The Gospel

The Bible teaches us that there is one true and holy God who created mankind and will one day judge us and hold us accountable for the lives we’ve lived.

The Bible says, “He [God] made from one man every nation of mankind to live on the face of the earth” and “He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness” (Acts 17:26,31).

The Bible teaches us that the coming judgment is bad news, for all people have sinned or rebelled against their holy Creator and deserve the penalty of spiritual death (i.e., eternal separation from God in hell—a real place of judgement). Man’s greatest need, then, is forgiveness of his sins. 

The Bible says, “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” and that “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 3:23; 6:23).

But, there’s good news, which the Bible calls the gospel! The Bible teaches us that God loves us and sent His Son, Jesus Christ, into this world to rescue us from our sins and the coming judgement. Jesus was fully God and fully man. He lived a perfect life, paid the penalty for our sins by dying in our place on the cross, and was raised from the dead as our Lord and Savior who conquered sin and death. 

The Bible says, “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

The Bible teaches that God requires every person to respond personally to the gospel. God offers forgiveness of sins, a right relationship with him, and the gift of abundant, eternal life to every person who will repent (i.e., turn away from his sins) and believe the gospel (i.e., trust in Jesus as Lord and Savior). To repent and believe the gospel means submitting our whole life to Jesus, who will transform our life and make us new. 

The Bible says, “repent and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:15).

If you’ve never trusted Christ as your Savior, do so now! Here is a prayer that you can offer to God for salvation. There’s nothing magical about these words. They simply provide guidance for you to express back to God what is in your heart.

Dear God, 
I understand that I am a sinner in need of a Savior. I have rebelled against you, and must be forgiven by my Creator. I believe that Jesus came to die for me on the cross, was buried, and was raised again. I place my faith in his provision of forgiveness through his death, burial, and resurrection. I want to turn from my sin and turn toward Jesus. I know I can’t earn this; I’m totally dependent upon Jesus. May Jesus become my Savior and the Lord of my life. Amen.