7)
“[God] commands all people everywhere to repent, 31 because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.'” (Acts 17:30b-31)
“And [Jesus] said to all, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” (Luke 9:23)
If you believe these things, if you have been convinced of your sinfulness, if you have accepted the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross where He took the punishment that you deserved, if you see the incredible love of God through that act, then I welcome you to the Christian family! Churches led by Master’s Seminary graduates or the Presbyterian Church of America should be very willing to take you in as one of their own and answer any questions you may have. Also, if you have any questions about the gospel or what to do once you’ve believed it, you can post a comment to this page and I will use your email address to get back to you. Thank you for taking the time to read this gospel presentation. To God be all the glory!
Elliot
(gospel presentation adapted from Grace Community Church)
elliot kang 