What Is the Gospel

by R.C. Sproul



There is no greater message to be heard than that which we call the Gospel. But as important as that is, it is often given to massive distortions or over simplifications. People think they’re preaching the Gospel to you when they tell you, ‘you can have a purpose to your life’, or that ‘you can have meaning to your life’, or that ‘you can have a personal relationship with Jesus.’ All of those things are true, and they’re all important, but they don’t get to the heart of the Gospel.

The Gospel is called the ‘good news’ because it addresses the most serious problem that you and I have as human beings, and that problem is simply this: God is holy and He is just, and I’m not. And at the end of my life, I’m going to stand before a just and holy God, and I’ll be judged. And I’ll be judged either on the basis of my own righteousness – or lack of it – or the righteousness of another. The good news of the Gospel is that Jesus lived a life of perfect righteousness, of perfect obedience to God, not for His own well being but for His people. He has done for me what I couldn’t possibly do for myself. But not only has He lived that life of perfect obedience, He offered Himself as a perfect sacrifice to satisfy the justice and the righteousness of God.

The great misconception in our day is this: that God isn’t concerned to protect His own integrity. He’s a kind of wishy-washy deity, who just waves a wand of forgiveness over everybody. No. For God to forgive you is a very costly matter. It cost the sacrifice of His own Son. So valuable was that sacrifice that God pronounced it valuable by raising Him from the dead – so that Christ died for us, He was raised for our justification. So the Gospel is something objective. It is the message of who Jesus is and what He did. And it also has a subjective dimension. How are the benefits of Jesus subjectively appropriated to us? How do I get it? The Bible makes it clear that we are justified not by our works, not by our efforts, not by our deeds, but by faith – and by faith alone. The only way you can receive the benefit of Christ’s life and death is by putting your trust in Him – and in Him alone. You do that, you’re declared just by God, you’re adopted into His family, you’re forgiven of all of your sins, and you have begun your pilgrimage for eternity.

Day 343

(C) Book of 1 Peter
1. The Christian's sufferings - 1 Peter 1:1-25; 2:1-20
2. Christ has suffered for us - 1 Peter 2:21-25; 3:1-22; 4:1-19
3. Exhortation to be strong and closing salutations - 1 Peter 5:1-14

1st Peter - Timeless Truths for Tough Times - I have been blessed to be in a ladies Bible study for the past 5+ years studying the book of 1st Peter inductively.  We are finishing verse 5 and will begin verse 6 sometime in 2011.  If you have never availed yourself of the opportunity to study inductively, here are a couple of articles to get you started:  How To Study Inductively, which has an in interesting side story about being observant with that which is placed before you.  The next is an 8 part article also titled, How To Study Inductively, they reference Websters 1828 dictionary for definitions of words.  I have always used the Strong's Concordance which can be found online here or here, or as part of the free Bible software at E-Sword, which also includes a variety of translations, dictionary and commentaries.

That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. (1 Peter 1:7-9)

It was specifically verse 7 that I was focused upon, however I did not want to fragment the verse.  This verse reminds me of another about our works being tried by fire.


1Co 3:13  Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.

This passage has been brought to my attention time and again.  Father's reminding me to be cognizant of HIS son's eventual return to claim His (Jesus') betrothed.  I am saddened with the thought that I may stand before Him and have nothing left but the foundation.  Will that which I do stand the fire of HIS scrutiny?  Will all that I have done this side of glory be burnt as if hay, wood and stubble?  Will ought of that which I thought to offer unto Him come through as gold, silver or precious gems?

1Pe 4:17  For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? 

1Pe 4:18  And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? 

We all need to take warning, the Master's return draws closer every day, we are commanded to be diligently looking and craving for that day.  We ought not to be as the unwise servant:


Luke 12:46  The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.

Luke 12:47  And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.

Luke 12:48  But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.

Day 330

N. Book of Galatians (from Corinth)
1. Difference between law and grace
a. Paul's gospel from God - Galatians 1:1-24
b. Paul's relationship to others - Galatians 2:1-6
c. Justification by faith - Galatians 2:15-21
d. Bondage under the law - Galatians 3:1-29; 4:1-31
2. Application of grace, freedom in Christ - Galatians 5:1-26; 6:1-18


Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. And 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. So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.  (Galatians 3:7-9)


Verse 8 caught my attention because of the foreseeing - but as I typed it out I was intrigued by the fact that the gospel was preached to Abraham.  Jesus preached the gospel.  I know I am re-covering ground, but I find this fascinating.  The gospel is not solely that Jesus came, died, was buried and rose again.

Isa 61:1  The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; 
Isa 61:2  To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; 
Isa 61:3  To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified. 

I am going to have to continue to turn this over and meditate, read, study, research and pray.  The depth of what the word 'gospel' conveys is beyond a simplistic statement.  The wealth of what Jesus taught when HE came proclaiming the gospel, ahh, that our understanding would be fully enlightened.

Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years.  (Galatians 4:10)

The commentaries seem to suggest that the Galatians may have been attempting to keep the Jewish Sabbaths, new moons, festivals.  I can see where it might have been difficult for them.  They have come out of paganism, with all of its rituals, rites and feast days.  It might have been easy to transfer that desire into something they considered holy.  Especially if there were those who thought or promoted that keeping the festivals was in integral part of being a Christian.

I am trying to balance that with Paul's continuing to observe the feasts.  The Word records it, what does that say to us?  I know all of the feasts were a foretelling of an accomplishment fulfilled by Christ (at least the Spring and Summer).  Was Paul keeping the feasts (not looking forward) but as a remembrance of what Christ's death had wrought?

Then there is the passage in Acts where only 4 requirements are placed upon the Gentile converts, yet specific attention is given to mention that they would continue to hear the law of Moses taught in the synagogues.  I have never participated in a Biblical Passover - as I sat and pondered these things, it made me wonder:  If a Jew, participated in a scripturally lined up Passover (or other fulfilled feast), rejoiced to see each portion fulfilled by Christ.

Act 15:21  For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day. 

I like Paul's comment - Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?  (Galatians 4:16)  When someone speaks, corrects and/or challenges us regarding something we are holding onto which may not be Biblical, do we bow up?  Get defensive?  Desire to search the scriptures to see if those things are so?  Take it to the altar and lay it down before Him?  Be willing to give 'it' up to Him?  Even take the time prayerfully ask Him?

A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.  (Galatians 5:9) - How much of the world, it's thoughts, attitudes, behaviors am I allowing to 'leaven' me?  How different do I really look?  Can anyone see a difference?  Not because I want to be lifted up or glorified, God forbid.  I tremble when I think of how sin saturated I am.  The closer I draw to Christ the more I see the ugliness of the sin which battles me daily.  Perhaps better stated, when someone looks at me, how much of Christ do they really see?

Works of the flesh:  Adultery ~ fornication (harlotry, incest) ~ uncleanness (impurity) ~ lasciviousness (licentiousness) ~ idolatry (image worship) ~ witchcraft (medication, magic) ~ hatred (hostility) ~ variance (quarrel, wrangling) ~ emulations (jealousy) ~ wrath (passion) ~ strife (intrigue, faction) ~ seditions (disunion, dissension) ~ heresies (choice, party, disunion) ~ envyings (ill will, jealousy) ~ murders ~ drunkenness (intoxicant) ~ revellings (carousal, let loose).

I will probably never be able to write or say the word intriguing without thinking about this passage and specifically the word strife.  I was just going to list the words, with no thought of placing the definition, until I came to the word variance.  Perplexity - then a decision to look up each word.   I ought not forget how vitally important it is to understand the words and their meanings.

Fruit of the Spirit:  love (affection or benevolence) ~ joy (cheerfulness, delight) ~ peace (prosperity) ~ longsuffering (forbearance, fortitude) ~ gentleness (usefulness, excellence) ~ goodness (virtue or beneficence) ~ faith (persuasion, credence, conviction) ~ meekness (gentleness, humility) ~ temperance (self control).

I like the comparison between work (toil) and fruit (plucked).  To my mind it invokes a picture of in progress (work) versus rest or completion (fruit).

As we therefore have opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.  (Galatians 6:10)

Lord, let us ever be ready to pour out our lives as a sacrificial offering unto You, to whom ever You call us to do so.

But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.  (Galatians 6:14)

Father, help each of Your children to die daily to self, to die to the call and allure of the world, to desire with growing fervency to give a proper estimate of who You are in all that we say, do and think.  Help us Lord to love, serve and represent You with the totality of our beings.

Day 326

J. Book of 1 Corinthians (from Ephesus) ~ cont.

2. Pattern for a prosperous church ~ cont.

h. Importance of love - 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

i. Tongues and prophesying - 1 Corinthians 14:1-40

j. The gospel declared - 1 Corinthians 15:1-4

k. The resurrection - 1 Corinthians 15:8-58


I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying. (1 Corinthians 14:5)


prophesied/prophesieth - G4395 - From G4396; to foretell events, divine, speak under inspiration, exercise the prophetic office.  G4396 - From a compound of G4253 and G5346; a foreteller (“prophet”); by analogy an inspired speaker; by extension a poet.


church - G1577 - From a compound of G1537 and a derivative of G2564; a calling out, that is, (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (Jewish synagogue, or Christian community of members on earth or saints in heaven or both).


Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe. If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that you are mad? But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all: And thus are the secrets of his own heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth. 
(1 Corinthians 14:22-25)


This passage seems contradictory to me - tongues are a sign for unbelievers (22) yet the next verse (23) seems to indicate that unbelievers would consider someone speaking in tongues as mad (G3105 - rave as a maniac).


Then verse 22 states prophesying is for them which believe, yet in verses 24 and 25 it appears that it is to convict the unbeliever.


Gill's commentary on the passage is well worth the time to read (too lengthy to quote) - the part I found most interesting was in reference to verse 25 - if I have internalized it properly - that when the Word is rightly divided someone sitting under the teaching can and will be convicted. The Word being taught, no knowledge by that person giving forth, the message is used by God to convict of sin and bring to repentance.


The passage is speaking about unbelievers, but also unlearned.


unbelievers - G571 - From G1 (as a negative particle) and G4103; (actively) disbelieving, that is, without Christian faith (specifically a heathen); (passively) untrustworthy (person), or incredible (thing).


unlearned - G2399 - From G2398; a private person, that is, (by implication) an ignoramus (compare “idiot”).


God's Word, rightly divided should be an edification for and to all.  Not only to those who are in need of HIS saving grace, but more importantly for the warriors who battle (or should) daily, contending for the faith.


How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you have a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation.  Let all things be done to edifying. (1 Corinthians 14:26)


Again Gill's commentary is an encouragement for those who are gifted in these areas to be used, not for vanities sake, but for the edification of the saints.


Wherefore brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.  (1 Corinthians 14:39)


covet? - G2206 - From G2205; to have warmth of feeling for or against. G2205 - From G2204; properly heat, that is, (figuratively) “zeal” (in a favorable sense, ardor; in an unfavorable one, jealousy, as of a husband [figuratively of God], or an enemy, malice). G2204 - A primary verb; to be hot (boil, of liquids; or glow, of solids), that is, (figuratively) be fervid (earnest).


There are 2 distinct camps regarding spiritual gifts one says they are for today, others that they have passed away with the 1st century church.  I realize there are some major abuses of the gifts. The name it, claim in crowd is one example of extreme abuse, done solely for the purpose of building up a person or ministry.


That said, I do not see how the church can deny that Paul was very specific about the need for fervency in the manifestation of these gifts.  If he admonishes us to covet them, how then can they have passed away?


Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.  (1 Corinthians 15:33)


deceived - G4105 - From G4106; to (properly cause to) roam (from safety, truth, or virtue).


evil - G2556 - Apparently a primary word; worthless (intrinsically such; whereas G4190 properly refers to effects), that is, (subjectively) depraved, or (objectively) injurious.


communications - G3657 - From G3658; companionship (“homily”), that is, (by implication) intercourse.


corrupt - G5351 - Probably strengthened from φθίω phthiō (to pine or waste): properly to shrivel or wither, that is, to spoil (by any process) or (genitive) to ruin (especially figuratively by moral influences, to deprave).


good - G5543 - From G5530; employed, that is, (by implication) useful (in manner or morals).


manners - G2239 - A strengthened form of G1485; usage, that is, (plural) moral habits.


This is in reference to those who deny resurrection.  However, it would behoove the Bride to look at it in light of how much the world influences her.  We (whether we agree with or to it) are impacted by what we read, watch and participate.  We become desensitized to the evil promoted in the culture.  If Father admonishes us to be set apart and holy, how diligently are we to obey?

Day 316

XVII The Ministries of Paul and Peter ~ cont.

A. First records the early church at Jerusalem ~ cont.

4. Tiberius, Emperor, dies - A.D. March 15, 37
5. Conversion of Saul (Paul)
a. Christians persecuted - Acts 9:1-2
b. Paul converted - Acts 9:3-25
c. Paul grows in grace - Galatians 1:17
d. Paul visits Jerusalem - Galatians 1:18-19; Acts 9:26-31
6. Growth of church under Peter's ministry
a. Miracles performed - Acts 9:32-43
b. Cornelius (gentile) hears gospel - Acts 10:1-48; 11:1-18


"And he (Saul) trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" (Acts 9:6a)


trembling - G5141 - Strengthened from a primary word τρέω treō (to “dread”, “terrify”); to “tremble” or fear.


astonished - G2284 -From G2285; to stupefy (with surprise), that is, astound.


No ifs, ands or buts.  Tell me what to do, I will do it.  I recently found a quote from Corrie ten Boom, "Don't bother to give God instructions; just report for duty."


I remember my conversion, not the actual date or time, but the month, where I was, exactly what happened.  I do not remember trembling - I do remember being thoroughly astonished.  What an exhortation Paul is...he continued to carry that zestful spirit post-conversion.  Far too many people, well, they settle.  I remember someone telling me that once I had been a Christian for a while, I would settle down; and thinking, NO WAY.


I want to be ON FIRE, always and continually.  O that the Bride of Christ would recapture that fervency, that turn the world upside down mentality.  Lord, stir up Your gift which You have placed within us, cause us to be bold, fervent, full of the Spirit, speaking forth Your word without fear or care of offending.


God tells Ananias that Paul is a chosen vessel (Acts 9:15) - Paul was most definitely NOT looking for the Lord, he thought he already 'had' his God, his religion.  He was out to make sure others were not polluting the 'true religion.'  What an awesome testimony of how even when we think we are 'saved' by some religious checklist, if we are His, He will cause us to see and hear Him.


Cornelius, a centurion (captain of 100 men), devout (well reverent, pious), feared (awe, revere) God, gave alms (compassionateness) to the people, prayed (beg, petition) to God.


Sees in a vision and receives instruction to send for Peter - Peter lodging with Simon the tanner.  Peter up on the housetop to pray, falls into a trance and sees a sheet let down from heaven, containing all manner of beasts, creeping things and fowls and is told to rise, kill and eat.  Peter resists, a good Jew, keeping the Law does not eat unclean animals.


Out of curiosity I googled clean and unclean animals and came up with several articles.  The one listed was streamlined.  This is not an area I have extensively researched and know people on both sides of the aisle - some very emphatic about their position - and will leave it to the reader and God to work out.  Obviously Peter, being sent to the Gentiles, was going to encounter some alternate food practices and Father did not want him turning his nose up.  In fact, later on Paul has to rebuke Peter for having an attitude about eating with the Gentiles.


Jesus, upon sending out the 70 tells them to eat what is set before them.  Later in Corinthians believers are encouraged to eat, but to be cautious of offending the conscience of others.


Peter goes, preaches to Cornelius and the Holy Ghost is poured out...those who are regenerated speak with other tongues, magnifying God.  Then they are baptized.


Peter returns to Jerusalem and has to contend with those of the circumcision - and he recounts all that transpired - ending with:


"Then remembered I the word of the Lord , how that the said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.  Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?" (Acts 11:17-18)


Thus they glorified God and said, "Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life." (Acts 11:18).


Amen!