CHAPTER TWO

Understanding the Gospel

The first component of the Gospel is understanding the person of God and His works.

Jesus Christ is the clearest revelation of God, hence every time the gospel is preached or attempt to reveal God, we focus on the person of Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 1:1-3 AMP says:

‘1God, having spoken to the fathers long ago in [the voices and writings of] the prophets in many separate revelations [each of which set forth a portion of the truth], and in many ways, has in these last days spoken [with finality] to us in [the person of One who is by His character and nature] His Son [namely Jesus], whom He appointed heir and lawful owner of all things, through whom also He created the universe [that is, the universe as a space-time-matter continuum]. 3The Son is the radiance and only expression of the glory of [our awesome] God [reflecting God’s Shekinah glory, the Light-being, the brilliant light of the divine], and the exact representation and perfect imprint of His [Father’s] essence, and upholding and maintaining and propelling all things [the entire physical and spiritual universe] by His powerful word [carrying the universe along to its predetermined goal]. When He [Himself and no other] had [by offering Himself on the cross as a sacrifice for sin] accomplished purification from sins and established our freedom from guilt, He sat down [revealing His completed work] at the right hand of the Majesty on high [revealing His Divine authority],’

The scripture above shows that Jesus is the express image of God therefore whenever we preach Christ, we reveal God to a generation.

1 Corinthians 1:23-24 AMP says:

‘23but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, 24but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the [miracle-working] power of God and the [true] wisdom of God.’

The gospel also entails the works of God which is captured in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 15:3-4 AMP says:

‘3For I passed on to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to [that which] the Scriptures [foretold], [Is 53:5-12] 4and that He was buried, and that He was [bodily] raised on the third day according to [that which] the Scriptures [foretold], [Ps 16:9, 10]’.

God’s salvation plan reveals His character; His love and compassion for man. It is the highest expression of His power.

The Gospel is not merely a religious message. It is the revelation of God’s eternal intention toward humanity. Through Christ, we see the depth of God’s love and the seriousness of sin. The cross demonstrates both God’s justice and His mercy.

Many people hear about Jesus but never truly encounter Him. There is a difference between hearing the Gospel intellectually and experiencing its transforming power personally.

The Gospel reveals that humanity could never save itself. No amount of human effort, morality, religion, or philosophy could restore man to God. That is why Jesus Christ came.

The death of Christ brought redemption. The burial of Christ signified the putting away of the old life. The resurrection of Christ released victory and newness of life.

Every believer must understand that Christianity is built entirely upon the finished work of Jesus Christ.

Without the cross, there is no salvation. Without the resurrection, there is no victory. Without Christ, there is no eternal life.

This is why the revelation of Jesus Christ must remain central to the life of every believer.