What is the Gospel?
Christians use the term “Gospel” to refer to the good news of God’s salvation of sinful humanity through the life, death, and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ. This will be further explained as you read on.
Why Do We Need To Be Saved?
According to Genesis 1-2, God created a good and perfect world. However, our ancestors rejected His goodness and rebelled against Him. This rebellion is referred to in the Bible as “sin.” As a result of sin, humanity is unable to experience the full extent of God’s love (Isaiah 59:1–2; Ephesians 2:1-5), and if nothing changes, death (Romans 6:23) and eternal separation from God in Hell (Matthew 10:28) will be the inevitable consequence. The solution to this sin problem is called “salvation.” To be “saved” is to enter into a new relationship with God (Isaiah 64:5; Romans 5:12-18).
Can We Save Ourselves?
It is impossible for us to achieve salvation on our own. Our good deeds and knowledge about God do not earn us salvation (Romans 3:28; Ephesians 2:8-9; Acts 15:17-11). Instead, our salvation relies solely on God’s grace, which is shown through the redemptive actions of Jesus Christ (Acts 5:30-31 and 1 Peter 3:18).
Why Do We Need Jesus?
The central claim of the gospel is that God’s workGod’salvation is accomplished through Jesus Christ (Luke 19:10; Matthew 1:21; 1 Timothy 1:15). Jesus is the only one qualified to save (Acts 4:12) because he alone is fully God and fully human (Philippians 2:5-11). Through his life, death (1 Peter 1:18–19), and resurrection (1 Peter 3:21), Jesus defeated Satan (1 Peter 1:18-19) and freed us from the guilt of sin (1 John 1:7). As a result, Jesus Christ has rightfully and exclusively earned the right to be both our Savior (John 14:6; Acts 4:12) and our Lord (Matthew 28:18; Luke 12:8–9; Romans 10:9).
Why Are We Saved By Faith?
Faith is a combination of belief and trust. Because salvation was fully accomplished by Christ, the only thing required of us is to believe the gospel and trust Jesus as our Savior and Lord (Ephesians 2:8). Through faith in Jesus, the believer can share in all the saving benefits won by Jesus through his life, death, and resurrection. These saving benefits include the removal of our sins and receiving Christ’s righteousness – being made right before God (2 Corinthians 5:21).
How Do We Know The Gospel True?
The gospel’s truthfulness rests upon the historical person and work of Jesus. His miraculous birth (John 1;14; Luke 2:4-7), his sinless, obedient life (1 Peter 2:22), his atoning death on a cross (Philippians 2:8; Luke 23:46; Romans 5:8-11), his physical resurrection from the dead (Matthew 28:1-8; 1 Corinthians 15:4; Romans 1:1-4, 6:1-14, Acts 13:30-35) and his ascension into heaven (Acts 1:19; Hebrews 12:2) are all essential elements of the gospel that really took place in recorded history.
Further evidence for the truthfulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ can be found in the fulfillment of dozens of Old Testament prophecies concerning Jesus as the Messiah (1 Peter 1:10–12), the apostles’ eyewitness testimony concerning Jesus Christ (John 19:35; 1 John 1:1-2) and the divine testimony to Jesus Christ witnessed during his ministry (Matthew 3:16-17, 17:1-13).
What Does All Of This Mean For Me?
Salvation is offered to all who believe the good news and respond to the gospel in faith. Those who respond in faith will receive the promises of the gospel, which include forgiveness of sins (John 1:29; Isaiah 53:4–6), peace with God (Romans 5:1-2), new life in Jesus Christ (Romans 1:16–17; 1 Peter 1:23-25), eternal life (John 3:14-16), and adoption into the family of God (Romans 8:12-17).
How Do I Respond to the Gospel?
The gospel demands an obedient response to all that God has done for us through Jesus Christ. This is not just a one-time decision but rather a lifelong commitment. We respond to the gospel through faith in God (Hebrews 11:6), and in the saving work of Jesus Christ (John 3:14–16), by repenting or turning away from sin (Acts 3:17-20), by being baptized as a public declaration of your faith (Acts 2:38), and by growing to become more like Christ through a process Christians call “discipleship” (John 14:15; Matthew 11:28-30, 16:24). You are not expected to do this alone. God calls all believers to join other Christians in worship and service through a local church community (Ephesians 4:1-16; Hebrews 10:25).
What If I Am Still Unsure?
It is a good idea to consider all of this before you make a decision (Luke 14:26-33). The gospel cannot be accepted halfheartedly or in part (Matthew 12:30). At the same time, we must not delay too long. We do not know how much time we have been given, and we must respond in repentance and faith to receive God’s offer of salvation in Christ (John 3:36; Acts 3:19).
What If I Have More Questions Or Want To Make A Decision To Follow Jesus?
Please reach out to Pastor Crowder via email (pastorcrowder@doverbc.org) or by calling the church office (804) 784-5681. If no one is in the office to take your call, please leave a voicemail and a way to reach out to you.