What exactly is this gospel?

In Acts chapter 8 verses 26-40 we see a conversation between Philip, the Evangelist and a Eunuch of Queen Candace.  The Eunuch is riding in his chariot and is reading with great interest, from Isaiah 53.  Philip comes over (after being told by the Holy Ghost to go toward the desert), and joins up with this Eunuch.  Philip heard him reading out loud from Isaiah and asked him (allow me to paraphrase) "Do you understand what you are reading?).  The Eunuch replied Acts 8:31 "And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me?..."

This is in complete harmony with the Word of God!  Paul later taught in Romans 10:14   "How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?"

Verses 32 and 33 tell us that the Eunuch was reading from Isaiah 53:7-8.   Acts 8:32-33   "The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth: In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth."

Philip began at that verse and preached to him ... JESUS.  What is the preaching of Jesus?  It IS, quite literally, the GOSPEL!  Let's examine some more. 

Romans 1:16  "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek."  Paul simply states that the Gospel of Christ is the POWER of God "unto" salvation (in other words...it is the Power that BRINGS US salvation, or "brings us to" salvation).  We therefore understand that the Gospel message IS the message of Salvation!

We read in 1 Corinthians 15:, that Paul writes to the church at Corinth that he is going to declare to them the gospel (and states he has already preached it to them and they have already received it).

I want to examine that chapter for a bit.  Turn to 1 Corinthians chapter 15 with me.  Notice in verse 2, Paul declares that the Gospel is what "saved" them, and gives a very powerful qualifying statement:  He says IF ye keep in memory what I have preached unto you......

Since Paul said he was going to "declare" the gospel again, let's examine exactly what he wrote to see if we can determine the elements of the Gospel. 

Verse 3  "...how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;..."

Verse 4  "And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day..."

Paul then goes on to mention the Resurrection and declares that if Christ isn't risen, their faith is in vain.

We see 2 crucial elements to the preaching of the Gospel.  You will find these in all instances of the preaching of the Gospel. 

These Two Elements are:

1.  Christ Died for Our Sins

2.  Jesus was Buried and Rose again the Third Day

Paul spoke of the faith in Christ in Galatians 3:22-27   "But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ."

Notice here, though that Paul mentions another element that is present in every single instance in the Word of God when the Gospel is preached.  Galatians 3:27 declares  "For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ."   We will cover this in greater detail a bit later in this examination of the Plan of Salvation. 

Paul mentioned yet another element that is crucial to Salvation and is included in all instances of the preaching of Salvation:

2 Corinthians 7:9-10  "Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing.  For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death."

Did you notice the other element?  Did you see the mention of Repentance? 

By these scriptures we've examined so far, we get the idea that the Gospel IS the "preaching of Jesus".  Folks, the Gospel is not popular, nor is it's message OR it's messengers.  Jesus said of his followers:

Mark 13:13   "And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved."   There is a hatred of Christians and Christianity as never before and it is only going to grow worse.

Let's read the words of Jesus to see what He had to say about the Gospel:    

Mark 16:15-18  "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover."

 Now, I know that many of you don't like to use the scripture in Mark and several of you claim that Mark 16 after verse 8 or 9 doesn't belong in the bible.  That's ok if you want to believe that.  It's certainly your choice to do so.  Let's then, examine another passage that most EVERYONE agrees with and see if it is in harmony with these in Mark.  If Matthew 28:18-20 is in harmony with Mark, the you should also include Mark's writings in your studies.

Matthew 28:18-20:   "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen."

There are the same elements in Matthew as was seen in Mark.  There is the "GO" command....GO into all the world and preach the GOSPEL to every creature.   Matthew says Go and TEACH THEM.   Then we see another element:  Matthew says BAPTIZE THEM.   Mark also records that one needs to BE BAPTIZED!

I think Mark and Matthew are indeed in Harmony with one another.  You may exclude Mark if you wish, but then you must deal with the commands in Matthew.  Let me not cover that particular subject further, but rather turn my attention back to the Words of Jesus concerning the Gospel.

Luke 24:44-53  "And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things. And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen."

Particular Noteworthy is Luke 24 and Verse 47:   " And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem."

He said what?  That the Gospel (repentance and remission of sins) would be preached beginning where?  

Right!  Beginning at Jerusalem!

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