Understanding the Gospel
The word "gospel" means "good news". It is summed up in the Bible (God's Word) as: "Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures" (1 Corinthians 15:3).
There is one true God.
The world is far too wonderful and complex to have happened by chance. In fact the complexity and diversity of life points to a designer and creator. There must have been a first cause and there is. The opening words of the Bible say: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). The Bible goes on to say that God created the universe in six days.
The universe created by God was perfect, just as God is perfect: “And God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good” (Genesis 1:31).
God sustains and upholds life: “In Him we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28).
This one true God is Holy.
God is a moral being. There is right and wrong. God is perfectly right in all He does and He expects us as being created in his image to live moral upright lives. He has given us a conscience, a sense of right and wrong.
The world created by God was perfect. It has since been marred by sin.
What is sin?
The breaking of God's Law (1 John 3:4).
What is God's Law?
Many know it as the ten commandments. Jesus summarised it as follow: "You shall love
the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind"
and "You shall love your neighbour as yourself" (Matthew 22:37-
Who has sinned?
The Bible says: "All have sinned and fall short of God's glory" (Romans 3:23). Every human being, except the Lord Jesus, has broken God's law in thought, word or deed.
What is the effect of sinning?
The Bible says: "God is a just judge and God is angry with the wicked every day"
and "The wages of sin is death" (Psalm 7:11 and Romans 6:23). One day God will judge
everyone. There is a real place of punishment where we all deserve to spend eternity
when we die (Matthew 25:31-
How can I escape such a fate?
We cannot save ourselves; it is impossible. However God can save us, through His Son Jesus Christ! "The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23).
Who is Jesus Christ?
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He came and lived on this earth nearly 2000 years ago. He lived a perfect life and then died a cruel, unjustified death. On the third day he rose again from the dead! Jesus' death was not an accident, but the central part of God's plan to save people from their sins.
How can Jesus save us?
The Bible says: "For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly" (Romans 5:6). Jesus Christ lived the life the sinner has failed to live and then died the death the sinner deserves. Jesus has provided the way in which human beings can have their sins forgiven and be right with God.
How can I be saved?
Truly and sincerely repent of (be deeply sorry for) your sins and trust only in the Lord Jesus' death and resurrection to save you. This means you must humbly come before God in prayer and seek his forgiveness. God is willing to receive those who come to him in such a spirit! Have you?
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