What is the Gospel (Part Two)

November 12th, 2025
by Tom Castor

More Thoughts on the Gospel

What Is the Gospel?

Many churches in the Western world are becoming divided. Because of this, many Christians do not share the same understanding of the gospel. Some people know only a small part of the gospel. Others mix it with ideas that do not belong to it.

One of the clearest and most interesting answers to this question came at a conference I attended. The message was given by D.A. Carson. His sermon was titled: What Is the Gospel?
What follows is a set of notes from that message, simplified, but complete. I include it here using the outline and approach he took in that talk from May 2007.

Common Misunderstandings About the Gospel

1. The Gospel Is Only About the Cross

Some people think the gospel is only a short message about Jesus’ death and resurrection—just enough information to “push” a person into the kingdom. After that, they believe discipleship and growth are separate topics. But this view is too small. The Bible presents the gospel as a big story that holds many teachings together. It includes human sin, God’s judgment, Christ’s death and resurrection, reconciliation with God, and the final resurrection and new creation.

2. The Gospel Is the Command to Love God and Others

Jesus said the greatest commandments are to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbor as ourselves. These two commands summarize the Law and the Prophets. But they are not the gospel. They tell us what God demands. The gospel tells us what God has done for us in Christ.

3. The Gospel Is Only the Ethical Teaching of Jesus

Some people want to focus on Jesus’ moral teaching—His parables and instructions—while ignoring His death and resurrection. But we cannot understand Jesus’ teaching unless we also see how it leads to the cross. If we remove the passion and resurrection, we turn true good news into simple moral duty.

4. The Gospel Is Not Preached, Only Assumed

Sometimes churches assume everyone already knows the gospel, so they spend their time talking about other issues—politics, ethics, poverty, or counseling. These are important matters, but not the center. People usually become passionate about what their leaders are passionate about. If leaders do not clearly and regularly teach the gospel, the people will not understand it or value it.

The Right Understanding of the Gospel

1 Corinthians 15:1–19 is a passage where Paul gives one of the clearest summaries of the gospel. Carson explains the gospel using eight words, five clarifying sentences, and one final encouragement.

Eight Key Words

1. Christological (About Christ)

The gospel is centered on Jesus Christ—who He is and what He has done. We do not preach vague ideas about God. We preach Christ. The heart of the message is: Christ died for our sins and rose again.

2. Theological (About God and Sin)

The gospel explains God’s actions. God sent His Son. The Son obeyed the Father. God raised Him from the dead. The gospel also explains sin. Sin offends God. Because of His holiness, God has wrath against sin. Christ’s death turns aside God’s wrath so that we can have peace with Him.

3. Biblical (According to Scripture)

Paul says Jesus died and rose “according to the Scriptures.” This means the Old Testament promised these things long before Jesus came. God’s whole plan of salvation is written in the Bible.

4. Apostolic

Many people saw the risen Jesus, but the apostles were special witnesses. The gospel we believe today is the same gospel preached by Paul, Peter, James, and the other apostles. All true Christian teaching agrees with them.

5. Historical

The gospel is based on real events. Jesus lived, died, was buried, and rose again. These events happened in history. Our faith depends on facts. Paul even says that if Jesus was not raised from the dead, our faith is useless. Christianity is not only a set of ideas; it is rooted in history.

6. Personal

The gospel must be received personally. Paul says, “This is the gospel you received, in which you stand, and by which you are saved.” Each person must respond in faith.

7. Universal

Jesus is the “last Adam.” His work affects people from every nation and tribe. The gospel is for the whole world. God’s plan through Christ is big and global.

8. Eschatological (About the End Times)

Some blessings come to believers now—for example, God already calls us “justified.” But the gospel also includes our future transformation when Jesus returns. The story ends with resurrection and glory.

Five Clarifying Sentences

1. The Gospel Is Spread by Preaching

Paul says, “I preached to you.” Throughout the New Testament, the gospel spreads through proclamation—spoken, explained, announced.

2. The Gospel Is Received by Faith That Endures

Paul says believers must “hold fast.” True faith continues and produces perseverance.

3. The Gospel Creates Humility

When people truly believe the gospel, they do not boast. Paul says, “By the grace of God I am what I am.” Gospel people know they are saved only by grace.

4. The Gospel Is the Church’s Central Teaching

Paul teaches the same gospel everywhere. A church that claims to be new or different by rejecting historic teaching is in danger.

5. The Gospel Advances Under King Jesus

Jesus now reigns, even though His reign is still contested. One day all His enemies—including death—will be destroyed. This gives believers courage and hope.

The Gospel Changes Everything

The gospel is not only information. It changes lives. True gospel teaching leads to transformed character, loving service, and holy living. We do not change by adding rules or by focusing on secondary issues. We change by hearing, believing, and living out the gospel of Jesus Christ.
So, Paul ends with this encouragement:

“Stand firm. Do not be moved. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”

If you would like to see Dr. Carson’s message, and those of other keynote speakers like Tim Keller, John Piper, and Crawford Loritts, follow this link: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/conference/2007-national-conference/

Posted in A Word From The Well