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The Gospel as a Bridge Connecting God and Humanity

The term "Gospel" originates from the Anglo-Saxon "God's spell" or "good spell," meaning "good news," which translates the Greek euangelion [3, 7]. This "good message" fundamentally refers to the welcome intelligence of salvation for humanity, as proclaimed by Jesus Christ and his followers [3]. The Gospel is understood as the power of God leading to salvation [6].

Central to the Gospel's role as a bridge between God and humanity is the person of Jesus Christ. The New Testament presents Jesus as the "one mediator between God and human beings" [2, 4]. This mediation is rooted in his atonement [8]. Through Christ's death on the cross, reconciliation is achieved, not only between humans and God but also between different groups of people, such as Jews and Gentiles [10]. The Gospel reveals the grace of God and brings to light life and immortality through Jesus [6].

The message of the Gospel was first preached by Christ himself [6]. The four canonical Gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—are historical accounts of Jesus's life and work, written by those called "Evangelists" [1, 3, 7]. Matthew presents Jesus as the promised King, Mark as a prophet, Luke likely around A.D. 64, and John toward the end of the first century [1, 7]. These accounts collectively form the "gospel of Jesus Christ the Son of God" [12].

The spread of this good news is a key theme in the New Testament. The apostles were sent to preach Christ crucified among the heathen, opening "the door of faith" [11]. The Gospel is described as bearing fruit and growing throughout the world, indicating its universal reach and transformative power [5]. Ministers are given the stewardship to preach this message [6], which is characterized by "good tidings of great joy for all people" [6, 13]. The proclamation of the Gospel leads people to glorify God and profess subjection to Christ [9].

Sources

  1. 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”
  2. I Timothy “I Timothy 2:5 (LEB) — For there is one God and one mediator between God and human beings, the man Christ Jesus,”
  3. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Gospel — A word of Anglo-Saxon origin, and meaning "God's spell", i.e., word of God, or rather, according to others, "good spell", i.e., good news. It is the rendering of the Greek evangelion, i.e., "good message." It denotes (1) "the welcome intelligence of salvation to man as preached by our Lord and his followers. (2.) It was afterwards transitively applied to each of the four histories of our Lord's life, published by those who are therefore called Evangelists', writers of the history of the gospel (the evangelion). (3.) The term is often used to express collecti”
  4. 1 Timothy “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, -- 1 Timothy 2:5”
  5. Colossians “Colossians 1:6 (BSB) — that has come to you. All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood the grace of God.”
  6. 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”
  7. 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”
  8. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Christ, the Mediator — In virtue of his atonement -- Eph 2:13-18; Heb 9:15; 12:24. The only one between God and man -- 1Ti 2:5. Of the gospel covenant -- Heb 8:6; 12:24. Typified Moses. -- De 5:5; Ga 3:19. Aaron. -- Nu 16:48.”
  9. 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”
  10. Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 2:16: 2:16 Christ’s death on the cross reconciles humans to God, and also Jews and Gentiles to each other.”
  11. Acts (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Acts 14:27: Had gathered the Church together - The Church by which they had been sent on this very important and successful mission. They rehearsed all that God had done with them - Not what they had done themselves; but what God made them the instruments of working. And how he had opened the door of faith - How God by his providence and grace had made a way for preaching Christ crucified among the heathen; and how the heathen had received that Gospel which, through faith in Christ Jesus, was able to save their souls.”
  12. Mark (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Mark 1:1: We may observe here, I. What the New Testament is - the divine testament, to which we adhere above all that is human; the new testament, which we advance above that which was old. It is the gospel of Jesus Christ the Son of God, Mar 1:1. 1. It is gospel; it is God's word, and is faithful and true; see Rev 19:9; Rev 21:5; Rev 22:6. It is a good word, and well worthy of all acceptation; it brings us glad tidings. 2. It is the gospel of Jesus Christ, the anointed Saviour, the Messiah promised and expected. The foregoing gospel began with the generation of Jesus Christ -”
  13. Luke (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Luke 2:17: They made known abroad the saying - These shepherds were the first preachers of the Gospel of Christ: and what was their text? Why, Glory to God in the highest heavens, and on earth peace and good will among men. This is the elegant and energetic saying which comprises the sum and substance of the Gospel of God. This, and this only, is the message which all Christ's true pastors or shepherds bring to men. He who, while he professes the religion of Christ, disturbs society by his preachings or writings, who excludes from the salvation of God all who hold not his religi”
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