What is the Gospel?

        If we look at all the gospel presentations after the resurrection, we find that the preachers are always showing that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, even to Gentiles. The question then becomes, not “What is the Gospel?” but “Who is the Gospel?”

        On the very day of the resurrection Someone joined the two on the road to Emmaus and explained the entire Old Testament in terms of the Messiah (Luke 24:13-35), in the time it took to walk eleven kilometers. John, in his record, states, “these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” John 20:31.

        As we move into the book of Acts, we hear Peter say, on the Day of Pentecost, “Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs…God raised him from the dead.” Acts 2:22, 24.

        There are as many as two dozen places in the Acts where the message is unmistakable. For instance Philip “went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Christ.” (Acts 8:5) Later, speaking to the Ethiopian, he “told him the good news about Jesus.” (8:35) After Saul’s conversion in Damascus, the first thing he did was “to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God.” (9:20) In Caesarea, Peter stood up in front of Gentile Cornelius and his friends, “telling the good news of peace through Jesus Christ.” (10:36) In Philippi, Paul’s cry to the jailer was “Believe in the Lord Jesus!” (16:31) In Athens, to more Gentiles, Paul’s word was still “the good news about Jesus and the resurrection.” (17:18)

        We could go on, because there are many more examples. We trust the point has been made—the Good News is Jesus— Jesus is the Gospel. But knowing this is not enough. We have to pray to Him directly. Tell Him you believe Him. Tell Him you trust Him. Only that will make Him real in your life.   Ì