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The Good News of Redemption in Christ Jesus

The Biblical Foundation

The phrase "good news" translates the Greek euangelion, from which we derive "gospel." Mark opens his account by declaring "The beginning of the Good News of Jesus Christ, the Son of God" [1], establishing that the message centers not on abstract principles but on a person and his work. Paul identifies this good news with redemption, writing that believers are "justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" [2]. The apostle further specifies that God will judge humanity "according to my Good News, by Jesus Christ" [3], linking the gospel directly to Christ's mediatorial role in judgment and salvation.

The content of this good news is Christ's victory over death. Paul writes to Timothy that salvation "has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who abolished death, and brought life and immortality to light through the Good News" [4]. The resurrection functions as God's "assurance" or pledge that his revelation is true and worthy of acceptance [5]. This historical event grounds Christian hope, which is described as "lively," "sure and steadfast," and "blessed" [6], obtained through grace and the comfort of Scripture.

The Nature of Redemption

Redemption (apolutrosis) carries the specific meaning of purchasing back something lost by payment of a ransom [8]. The term appears nine times in the New Testament, always implying a price paid. The Septuagint uses the related term lutron in contexts of human-to-human transactions and in describing humanity's relation to God [8]. Christ himself declared that the Son of Man came "to give his life as a ransom for many" (Matthew 20:28, Mark 10:45), language that defines his mission in redemptive terms.

This redemption is comprehensive. It liberates from the bondage and curse of the law, from sin's power, from the grave, from all iniquity, and from "vain conversation"—empty ways of life inherited from tradition [10]. The scope extends to "all troubles" and "all evil" [10], indicating that redemption addresses the totality of human bondage, not merely legal guilt. The agent of redemption is Christ's blood [10], and the effect is justification—being declared righteous freely by God's grace [2].

Grace, Not Merit

The gospel exhibits God's grace [7] and is described as "the power of God to salvation" [7]. Salvation comes "of grace, through faith alone," explicitly "not on account of their merits" [9]. Paul's letter to the Ephesians provides the classic formulation: salvation is God's gift, not earned by good works, so that no one can boast [16]. This principle distinguishes the Christian message from systems of moral achievement. Righteousness comes through trust in Christ rather than through human merit [16], a truth that runs throughout Paul's letters to Rome and Galatia.

The gospel was "foretold" in the Old Testament and "preached under the old testament" [7], indicating continuity between the covenants. Isaiah's prophecies of good tidings (41:27, 52:7, 61:1-3) find their fulfillment in Christ's ministry [7]. The promise made to the fathers reaches its realization in the resurrection and its benefits [17]. God's readiness to forgive sinners, celebrated in the Psalms, becomes the foundation for fearing and hoping in him [12].

Proclamation and Effect

The good news must be proclaimed. Salvation is provided by Christ, but its effects are mediated through proclamation [11]. Ministers hold a stewardship to preach this message [7], which was preached by Christ himself during his earthly ministry [7]. The message offers "refreshment" [13], and the forgiveness it announces is explained through the apostolic witness to Christ's death and resurrection [13].

The gospel is "everlasting" and "glorious" [7], not a "cunningly devised fable" but the counsel of God [15]. Its truth rests on eyewitness testimony and historical events, particularly the resurrection, which broke death's power and revealed the way to life [11]. Those joined to Christ by faith are saved from sin's consequences and enjoy the benefits of his resurrection [14]—a transformation encompassing both present justification and future glorification.

Sources

  1. Mark “The beginning of the Good News of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. -- Mark 1:1”
  2. Romans “being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus; -- Romans 3:24”
  3. Romans “in the day when God will judge the secrets of men, according to my Good News, by Jesus Christ. -- Romans 2:16”
  4. 2 Timothy “but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who abolished death, and brought life and immortality to light through the Good News. -- 2 Timothy 1:10”
  5. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Assurance — The resurrection of Jesus (Acts 17:31) is the "assurance" (Gr. pistis, generally rendered "faith") or pledge God has given that his revelation is true and worthy of acceptance. The "full assurance [Gr. plerophoria, full bearing'] of faith" (Heb. 10:22) is a fulness of faith in God which leaves no room for doubt. The "full assurance of understanding" (Col. 2:2) is an entire unwavering conviction of the truth of the declarations of Scripture, a joyful steadfastness on the part of any one of conviction that he has grasped the very truth. The "full assurance ”
  6. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Hope — In God -- Ps 39:7; 1Pe 1:21. In Christ -- 1Co 15:19; 1Ti 1:1. In God's promises -- Ac 26:6,7; Tit 1:2. In the mercy of God -- Ps 33:18. Is the work of the Holy Spirit -- Ro 15:13; Ga 5:5. Obtained through Grace. -- 2Th 2:16. The word. -- Ps 119:81. Patience and comfort of the Scriptures. -- Ro 15:4. The gospel. -- Col 1:5,23. Faith. -- Ro 5:1,2; Ga 5:5. The result of experience -- Ro 5:4. A better hope brought in by Christ -- Heb 7:19. Described as Good. -- 2Th 2:16. Lively. -- 1Pe 1:3. Sure and steadfast. -- Heb 6:19. Gladdening. -- Pr 10:28. Blessed. -- Tit ”
  7. 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”
  8. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Redemption — The purchase back of something that had been lost, by the payment of a ransom. The Greek word so rendered is apolutrosis, a word occurring nine times in Scripture, and always with the idea of a ransom or price paid, i.e., redemption by a lutron (see Matt. 20:28; Mark 10:45). There are instances in the LXX. Version of the Old Testament of the use of lutron in man's relation to man (Lev. 19:20; 25:51; Ex. 21:30; Num. 35:31, 32; Isa. 45:13; Prov. 6:35), and in the same sense of man's relation to God (Num. 3:49; 18:15). There are many passages in the New Tes”
  9. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Reward of Saints, The — Is from God -- Ro 2:7; Col 3:24; Heb 11:6. Is of grace, through faith alone -- Ro 4:4,5,16; 11:6. Is of God's good pleasure -- Mt 20:14,15; Lu 12:32. Prepared by God -- Heb 11:16. Prepared by Christ -- Joh 14:2. As servants of Christ -- Col 3:24. Not on account of their merits -- Ro 4:4,5. Described as Being with Christ. -- Joh 12:26; 14:3; Php 1:23; 1Th 4:17. Beholding the face of God. -- Ps 17:15; Mt 5:8; Re 22:4. Beholding the glory of Christ. -- Joh 17:24. Being glorified with Christ. -- Ro 8:17,18; Col 3:4; Php 3:21; 1Jo 3:2. Sitting in j”
  10. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Redemption — Defined -- 1Co 6:20; 7:23. Is of God -- Isa 44:21-23; 43:1; Lu 1:68. Is by Christ -- Mt 20:28; Ga 3:13. Is by the blood of Christ -- Ac 20:28; Heb 9:12; 1Pe 1:19; Re 5:9. Christ sent to effect -- Ga 4:4,5. Christ is made, to us -- 1Co 1:30. Is from The bondage of the law. -- Ga 4:5. The curse of the law. -- Ga 3:13. The power of sin. -- Ro 6:18,22. The power of the grave. -- Ps 49:15. All troubles. -- Ps 25:22. All iniquity. -- Ps 130:8; Tit 2:14. All evil. -- Ge 48:16. The present evil world. -- Ga 1:4. Vain conversation. -- 1Pe 1:18. Enemies. -- Ps 106”
  11. 2 Timothy (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Timothy 1:10: 1:10 God’s gift of grace has been made . . . plain in history by Christ Jesus (see Rom 16:26; 1 Pet 1:20). • by the appearing: See study note on 1 Tim 6:14. • broke the power of death: See 1 Cor 15:26; 2 Thes 2:8; Heb 2:14. • the way to life: See 2 Tim 1:1; 1 Cor 15:53-54; Titus 1:2. • through the Good News: Salvation is provided by Christ, but its effects are mediated through proclamation of the Good News (see Titus 1:2-3; Rom 1:16-17; 10:14-15).”
  12. Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 130:4: 130:4-6 The good news comes in God’s readiness to forgive sinners. His grace encourages people to fear him and hope in him.”
  13. 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).”
  14. Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 2:4: 2:4-10 By God’s mercy, kindness, and love, those who are joined to Jesus Christ are saved from the terrible consequences of their sin and enjoy the benefits of Christ’s resurrection.”
  15. 2 Peter (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 2 Peter 1:16: Here we have the reason of giving the foregoing exhortation, and that with so much diligence and seriousness. These things are not idle tales, or a vain thing, but of undoubted truth and vast concern. The gospel is not a cunningly devised fable. These are not the words of one who hath a devil, nor the contrivance of any number of men who by cunning craftiness endeavour to deceive. The way of salvation by Jesus Christ is eminently the counsel of God, the most excellent contrivance of the infinitely wise Jehovah; it was he that invented this way of saving sinners b”
  16. Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 2:8: 2:8-9 This is a concise summary of how a person is saved. It is a cardinal tenet of the Good News that people are made righteous through trust in Christ rather than through their own merit (see Rom 1:16-17; 3:24-25; Gal 2:16; cp. John 3:16, 36). Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done (see Rom 3:21–4:8; 9:16; Gal 3:2-10; 5:1-6; cp. 2 Tim 1:9; Titus 3:5). Salvation is for those who trust Christ alone to save them. As a result, none of us can boast about it (cp. Rom 3:27; 4:2; 1 Cor 1:30-31; Gal 6:14).”
  17. 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”
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