For follow-up discussion and general commentary on the topic. Comments are sorted chronologically.
Ethan Huffman
New king James is the true word and we read the old king James to come to understanding with the new.
Galen Smith
Ethan Huffman: I'm confused over what exactly you are saying by your comment. Are you suggesting that the New King James Version is the only translation of the Bible to contain the true message of the gospel? Or are you simply endorsing it as the most accurate English translation? Or am I far afield of what you are saying? Please clarify what you mean. Thanks in advance.
Larry Truelove
The answer given by Mr. Houdmann, as far as I can tell is both accurate and complete. As with many words the Greek word for "gospel" is used in more than one context. To use it in another context sometimes confuses people. For example, it is found in Hebrews 4:2 "For indeed we have had the good news preached to us, just as they also..." But thinking in terms of the gospel of Jesus Christ, that's not true. It was good news, sufficient to lead people to believe, but it was not "good news" in precisely the same sense that the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ was.
A larger narrative of Jesus' entire life from beginning to end is often call a "Gospel", as a title of a NT letter like Luke's gospel or Mark's gospel (Mark 1:1). If we say that a recitation of the gospel according to 1 Corinthians 15 is insufficient or "not the whole gospel", we are in danger of adding to the Gospel of Christ.
In this vein, terms like "full gospel" imply that the gospel of Jesus' death, burial and resurrection for our sins as declared by Paul in 1 Corinthians 15 is not enough.
James Kraft
The gospel is Jesus life, death, and resurrection and it is by faith that we are justified sinners. Salvation is a free gift of eternal life by faith in Christ alone with nothing from us, (our works) so no one can boast.
We can add nothing to grace for salvation. Galatians 1;8-9 There is no changing your life, or habits, or baptism, or committing yourself to the Lord, or making Jesus Lord of your life, or any other thing. It is by grace alone with no works.
We are counted righteous before God by faith alone. Romans 4:5
We have eternal life by faith and our sins can no more be imputed to us. John 6:37-40. It is the simplicity of the gospel to all who believe. It is by faith alone.
That is the good news of the gospel. Ephesians 2:8-9 is the free gift of God for salvation by grace. The word for repentance in the bible for salvation is metanoia which means to change your mind and believe the gospel of grace for salvation.
Grant Abbott
The true gospel is the person of Jesus Christ. Cover to cover, the bible is the story of him. The most important decision you will ever make is to begin a relationship with Him.
Jose Evangelista
The "true gospel" (or "good news") is the one that Jesus brought with him, and that is the "good news" (the "gospel") of "the coming Kingdom of God". This gospel is even embedded in the "Lord's Prayer" (the one He taught how we should pray).
Shirley H
I have heard the question, "Which Gospel when?" So does this ask about the "Gospel of the Kingdom," or as St. Paul presents it, the "Gospel of salvation." You know, that Jesus gave His life, shed His blood, died for our sins on the cross, so that any who believe will be saved from eternal doom.
Jesus came to those expecting the arrival of God's Kingdom on earth. He could not preach the salvation Gospel, because it hadn't happened yet.
So it seems that the Gospel for us is the salvation Gospel, yet we still look toward the day when Jesus will return and set up the Kingdom!
So. I guess, our faith will usher in the Gospel of the Kingdom arriving over the earth...???
Mark Vestal
Who were God's chosen people? Israel (Gen 46:1-3).
Who is to still be the promised 'earthly' kingdom of priests to the world? Israel (Exodus 19:6).
What was/is required for Israel to receive her kingdom? Belief that Jesus Christ their Messiah has come (Matt 3:1-3).
Did Israel as a nation do this and receive it? No (Acts 1:6-7).
What happened next? God turned to the Gentile 'dogs' (Matt 15:26 - outsiders of God's covenant promises with Israel) and offered salvation freely to anyone who will believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross for the forgiveness of sins, was buried, but rose again the 3rd day (1 Cor 15:1-4).
Did Peter and the 11 preach this gospel of God's grace and Jesus Christ crucified? No.
As Shirley pointed out, not only had the power of Christ's shed blood not yet been revealed, it was also not THEIR good news. It was their BAD news (Acts 2:36-38)!
Who did Peter and the 11 preach to that the kingdom was still at hand? Israel (Acts 11:19).
Who was the one chosen to receive the gospel of Christ crucified (1 Cor 1:23) directly from Jesus Christ ascended in glory? Saul of Tarsus (Gal 1:11-12); the post-cross apostle now known as Paul for God's current dispensation of grace (Eph 3:2).
Who was the first member of the church, the body of Christ? Paul (1 Tim 1:16).
Do these members await an earthly kingdom and earthly blessings, or heavenly kingdom with spiritual blessings? Heavenly and spiritual (Eph 1:3).
Do they walk by faith or by sight? Faith! (2 Cor 5:7)
Mark Vestal
Our faith places us into the body of Christ. When the last believer believes during this period that Paul calls 'the dispensation of God's grace' (Eph 3:2), Christ will return in the clouds first to gather the church, which is His body.
At some point after this event, Christ will PHYSICALLY return to earth and establish Israel's long awaited and promised earthly 'kingdom of heaven'. This will last for 1,000 years while Satan is bound.
Satan will then be released for a 'season' and will gather his army, once again deceiving the world, for the final assault and attempt to defeat Jesus Christ. Christ will annihilate Satan's army and will cast him, the beast, the false prophet, and all unbelievers into the lake of fire. The 'new heaven and new earth' will then come together for eternity.
Shirley H
Amen Mark!