But if you were to ask many of us in the Sabbath keeping tradition the same question you might hear something along the lines of, "It's not the gospel about Jesus Christ but it's about the message He brought. That message is good news of the coming Kingdom of God."
So which is it?
Well let's do the numbers. A quick word study in the Concordance makes it clear why there is some confusion.
"Gospel of the Kingdom" - 5 references
"Gospel of Christ" - 19 references
"Gospel of God" - 8 references
"Gospel of Salvation" - 2 references
"Gospel of the Grace of God" - 1 reference
"Gospel of Peace" - 2 references
It's been argued that references to Gospel of Christ and Gospel of God simply refer to the message that He brought, which is the message of the Kingdom of God. So, assuming this to be true, the references in scripture to the Kingdom of God would increase to 32.
If the gospel of Christ is to be narrowly defined as the message of the kingdom that He preached then we should be able to substitute the word "kingdom" as the object of the preposition in passages where the word gospel is used without compromising the original meaning of the passage.
Let's read Romans 1:16 - 17 and consider the accuracy of that argument.
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel ofChrist (the Kingdom), for it (the gospel of the Kingdom) is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it (the gospel of the Kingdom) the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, 'The just shall live by faith.'"
What do you think? Can the word "Christ" in these passages be replaced with the word "kingdom" and the original intended meaning remain intact? Wouldn't the result of this change be to imply that we are saved by our hope in the coming Kingdom? Does that make sense?
If not, doesn't this demonstrate that limiting the gospel simply to a proclamation of the coming Kingdom fails to define it's full scope and meaning?
So, again, I ask, which is it? Is it the gospel of the Kingdom or the gospel about Christ?
I would suggest that the gospel actually encompasses both of them. But, I would also suggest that there is a "bigger picture" of the gospel we should consider.
Both of them
In 1 Corinthians 2:2 Paul states "For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified."
Paul's gospel was focused directly on the person of Jesus Christ and the work of salvation He accomplished on the cross.
However, Paul's message included the hope of the future Kingdom of God.
In Philippians 3:12 - 14 Paul says "Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. "
Could it be that we limit the gospel message by focusing two narrowly on any one of its' parts? When we choose one aspect as our primary focus, either the gospel of the Kingdom of God or the gospel about Christ, don't we run the danger of losing it's full meaning.
The "Bigger Picture"...the ultimate purpose of the Gospel.
Let's ask ourselves, what is the purpose of all that the Father, through His Son, is doing?
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of
What do you think? Can the word "Christ" in these passages be replaced with the word "kingdom" and the original intended meaning remain intact? Wouldn't the result of this change be to imply that we are saved by our hope in the coming Kingdom? Does that make sense?
If not, doesn't this demonstrate that limiting the gospel simply to a proclamation of the coming Kingdom fails to define it's full scope and meaning?
So, again, I ask, which is it? Is it the gospel of the Kingdom or the gospel about Christ?
I would suggest that the gospel actually encompasses both of them. But, I would also suggest that there is a "bigger picture" of the gospel we should consider.
Both of them
In 1 Corinthians 2:2 Paul states "For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified."
Paul's gospel was focused directly on the person of Jesus Christ and the work of salvation He accomplished on the cross.
However, Paul's message included the hope of the future Kingdom of God.
In Philippians 3:12 - 14 Paul says "Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. "
Could it be that we limit the gospel message by focusing two narrowly on any one of its' parts? When we choose one aspect as our primary focus, either the gospel of the Kingdom of God or the gospel about Christ, don't we run the danger of losing it's full meaning.
Paul didn't fall into either ditch. His gospel message encompassed it's full meaning. Paul kept the big picture in view.
The "Bigger Picture"...the ultimate purpose of the Gospel.
Let's ask ourselves, what is the purpose of all that the Father, through His Son, is doing?
Yes, He does have a plan for man. Yes, we have the awesome gift of salvation through His death on the cross. Yes, we have incredible hope of the Kingdom and an eternity with the Father and His Son in the Family of God. But what is the point of it all? Why is He doing it? What is the ultimate purpose and meaning of the gospel?
I Peter 4:11 tells us "...that in all things God is glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and the dominion forever and ever."
In Isaiah 43:1-7 God says "I have redeemed you, I have called you by your name...Everyone who is called by My name, whom I have created for my glory..."
I Peter 2:9 says we have been called and chosen that we might "... proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light..."
Colossians 1:15 - 20 tells us that "All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross."
If, as these passages affirm, we have been created for His glory, redeemed for His glory and that the fulfillment of His plan on earth will testify of His glory, it wouldn't it seem to follow that this is truly the ultimate purpose for creation as revealed in the gospel?
A "Big Picture" definition
I Peter 4:11 tells us "...that in all things God is glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and the dominion forever and ever."
In Isaiah 43:1-7 God says "I have redeemed you, I have called you by your name...Everyone who is called by My name, whom I have created for my glory..."
I Peter 2:9 says we have been called and chosen that we might "... proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light..."
Colossians 1:15 - 20 tells us that "All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross."
If, as these passages affirm, we have been created for His glory, redeemed for His glory and that the fulfillment of His plan on earth will testify of His glory, it wouldn't it seem to follow that this is truly the ultimate purpose for creation as revealed in the gospel?
A "Big Picture" definition
What if we were to define the gospel, not by it's individual parts, but by its larger meaning and purpose, as revealed throughout scripture? Such a definition might not roll off the tongue as smoothly as the "Gospel of the Kingdom" or the "Gospel of Christ" but it undoubtedly would prevent us placing inappropriate limitations on its meaning.
What if the definition we used was something like:
What if the definition we used was something like:
"The gospel of Jesus Christ: who He is; what He has done; what He is doing; and what He will do."
Ultimately the purpose of our existence, of everything that God is doing here on this earth, is to bring glory to Him, pure and simple. That's the primary purpose of all of this, from beginning to end. It's about Him. The gospels purpose and meaning is about magnifying His love, His power, His glory. The Father desires that in Him, in His Son, should all fullness, all praise and honor and glory, dwell.
His ultimate plan is that His creation would give glory to His Son, now and forever. We who have been called now are to witness of His glory by sharing who He is, what He has done, is doing and will do.
Ultimately the purpose of our existence, of everything that God is doing here on this earth, is to bring glory to Him, pure and simple. That's the primary purpose of all of this, from beginning to end. It's about Him. The gospels purpose and meaning is about magnifying His love, His power, His glory. The Father desires that in Him, in His Son, should all fullness, all praise and honor and glory, dwell.
His ultimate plan is that His creation would give glory to His Son, now and forever. We who have been called now are to witness of His glory by sharing who He is, what He has done, is doing and will do.
It's that "big picture" gospel that we, as His creation, have been commissioned to carry into all the world.
Let's share it! All of it!