The Biblical Gospel Message and Its Core Components

The biblical gospel message is centered on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, conveying the good news of salvation to humanity. The term "gospel" originates from the Greek word "euaggelion," meaning "good message" ^{[1, 6]}.

The core components of the gospel message are rooted in the biblical text. According to Torrey's Topical Textbook, the gospel is described as "good tidings of great joy for all people" (Luke 2:10-11, 31-32) and is characterized as the "power of God to salvation" (Romans 1:16; 1 Corinthians 1:18) ^[2]. The gospel is also associated with the concept of covenant, with Christ being the substance and mediator of the covenant ^[3].

The biblical account of the gospel is presented through the four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Easton's Bible Dictionary notes that these accounts were composed during the latter half of the first century, with Matthew and Mark writing some years before the destruction of Jerusalem, Luke around A.D. 64, and John towards the close of the century ^{[1, 5]}.

The gospel message is closely tied to the concept of faith. Torrey's Topical Textbook defines faith as "the substance of things hoped for" and "the evidence of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1), with the object of faith being God, Christ, and the gospel ^[4]. John Gill's commentary on 2 Timothy 4:2 emphasizes the importance of preaching the word, which is the sum and substance of the gospel ministry ^[7].

The gospel is also associated with the idea of salvation and reconciliation. According to John Gill's commentary on 2 Corinthians 1:19, the Son of God, Jesus Christ, is the subject of the gospel ministry, and his divinity is a crucial aspect of the gospel ^[9]. The gospel is further described as the "doctrine of Christ" and is characterized by its emphasis on grace, life, and salvation through Christ ^{[8, 10]}.

Different Christian traditions have interpreted the gospel message in various ways. For instance, the Baptist/Reformed tradition, as represented by John Gill's commentaries, emphasizes the importance of the gospel as the power of God to salvation and the centrality of Christ in the gospel message ^{[7, 8, 9]}. The Methodist/Wesleyan tradition, as represented by Adam Clarke's commentary on Colossians 1:23, highlights the importance of continuing in faith and being grounded in the knowledge and love of God ^[11]. The Presbyterian tradition, as represented by Jamieson, Fausset & Brown's commentary on Romans 1:16, notes that the gospel is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believes, emphasizing its inherent glory and life-giving message to a dying world ^[12].

The gospel message has been a cornerstone of Christian preaching and teaching throughout history. As the biblical text and Christian traditions attest, the gospel remains a vital component of Christian doctrine, emphasizing the significance of faith, salvation, and reconciliation through Jesus Christ.

The biblical gospel message is deeply rooted in the Old Testament, with foretellings of the gospel found in Isaiah 41:27, 52:7, and 61:1-3. The gospel is also linked to the concept of covenant, with Christ being the fulfillment of the covenant promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob ^[3]. The New Testament writers, including the apostle Paul, emphasized the importance of the gospel in their preaching and teaching, highlighting its power to save and its centrality in the Christian faith ^{[2, 7, 9]}.

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: Covenant, The — Christ, the substance of -- Isa 42:6; 49:8. Christ, the Mediator of -- Heb 8:6; 9:15; 12:24. Christ, the Messenger of -- Mal 3:1. Made with Abraham. -- Ge 15:7-18; 17:2-14; Lu 1:72-75; Ac 3:25; Ga 3:16. Isaac. -- Ge 17:19,21; 26:3,4. Jacob. -- Ge 28:13,14; 1Ch 16:16,17. Israel. -- Ex 6:4; Ac 3:25. David. -- 2Sa 23:5; Ps 89:3,4. Renewed under the gospel -- Jer 31:31-33; Ro 11:27; Heb 8:8-10,13. Fulfilled in Christ -- Lu 1:68-79. Confirmed in Christ -- Ga 3:17. Ratified by the blood of Christ -- Heb 9:11-14,16-23. Is a covenant of peace -- Isa 54:9,10; ”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Faith — Is the substance of things hoped for -- Heb 11:1. Is the evidence of things not seen -- Heb 11:1. Commanded -- Mt 11:22; 1Jo 3:23. The objects of, are God. -- Joh 14:1. Christ. -- Joh 6:29; Ac 20:21. Writings of Moses. -- Joh 5:46; Ac 24:14. Writings of the prophets. -- 2Ch 20:20; Ac 26:27. The gospel. -- Mr 1:15. Promises of God. -- Ro 4:21; Heb 11:13. In Christ is The gift of God. -- Ro 12:3; Eph 2:8; 6:23; Php 1:29. The work of God. -- Ac 11:21; 1Co 2:5. Precious. -- 2Pe 1:1. Most holy. -- Jude 1:20. Fruitful. -- 1Th 1:3. Accompanied by repentance. -- Mr 1”
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”
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”
2 Timothy (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Timothy 4:2: Preach the word,.... Either Christ the essential Word, who is the sum and substance of the Gospel ministry; or the word of truth and faith, the Gospel of salvation, the word of righteousness, peace, and reconciliation by Christ; which is to be preached, or published, in like manner as heralds proclaim the will of their princes; openly, publicly, and with a loud voice, without adding to it, or taking from speaking out the whole, and keeping back no part of it; and that with all courage and boldness: some copies read, "the word of God"; and the Ethiopic version, "his ”
Hebrews (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Hebrews 6:1: Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ,.... The Gospel is the doctrine of Christ, and is so called, because Christ, as God, is the author of it; as Mediator, he received it from his Father; as man, he was the preacher of it; and he is also the sum and substance of it: the principles of this doctrine are either the easier parts of the Gospel, called milk in the latter part of the preceding chapter; which are not to be left with dislike and contempt, nor so as to be forgotten, nor so as not to be recurred to at proper times; but so as not to abide in”
2 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Corinthians 1:19: For the Son of God, Jesus Christ,.... The apostle having asserted that the Gospel preached by them was not yea and nay, variable and different, or what was affirmed at one time was denied at another, proceeds to point out the subject of the Gospel ministry, the Son of God, Jesus Christ; that Christ is "the Son of God": this article he began his ministry with, Act 9:20, and all the apostles affirmed the same thing; and which is of the greatest moment and importance, and ought to be abode by, insisted on, and frequently inculcated; as that he is the eternal Son”
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”
Colossians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Colossians 1:23: If ye continue in the faith - This will be the case if you, who have already believed in Christ Jesus, continue in that faith, grounded in the knowledge and love of God, and settled - made firm and perseveringly steadfast, in that state of salvation. And be not moved away - Not permitting yourselves to be seduced by false teachers. The hope of the Gospel - The resurrection of the body, and the glorification of it and the soul together, in the realms of blessedness. This is properly the Gospel Hope. To every creature which is under heaven - A Hebraism for the who”
Romans (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Romans 1:16: For I am not ashamed of the gospel--(The words, "of Christ," which follow here, are not found in the oldest and best manuscripts). This language implies that it required some courage to bring to "the mistress of the world" what "to the Jews was a stumbling-block and to the Greeks foolishness" (Co1 1:23). But its inherent glory, as God's life-giving message to a dying world, so filled his soul, that, like his blessed Master, he "despised the shame." for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth--Here and in Rom 1:17 the apostle”

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