Episode Details

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 nation