The Gospel
The gospel of Jesus Christ is the central theme and message of the Bible. It is a message that has been proclaimed since the fall of mankind (Genesis 3:15) and has been verified by the indisputable and historical fact of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead (Acts 17:31).
The Bible is, in essence, God's revelation of Himself and the good news about what He has done in order that sinners can be reconciled to Him. The gospel, therefore, begins with God. The following is a summary of the gospel and a personal plea for you to come to Christ if you are not a Christian.
A Summary of the Gospel
1. God Exists—You are surrounded by Evidence
“The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament (sky) sheweth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.” Psalm 19:1-3
2. God is your Creator—You are accountable to Him
“All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.” John 1:3
“I am God, and there is none else... unto me every knee shall bow." Isaiah 44:8; 45:22 & 23
“Every one of us shall give account of himself to God.” Romans 14:12
3. God has a Law—You have Broken His Law
“Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth (breaks) also the law: for sin is the transgression (breaking) of the law.” 1 John 3:4
“There is none righteous, no, not one... For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:10 & 23
“For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: These are the things which defile a man.” Matthew 15:19-20
“We are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” Isaiah 64:6
(See Exodus 20:1-17)
4. God is Holy—You will be Judged by Him
“A God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.” Deuteronomy 32:4
"It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” Hebrews 9:27
“The fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” Revelation 22:8
5. God has Provided Salvation in Jesus Christ
“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” 2 Cor. 5:21
"I declare unto you the gospel... that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures." 1 Cor. 15:1-4
"Jesus saith... I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." John 14:6
"In this was manifested the love of God." 1 John 4:9
6. God is Offering Salvation from Sin Today
“Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out.” Acts 3:19 "Believe (trust) on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved." Acts 16:31
"Then said Jesus to those... which believed on him, if ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." John 8:31-32
A Personal Plea
If you have not personally repented of your sins and trusted in Jesus Christ as the Son of God, Lord of your life, and the only Savior of sinners by His perfect life and atoning death on the cross then I plead with you to do so now to the glory of God and for your eternal good. Run away from your sin, run to the Savior, and ask Him to save you! Jesus said in John 6:37, "him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out." That is the unchanging truth of the unchanging God. "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever." Hebrews 13:8