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As a Christian, most of my training was focused on the importance of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, and the subsequent forgiveness of sins that is available through accepting that sacrifice. In fact, my faith came to life and I was saved as a result of reading a tract called, The Four Spiritual Laws, which shared what is traditionally called the gospel. I don't in any way intent to minimize what Jesus did on the cross for us. If it wasn't for His sacrifice, none of us could be saved. What I do want to talk about in this article is the true message the Bible defines as the gospel.
As we read the Word we see that accepting Christ's blood in payment of our sins—as foundationally important as it is—is actually not the focus of the "Good News" that Jesus brought. The Bible says that Jesus Christ came to earth as a messenger from God the Father:
Behold, I send My messenger [John the Baptist], and he will prepare the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple, even the Messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight. Behold, He is coming," says the LORD of hosts. (Malachi 3:1)
Jesus did not speak His own words, but the words that the Father gave Him (John 8:38-42; 12:49-50; 14:24). His message was not primarily about Himself, but rather the Good News that the Father ordained to be announced on earth. Even at His birth, the angels proclaimed, "Glory to God in the highest. The Bible clearly shows us that the Gospel that Jesus brought was not simply about Himself. Read His statements, and prove this for yourself:
» And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people. (Matthew 4:23)
» And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. (Matthew 9:35)
» Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom of God, and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the Gospel." (Mark 1:14-15)
» [Jesus] said to them, "I must preach the Kingdom of God to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent." (Luke 4:43)
» Now it came to pass, afterward, that [Jesus] went through every city and village, preaching and bringing the glad tidings [gospel] of the Kingdom of God. (Luke 8:1)
» The law and the prophets were until John. Since that time the Kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is pressing into it. And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one tittle of the law to fail. (Luke 16:16-17)
» And this Gospel of the Kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come. (Matthew 24:14)
The Word of God makes it clear: The "Good News" that Jesus Christ brought was about the Kingdom of God! The "Gospel of Jesus Christ" is simply the message of Good News that Jesus preached—not a message about Jesus. It is not primarily a message about the events in His life and of His becoming the Savior of the world—although it most certainly does include all that. But if the events of His life are not seen in context of the Kingdom of God, the resulting "faith" will be full of error and we will fail to have a correct Kingdom perspective.
The announcement of "Good News"—the very best news that could be heard today—which the Father gave through Jesus Christ, was about His Kingdom being established on earth.
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