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Universal and Personal
“UNIVERSAL AND PERSONAL”
The word “gospel” simply means “good news.” While it is a generic word, it has come to be used almost exclusively to refer to the “good news” of salvation through Jesus Christ. (Romans 1:16). Jesus brought the message to earth from Heaven. The message is universal in that it was meant for all mankind. At the same time, it is very personal in that every human being must learn and accept it on an individual basis. While the message was delivered to all mankind, it is received and accepted one person at a time.
The Gospel message is a very simple message. Jesus is the Son of God and our Savior. He willingly went to the cross to die so that He could offer His life as a sacrifice for our sins. (Hebrews 9:28) Jesus gave His life for our lives. On the third day in the tomb, He arose from the grave and demonstrated God’s power over death. He presented Himself alive to hundreds of people. (Acts 10:39-41) Some 40 days after His resurrection, in full view of witnesses, He ascended back to Heaven to be with the Father. (Acts 1:9-11)
The Gospel message is communicated quite simply in I Corinthians 15:1-7: “Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel ……. that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the scriptures, and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once ….. After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles.”
Jesus died on the cross for our sins. (Romans 5:8) He was buried in the tomb, and then He arose from the grave triumphant over death. He ascended back to Heaven to wait with the Father for the final day of judgment when He will come again to judge all mankind. (Acts 17:30-31)
We need to prepare for His next coming by acting upon our faith in Him. We must repent of our sins. ((Luke 13:3) We must openly confess our faith in Him. (Matthew 10:32) We must be baptized for the remission of our sins. (Acts 2:38) As we do these things, we have salvation in Christ. We begin a new life following His teachings.
That is the simple Gospel message. Do you believe it? Have you obeyed it?
Written by Larry Schneider
