A BRIEF LOOK AT SOME OF THE KEY WORDS IN THE BIBLE
Bible Corner - No. 16 GOSPEL
The first four books of the New Testament are traditionally called 'Gospels' because they contain the 'god spell' or 'good news' of Jesus Christ (Mark l: l).It is Jesus Christ's Gospel in two senses: (a) Jesus preached it (b) he himself was the good news at its centre. But it is equally the Gospel of God, having been 'promised beforehand through the prophets' (see Romans 1: 1-4; Isaiah 40:9; 52:7; 61:1). With such a pedigree it is hardly surprising that gospel became such an important word in the Christian vocabulary - Paul using it no less than 54 times in his letters. What added further significance to the word was one of its secular uses in ancient times. For on occasions it was used to signify not simply good news but momentous tidings , such as the birth of a special and long-for child or the accession of a ruler of great promise or the victory of some heroic figure. How these uses would have resonated in the minds of believers with major incidents in Jesus' life!
It is sometimes supposed that the good news of Jesus refers to his teaching but this is only partly true: the Gospel is more than good advice! At its heart it is about who Jesus was (see Hebrews 1:3) and what he did (Colossians 1:13-14 and 1:20). This is why the Gospel is good news of peace with God (Romans 10:15 and 5:1-2).
Incidentally the word 'evangelical' derives from the Greek word for Gospel and applies to anyone who holds forth the good news of Jesus Christ
Howard Rady
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