What Is the Gospel of Jesus Christ?
1. The Gospel and the Bible’s Grand Story
When asking, What is the gospel of Jesus Christ?, many reduce it to a personal message about forgiveness or heaven. Yet the Bible shows the gospel as the climax of God’s plan woven through Israel’s history. In fact, the word “gospel” (good news) in the New Testament assumes an Old Testament backdrop.
The gospel is about continuity: Jesus fulfills God’s promises to Abraham, David, and the prophets.
The gospel is about fulfillment: the Scriptures anticipated a Messiah-King, and Jesus is that Christ.
The gospel is about restoration: what was lost in Eden finds renewal through the reign of Christ.
Thus, the gospel cannot be detached from Israel’s story. It is not a sudden invention in the New Testament but the fulfillment of God’s covenant purposes.
2. The Gospel in Israel’s Story
Chapter 2 of The Gospel is Bigger than You Think highlights how Israel’s story sets the stage for the gospel . God called Abraham and promised to bless the nations through his offspring (Genesis 12:1–3). He established Israel as His people, redeemed them from Egypt, gave them the Law, and set a king over them. Each step anticipated a greater fulfillment.
Key moments include:
The covenant with Abraham – God promised universal blessing through his seed.
The covenant with David – God swore to establish David’s throne forever (2 Samuel 7:12–16).
The prophetic promises – Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel pointed to a day when God would restore His people and reign as King.
The gospel proclaims that in Jesus, the Christ, these promises have come to pass. Paul declares that “all the promises of God find their Yes in Him” (2 Corinthians 1:20).
3. The Gospel of the Kingdom
Chapter 3 develops the theme that the gospel is the announcement of God’s Kingdom breaking into the world through Jesus . Jesus Himself announced it: “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:15).
The Kingdom theme shows:
God’s reign is central – The gospel is about God reclaiming creation under His rule.
Jesus embodies the Kingdom – He is the King who demonstrates God’s authority by healing, forgiving, and raising the dead.
The Kingdom is both present and future – It is already inaugurated in Christ’s first coming but awaits completion when He returns.
The gospel of Jesus Christ is therefore the royal proclamation that God’s reign has arrived in His Son.
4. The Gospel and the Cross
To proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ is to proclaim the cross. Israel’s story pointed forward to a Messiah who would suffer for His people. Jesus fulfilled Isaiah 53 as the suffering servant, bearing sins and securing peace with God.
The cross does not stand alone; it is part of the Kingdom proclamation:
It is the decisive battle where Christ defeated sin and death.
It is the covenant fulfillment where God established forgiveness and reconciliation.
It is the enthronement moment, where paradoxically the crucified one is crowned as King (John 19:19).
Thus, the gospel is not only that Christ died, but that in His death and resurrection He reigns as Lord.
5. The Gospel and the Resurrection
The resurrection is the center of apostolic preaching. Paul wrote, “If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile” (1 Corinthians 15:17). For the apostles, the resurrection proved that Jesus is the Christ and inaugurated the age to come.
The resurrection gospel includes:
Vindication – God declared Jesus to be His Son with power (Romans 1:4).
Victory – Death has lost its sting (1 Corinthians 15:54–55).
New creation – Jesus’ resurrection is the firstfruits of a restored creation (1 Corinthians 15:20–21).
This ties directly to Israel’s hope and the Kingdom theme. The resurrection proclaims that the new age has dawned in Christ.
6. The Gospel Bigger Than Personal Salvation
The Gospel is Bigger than You Think stresses that the gospel must not be reduced to an individualistic message. Yes, the gospel brings forgiveness of sins, but it also brings:
The reign of Christ over all creation (Ephesians 1:22).
The renewal of the world as creation is freed from its bondage (Romans 8:19–21).
The unity of Jew and Gentile in one body (Ephesians 2:14–16).
The hope of Christ’s return to make all things new (Revelation 21:5).
The gospel is about the cosmic scope of God’s plan in Christ, the King of God’s Kingdom.
7. The Gospel in the Last Days
The Bible consistently connects the gospel to the “last days.” Hebrews 1:1–2 declares that God has now spoken through His Son. The coming of Christ marks the beginning of the end, the overlap of the ages.
In this framework:
The gospel proclaims that the last days have begun in Christ.
The gospel assures that the Kingdom is already here, though not yet fully revealed.
The gospel guarantees that Christ will return to consummate His reign.
The gospel of Jesus Christ is therefore both a present reality and a future hope.
Conclusion
So, What is the gospel of Jesus Christ? It is the good news that God’s promises to Israel are fulfilled in Jesus, the Christ, who is King of God’s Kingdom. Chapters 2 and 3 of The Gospel is Bigger than You Think show that the gospel is rooted in Israel’s story and centered on the Kingdom of God. It is not only about personal salvation but about God’s reign breaking into the world through the life, death, and resurrection of His Son.
The gospel is bigger than we think. It is the announcement that Jesus is Lord, reigning now and coming again to bring the fullness of God’s Kingdom.
Bible Verses Related to the Gospel of Jesus Christ
Genesis 12:3 – “In you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
2 Samuel 7:16 – “Your throne shall be established forever.”
Isaiah 53:5 – “He was pierced for our transgressions.”
Daniel 7:14 – “His dominion is an everlasting dominion.”
Mark 1:15 – “The kingdom of God is at hand.”
Luke 4:18 – “He has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.”
Acts 2:36 – “God has made Him both Lord and Christ.”
Romans 1:4 – “Declared to be the Son of God in power by the resurrection.”
1 Corinthians 15:3–4 – “Christ died for our sins… He was raised on the third day.”
Revelation 11:15 – “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ.”
