Introduction

In the Greek, gospel is EUAGGELION, which simply means good news.

When it comes to the question "What is the gospel?" we have a very concise description in the New Testament given by the apostle Paul, "3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep; 7 then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles; 8 and last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also." (1 Cor. 15:3-8 ¹). So, what is the gospel according to Paul here? There are four main points to what the gospel is:

What is Paul Saying here? This is a greatly misunderstood passage, especially by charismatics. Those who keep to the law don’t even see this passage. If they do, it is with their "law" spectacles on.

Paul starts off with a question in which he calls the Galatians fools. He wants to know who bewitched them? Who pulled the wool over their eyes? Who played this mean deluding trick on them? Our salvation hinges on the fact that Jesus was crucified, and now what? Are they hoping for their salvation through the Law?

In verse 2 Paul wants to know if they received "the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?" (NASB) To many charismatics this is a definite reference to the baptism in the Spirit, which is by faith. I am a charismatic and that is what I believed this passage said for years. Aren’t the charismatics notorious for their out of context hermeneutics? Nevertheless, Paul contrasts our salvation by faith in Christ to "salvation" through the works of the Law.