The Gospel Begins with God's Eternal Plan
The Gospel was not an emergency plan. God did not look at Adam and Eve after they sinned and say, "What do I do now?" The plan of salvation was in the mind of God before the world began.
Ephesians 1:4
"According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world…"
1 Peter 1:20
"Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world…"
2 Timothy 1:9
"Before the world began."
So the Gospel is rooted in God's eternal purpose. Before sin entered the world, God already knew the remedy would be Jesus Christ.
In simple terms:
God knew man would sin, and He already had a plan to save him through His Son.
The Problem: Sin Separates Man from God
To understand why the Gospel is good news, we must first understand the bad news. Sin separates man from God.
Isaiah 59:2
"But your iniquities have separated between you and your God…"
Romans 3:23
"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God."
Romans 6:23
"For the wages of sin is death…"
The word sin in Greek is ἁμαρτία (hamartia)— to miss the mark. It carries the idea of failing to meet God's righteous standard. Sin is not merely a mistake. Sin is lawlessness.
1 John 3:4
"Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law."
So man's problem is not ignorance alone. It is guilt before a holy God. God is loving, but He is also just. He cannot simply ignore sin.
Psalm 97:2
"Righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne…"
That creates the great problem: How can a holy God save guilty sinners without violating His own justice?
The answer is the Gospel.
The Promise of the Gospel Begins in Genesis
The first prophecy of Christ appears immediately after sin entered the world. God said to the serpent:
Genesis 3:15
"And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel."
This is often called the first Gospel promise. The "bruising of the heel" points to Christ's suffering. The "bruising of the head" points to Satan's defeat.
At Calvary, Satan bruised Christ's heel — Jesus suffered and died. But by His death and resurrection, Jesus crushed Satan's head.
Hebrews 2:14
"Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil."
The Gospel Was Preached in Promise to Abraham
Genesis 22:18
"And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed…"
Paul explains that this promise pointed to Christ:
Galatians 3:8
"The scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed."
Galatians 3:16
"He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ."
The Gospel was not a late New Testament idea. It was promised from the beginning, developed through Abraham, pictured in the sacrifices, prophesied by the prophets, and fulfilled in Christ. The Bible is one great story: God bringing salvation through Jesus Christ.
The Gospel Was Foreshadowed in the Old Testament Sacrifices
Under the Law of Moses, animals were offered for sin. But animal blood could never actually remove sin.
Hebrews 10:4
"For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins."
Those sacrifices pointed forward to Christ. John the Baptist saw Jesus and said:
John 1:29
"Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world."
1 Corinthians 5:7
"For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us."
In Exodus 12, the Israelites were saved from death by the blood of the Passover lamb. The blood had to be applied to the doorposts. In the Gospel, Christ is the Lamb, and His blood must be applied to the sinner.
The question is: When does the sinner contact the saving blood of Christ?
We will answer that from Scripture in Section 13.
The Gospel Was Prophesied by Isaiah
Isaiah 53 gives one of the clearest Old Testament pictures of Christ's suffering.
Isaiah 53:5
"He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed."
Isaiah 53:6
"The LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all."
Isaiah 53:12
"He bare the sin of many…"
This is substitutionary language. Christ did not die because He sinned. He died because we sinned. Peter applies Isaiah's prophecy to Jesus:
1 Peter 2:24
"Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree…"
Jesus took the penalty that sin deserved — not because God overlooked sin, but because God judged sin at the cross.
The Gospel Centers on Jesus Christ
Romans 1:16
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation…"
The Gospel declares who Jesus is:
He is the eternal Word. — John 1:1
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."
He became flesh. — John 1:14
"And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us…"
He lived without sin. — 1 Peter 2:22
"Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth."
He died for sinners. — Romans 5:8
"While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
He rose from the dead. — Matthew 28:6
"He is not here: for he is risen…"
He ascended to the Father. — Mark 16:19
"He was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God."
He is now Lord and Christ. — Acts 2:36
"God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ."
The Death, Burial, and Resurrection Are the Core of the Gospel
Christ Died
Colossians 1:14
"In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins."
Greek: ἀπολύτρωσις (apolytrōsis) — release by payment of ransom.
Christ Was Buried
Matthew 27:59-60
"He wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his own new tomb."
His burial proves He truly died. He was not unconscious.
Christ Rose Again
Romans 1:4
"Declared to be the Son of God with power… by the resurrection from the dead."
The resurrection proves Jesus is the Son of God.
1 Corinthians 15:14
"And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain."
The Gospel is not a philosophy. It is a historical, saving message grounded in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The Gospel Is God's Power to Save
Romans 1:16
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth…"
The Greek word for power is δύναμις (dynamis)— power, might, ability, force. From this we get the English word dynamite.
The word salvation comes from Greek σωτηρία (sōtēria)— deliverance, rescue, preservation.
The Gospel is the power of God unto salvation.
What Does the Gospel Save Us From?
Remission — Greek ἄφεσις (aphesis): release, forgiveness, sending away.
"We shall be saved from wrath through him."
"Delivered us from the power of darkness, translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son."
"Punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord."
This is why the Gospel matters. It is the difference between being lost and being saved.
What Does It Mean to Obey the Gospel?
2 Thessalonians 1:8
"In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ."
1 Peter 4:17
"What shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?"
That raises an important question: How does a person obey facts?
The Gospel facts are that Jesus died, was buried, and rose again. We obey those facts by being united with Christ in the likeness of His death, burial, and resurrection.
Romans 6:3-4
"Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life."
| Gospel Event | Our Obedience |
|---|---|
| Christ died | We die to sin |
| Christ was buried | We are buried in baptism |
| Christ rose | We rise to walk in newness of life |
The Greek word for baptized is βαπτίζω (baptizō)— to immerse, dip, submerge. Baptism is not sprinkling. It is not pouring. It is a burial.
Colossians 2:12
"Buried with him in baptism…"
How Does the Gospel Save You Personally?
Hear the Gospel
Romans 10:17
""So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.""
No one can be saved by a Gospel they have never heard.
Believe the Gospel
Mark 16:16
""He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.""
Greek: πιστεύω (pisteuō) — to believe, trust, have faith in. Saving faith obeys.
Repent of Sin
Acts 2:38
""Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins…""
Greek: μετανοέω (metanoeō) — to change the mind. A change of mind that produces a change of life.
Confess Christ
Romans 10:9
""That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus…""
Not confessing sins to a priest. Confessing faith in Jesus as the Son of God.
Be Baptized for the Remission of Sins
Acts 2:38 · Acts 22:16 · 1 Peter 3:21
""Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins…""
The phrase "for the remission of sins" means in order to receive forgiveness.
Ananias told Saul:
"And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord." — Acts 22:16
Baptism Connects Us to the Death of Christ
The blood of Christ was shed in His death.
John 19:34
"But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water."
Romans 6 says we are baptized into His death.
Romans 6:3
"So many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death."
So when do we contact the death of Christ?
Paul says: in baptism.
Romans 6:6
"Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed…"
Galatians 3:27
"For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ."
How does one get into Christ?
Paul says we are baptized into Christ.
Where is salvation?
2 Timothy 2:10
"That they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus…"
Salvation is in Christ. Baptism puts the penitent believer into Christ. Therefore baptism is part of God's saving plan.
The Book of Acts Shows People Obeying the Gospel
The book of Acts is the book of conversions. It shows how people responded to the Gospel.
Acts 2 — The Jews at Pentecost
Question/Context: "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" — Acts 2:37
Answer: "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins…" — Acts 2:38
Result: "Then they that gladly received his word were baptized…" — Acts 2:41
Acts 8 — The Samaritans
Question/Context: They heard Philip preaching the kingdom of God and Jesus Christ.
Result: "They were baptized, both men and women." — Acts 8:12
Acts 8 — The Ethiopian Eunuch
Question/Context: "See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?" — Acts 8:36
Answer: Philip preached Jesus to him from Isaiah 53.
Result: Preaching Jesus includes preaching baptism.
Acts 9 & 22 — Saul of Tarsus
Question/Context: Saul believed Jesus was Lord on the road to Damascus. He prayed and fasted for three days.
Answer: "Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins…" — Acts 22:16
Result: He was not told he was saved until Ananias commanded baptism.
Acts 10 — Cornelius
Question/Context: "Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved." — Acts 11:14
Answer: A good, praying, devout man — but he still needed words of salvation.
Result: "And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord." — Acts 10:48
Acts 16 — The Philippian Jailer
Question/Context: "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" — Acts 16:30
Answer: Paul and Silas preached the word of the Lord to him.
Result: "And was baptized, he and all his, straightway." — Acts 16:33
That pattern is consistent throughout Acts: when people believed the Gospel, they repented and were baptized.
Grace, Faith, and Obedience Work Together
Ephesians 2:8
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God."
The Greek word for grace is χάρις (charis)— favor, gift, kindness. We cannot earn salvation. But grace does not remove obedience.
Noah
Genesis 6:8, 22
Found grace — but still had to build the ark.
Israel
Exodus 12
Saved by grace — but had to apply the blood and pass through the Red Sea.
Naaman
2 Kings 5:14
Healed by God — but had to dip seven times in the Jordan.
Hebrews 5:9
"He became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him."
Baptism does not earn salvation.
Baptism is obedient faith submitting to God's command. The power is not in the water. The power is in God. But God appointed baptism as the point at which the penitent believer contacts the saving benefits of Christ's blood.
What Happens When You Obey the Gospel?
"For the remission of sins."
"Wash away thy sins."
"The Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved."
"Baptized into Christ."
"If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature."
"Walk in newness of life."
"Ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."
The Gospel Also Creates a New Life
Romans 6:1-2
"Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid."
Galatians 2:20
"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me…"
Christianity is not merely "getting baptized." Baptism is the beginning of the new life, not the end of responsibility.
Revelation 2:10
"Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life."
John 8:31
"If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed."
Titus 2:12
"Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world."
The Gospel and the Church
The Gospel does not merely save individuals into isolation. It adds them to the body of Christ.
The church belongs to Christ.
""Upon this rock I will build my church…""
— Matthew 16:18
Christ purchased the church with His blood.
""Feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.""
— Acts 20:28
There is one body.
""There is one body…""
— Ephesians 4:4
The saved are added by the Lord to His church.
""The Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.""
— Acts 2:47
The Gospel produces one saved body under one Head, Jesus Christ — not many conflicting religious bodies teaching different doctrines.
The Gospel Must Not Be Changed
Galatians 1:8
"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."
The word accursed is Greek ἀνάθεμα (anathema)— devoted to destruction, under divine curse. That is serious.
Galatians 1:10
"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."
The Gospel cannot be altered by modern religion, denominational creeds, human tradition, or personal feelings.
The Gospel is not ours to revise. It is ours to preach, believe, obey, and defend.
The Gospel's Final Hope
Philippians 3:20
"For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ."
John 14:2
"In my Father's house are many mansions…"
1 John 2:25
"And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life."
1 Corinthians 15:26
"The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death."
The full hope of the Gospel: forgiveness now, a new life now, fellowship with God now, and eternal life with Him forever.
The Gospel in Simple Terms
The Gospel Pattern of Salvation
Hear the Gospel
Romans 10:17
Believe in Christ
John 8:24 · Mark 16:16
Repent of sins
Luke 13:3 · Acts 2:38
Confess Christ
Romans 10:9-10 · Acts 8:37
Be baptized for the remission of sins
Acts 2:38 · Acts 22:16 · 1 Peter 3:21
Remain faithful
Revelation 2:10 · John 8:31
Romans 6:17-18 — The Closing Word
"But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness."
This is not salvation by human merit. This is salvation by grace through obedient faith.