THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO PAUL: PART TWO

Yesterday, I ended by asking the question: "What is the Gospel the Lord's disciples are suppose to proclaim?" In Romans, the Gospel is mentioned thirteen times, and those verses tell us only that there is the Gospel; the Father, His Son, and the apostle himself, all were in agreement as to what it is. But Romans does not define it. We do, however, have the Greek word which is translated "Gospel." It is εὐαγγέλιον (euaggelion), which simply means "good tidings" or "good news." Ironically, the first time the word is quoted chronologically in the New Testament, it is translated "glad tidings," when it was spoken by the angel to Zacharias in Luke 1:19.

It is in Paul's first letter to the Corinthian Church that we have Paul's definition of the Gospel. Paul stated that he was sent by Christ to preach the Gospel (1:17), and because he was faithful in doing so, many souls were saved (4:15). Remember, in Romans 1:16, we learned that it is only the Gospel that has the power to save. We learn that the preaching of the Gospel can be hindered (9:12). Paul states that those who proclaim the Gospel should also benefit by the support of those who have received it (9:14), but we know he chose not to accept financial support for himself so no one could accuse him of seeking personal gain (9:18; Acts 18:1-3; 20:34; 1 Cor. 4:12; 9:6; 2 Cor. 11:9; 1 Thes. 2:9; 2 Thes. 3:8-9). He described his calling to proclaim the Gospel as a stewardship (dispensation) from God (9:17).

Finally, after thirty chapters in Romans and 1 Corinthians, Paul defines the Gospel. He writes:

"Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; by which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures" (1 Cor. 15:1-4).

Paul went on to say that the Lord's Resurrection was witnessed by many (1 Cor. 15:5-9). He finished the chapter by explaining the importance of Christ being raised; it is a guarantee that those who place their trust in Him will also take part in the Resurrection (15:10-58). For all of us who have accepted Christ as our Lord and Savior, that is good news!

From this point on, because of the fact that many references repeat what we have already covered, I will only address those passages which shed addition light revealed in Paul's letters concerning the Gospel.

We will continue tomorrow, Lord willing.