The Gospel can be understood in four simple truths.
1. GOD
The Bible teaches us that there is one true and holy God. He created mankind to know Him. He will one day judge us and hold us accountable for the lives we have lived.
The Bible says “He [God] made from one man every nation of mankind to live on the face of the earth...” and “He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness” (Acts 17:26, 31).
2. MAN
The Bible teaches that the coming judgment is very bad news. All men have sinned and rebelled against their holy Creator. All men deserve the penalty of spiritual death, of eternal separation from God in hell–a real place of punishment.
Your greatest need, friend, is to be forgiven of your sins, to be made righteous.
The Bible says “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” and “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 3:23; 6:23).
3. CHRIST
The Bible has good news! The Bible teaches that God loves the world and sent His Son, Jesus Christ, into this world to rescue sinners like us from our sins and the judgment of God. Jesus was fully God and fully man. Jesus lived a perfect life without sin. Jesus paid the penalty for our sins by dying in our place on the cross. God raised Jesus from the dead as our Lord and Savior who conquered sin and death for us.
The Bible says “...God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8).
4. RESPONSE
The Bible teaches that God requires everyone to respond personally to the gospel. God offers forgiveness of sins, a right relationship with Him, and the gift of abundant, eternal life. You must repent (turn away from sin) and believe the gospel (trust in Jesus as Lord and Savior). To repent and believe the gospel means submitting your whole life to Jesus, who will transform your life and make you new.
The Bible says, “repent and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:15).
A PRAYER TO RECEIVE CHRIST
If you’ve never trusted Christ as your Savior and Lord, here’s a prayer to guide you to express your heart’s desire to God. Offer God a prayer like this:
“Dear God,
I know that I am not worthy to be accepted by you. I do not deserve the gift of eternal life. I am guilty of rebelling against you and ignoring you. I need forgiveness. Thank you, for sending your son to die for me so that I may be forgiven. Thank you, that he rose from the dead to give me new life. Please forgive me and change me, so that I may live with Jesus as my ruler.
Amen.”