Gospel Meetings, gospel music, gospel churches, gospel papers, gospel preachers, gospel radio stations and gospel tracts are all ways the word gospel has been used. Yet in these usages rarely is the word “gospel” defined.

So what is the gospel?

In I Corinthians 15:1-5 the scriptures state that the Gospel is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Romans 1:16 tells us that the Gospel has the power to save humans from their sins.

Ephesians 1:7 states, “…we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.”

This explains that Jesus took away our sins with his blood, which was shed in his death upon the cross.

We read in 2 Timothy 1:10, “But is now made manifest by the appearing of our savior Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.”

Notice that this verse tells us that because of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection, He has abolished death and brought life and immortality.

Elsewhere in the Bible we see that in order for one to receive life and immortality one must obey the Gospel. This is found in I Peter 4:17 where it reads, “For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God:

and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?”

The question one must ask is, “How do I obey the gospel?”

Let us look at the following scriptures. Romans 10:9 affirms to us that one must believe and confess that the Lord Jesus was raised from the dead (or it could be said one must believe the Gospel).

Along with believing and confessing one must repent of his or her sins, Luke 13:3,5; Acts 2:38 and Acts 17:30 proclaim repentance as response to ones belief and confession of Christ as lord.

I Corinthians 6:9-10, Ephesians 4:17-5:7, Galatians 5:19-26 and Revelations 21:8 affirm that one must repent of all sins. Romans 6:3-6 reminds us that baptism is the point where we accept Christ and where we die to our sins.

This is also reaffirmed in Colossians 2:11-12 as well as Galatians 3:26-27. Baptism is the point in which we are saved, put into Christ, where our sins are washed away and add to Christ’s Church.

Once we have obeyed the Gospel, by believing in Christ, confessing Christ’s name, repenting of our sins and putting Christ on in baptism for the remission of sins, forever afterward we must continue in the faith.

We do this by living a holy life (2 Peter 3:11), worshiping with the church of Christ regularly (Hebrews 11:25), and striving to use our talents for the glory of God (Romans 12:1-8).

The person who has obeyed the gospel and continues in the faith can enjoy the great blessing of being a child of God.

Have you obeyed the gospel?

If not then please contact us at the church of Christ today

You are welcome at the services of the South Point Church of Christ Sunday Bible study 9:30 a.m. Sunday worship 10:30 a.m.

Sunday evening worship 6:00 p.m. and Wednesday Bible study 7:00 p.m.

Call (740) 377-4846 for more information.

Mark T. Tonkery is the former minister of the South Point Church of Christ.

He now preaches for the Little Hocking Church of Christ in Little Hocking, OH you can visit their web page at www.lhcoc.com.