Information Related to "What is the True Gospel?"

Audio/Video

What Is the True Gospel?
What was Jesus Christ's message? He preached "the gospel of the kingdom of God" (Matthew 4:23; 9:35; Mark 1:14-15).
The Old English word gospel, or "good spell," means "good news." The good news was the centerpiece of His message. He defined His mission with these words: "I must preach the kingdom of God . . . because for this purpose I have been sent" (Luke 4:43).
What did He command His disciples to teach? "He sent them to preach the kingdom of God . . ." (Luke 9:2,6).
What is that message about, and why is it such good news?
When Jesus Christ taught about the Kingdom of God (Luke 8:1; 9:11; 12:31; 13:18), He was simply continuing the messages of the Hebrew prophets whose words are recorded in the Old Testament. Centuries earlier God had inspired such faithful men as Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel and Zechariah to look beyond the difficulties and destruction of the kingdoms of Israel and Judah to a magnificent future when God would establish His world-ruling kingdom on earth under the reign of the Messiah.
Notice some of their prophecies describing this wonderful occurrence:
"The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them" (Isaiah 11:6). "They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain, for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. And in that day there shall be a Root of Jesse (the promised Messiah, Jesus), who shall stand as a banner to the people; for the Gentiles shall seek Him, and His resting place shall be glorious" (verses 9-10).
"I was watching in the night visions, and behold, One like the Son of Man, coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, and they brought Him near before Him. Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom the one which shall not be destroyed" (Daniel 7:13-14).
"Then the Lord will go forth . . . And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which faces Jerusalem on the east. And the Mount of Olives shall be split in two, from east to west, making a very large valley . . . Thus the Lord my God will come, and all the saints with You . . . And the Lord shall be King over all the earth" (Zechariah 14:3-5,9).
Jesus Christ and His apostles spoke of this same world-ruling government, which He called "the Kingdom of God." In Luke 21, after describing a series of trends and events unparalleled in history, He concluded: "Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near . . . When you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near" (verses 28-31).
The ancient prophets, Jesus and His apostles all spoke of a literal kingdom that will supersede the world's governments. When these prophecies become a reality, a triumphant cry will ring out: "The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!" (Revelation 11:15).
Sadly, this message is seldom understood and rarely taught in churches. Many have accepted "a different gospel" (Galatians 1:6) that distorts and obscures this vital biblical truth. You will read in the next chapter how this "other gospel" (verses 8-9), as Paul labels it, evolved and spread throughout the world.
However, you can discover for yourself the full meaning of the gospel -- the incredible good news -- that Jesus Christ and the apostles preached. This same gospel is faithfully preached by the United Church of God (Matthew 24:14). For a full explanation of the true gospel, be sure to request your free copy of The Gospel of the Kingdom from our office nearest you.

(back to contents)

©1999 United Church of God, an International Associtaion

Related Information on Our Site:

Table of Contents that includes "What is the True Gospel?"
Origin of article "What is the True Gospel?"

Prophets:

• The Role of a Watchman—What It Means for You
• Three Eras in Man's History
• Did Elijah Go to Heaven?
• The Word of God: The Foundation of Knowledge
• Who Was Jesus Christ? (1/2002)

• Did Jesus Really Die and Live Again?
• The Apostles, the Old Testament and God's Law
• What Did the Early Church Believe and Practice?
• Introduction (CJ)
• Why Is the Sabbath Commandment Not Repeated in the New Testament
• Chapter 3: What Did the Early Church Believe and Practice?
• Chapter 3: Following in the Footsteps of the Apostles
• The New Testament Writers
• The Bible & Archaeology - The Book of Acts: The Church Begins
• Profiles of Faith - Paul, Apostle to the Gentiles

• What Was Jesus' Gospel?
• The Mission and Responsibility of the Church
• The Right Use of Money
• Introduction (GK)
• The Gospel of Jesus Christ: Salvation in the Kingdom
• Chapter 1: Preaching the Gospel
• This is the United Church of God
• How Is the Work of God Accomplished Today?
• The Essence of the 'Everlasting Gospel'
• Introduction (bsc6)
• The Kingdom in the Gospels
• The Apostles Teach the Same Gospel
• Where Does the Story Begin?
• The Gospel Jesus Taught
• Three Facets of the Gospel
• The Meaning of the Name 'Jesus Christ'
• The Real Gospel of Jesus Christ
• What Is the Gospel?
• The Gospel From Abraham to Paul
• The Kingdom of God: The Heart of Christ's Message
• The Millennium: The Vision That Won't Die
• What is the Gospel of the Kingdom?
• Seven Truths From Jesus Christ About the Real Secret: The Kingdom of God