Using Non-Biblical Examples to Illustrate Gospel Universality

The concept of the gospel, meaning "good message" or "good news" (from the Greek euaggelion), is central to Christian preaching and refers to the intelligence that the Savior has come into the world ^{[1, 5]}. This good news is for all people, bringing tidings of great joy ^[2]. The universality of the gospel message is rooted in the biblical understanding of sin and God's redemptive plan, which extends beyond any single culture or group.

The Bible consistently portrays humanity as universally fallen and in need of salvation. Psalm 58:3 states that all human beings are born sinners ^[6]. Sin is not merely an occasional act but a pervasive condition, described as "vanity" or "all sorts of sinful acts" ^[7]. The apostle Paul elaborates on this in Romans, arguing that both Gentiles and Jews are "equally under sin’s power and cannot find favor with God by any action of their own" ^[9]. This universal sinfulness means that God's anger is a necessary response to sin, not a spontaneous emotional outburst ^[9]. The first sin, committed by Adam and Eve, is characterized as a "heinous and aggravated" act of self-love, dishonor to God, ingratitude, and disobedience ^[8]. Even after conversion, individuals still contend with sin, and denying this makes one a liar in God's eyes ^[10]. The universality of sin thus establishes a universal need for the gospel.

The gospel itself is presented as the power of God for salvation (Romans 1:16) and brings life and immortality to light through Jesus Christ (2 Timothy 1:10) ^[2]. It is described as glorious and everlasting (2 Corinthians 4:4; 1 Peter 1:25; Revelation 14:6) ^[2]. The gospel was foretold in the Old Testament (Isaiah 41:27; 52:7; 61:1-3) and preached by Christ himself (Matthew 4:23; Mark 1:14) ^[2]. The early Christian preachers, called evangelistai, were those who proclaimed this good message ^[1].

The universality of the gospel is further demonstrated by its intended global reach. Jesus taught that the mysteries of the kingdom, though at times hidden in parables, were designed to "come abroad" and be "published in all Judea, and afterwards, throughout the whole world" ^[13]. The growth of the gospel is likened to a mustard seed, starting small but growing into something large and useful ^[14]. Ministers are given a stewardship to preach this gospel ^[2]. The apostle Paul, in Galatians 6:14, emphasizes the cross of Christ as the central object of his boasting, through which "the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world" ^[4]. This statement underscores a radical reorientation of values and allegiance, moving from worldly attachments to Christ.

The gospel is not merely a set of doctrines but a message that demands a sincere response. Sincerity is a characteristic of the gospel's doctrines and should mark the preaching of it ^[3]. It should also characterize believers' love for God and Christ, their service, faith, and conduct ^[3]. The "professed subjection to the Gospel of Christ" by Gentile churches led to them glorifying God, acknowledging Him as the source of grace ^[12]. This demonstrates that the gospel's power transcends cultural and ethnic boundaries, eliciting a uniform response of worship and gratitude.

The "world to come," referring to the state of the gospel-church, is not subjected to angels but is under the direct care and direction of the Redeemer himself ^[15]. This highlights the unique and ultimate authority of Christ over the new covenant community, which is drawn from all nations. In Christ, believers are claimed by God, signifying a universal belonging that supersedes earthly distinctions ^[11].

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”
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”
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; ”
Galatians “But far be it from me to boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. -- Galatians 6:14”
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”
Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 58:3: 58:3 All human beings are born sinners (see 51:5); however, whereas the wicked indulge their sinful nature, the godly fight against it (Rom 7:19-23; Jas 4:1-10).”
Proverbs (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Proverbs 30:8: vanity--all sorts of sinful acts (Job 11:11; Isa 5:18).”
Genesis (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Genesis 3:13: beguiled--cajoled by flattering lies. This sin of the first pair was heinous and aggravated--it was not simply eating an apple, but a love of self, dishonor to God, ingratitude to a benefactor, disobedience to the best of Masters--a preference of the creature to the Creator.”
Romans (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Romans 1:18: 1:18–3:20 Paul delays exploring the theme of righteousness through faith (see 3:21) until after he first teaches about universal sinfulness. Gentiles (1:18-32) and Jews (2:1–3:8) are equally under sin’s power and cannot find favor with God by any action of their own (3:9-20). 1:18 God’s anger is not a spontaneous emotional outburst, but the holy God’s necessary response to sin. The Old Testament often depicts God’s anger (Exod 32:10-12; Num 11:1; Jer 21:3-7) and predicts a decisive outpouring of God’s wrath on human sin at the end of history. While Paul usually de”
1 John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 John 1:10: Parallel to Jo1 1:8. we have not sinned--referring to the commission of actual sins, even after regeneration and conversion; whereas in Jo1 1:8, "we have no sin," refers to the present GUILT remaining (until cleansed) from the actual sins committed, and to the SIN of our corrupt old nature still adhering to us. The perfect "have . . . sinned" brings down the commission of sins to the present time, not merely sins committed before, but since, conversion. we make him a liar--a gradation; Jo1 1:6, "we lie"; Jo1 1:8, "we deceive ourselves"; worst of al”
1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 3:23: 3:23 Just as they may now claim everything as their own, so Christ has claimed them for himself (see Rom 14:7-9), and in Christ they are ultimately claimed by God (see 1 Cor 6:19-20; 7:23).”
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”
Mark (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Mark 4:18: For there is nothing hid,.... In these parables, and figurative expressions used by Christ, which shall not be manifested, sooner or later, to his disciples: neither was any thing kept secret; any doctrine of the Gospel, or mystery of the kingdom: but that it should come abroad; it was designed to be published in all Judea, and afterwards, throughout the whole world, for the benefit of God's chosen ones, to their conversion, comfort, and edification: wherefore it becomes the ministers of the Gospel to keep back nothing that may be profitable to the churches, nor s”
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”
Hebrews (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Hebrews 2:5: The apostle, having made this serious application of the doctrine of the personal excellency of Christ above the angels, now returns to that pleasant subject again, and pursues it further (Heb 2:5): For to the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak. I. Here the apostle lays down a negative proposition, including a positive one - That the state of the gospel-church, which is here called the world to come, is not subjected to the angels, but under the special care and direction of the Redeemer himself. Neither the state in which the”

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