The Biblical Definition of Gospel

What is the Gospel?

Central to Christian theology, the Gospel encapsulates Jesus’ redemptive work as the ultimate solution to humanity’s need for salvation.

In 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, Paul defines the Gospel’s core: "Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures." This concise summary distinguishes the Gospel from generic "good news" by anchoring it to Jesus’ death and resurrection as the singular, divinely ordained means of reconciling humanity to God. Unlike general announcements of prosperity or political liberation, the Gospel addresses the fundamental problem of sin through Christ’s substitutionary sacrifice and victorious resurrection.

The Gospel is transmitted primarily through proclamation, as Paul emphasizes in 1 Corinthians 15:1-2: "I passed on to you as of first importance... that you may be saved." faith arises from hearing this message (Romans 10:17), yet its transmission also involves the Holy Spirit’s work in illuminating its truth. This dynamic interplay between divine revelation and human responsibility remains central to its spread and reception.

The Gospel in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4

Paul's concise formula for the Gospel - "Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures" (1 Cor 15:3-4) - establishes its historical and theological bedrock.

This four-part declaration (death, burial, resurrection, appearances) is a precise account of events that anchors the Gospel to verifiable history. By calling these truths "of first importance," Paul underscores their non-negotiable centrality: any deviation risks undermining salvation itself. Such specificity also distinguishes Christianity from abstract spiritualism or mythmaking.

Gnostic distortions later sought to spiritualize or deny these physical realities, arguing that a divine Christ could not have truly died or possessed a material body. Paul’s emphasis on burial and resurrection refutes such views, affirming that salvation hinges on a real, embodied Savior who conquered death. The inclusion of post-resurrection appearances further grounds the message in eyewitness testimony, reinforcing its credibility. This historical-theological core thus becomes the non-negotiable standard against which all Gospel proclamations must be measured, a truth Paul will later defend against corruptions in Colossians 2:8 and 1 Timothy 4:1-3.

By insisting on this formula’s integrity, Paul prepares the reader for the next critical question: how is such a message transmitted?

The Core Elements of the Gospel

The Gospel's core rests on three interwoven truths: substitutionary atonement, resurrection victory, and the call to faith.

Romans 3:21-26 explains how Jesus' death satisfies divine justice, describing His sacrifice as a "propitiation" that reconciles sinners to God by absorbing His wrath. This substitutionary act addresses humanity's guilt, while 1 Peter 1:3-5 highlights the resurrection's role in securing salvation, calling believers to a "living hope" through Christ's triumph over death. Together, these elements confront the dual realities of sin and mortality.

The resurrection not only validates Jesus' divinity but also empowers believers with new life, as 1 Peter 1:3 declares, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead." This hope culminates in the Gospel's purpose: to summon all people to faith, trusting in Christ's finished work as the sole remedy for their need.

Gospel vs. Law

The theological tension between Law and Gospel centers on their opposing roles in salvation, with the Gospel offering grace where the Law demands obedience.

Galatians 2:16 clarifies that "we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus in order to be justified by faith in Christ, and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified." Here, the Gospel dismantles the Law's transactional framework, while Romans 10:4 affirms that "Christ is the end of the law for everyone who believes," illustrating how Christ fulfills the Law's purpose rather than nullifying it.

Though the Law reveals sin's standard (Romans 3:20) and the Gospel offers liberation from its curse (Galatians 3:13), both remain functionally distinct yet complementary. The Law exposes human inability to meet divine demands, creating space for the Gospel's grace to take effect. This dynamic ensures the Gospel neither abolishes the Law's moral witness nor reduces salvation to human effort, maintaining a balance critical to Christian theology.

Why Gospel Matters Today

The Gospel remains vital for modern believers as it fuels personal transformation, fosters community reconciliation, and drives global mission, as seen in Paul’s exhortation in 2 Corinthians 5:17-20.

2 Corinthians 5:17 declares, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away; behold, the new has come." This underscores the Gospel’s power to renew individuals, offering a radical reorientation of life rather than just forgiveness. Paul expands this in verses 18-19, stating, "All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation." In other words, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them. Here, personal transformation is inseparable from the call to mediate God’s reconciling love to others.

This ministry of reconciliation (2 Cor 5:19) bridges divides within communities, countering the fragmentation caused by sin. Paul’s imagery of believers as "ambassadors for Christ" (v. 20) frames reconciliation as a divine mandate, urging believers to embody the Gospel’s unifying power in fractured social contexts. Finally, the urgency of this mission - "We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God" (v. 20) - translates the Gospel’s cosmic scope into practical, present-day evangelism, compelling believers to engage both their local and global neighbors with the message of redemption.

Going Deeper

To deepen your understanding of the Gospel’s theological and historical roots, consider Paul’s arguments in Galatians and Romans alongside the early church’s context.

In Galatians 2:16 and Romans 3:21-26, Paul contrasts faith in Christ with reliance on the Law, emphasizing that salvation comes through His redemptive work, not human effort. Comparing 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 with 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 reveals how resurrection theology undergirds both the Gospel’s historical claims and the hope of believers awaiting Christ’s return.