Biblical Teaching · Personal Bible Study

The gospel?

9 min read, approximately

An open Bible with a small wooden cross resting on its pages, an illustrative photograph. — Illustrative photograph. Photo:Wendy van Zyl / Pexels

“Then Paul and Barnabas spoke boldly, saying: It was necessary that God’s word be spoken to you first. But since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles. For this is what the Lord has commanded us: I have appointed you as a light to the Gentiles, so that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth. When the Gentiles heard this, they rejoiced and glorified the Lord’s word, and all who were appointed to eternal life believed.” (Acts 13:46-47)

Certainly all of us, absolutely all of us, have sinned

“Surely there is no righteous person on earth who does good and never sins.” (Ecclesiastes 7:20)

‘But why? What do you mean?’

“We have sinned, committed iniquity, acted wickedly, and rebelled; we have turned away from your commandments and ordinances. We have not obeyed your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our rulers, our ancestors, and all the people of the land.” (Daniel 9:5-6)

So,

“If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” (1 John 1:10)

Therefore, we understand that

“all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23)

“… these will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.” (Matthew 25:46)

In ancient times, the people of Israel sought God’s forgiveness in this way:

“If he brings a lamb as his sin offering, he shall bring a female without blemish. He shall lay his hand on the head of the sin offering and slaughter it as a sin offering where the burnt offering is slaughtered. Then the priest shall take some of the blood of the sin offering with his finger and put it on the horns of the altar of burnt offering, and pour out all the blood at the base of the altar. He shall remove all its fat, as the fat is removed from the peace offering, and the priest shall burn it on the altar over the offering made by fire to the LORD. The priest shall make atonement for the sin he has committed, and he will be forgiven.” (Leviticus 4:32-35)

However, this should no longer be done!

**“But why? What do we do now? Is there any way we can pay for our sins?”**

I have good news for you: there is!

“The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said: Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29)

Perhaps we will say: ‘But wait! Are you sure there is no one else? I have been told that there are others who can save us!’ The Word clearly says:

“For this is good and pleasing before God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and humanity, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, a testimony given at the proper time.” (1 Timothy 2:3-6)

Therefore,

“Jesus said to him: I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)

**“All right, and who is this Jesus Christ?”**

The Word says:

“Who, being in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to cling to, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant and becoming like human beings. Found in human condition, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross. Therefore God also exalted him to the highest place and gave him a name above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven, on earth, and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:6-11)

Therefore,

“My little children, I write these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone has sinned, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours, but also for those of the whole world.” (1 John 2:1-2)

‘But how is that, and why?’

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but so that the world might be saved through him.” (John 3:16-17)

Do you want this?

“But what does it say? The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart. This is the word of faith that we preach: if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth one confesses unto salvation. Scripture says: Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame… for everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:8-11,13)

We have all sinned and would deserve eternal punishment, were it not for Jesus Christ, who paid that price for us!

Thus, if we believe in Jesus Christ and accept him as Lord and Savior, we will receive forgiveness of sins and eternal life… This is what the gospel is: good news! And now, ‘I have appointed you as a light to the Gentiles, so that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’

‘No… I have already accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior.’

“He said to them: Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15)

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you every day, until the end of the world. Amen.” (Matthew 28:19-20)