What is the Gospel?

[DamianWarS]

The Epistles are for people who already know the Gospel in established Christian communities, so if the Epistles are not the Gospel then what is the Gospel? Should Matthew, Mark, Luke and John be used exclusively to tell the Gospel to non-believers?

Perhaps you could say we have theological license to use what we want to or it could be said that doctrinally meaty messages are irresponsible for non-believers as they are not ready. This begs the question what is the purpose of the Gospel? Should it "fix" ones theology or should it be more focused on introducing someone to Jesus?

 

[EastCoastRemnant]

The gospel in it's simplest form is Gen 3:15... that Jesus would come (has come) to pay the price for sin that we might have eternal life.

 

[hedrick]

The definition of the Gospel isn’t as easy as some think. For Jesus, the good news is that God has sent him to establish God’s Kingdom on earth, establishing the new covenant. For Paul, is that Christ died for our sins and was raised to bring us new life, in the form of the new covenant.

There are clear differences between the two definitions. I think the new covenant is what’s most common between Jesus’ and Paul’s definition, although the actual term occurs only a couple of times. In the Words of Institution for Jesus. In Paul also in 2 Cor 3:6. Nevertheless, Jesus’ whole approach to ethics was to reinterpret the Law in accordance with its intent, and Paul also talked about replacing the Law with behavior based on being in Christ. Both of these are reasonable interpretations of Jeremiah’s new law written in our hearts. Consistent with this, both Jesus and Paul talked about changing our hearts. That's what Jesus really meant by repenting. Jesus didn't use the term "repent" to refer to regret for specific sins, but to changing our whole orientation. That's what Paul talks about in Rom 6, and more generally in his references to being in Christ.

However there are other aspects that are less commonly talked about. See https://aeon.co/ideas/the-gospels-of-paul-dont-say-what-you-think-they-say for an interesting example of this. Both Jesus and Paul saw Jesus’ mission in the context of a cosmic battle. Both taught that Jesus’ real mission was to defeat the cosmic powers of evil. So the Gospel is also that Christ has defeated the powers of sin and death.

 

[DamianWarS]

The gospel in it's simplest form is Gen 3:15... that Jesus would come (has come) to pay the price for sin that we might have eternal life.

Gen 3:15 is a prophetic message about Christ it may be one of the earliest examples of it but I would not call it simple as it requires a lot more knowledge and understanding to unpack what it really means. I would argue Gen 3:21 is a better example as it actually is a demonstration of grace from God to man to cover sin but even this is not simple and requires just as much to understand it's prophetic impact.

 

[bcbsr]

The Epistles are for people who already know the Gospel in established Christian communities, so if the Epistles are not the Gospel then what is the Gospel? Should Matthew, Mark, Luke and John be used exclusively to tell the Gospel to non-believers?

Perhaps you could say we have theological license to use what we want to or it could be said that doctrinally meaty messages are irresponsible for non-believers as they are not ready. This begs the question what is the purpose of the Gospel? Should it "fix" ones theology or should it be more focused on introducing someone to Jesus?

Many of the Epistles contain the gospel. In fact the book of Romans is the most comprehensive, systematic, detailed presentation of the gospel. Have you read the book of Romans?

 

[Chinchilla]

Genesis 3:15 being fulfilled by Christ , told us by Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4

It is the gospel of Paul which was called to minister to Gentiles which we all are .

 

[Chinchilla]

Romans 2:16-29 King James Version (KJV)
16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.

 

[fhansen]

The definition of the Gospel isn’t as easy as some think. For Jesus, the good news is that God has sent him to establish God’s Kingdom on earth, establishing the new covenant. For Paul, is that Christ died for our sins and was raised to bring us new life, in the form of the new covenant.

There are clear differences between the two definitions. I think the new covenant is what’s most common between Jesus’ and Paul’s definition, although the actual term occurs only a couple of times. In the Words of Institution for Jesus. In Paul also in 2 Cor 3:6. Nevertheless, Jesus’ whole approach to ethics was to reinterpret the Law in accordance with its intent, and Paul also talked about replacing the Law with behavior based on being in Christ. Both of these are reasonable interpretations of Jeremiah’s new law written in our hearts. Consistent with this, both Jesus and Paul talked about changing our hearts. That's what Jesus really meant by repenting. Jesus didn't use the term "repent" to refer to regret for specific sins, but to changing our whole orientation. That's what Paul talks about in Rom 6, and more generally in his references to being in Christ.

However there are other aspects that are less commonly talked about. See https://aeon.co/ideas/the-gospels-of-paul-dont-say-what-you-think-they-say for an interesting example of this. Both Jesus and Paul saw Jesus’ mission in the context of a cosmic battle. Both taught that Jesus’ real mission was to defeat the cosmic powers of evil. So the Gospel is also that Christ has defeated the powers of sin and death.

I like this. And, IMO, by Jesus conquering sin and death we can be not only forgiven but also empowered to change behavior, to be "born again", new creations who may now live lives that don't lead to death. IOW the New Covenant is about change, about purified or justified hearts that follow Jesus in fulfilling the Law the right way, the intended way, the way that comes from loving God with our heart, soul, mind, and strength and our neighbor as ourselves. And, since this change is only possible by being in Christ, 'Apart from whom we can do nothing' (John 15:5), this is consistent with Paul also, who himself taught that love fulfills the Law and knew the most important virtue to be love, without which he was nothing according to 1 Cor 13.

 

[Wordkeeper]

The Epistles are for people who already know the Gospel in established Christian communities, so if the Epistles are not the Gospel then what is the Gospel? Should Matthew, Mark, Luke and John be used exclusively to tell the Gospel to non-believers?

Perhaps you could say we have theological license to use what we want to or it could be said that doctrinally meaty messages are irresponsible for non-believers as they are not ready. This begs the question what is the purpose of the Gospel? Should it "fix" ones theology or should it be more focused on introducing someone to Jesus?

The text records examples of people who were loyal to God (were faithful) and who were blessed. Yet David, speaking in the Spirit, prophesied that there remained a rest, a goal, a destination, for the People of God. So although reaching the Promised Land physically meant safety from dangers, opportunity to fulfill inherent potential for Israel, and spiritual completion of the journey meant spiritual safety and opportunity, those who reached spiritual destinations or goals after the work of the Cross was accomplished had access to even greater blessings.


This comports well with the statement that even though John the Baptist was the greatest of those born of a woman, the least in the Kingdom was greater than John: all the potential in human life could be reached with the ushering in of the Kingdom.


This then is the Gospel. The breaking forth of the Kingdom of God as a result of the giving of His Son.


John 3

16For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.


We tend to fixate on the not perishing part and forget the fulfillment of potential part.

Don´t forget Paul preached to the Epicureans and the Stoics, people with no interest in religion, yet who were searching for hope.

 

[Rubiks]

The Good News is the coming Kingdom of God

Mark 1:14-15 (NRSV) Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.”

 

[DamianWarS]

Genesis 3:15 being fulfilled by Christ , told us by Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4

It is the gospel of Paul which was called to minister to Gentiles which we all are .

Does anyone even bother to read the op?

 

[Chinchilla]

Does anyone even bother to read the op?

I did , read what 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 says it has the purpose in it .

The Gospel , by which you are saved if you keep it .
That's the purpose of gospel , to save .

 

[DamianWarS]

I did , read what 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 says it has the purpose in it .

The Gospel , by which you are saved if you keep it .
That's the purpose of gospel , to save .

there are some question marks in the OP, care to answer them?

 

[DamianWarS]

Many of the Epistles contain the gospel. In fact the book of Romans is the most comprehensive, systematic, detailed presentation of the gospel. Have you read the book of Romans?

but who is the audience? it is a message for people who have already received the gospel not for those who have yet to hear the gospel.

 

[Chinchilla]

there are some question marks in the OP, care to answer them?

It's not your job to debate somebody but to proclaim the gospel . It's Holy Spirit's Job to convince them of sin and soften thier hearts . You do not debate theology with unbelievers simply proclaim the gospel to them . Early Christians didn't even have the Bible to begin with nor could most of them read even if they had .

Jesus was carpender son , look what phariasies thought of people like him .
John 7:15
“And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?”

Because it was priesthood job to learn , read , copy and do sacrifices not the other tribes . Most of people in Jesus day would sign with X because they could not write thier name .

 

[fhansen]

The Epistles are for people who already know the Gospel in established Christian communities, so if the Epistles are not the Gospel then what is the Gospel? Should Matthew, Mark, Luke and John be used exclusively to tell the Gospel to non-believers?

Perhaps you could say we have theological license to use what we want to or it could be said that doctrinally meaty messages are irresponsible for non-believers as they are not ready. This begs the question what is the purpose of the Gospel? Should it "fix" ones theology or should it be more focused on introducing someone to Jesus?

The purpose of the gospel, when the time was ripe in human history, is to reveal the true nature-the face-of God so that, when He calls, we might run back to him like Prodigals after spending time apart from Him here in this pigsty, relatively speaking.

"Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent." John 17:3

"Apart from Me you can do nothing" John 15:5

Everything Jesus said and did was for that end, to restore knowledge of and therefore relationship with the true God so that we may no longer be lost, but restored to communion with Him as is the right and just order of things for man.

 

[bcbsr]

but who is the audience? it is a message for people who have already received the gospel not for those who have yet to hear the gospel.

Rom 1:15 "That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are at Rome."

Christians need to hear to gospel as much as anyone else, because so many Christians get the gospel wrong. Furthermore to hear the gospel by an apostle as provides an example of what you should be doing and how you should be doing it - namely preaching the gospel.

 

[JIMINZ]

.

As I see it, there are three main questions.

#1

so if the Epistles are not the Gospel then what is the Gospel?

Mat. 4:23
And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.

Mat. 9:35
And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.

Paul apparently preached the Kingdom because he said.

1Cor. 2:4
And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:

1Cor. 4:20
For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.

So what we hear from Paul is the Preaching of the Kingdom of God is with signs and wonders following, this is what gets the Non-Believer to become a Believer, it's the clincher.

Mat. 24:14
And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

Mar. 1:14
Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,

Then the question must be definitively answered, are the Gifts for today, or have they ceased?


#2

Should Matthew, Mark, Luke and John be used exclusively to tell the Gospel to non-believers?

YES the should, but with the qualification, not all four are necessary, they become redundant and therefore confusing to the Non-Believer, whereas, they do not understand the need of telling the same story four times.


#3

This begs the question what is the purpose of the Gospel? Should it "fix" ones theology or should it be more focused on introducing someone to Jesus?

A Believer should already know the story of Jesus told in the four Gospels, therefore by us first understanding, the actual Gospel of Jesus was not what we now call and teach as the Gospel.

What should be taught to the Non-Believer, as their Introduction to who Jesus was, is One of the four Gospels, and Jesus teaching on His Gospel of the Kingdom of God.

 

[1213]

The Epistles are for people who already know the Gospel in established Christian communities, so if the Epistles are not the Gospel then what is the Gospel? Should Matthew, Mark, Luke and John be used exclusively to tell the Gospel to non-believers?

I think there are 2 Gospels (Good news), first is this:



"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, Because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim release to the captives, Recovering of sight to the blind, To deliver those who are crushed, And to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord."
Luke 4:18-19

And the second is this:

For to this end Christ died, rose, and lived again, that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living.
Romans 14:9

Jesus declared that sins are forgiven. And disciples declared that Jesus rose from the death and death is defeated.

 

[DamianWarS]

Rom 1:15 "That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are at Rome."

Christians need to hear to gospel as much as anyone else, because so many Christians get the gospel wrong. Furthermore to hear the gospel by an apostle as provides an example of what you should be doing and how you should be doing it - namely preaching the gospel.

perhaps but the message is going to be presented differently to those who have already heard and believed. the spirit of the OP is the gospel to those who have yet to hear and have yet to believe.