The Gospel

The gospel is sublime, but also simple. Succinctly, the gospel is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ according to the Scriptures.

For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how 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: 1 Corinthians 15:3-4

In his death, Jesus suffered the penalty of sin. The wages of sin is death. God told Adam that he would die if he ate the fruit that God forbid. Jesus suffered this penalty when he died on the cross. (Genesis 2:17; Ezekiel 18:4, 20; Romans 5:12; Romans 6:23; 1 Corinthians 15:56)

In his death, Jesus substituted himself for sinners. His death was substitutionary, or vicarious (experienced in the place of others). Jesus was born sinless. He lived a sinless life. He was without sin. Since the wages of sin is death, death had no valid claim on him. His death was in our place. (2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 4:15; 1 Peter 2:21-22; 1 Peter 3:18)

In his death, Jesus satisfied the justice of God. Animal sacrifices were not sufficient to atone for man’s sin. The substitutionary death of Jesus the Son of God was sufficient. It satisfied the righteousness and justice of God totally, once for all. (Isaiah 53:5-6, 10-11; Hebrews 10:4, 10-14; 1 Peter 2:21-22; 1 John 2:2; 1 John 4:9–10)

In his burial, an act related to the process of dust returning to dust (though not for him), Jesus was one with sinners. His burial is the hinge pin between death and resurrection, assuring us that both occurred – verification that Jesus was in fact dead. Experts in execution certified his death. His body was spiced and securely wrapped in burial garments. Guards watched his tomb. (Isaiah 53:9; Matthew 27:57-60)

In his resurrection, Jesus was declared or demonstrated to be the Son of God. God is satisfied, well-pleased, signified in his raising Jesus from the dead. The resurrection puts the “stamp of approval” on the birth, life, and death of Jesus Christ – indicating he was the true Messiah sent from God. He ever lives as proof that he came from heaven. (Acts 13:29-31; Romans 1:4; 1 Corinthians 6:14; 1 Timothy 3:16)

In his resurrection, Jesus is the promise of our resurrection. Our hope and expectation of life after death – rising from the grave – intricately intertwines with his resurrection. If there is no resurrection of Jesus, there is no resurrection of us. There is no hope. (1 Corinthians 15:20; 1 Corinthians 15:12-19, 21-23; 1 Thessalonians 4:16; Titus 2:13)

In his resurrection, Jesus won the victory over death. Death is man’s lot, the wages he pays for sin. In his death, Jesus crushed the head of the serpent. Then he rises victorious over death. He owns the keys of death and hell. He ever lives to make intercession for us. (Isaiah 25:8; Mark 16:6; Acts 2:24; 1 Corinthians 15:23, 51-57; Revelation 1:18)

Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: John 11:25