Chapter Sixteen – The Good News Jesus Announced

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Immediately after overcoming Satan for 40 days in the wilderness, the first thing Jesus preached to the public had to do with the gospel. Notice this at the beginning of Mark’s account: “Repent you, and believe the gospel” (Mk 1:15). But exactly what is it that we—YOU—are to believe? Just what is the true gospel?

The majority would say something similar to the following: “The gospel is the good news of the forgiveness of sins through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.”

Is this the gospel you believe? If so, then you do not believe Christ!

Here’s why!

Many False Gospels

Almost everyone believes that the gospel is about the Person of Jesus Christ. Certainly, He plays an extremely important and central role to Christianity, but He is not the gospel. The Bible shows that Jesus is preached in conjunction with the gospel. Again, His role is enormous. But He is not the gospel.

Billions believe a man-made, fictional gospel about Jesus and His sacrifice.

Notice that Mark 1:14—“Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God”—does not say, “Jesus came into Galilee preaching the gospel of forgiveness of sins through His sacrifice”! Again, while Jesus’ death is immensely important—since without it no one would have the opportunity to receive eternal life—it is not the gospel.

Consider. If this were the gospel, then Jesus would have had to preach about Himself. But this would have contradicted His own words (John 7:18). Contrary to what false ministers might have you believe, you will not find Jesus referring to His sacrifice as the gospel anywhere in the New Testament.

Many proclaim a “gospel of salvation,” others a “gospel of grace.” Still others believe a “gospel of miracles” or a “social gospel.” Yet others think of the “gospel of foods” or of “healing” or of “faith.” And there are some who merely think of “gospel music” when they hear this word. These man-made ideas all ignore the truth of the Bible!

Notice Mark’s account again: “Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God.” This is the gospel that Jesus preached. It was in this same context that He said, “Repent you, and believe the gospel.” Which gospel? Of the “kingdom of God.”

The first verse in Mark refers to this message, when it states, “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ.” The gospel of Jesus Christ was about the KINGDOM OF GOD—not something else! One must believe that gospel—not a humanly devised counterfeit or substitute.

Strong Warning Not to Pervert It

This subject is so important that God inspired the apostle Paul to warn the Galatians then and us now:

“I marvel that you are so soon removed from Him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that you have received, let him be accursed” (Gal 1:6-9).

This is a very blunt statement—and a strong warning to all who will heed!

A little later, Paul stressed his hope that the “truth of the gospel might continue with you” (Gal 2:5). So there is one true gospel—with all others false!

Although some assert that Paul taught a different or additional gospel, it is plain that he never did. God used Paul to warn against ever allowing such false teaching by pronouncing a curse on any man, angel or even any apostle—“But though we [apostles]…preach any other gospel…let him be accursed” (Gal 1:8)—who violates this command.

What a powerful scripture—and WARNING!

Paul explained that the apostles were entrusted by God to preserve the true gospel. Notice I Thessalonians 2:4: “But as we [apostles] were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which tries our hearts.”

This is a responsibility not to be taken lightly. True ministers must always teach what God commands—not what pleases men (including Bible “scholars”). Any claim that Paul taught a different or second gospel (usually thought to be about Christ or of “peace”) is impossible. Had he done this, he would have been pronouncing a curse on himself! No thinking person can believe Paul would do this!

Jesus Was Prophesied to Bring the Gospel

In the Old Testament, Jesus was prophesied to come as a messenger. Notice Malachi 3:1: “Behold, I will send My messenger [John the Baptist], and he shall prepare the way before Me [Christ]: and the Lord, whom you seek, shall suddenly come to His temple, even the Messenger of the covenant, whom you delight in.”

Jesus was the “messenger” of the gospel, not the message itself. And His message is actually the very core—the centrepiece!—of the entire Bible.

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