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Sharing the Good News of Redemption with Analogies and Examples

The "Good News" (Greek: euangelion), often translated as "gospel," refers to the message of redemption through Jesus Christ [4]. This message is central to Christian faith and is to be proclaimed throughout the world [1, 3, 6]. The apostle Paul considered it a privilege to share this message [13], which he fully preached from Jerusalem as far as Illyricum [2].

The content of this Good News encompasses the incarnation, obedience, sufferings, death, and resurrection of Christ, and the benefits that arise from these events, such as peace, pardon, righteousness, life, and salvation [10]. It is described as "good tidings of great joy for all people" [4]. The message offers refreshment to those who hear it, particularly the forgiveness of sins [7]. The preaching of the gospel was foretold in the Old Testament [4, 8], and it reveals the grace and glory of God [4]. Through the gospel, life and immortality are brought to light by Jesus [4].

Analogies and examples are frequently used in the Bible to convey spiritual truths, with parables being a prominent example [5]. Jesus himself used parables extensively in his teaching [11]. The act of sharing the Good News can be understood through various biblical metaphors:

The Good News is not merely a set of doctrines but is described as "the power of God to salvation" [4]. Ministers are given a stewardship to preach this gospel [4], and its proclamation is considered an everlasting message [4].

Sources

  1. Matthew “Most certainly I tell you, wherever this Good News is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be spoken of as a memorial of her.” -- Matthew 26:13”
  2. 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”
  3. Mark “Most certainly I tell you, wherever this Good News may be preached throughout the whole world, that which this woman has done will also be spoken of for a memorial of her.” -- Mark 14:9”
  4. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Gospel, The — Is good tidings of great joy for all people -- Lu 2:10,11,31,32. Foretold -- Isa 41:27; 52:7; 61:1-3; Mr 1:15. Preached under the old testament -- Heb 4:2. Exhibits the grace of God -- Ac 14:3; 20:32. The knowledge of the glory of God is by -- 2Co 4:4,6. Life and immortality are brought to light by Jesus through -- 2Ti 1:10. Is the power of God to salvation -- Ro 1:16; 1Co 1:18; 1Th 1:5. Is glorious -- 2Co 4:4. Is everlasting -- 1Pe 1:25; Re 14:6. Preached by Christ -- Mt 4:23; Mr 1:14. Ministers have a stewardship to preach -- 1Co 9:17. Preached before”
  5. Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Parable — (The word parable is in Greek parable (parabole) which signifies placing beside or together, a comparison, a parable is therefore literally a placing beside, a comparison, a similitude, an illustration of one subject by another.--McClintock and Strong. As used in the New Testament it had a very wide application, being applied sometimes to the shortest proverbs, (1 Samuel 10:12; 24:13; 2 Chronicles 7:20) sometimes to dark prophetic utterances, (Numbers 23:7,18; 24:3; Ezekiel 20:49) sometimes to enigmatic maxims, (Psalms 78:2; Proverbs 1:6) or metaphors expand”
  6. Mark (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Mark 13:10: 13:10 Such trials (13:9, 11) would be a means through which the Good News would be preached to all nations. This would all take place first—i.e., before the destruction of Jerusalem. For Paul’s understanding of how the Good News had already been preached to every nation in his day, see Rom 16:26; Col 1:6, 23 (see also Rom 1:5, 8; 10:18; 15:19, 23).”
  7. Acts (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Acts 3:19: 3:19-21 The message of Good News offers refreshment (see Matt 11:28-29). The second coming of Christ will be one of those times of refreshment from God, when he will again send . . . Jesus to his people. 3:19 The Good News of forgiveness is more fully explained elsewhere (see 5:30-32; 10:36-43; 13:26-38; Luke 24:25-27, 45-47).”
  8. Isaiah (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Isaiah 52:7: The removal of the Jews from Babylon to their own land again is here spoken of both as a mercy and as a duty; and the application of Isa 52:7 to the preaching of the gospel (by the apostle, Rom 10:15) plainly intimates that that deliverance was a type and figure of the redemption of mankind by Jesus Christ, to which what is here said of their redemption out of Babylon ought to be accommodated. I. It is here spoken of as a great blessing, which ought to be welcomed with abundance of joy and thankfulness. 1. Those that bring the tidings of their release shall be ver”
  9. Colossians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Colossians 4:3: 4:3 that God will give us many opportunities (literally that God might open for us a door): An open door is a metaphor for an opportunity to proclaim the Good News (see also Acts 14:27; 1 Cor 16:9; 2 Cor 2:12). • his mysterious plan concerning Christ: See Col 1:26-27; 2:2. • That is why I am here in chains: Paul’s dedication to preaching the Good News had led to his imprisonment (see Colossians Book Introduction, “Date and Occasion of Writing”).”
  10. Acts (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Acts 13:29: And we declare unto you glad tidings,.... The whole of the Gospel, concerning the incarnation, obedience, sufferings, death, and resurrection of Christ, and the benefits arising from thence, as peace, pardon, righteousness, life, and salvation; all which are good news and glad tidings to sensible sinners; and which are declared and published by the ministers of the Gospel, according to the commission given them, as here by Paul and Barnabas: how that the promise which was made unto the fathers; not barely and solely that which respects the resurrection of Christ, but”
  11. Luke (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Luke 8 (introduction): Most of this chapter is a repetition of divers passages of Christ's preaching and miracles which we had before in Matthew and Mark; they are all of such weight, that they are worth repeating, and therefore they are repeated, that out of the mouth not only of two, but of three, witnesses every word may be established. Here is, I. A general account of Christ's preaching, and how he had subsistence for himself and his numerous family by the charitable contributions of good people (Luk 8:1-3). II. The parable of the sower, and the four sorts of ground, with ”
  12. Colossians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Colossians 1:24: 1:24–2:5 Paul considers his own role in the widespread preaching of the Good News (1:23). 1:24 I am participating in the sufferings of Christ (literally I am filling up what is lacking in the sufferings of Christ): While the redemptive suffering of Christ is unique and completely finished, Christ still suffers through his people in a world hostile to the message of redemption. Christ and his church will continue to suffer until God’s purposes in this world are complete (see also Mark 13:19-23; Rom 8:17-18; 1 Thes 3:3).”
  13. 2 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Corinthians 4:1: 4:1 This new way (or This new ministry) shows us God’s mercy. Paul felt privileged to have the ministry of sharing the message of good news (1 Cor 15:9-11; 1 Tim 1:12-17).”
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