What Is the Gospel?
The word gospel means "good news," and it refers to the central message of Christianity: that God has made a way for sinful humanity to be reconciled to Him through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Paul provides perhaps the most concise summary of the gospel in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, stating that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, was buried, and rose again on the third day. These three events — death, burial, and resurrection — form the foundation of the Christian faith. Jesus took the penalty for human sin upon Himself, and His resurrection demonstrated God's acceptance of that sacrifice.
The gospel is not merely information to be believed but an invitation to be received. It calls people to repentance and faith, to turn from self-rule and trust in Christ's finished work. John 3:16 captures the heart of this message: God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. The gospel is good news because it announces that what we could never accomplish on our own, God has accomplished for us.
Key Scriptures
1 Corinthians 15:3-4
“For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.”
John 3:16
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
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; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”
Ask More Questions in the App
Get personalized answers to your faith questions with our AI-powered companion. Ask anything about the Bible, theology, or your spiritual journey.