What is the Gospel?
“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). The word ‘gospel’ literally means “good news”. When Jesus was born and the angel of the Lord said to the shepherds, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people” (Luke 2:10). But what was this good news so important that God sent an angel to announce it?
To understand that, we must begin with the “bad news.”
Why do we need Jesus or the Gospel?
The Bible reveals to us that there is coming a day when we will face God in judgement (Hebrews 9:27, Revelation 20:11-15). God’s standard is perfection—His holy and perfect law. The Ten Commandments summarize God’s law (Exodus 20). Ask yourself honestly:
You shall have no other gods but Me. (Have you always put God first?)
You shall not make a god for yourself. (Have you ever created a “god” in your own mind to suit yourself?)
Do not take God’s name in vain. (Have you ever used God’s name carelessly, or sworn falsely in His name?)
Keep the Sabbath holy.
Honor your father and mother.
Do not murder. (Jesus said hatred is the same as murder.)
Do not commit adultery. (Jesus said lust in the heart is adultery – Matthew 5:27-28.)
Do not steal. (Have you ever taken anything, regardless of value?)
Do not lie. (Have you ever lied, even once?)
Do not covet. (Have you ever been jealous of what someone else has?)
Jesus said the greatest commandments are to love God perfectly and love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:36-40). The Bible tells us:
“All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
“No one will have an excuse before God” (Romans 1:20).
God does not take sin lightly. He is holy and righteous, and He hates evil. Breaking His law makes us rebels against Him, enemies of God (James 4:4), with His wrath upon us (John 3:36). The penalty is death and eternal separation from Him (Revelation 21:8).
No amount of prayer, confession, or good deeds can erase our guilt. On our own, we are helpless.
Is there any hope?
Yes—there is hope! God, in His mercy, has provided the way to reconcile us to Himself.
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son…” (John 3:16).
Out of love, Jesus Christ came to earth. Born of a virgin, He lived a perfect life, never breaking God’s law. Though He was innocent, He willingly died on the cross, taking our sin and God’s wrath upon Himself (Philippians 2:5-8; 1 Peter 2:24).
Three days later, He rose from the grave, proving His victory over sin and death (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).
God now commands everyone to repent (turn from sin) and believe in Jesus’ one-time sacrifice (Acts 17:30-31). If you do, your guilt is placed on Jesus, and in exchange, His innocence is credited to you. You are forgiven, given eternal life, and welcomed into His family.
Jesus said:
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest… For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)
How can I be saved?
Jesus promised that anyone who comes to Him in sincere faith and repentance will be accepted and forgiven.
If you turn to Him, you will:
Become a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17)
Be born again (1 Peter 1:3)
Have peace with God (Romans 5:1)
Be adopted as God’s child (Romans 8:15-16)
Receive eternal life (John 3:16)
This salvation is God’s gift—secure forever. You will walk with Him now and for eternity.
This is the Good News: Jesus Christ saves sinners.
A Prayer of Salvation
If you are ready to turn from your sin and place your trust in Jesus, you can pray something like this from your heart:
“Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner and that I cannot save myself. I believe You died on the cross to pay the penalty for my sins and rose again to give me life. I repent of my sins and turn to You. Please forgive me, cleanse me, and make me new. I receive You as my Savior and Lord, and I choose to follow You. Thank You for saving me. Amen.”
If you prayed this prayer sincerely, the Bible assures you that you now belong to God, your sins are forgiven, and you have eternal life in Christ (Romans 10:9-10).
If you prayed this prayer, have a prayer request, or a question - please reach out to us: almontebaptistchurch@gmail.com
For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person- though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die- but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, now that we are reconciled shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
- Romans 5:6-11
John 4:16
I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the father except through me.
Please come to Jesus Christ and be forgiven today! You do not know when you will face God in judgement.
Romans 10:9
If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
However, anyone who rejects Jesus and does not come to Him for forgiveness will die in their sin (John 8:24), and will be required by our Holy God to pay for their own sin forever in hell (John 3:36, Revelation 21:8).