Episode two of two on Law and Gospel. In this episode of the Christ for Us Bible Study Podcast, we learn what the Bible says about the Gospel, it's broad and narrow use in Scripture, and how the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the only way to salvation.
A new episode of the Christ for Us Bible Study Podcast will be uploaded every Thursday.
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Intro and closing music: Wachet Auf, Ruf Uns Die Stimme BWV 645, setting by J. S. Bach, Noncommercial Use
The Gospel: The Most Important Teaching in Scripture
- For I am not ashamed of the gospel [of Christ], for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.” Romans 1:16-17
- Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel! 1 Corinthians 9:16
- Now I would remind you, brothers, of the Gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:1-2
- And Jesus said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” Mark 16:15-16
Summary of the Distinction between Law and Gospel
- The Law in the proper (narrow sense) is a rebuke for sin and a threat of God’s wrath upon the law breaker. This is not done to bring a sinner into self-righteousness or total despair, but to lead the sinner to Christ to receive grace.
- The Gospel in the proper (narrow sense) is the message of God’s mercy, forgiveness, and salvation found in Christ Jesus alone and given to all who believe.
Scripture uses the word Gospel in two ways.
- Yet, just as with the Law, the word Gospel can be used in a narrow and a broad sense. Last week we learned how the Law is often used in the broad sense, referring to the Holy Scriptures of the Old Testament. We recognize when the Bible uses the Law in this way when it is paired with the Prophets and the Psalms and when it promises salvation. We recognize Scriptures is using the word law in the narrow sense when it speaks of works of the law, exposes sin, and threatens condemnation.
- The Word Gospel means good news. The Greek word for Gospel used in the Bible is εὐαγγέλιον, which is where we get the word evangelical. Εὐαγγέλιον comes the prefix εὐ, which means good and the Greek word ἀγγελία, which means message or tidings. So, Gospel literally means good news or glad tidings. In fact, the angel used the verbal form of this word in Luke two, which many of us will recognize from the King James, “I bring you good tidings of great joy.”
- So, in the most basic sense, the Gospel is the good message of Jesus Christ. There is only one Gospel, but there are four Evangelists: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John
- The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Mark 1:1
- In the broad sense, which includes the entire ministry of Christ and is summarized in the preaching to repent and believe in the Gospel. This broad sense includes both the Law and the Gospel.
- “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand;[e] repent and believe in the gospel.” Mark 1:15
- testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. Acts 20:21
- “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, 47 and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. Luke 24:46-47
- The narrow sense (proper sense), which is purely a message of grace and mercy from God, which promises forgiveness and salvation to all who believe for Christ’s sake.
- For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16
- Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise. Luke 23:43
- He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His steadfast love toward those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does He remove our transgressions from us.” Psalm 103:11-12
- Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household. Acts 16:31
The Gospel Teaches that Christ Made Atonement for Our Sins on the Cross
- Surely he has borne our griefs
and carried our sorrows;
yet we esteemed him stricken,
smitten by God, and afflicted.
5 But he was pierced for our transgressions;
he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
and with his wounds we are healed.
6 All we like sheep have gone astray;
we have turned—every one—to his own way;
and the Lord has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.
7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted,
yet he opened not his mouth;
like a lamb that is led to the slaughter,
and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent,
so he opened not his mouth.
8 By oppression and judgment he was taken away;
and as for his generation, who considered
that he was cut off out of the land of the living,
stricken for the transgression of my people?
9 And they made his grave with the wicked
and with a rich man in his death,
although he had done no violence,
and there was no deceit in his mouth.
10 Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him;
he has put him to grief;[g]
when his soul makes[h] an offering for guilt,
he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days;
the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.
11 Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see[i] and be satisfied;
by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant,
make many to be accounted righteous,
and he shall bear their iniquities.
12 Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many,[j]
and he shall divide the spoil with the strong,[k]
because he poured out his soul to death
and was numbered with the transgressors;
yet he bore the sin of many,
and makes intercession for the transgressors. Isaiah 53
- Even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many. Matthew 20:28
- for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, Romans 3:23-24
- Who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification Romans 4:25
- For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man[a] Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. 1 Timothy 2:5-6
- But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. Galatians 4:4-5
- For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21
- Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”— 14 so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit[e] through faith. Galatians 3:13-14
- knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. 1 Peter 1:18-19
- For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit. 1 Peter 3:18 Happy Exchange!
- He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. 1 John 2:2
- In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 1 John 4:10
- But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come,[e] then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) 12 he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. Hebrews 9:11-12
The Gospel is not only the historical message of Christ’s suffering and death, but the promise of grace and forgiveness attached to it.
- The preaching of Christ crucified can be a preaching of the Law, because it shows the severity of our sin and God’s great wrath against it.
- “You killed the Author of Life” Acts 3:15
- The purpose of Christ’s passion and God’s attitude toward sinners for Christ’s sake must be emphasized.
The Gospel is Christ’s Proper Work.
- For the Lord will rise up as on Mount Perazim; as in the Valley of Gibeon he will be roused; to do his deed—strange is his deed! and to work his work—alien is his work! 22 Now therefore do not scoff, lest your bonds be made strong; for I have heard a decree of destruction from the Lord God of hosts against the whole land. Isaiah 28:21-22
- And now, please let the power of the Lord be great as you have promised, saying, 18 ‘The Lord is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, forgiving iniquity and transgression, but he will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, to the third and the fourth generation.’ 19 Please pardon the iniquity of this people, according to the greatness of your steadfast love, just as you have forgiven this people, from Egypt until now.” Numbers 14:17-19
The Holy Spirit is given and received through the Gospel.
- Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? Gal. 3:2
- For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God 1 Corinthians 1:18
- For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the Power of God to Salvation. Romans 1:16
- While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. Acts 10:48
The Gospel is taught in both the Old and New Testament.
- Examples of the Gospel in the Old Testament.
- I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.” Genesis 3:15
I am poured out like water,
and all my bones are out of joint;
my heart is like wax;
it is melted within my breast;
15 my strength is dried up like a potsherd,
and my tongue sticks to my jaws;
you lay me in the dust of death.
16 For dogs encompass me;
a company of evildoers encircles me;
they have pierced my hands and feet[b]—
17 I can count all my bones—
they stare and gloat over me;
18 they divide my garments among them,
and for my clothing they cast lots. Psalm 22
Isaiah 53 above.
- “Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool. Isaiah 1:18
- Who is a God like You, pardoning iniquity and passing over the transgression for the remnant of His inheritance? He does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in mercy. He will again have compassion on us; He will tread our iniquities underfoot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea. Micah 7:18—19
- And the LORD brought Abram outside and said, “Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.” Then He said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” And he believed the LORD, and He counted it to him as righteousness. Genesis 15:5-6
- In you and in your seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed Genesis 22:19 (see Gen. 12:3; 18:18; 26:4
The Gospel must preach grace alone. In this way, the Law must be made distinct from the Gospel!
- Our works must be completely excluded from the teaching of the Gospel. This excludes all works, from works that merit or the work of believing.
- for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. Romans 3:23-25
- But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace. Romans 11:6
- yet we know that a person is not justified[b] by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified. … I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose. Galatians 2:16, 21
- But[c] God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— … For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:4-5, 8-9
The Gospel must preach Christ alone.
- Christ Jesus alone is our Savior. No one can be saved apart from His sacrificial atoning death and resurrection. No one ever has or ever will be saved apart from Christ. (John 14:6).
- This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. 12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:11-12
- Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. John 3:18
- The Gospel glorifies and honors Christ.
The Gospel must preach faith alone.
- It is through faith so that it may be by grace. Romans 4:16
- See Romans 3:23-25 above.
- For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law. Romans 3:28
- that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:15-16
- Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. Mark 16:16
- Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life. John 5:24
- For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” 4 Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. 5 And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, Romans 4:2-5
- Faith excludes our works. Faith itself is a gift from God.
- Galatians 2:16 and Ephesians 2:8-9 above.
The Gospel is not a license to sin.
- And why not do evil that good may come?—as some people slanderously charge us with saying. Their condemnation is just. Romans 3:8
- What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Romans 6:1-2
- Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. Ephesians 4:17
- But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. Galatians 5:16-17
- For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries. Hebrews 10:26-27
Conclusion.
- The Gospel means good news. In the broad sense the Gospel refers to the entire message of Christ, including the call to repent. This includes both Law and Gospel.
- The Gospel in the narrow sense is the message of forgiveness and salvation given freely on the merits of Jesus Christ to all who believe.
- The Gospel depends on the message of Jesus’ atoning death for sins.
- The Gospel is taught in both the Old and the New Testament.
- The Holy Spirit is given by the Gospel.
- The Gospel message must preach grace alone, Christ alone, and faith alone.
- The Gospel is not a license to sin.
- The Gospel is the only hope for sinners to be saved!
