Cultural Examples Illustrating the Relevance of the Gospel

The concept of the gospel is deeply intertwined with the idea of cultural relevance, as it is meant to be a message that transcends cultural boundaries while being applicable to diverse cultural contexts. The term "gospel" itself is derived from the Old English "god spell," meaning "good news" or "good message," which is a translation of the Greek "euaggelion" ^[2].

The gospel is presented in the New Testament through the lives and teachings of Jesus Christ, as recorded in the four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. These accounts were written during the latter half of the first century, with Matthew and Mark's Gospels likely being composed before the destruction of Jerusalem, Luke's around 64 AD, and John's towards the end of the century ^[2]. The central fact of Christian preaching is the intelligence that the Savior has come into the world, as seen in Matthew 4:23 and Romans 10:15 ^[1].

The gospel's relevance is illustrated through various cultural examples in the biblical text. For instance, the parable of the mustard seed in Matthew 13:31-32 demonstrates how the kingdom of heaven can start small but grow significantly, much like a mustard seed that becomes a large tree. This parable is interpreted as expressing the small beginnings of the Gospel church state and its subsequent growth and usefulness to the saints ^[9].

The early Christian church also provides examples of the gospel's cultural relevance. The conversion of Cornelius, as recorded in Acts, marks an important step in the progress of the gospel, as it begins to be preached to Gentiles beyond the Jewish community ^[8]. The apostle Paul's missionary journeys further illustrate the gospel's relevance across different cultures, as he preached the Good News of Christ from Jerusalem to Illyricum ^[4].

The gospel's message is also characterized by sincerity, as opposed to fleshly wisdom. The apostle Paul emphasizes the importance of sincerity in preaching the gospel, stating that his ministry was not with fleshly wisdom but with the power of the Spirit ^[3]. This sincerity is exemplified in the lives of early Christians, such as the Thessalonians, who turned from idols to serve the living and true God and to wait for his Son from heaven ^[7].

Throughout history, the gospel has continued to be relevant in various cultural contexts. The Protestant Reformation, for example, saw a renewed emphasis on the gospel message, with reformers like John Calvin highlighting the importance of the doctrine of salvation by faith alone ^[5]. In the Eastern Orthodox tradition, the gospel is seen as a message of grace and salvation, with the conversion of individuals like Cornelius marking significant milestones in the progress of the gospel ^[8].

The gospel's relevance is also seen in its ability to bring people together across cultural divides. The early Christian church, despite being composed of Jews and Gentiles, was united in its faith in Christ. This unity is exemplified in the apostle Paul's letters, where he addresses the church as a whole, emphasizing the importance of love and unity among believers ^[6].

Sources

Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Gospels — The central fact of Christian preaching was the intelligence that the Saviour had come into the world (Matt. 4:23; Rom. 10:15); and the first Christian preachers who called their account of the person and mission of Christ by the term evangelion_ (= good message) were called _evangelistai (= evangelists) (Eph. 4:11; Acts 21:8). There are four historical accounts of the person and work of Christ: "the first by Matthew, announcing the Redeemer as the promised King of the kingdom of God; the second by Mark, declaring him a prophet, mighty in deed and word'; th”
Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Gospels — The name Gospel (from god and spell, Ang. Sax. good message or news, which is a translation of the Greek euaggelion) is applied to the four inspired histories of the life and teaching of Christ contained in the New Testament, of which separate accounts are given in their place. They were all composed during the latter half of the first century: those of St. Matthew and St. Mark some years before the destruction of Jerusalem; that of St. Luke probably about A.D. 64; and that of St. John towards the close of the century. Before the end of the second century, t”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Sincerity — Christ was an example of -- 1Pe 2:22. Ministers should be examples of -- Tit 2:7. Opposed to fleshly wisdom -- 2Co 1:12. Should characterise Our love to God. -- 2Co 8:8,24. Our love to Christ. -- Eph 6:24. Our service to God. -- Jos 24:14; Joh 4:23,24. Our faith. -- 1Ti 1:5. Our love to one another. -- Ro 12:9; 1Pe 1:22; 1Jo 3:18. Our whole conduct. -- 2Co 1:12. The preaching of the gospel. -- 2Co 2:17; 1Th 2:3-5. A characteristic of the doctrines of the gospel -- 1Pe 2:2. The gospel sometimes preached without -- Php 1:16. The wicked devoid of -- Ps 5:9; ”
Romans “in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of God’s Spirit; so that from Jerusalem, and around as far as to Illyricum, I have fully preached the Good News of Christ; -- Romans 15:19”
CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Philippians, Colossians, 1-2 Thessalonians, section 1.3: perception of that system of doctrine which Paul was honored to declare.” The Epistle To The Philippians stands associated with a most interesting event in the history of the progress of Christianity. While the charge given to the Apostles as to the universal promulgation of the Gospel was most explicit, it was in a gradual manner, and for the most part under the guidance of circumstances seemingly fortuitous, that their sphere of labor was extended. “Beginning at Jerusalem,” ( Luke 24:47 ,) as expressly instructed ”
2 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Corinthians 9:13: Whiles by the experiment of this ministration,.... That is, the poor saints at Jerusalem having a specimen, a proof, an experience of the liberality of the Gentile churches ministered to them by the apostles, first, they glorify God; by giving thanks unto him, acknowledging him to be the author of all the grace and goodness which they, and others, were partakers of; particularly for your professed subjection to the Gospel of Christ. The Gospel of Christ is the doctrine of grace, life, and salvation by Christ, of which he is the author, as God, the subject m”
1 Thessalonians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Thessalonians 1:10: And to wait for his Son from heaven - To expect a future state of glory, and resurrection of the body, according to the Gospel doctrine, after the example of Jesus Christ, who was raised from the dead, and ascended unto heaven, ever to appear in the presence of God for us. Delivered us from the wrath to come - From all the punishment due to us for our sins, and from the destruction which is about to come on the unbelieving and impenitent Jews. This was the news, the sounding out, that went abroad concerning the converted Thessalonians. Every where it was sa”
CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Acts & Romans: our alms with largeness, that we may be found worthy of the mercy of God, by the grace and tender compassion of His only begotten Son, with Whom to the Father and Holy Ghost together be glory, dominion, honor, now and ever, world without end. Amen. 522 The conversion of Cornelius marks an important step in the progress of the gospel. Hitherto Christianity had been confined to Jews, Hellenists, and that mixed people—the Samaritans (unless, as is improbable, the Ethiopian chamberlain formed an exception). Now a beginning was made of receiving the Genti”
Matthew (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Matthew 13:29: Another parable put he forth unto them, saying,.... As the former parable sets forth the condition of the Gospel church state until the end of the world; this expresses the small beginnings of it, and the large increase and growth of it, and its great usefulness to the saints, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field: by "the kingdom of heaven" is meant, as before, the Gospel dispensation, or the Gospel church state, and the ministry of the word, and the administration of ordinances in it: by the grain of mu”

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