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The Gospel
What is the gospel?

By OLYMPIA BARCZYNSKA

W HERE should we look in Scripture for clear teaching on what the gospel is? The Bible usually does not give us concise definitions on things but we are to know the whole counsel of God, compare Scripture with Scripture and get the full picture.
Much suffering has gone on “for the gospel’s sake” (1Corinthians 9:23, 2 Timothy 1:8, Philemon 1:13 NKJV) and so many have laid down their lives because of the gospel. Have they done this for an ideology? Is this because of their conviction about the means of salvation or even for a message about a person? Or is the gospel they have laid down their lives for something more?
It would appear from the way “gospel” messages are given these days that the gospel is information about how to secure a desirable future destiny and/or pleasurable experience in this life. Often any information about the Person who does the saving takes secondary place as man and his needs are presented as central.
Let us consider the basic meaning of words and put aside their common usage of today. The Greek word “euaggelion” means good message and is generally translated gospel. It seems that the Hebrew equivalent for good message is “basar” which is usually translated good tidings or good news. These “good messages” can be of many kinds e.g. news of victory at a time of siege (2 Kings 7:9) or news of the faith and love of the Thessalonian believers (1 Thessalonians 3:6). These words are not used exclusively to convey just one thing.
It becomes obvious that there can be any number of good messages, yet the thread woven through the Bible makes it clear that there is one good message above all other good messages. This was known in part and anticipated in the Old Testament and fully revealed in the New.
When used in the Bible “the gospel” is sometimes qualified, most commonly with the prepositional phrases “of Christ” or “of God”. (N.B. prepositional phrases like these are used to indicate what something consists of or what the subject matter of something is). At other times the good message is simply stated as “the gospel” with the assumption that the readers know full well what is meant. But do we really know what “The Gospel” is?
It is vital to note that nowhere does the Bible speak of “the gospel about Christ” or about anything else for that matter. It is “the gospel of Christ” or “the gospel of God”. I fear that few today see the crystal clear nature of what this signifies and so miss the point entirely of what the gospel is. We can use the phrase “gift of the Holy Spirit” as an example of this use of grammar. If we receive this gift what do we have? What is the gift that we have received? What is the focus on? Is it on the packaging or on the substance of what the gift actually is? Indeed on Who the gift is? This is why when looking at the references to the gospel it becomes impossible to separate the good message from the subject and substance of what it brings. What then is the gospel that we have believed? Or should I say Who?
To get an idea of the biblical way of understanding the gospel it is perhaps best to start by looking at a situation where a departure from the true gospel has taken place. The most well known case is in Galatia; Paul wrote to the churches there on this very thing. How did Paul approach this matter with them? Did he start by saying that they had wandered away from the creed or the belief system he had given them? Did he imply that such things even existed? No! Not at all, because what he was presenting to them was God Himself. The theme that is at the heart of Paul’s letter is that these Galatian Christians were departing from the true gospel to a different gospel. How did Paul present this? In Galatians 1:6 we have it:
“I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel.”
He is not saying that you are turning from the grace of Christ to a different gospel, but that you are turning from HIM to a different gospel. “Him” very clearly refers to Christ. “From Him” is directly contrasted with “to a different gospel”. Yes, we were called in the grace of Christ but we were called to Him. The Galatians were turning away from the Lord Jesus Himself to a different gospel. This is the seriousness of the situation. They were departing from the Living God to a system of man’s religion.
To rectify this deadly departure Paul expands on how the law is unable to justify anyone in the sight of God and amazingly contrasts law with faith; not law with grace as first springs to mind. There are 25 references to law in the letter to Galatians, 20 references to faith and 7 references to grace. This is quite telling, especially when considering at what points these words intersect. A summary of Paul’s argument can be seen in Galatians 2:16:
“Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ…”
Galatians 3:2,5,11,12,23 and 24 also give a direct contrast between law and faith. The seven references to grace in Galatians (chapters 1:3,6,15; 2:9,21; 5:4; and 6:18) speak of the divine influence upon the heart. It can be clearly deduced that the frustration of God’s influence upon the heart is directly linked to a turning away from Christ. This is what the Galatians were doing by returning to the weak and beggarly elements from which they had once been freed.
Now let us look at three things:

  • (1) The gospel in relation to Paul.
  • 2) The gospel in relation to what is no gospel at all.
  • 3) The gospel in relation to the Galatians.

1) Paul clearly considers it very important to tell the Galatians how he came to have the gospel. He makes it very clear that the gospel was not preached to him according to man, he did not receive it from man, nor was he taught it, but that it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ. The word revelation means disclosure, appearing, or manifestation. Basically what Paul is saying is that the revealing of Jesus Christ was the gospel coming to him.
We know Paul’s story of having persecuted the church. He was blind in those days, all he could see was people who were not walking the same religious way that he was, and, being so zealous for the traditions of his fathers he thought he was doing God a service by killing the Christians. It is significant that when the Lord Jesus appeared to Paul He asked, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” (Acts 9:4). The Lord saw Saul’s hatred of the church as being directed at Him. By extension, can it not be said that the misrepresentation of the gospel as we see it today also has a direct impact upon the person of our Lord? Should we not care?
To rectify this deadly departure, Paul expands on how the law is unable to justify anyone in the sight of God, and amazingly contrasts law with faith; not law with grace as first springs to mind.
However, Saul, the enemy of Christ, became His friend and indeed bondservant by a revelation of Jesus Christ. The Galatians also had received a revelation of Jesus Christ (Galatians 3:1) albeit of a different order than that of Paul (see 1 Corinthians 15:8) but now were departing from Him who had called them.
Paul went on to say that it pleased God to reveal His Son in him that he might preach Him amongst the Gentiles. Compare Galatians 1:11 and 1:16 remembering that the context of this passage deals with the nature and origin of the gospel that Paul was preaching. Paul was not being called to preach a method of salvation but to preach Him who had been revealed to him. This was Paul’s gospel!
It is good to remember what he said in 1 Corinthians 1:23:
“But we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block, and to the Greeks foolishness.”

Paul preached Christ. For Him to live was Christ, to die was gain. His focus in all that he said, did and preached was Christ. Paul knew that our response of faith to God and God’s influence upon our hearts would follow as a consequence of proclaiming Christ.
Consider what is being preached today (if there is any preaching that is). Often mental gymnastics are necessary to grasp the unconsolidated concepts which are presented, whereas we are told in Colossians 1: 17 that in Christ all things consist i.e. hold together. Is it not better to preach Christ and all other things will find their right balance in the light of Him? grasp the unconsolidated concepts which are presented, whereas we are told in Colossians 1: 17 that in Christ all things consist i.e. hold together. Is it not better to preach Christ and all other things will find their right balance in the light of Him? 2) In Galatians 1:6 and 7 we read of “a different gospel, which is not another”. Paul contrasts this to the true gospel. Not only was there a “different gospel” being preached in Galatia, but Paul implies that there can be “other” gospels too (1:8). Even angels from heaven who preach anything that is not Christ are to be accursed. Paul indicates that the motive for preaching another gospel may well be the desire to please men (1:10). He makes it very clear that if he still pleased men he would not be a bondservant of Christ. How careful we must be in “this present evil age” not to be deceived. We have seen how both angels and men are able to pervert the gospel of Christ. People can accept these lies and the effects are tragic. “O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified”. — Galatians 3:1 Following another gospel is disobedience to the truth and a turning away from Jesus. 3) Now we need to look at the gospel in relation to the Galatians who came to new birth through Paul’s ministry. Paul does not deny that their experience had been genuine, but now they were in a precarious situation. Let us listen to his words, bearing in mind that he is speaking to the Galatians in the context of their departure from the true gospel to a different one: “I marvel that you are turning so soon from Him who called you…” — Galatians 1:6 “But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements..” — Galatians 4:9 “I am afraid for you lest I have laboured for you in vain”. — Galatians 1: 4:11 “My little children, for whom I labour in birth again until Christ is formed in you, I would like to be

2) In Galatians 1:6 and 7 we read of “a different gospel, which is not another”. Paul contrasts this to the true gospel. Not only was there a “different gospel” being preached in Galatia, but Paul implies that there can be “other” gospels too (1:8). Even angels from heaven who preach anything that is not Christ are to be accursed. Paul indicates that the motive for preaching another gospel may well be the desire to please men (1:10). He makes it very clear that if he still pleased men he would not be a bondservant of Christ. How careful we must be in “this present evil age” not to be deceived. We have seen how both angels and men are able to pervert the gospel of Christ. People can accept these lies and the effects are tragic.
“O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified”. — Galatians 3:1
Following another gospel is disobedience to the truth and a turning away from Jesus.

3) Now we need to look at the gospel in relation to the Galatians who came to new birth through Paul’s ministry. Paul does not deny that their experience had been genuine, but now they were in a precarious situation. Let us listen to his words, bearing in mind that he is speaking to the Galatians in the context of their departure from the true gospel to a different one:
“I marvel that you are turning so soon from Him who called you…”
— Galatians 1:6
“But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements..”
— Galatians 4:9
“I am afraid for you lest I have laboured for you in vain”.
— Galatians 1: 4:11
“My little children, for whom I labour in birth again until Christ is formed in you, I would like to be present with you now and to change my tone; for I have doubts about you”.
— Galatians 4:19-20
“You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace”.
— Galatians 5:4
“You ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth?”
—Galatians 5:7

Paul’s concern was very deep as shows in the strong language he used. He also did not shield the Galatians from knowing the consequences of what they were doing. By attempting to be justified by the law they were becoming estranged from Christ and falling from the reach of “the divine influence upon their hearts”. Bewitched as they were, they were not seeing that they were exchanging life for death, promise for bondage and what is from above for what comes from beneath. They were turning away from Him who said:
“I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, no man comes to the Father except by Me”.
— John 14:6

Not only had some in Galatia forsaken Christ but they had departed from the experience that is to be ours in Christ.
Which is so beautifully portrayed in this letter:
  • • The Lord Jesus calls us by His grace to Himself (1:6).
  • • God reveals His Son to us and in us (1:12, 16).
  • • We are justified by faith in Jesus Christ (2:16).
  • • We have been crucified with Christ (2:20).
  • • Christ lives in us (2:20).
  • • We live by the faith of the Son of God (2:20).
  • • He supplies His Spirit to us by the hearing of faith (3:2).
  • • We are sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus (3:26).
  • • His Spirit in our hearts cries “Abba father” (4:6).
  • • We can know God! (4:8,9).

Isn’t this wonderful! Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law… that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith (Galatians 3:13–14). This promise by faith in Jesus Christ is given to those who believe (Galatians 3:22). By this promise we enter into all that is good in Christ. That is why Paul exhorts the believers to “ walk in the Spirit” – the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, who has been sent by the Lord Jesus to testify of Him (John 15:26).
Isn’t this wonderful! Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law... that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. This promise by faith in Jesus Christ is given to those who believe.

This Holy Spirit, the Comforter, who the Father has sent in Jesus’ name will teach us all things and bring to our remembrance all things that Jesus has said to us (John 14:26). The Lord Jesus told us that it is to our advantage that He go away (John 16:7) as then He can send us the Holy Spirit who may abide with us forever (John 14: 16-20). When the Holy Spirit is come the Lord Jesus said, “At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me and I in you”. The dawning of that day in our lives dispels all doubts.
Paul knew that “his” gospel (see Rom. 2:16; 16:25 and 2 Tim 2:8) was exactly the same as Christ’s gospel (see Romans 1:16; 15:19 and Philippians 1:27) and what this gospel could do in the lives of those who would obey it. He was called to proclaim Christ Jesus the Lord and to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ among the Gentiles. Is this the gospel we are hearing today? Is this the gospel we are obeying?
“And having been perfected He (Christ) became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him”. — Hebrews 5:9

Paul’s gospel was Christ crucified.
It can be said that the New Testament presentation and reference to the gospel is not merely as the good message of the way or means to salvation but the good message of the source of salvation. There is a fundamental difference between these two, yet even the latter expression has its limitations.
So many New Testament teachings have become disembodied i.e. have become detached from Christ, or are presented alongside Him as separate things that we need. God’s truth is a cohesive whole and Christ is all we need. Indeed it is being in the least short-sighted to focus on any means that we may think God works by and not on God Himself. When a parched man in a desert finds an oasis he will not spend much time admiring the beauty of the palm trees, but will savour and delight in the life giving water that is found there.
It stands to reason that it is necessary to tell those seeking life-giving water how to find it. Or, if they do not understand their malady to tell them what it is and that there is a remedy for their ill. Always remembering that this remedy is a Person — Christ Jesus the Lord, Himself.
These days so many words have been emptied of their meaning, or the original meaning has been lost. Often we have heard it said that the gospel is the message of salvation, but the full impact of these words usually misses today’s generation. As the gospel cannot be separated from the person of the Lord Jesus, salvation cannot either. Let us finish with the words of aged Simeon in the temple when the Lord Jesus was only eight days old:
“Simeon took the Child Jesus up in his arms and blessed God and said: “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation which you have prepared before the face of all peoples, a light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel”.
— Luke 2:28–32

What did Simeon see? He saw the Child Jesus and the Holy Spirit who was upon him showed him that it was this One who was God’s salvation to all the peoples of the earth.

May our eyes ever rest upon Him who is the author and finisher of our faith.
Amen.

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Appeared in Issue 27 Volume 9.2 December 2003
"...contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints" -- Jude v3


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-Last revised-15 June, 2004