What is the Gospel?
The gospel is the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God and the Savior of the world, who provides the only path to salvation.
The Bible teaches that all humanity is sinful and incapable of meeting God’s perfect standard. The consequence of sin is death, resulting in eternal separation from the fellowship of God in a place of unending conscious punishment called hell. Out of His great love for the world, God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross and pay the penalty for sin. Through His death, burial, and resurrection, Jesus offers the way of reconciliation to God and the free gift of eternal life (John 3:16; 14:1–4, 6; Acts 4:12; Romans 3:23; 6:23; 8:3–4; 10:9; 1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 10:8–10; 1 Peter 1:3–4; 1 John 2:2).
Individuals must believe in Jesus Christ, trust Him as their Savior, confess their sins, repent, and commit to following Him as Lord. Because of this, he or she receives salvation as a gift and becomes part of God’s family (Psalm 32:5; Matthew 4:17; 10:32; John 1:12–13; Romans 10:9–10; Titus 3:5; 2 Peter 3:9; 1 John 1:9; 3:1–2).
Following Jesus is a lifelong journey. Through the continual study of the Bible and obedience to His teachings, believers grow in their relationship with God, becoming increasingly conformed to the image of Jesus Christ (John 1:12; Romans 5:1–21; 12:2; 2 Corinthians 3:18; 5:17; Galatians 2:20; 5:22–23; Ephesians 4:24; Philippians 1:6; Colossians 3:10; 2 Peter 3:18).
The Problem is Sin
Everyone has turned away from God, resulting in what the Bible calls sin. As a consequence, people are spiritually dead and separated from God—but God provides a solution through Jesus Christ.
- Romans 3:23: “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.”
- Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Jesus is the Answer
Jesus died in your place, even though you were in your sinful state, and paid the penalty for your sins—and He is the only way to God.
- Romans 5:8: “But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.”
- 2 Corinthians 5:21: “For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.”
- John 14:6: “Jesus told him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.’”
Repent and Be Saved
You cannot earn or merit salvation from sin and its consequences; Jesus Christ has accomplished it entirely through His death, burial, and resurrection. You must believe this, repent of your sins, and commit to following Jesus as Lord.
- Ephesians 2:8: “God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.”
- Acts 2:38: “Peter replied, ‘Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’”
- Romans 10:9: “If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
Eternal Life
The Holy Spirit comes to live in you when you believe in Jesus Christ, repent of your sins, and place faith in Him as your personal Lord and Savior, transforming your life and giving you a newfound devotion to God and His righteousness. You have confidence knowing if you repent and turn to God, He will save you for all eternity.
- Romans 8:16: “The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God.”
- Romans 10:13: “For ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’”
- 1 John 2:29: “If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone also who practices righteousness is born of Him.”