Category: The Gospel in a Nutshell

Jesus’ Ministry Revealed His Identity as Messiah

When the apostle Peter preached the gospel to the Roman centurion named Cornelius, it was the very first time the good news was shared with non-Jews. Peter’s message included the following statement.

And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.  Acts 10:39 (NLT)

Many Old Covenant scriptures predicted the ministry that the Messiah would have, especially the book of the prophet Isaiah. Below are some examples.

On that day the deaf will hear words of a book, And out of their gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind will see. 19 The afflicted also will increase their gladness in the LORD, And the needy of mankind will rejoice in the Holy One of Israel. Isaiah 29:18–19 (NASB95)

Then the eyes of the blind will be opened And the ears of the deaf will be unstopped. 6 Then the lame will leap like a deer, And the tongue of the mute will shout for joy. For waters will break forth in the wilderness And streams in the Arabah. Isaiah 35:5–6 (NASB95)

The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, Because the LORD has anointed me To bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to captives And freedom to prisoners; Isaiah 61:1 (NASB95)

Jesus referenced snippets from the above verses to reassure John the Baptist that he was indeed the Messiah of Israel.

John the Baptist, who was in prison, heard about all the things the Messiah was doing. So he sent his disciples to ask Jesus, 3  “Are you the Messiah we’ve been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?” 4  Jesus told them, “Go back to John and tell him what you have heard and seen— 5  the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor. 6  And tell him, ‘God blesses those who do not turn away because of me.’” Matthew 11:2-6 (NLT)

Everything Jesus did confirmed his identity as Messiah. The problem was that people expected something different. They thought the Messiah would come to liberate them from Roman oppression and restore political prominence to Israel.

Most did not understand God’s larger purpose – to redeem all mankind and liberate creation from the bondage brought upon it by Adam’s sin.

Jesus, the Messianic King, revealed the nature of God’s kingdom by liberating people from the tyranny of darkness and bringing them into God’s marvelous kingdom.

For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, Colossians 1:13 (NASB95)

A proper gospel presentation will show people how Jesus’ earthly ministry fulfilled Old Covenant prophecies and revealed that he is the Jewish Messiah whom God sent to save the whole world.

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16 (NASB95)
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Have you received Jesus as both the Prince of Peace and the Lord?

When Peter was summoned to the home of the Roman Centurion named Cornelius to make the first gospel presentation to the Gentiles, he opened his remarks with this summation.

This is the message of Good News for the people of Israel—that there is peace with God through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. Acts 10:36 (NLT)

The gospel presents Jesus in the dual role of Savior and Lord.

We have peace with God because Jesus died for our sins as the Lamb of God, taking our guilt and punishment upon himself. His resurrection proved that his sacrifice on our behalf was accepted. It also validated his claim to be the Lord of Lords, the Jewish messianic King. We can experience peace with God, having been justified or put back into a right relationship with him through the death and resurrection of Jesus the Lord.

He was handed over to die because of our sins, and he was raised to life to make us right with God. Romans 4:25 (NLT) 

Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Romans 5:1 (NLT)

If we have only received Jesus as the Prince of Peace, we have not understood the whole gospel. It is crucial that we also acknowledge him as the Lord – lord of our own lives and lord of all.

that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; Romans 10:9 (NASB95)
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Can you prove that Jesus is the Messiah?

Saul was highly trained in the Old Testament scriptures. By revelation from the Spirit, he immediately connected the dots between Bible prophecies and Jesus. He showed how Jesus fulfilled messianic promises through his life, death, and resurrection. He was able to reasonably prove that Jesus was (and is) the Jewish Messiah.

Saul’s preaching became more and more powerful, and the Jews in Damascus couldn’t refute his proofs that Jesus was indeed the Messiah. Acts 9:22 (NLT)

Many, if not most, believers today feel woefully inadequate to this task, but the remedy is fairly easy. With some study and practice, we too can use Old Covenant scriptures to show how Jesus is the Savior and Lord promised to Eve, Abraham, Moses, David, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Daniel, to name a few key players.

We should not take the “easy way out” by only learning and sharing our testimonies or an overly simplified “plan of salvation.” The amazingly powerful gospel is not too hard for us to master. But we have to choose to do it.

It is important for us to remember that the gospel is powerful when it is rightly shared.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “BUT THE RIGHTEOUS man SHALL LIVE BY FAITH.” Romans 1:16–17 (NASB95)
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The Baptism in the Spirit Is Part of the Gospel

In Acts Chapter 8, Luke recounts how the gospel came through Philip to the Samaritans.

But now the people believed Philip’s message of Good News concerning the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ. As a result, many men and women were baptized. 13  Then Simon himself believed and was baptized. He began following Philip wherever he went, and he was amazed by the signs and great miracles Philip performed. 14  When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that the people of Samaria had accepted God’s message, they sent Peter and John there. 15  As soon as they arrived, they prayed for these new believers to receive the Holy Spirit. 16  The Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them, for they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17  Then Peter and John laid their hands upon these believers, and they received the Holy Spirit. Acts 8:12-17 (NLT)

In the 1970s a group called the Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship International rightly argued that the baptism in the Spirit is an integral part of the gospel, helping countless people receive this amazing gift. In Acts 2, Peter included this baptism in his initial gospel message (Acts 2:38-39), and here in Acts 8, in the first gospel presentation to a people group other than the Jews, it was once again highlighted.

The baptism in the Spirit is connected to Christ’s ascension and glorification at God’s right hand in heaven as Lord of the Harvest. (Acts 2:32-33) Its purpose is to equip and empower God’s people to fulfill the Great Commission. (Acts 1:8)

A “full gospel” presentation should include the following.

  1. A clear presentation of Jesus the crucified Lamb of God who died to forgive our sins.
  2. A proclamation of his Lordship which was proven by his resurrection.
  3. An announcement of his ascension, exaltation in heaven, and the consequent outpouring of the Spirit.
  4. His Second Coming as the divine Son Man, prophesied in Daniel 7, who will judge the living and the dead.
  5. An invitation to receive forgiveness of sins, to declare publicly his lordship through being water baptized, and to receive the baptism of the Spirit and become part of his band of Great Commission disciple makers.

Did you receive the full gospel? If not, which part needs to be added? What remains for you to do?

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Is Jesus Merely a Personal Savior or the Risen and Glorious Lord?

In the two verses below, the Holy Spirit summarizes the gospel in four words spoken by the apostles: “Jesus is the Messiah.”

The apostles left the high council rejoicing that God had counted them worthy to suffer disgrace for the name of Jesus. 42  And every day, in the Temple and from house to house, they continued to teach and preach this message: “Jesus is the Messiah.” Acts 5:41-42 (NLT)

During that time in history when Jesus lived on earth, the Jews expected the Messiah to finally appear. They had certain ideas about what he would do for them that did not at all match Jesus’ words, character, and deeds. They expected a military leader who would deliver them from the iron grip of Roman tyranny. Instead they got a “Lamb” went about setting people free from sin, sickness, and demonic oppression, who was put to death on a cross for our sins, yet conquered death by rising again three days later as the glorious Lord of Lords. This risen Jesus, who promised to one day return as the Judge of all mankind, is indeed the Jewish Messiah. We now must bow our knees in worship or later we will do so in abject terror when he comes again to judge everyone who ever lived.

…For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. 11 For it is written, “AS I LIVE, SAYS THE LORD, EVERY KNEE SHALL BOW TO ME, AND EVERY TONGUE SHALL GIVE PRAISE TO GOD.” 12 So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God. Romans 14:10b–12 (NASB95)

Modern consumerists have converted the gospel message that Jesus is the glorious messianic King of Kings into his being merely a very tame personal savior.

This is no small thing. A personal savior has no real impact on the larger world or even on the individual. He only saves us from having to suffer judgment for our own sins, rescuing us from damnation and giving us eternal life. For the individual, this is great news, but not necessarily life changing, because we are not required to serve him, only receive blessings from him. 

The announcement that Jesus is Messiah and Lord over all creation is a game changer. One cannot believe that and continue to live as before.

A real encounter with the risen Lord quite naturally produces a desire in us to worship and serve him. Do you believe in a personal savior or serve the risen Lord?

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Christ’s Ascension into Heaven Is Part of the Gospel

In Acts Chapter Five, once again the Jewish religious leaders threatened the apostles for preaching the good news about Jesus. In response, Peter delivered a brief and bold presentation of the gospel to his persecutors.

The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead after you killed him by hanging him on a cross. 31  Then God put him in the place of honor at his right hand as Prince and Savior. He did this so the people of Israel would repent of their sins and be forgiven. 32  We are witnesses of these things and so is the Holy Spirit, who is given by God to those who obey him.” Acts 5:30-32 (NLT)

Peter mentioned three reasons for his hearers to repent in their attitude and actions regarding Jesus.

  1. He was put to death unjustly.
  2. God raised him from the dead, and
  3. He is now seated at God’s right hand, reigning as the Lord over all creation.

Peter does not directly say that Jesus ascended into heaven, but it is assumed. How else would his resurrected body have gotten there? God sent his Holy Spirit on Pentecost to prove that Jesus is now seated at the right hand of God the Father. The Holy Spirit indwells, empowers, and seals all those who confess Christ as Lord.

Christ’s ascension is an important part of the gospel that confirms Christ’s exaltation as Lord and explains the outpouring of the Spirit on Pentecost.

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Jesus is the only way to God.

Peter concluded his brief gospel proclamation in Acts Chapter Four with this claim about Jesus.

"And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved."Acts 4:12 (NASB)

Many find Peter’s declaration offensive, but it agrees with Jesus’ own words. 

Jesus *said to him [Thomas], "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. John 14:6 (NASB)

Jesus taught that he is the only way to God. If not, then Jesus was terribly misguided, and why did he need to die as God’s Lamb on the cross? Was that a huge mistake, too? If he did not have to pay the penalty for our sins, the gospel is a fairy tale of the worst sort because it gives false information about God and eternity.

If sin is not a real offense against God and a barrier to our having a relationship with him, then any path that leads to God will do. But Jesus’ resurrection proved that it is true. He is the only way to God, which Peter resolutely declared and Paul later confirmed.

For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. 1 Timothy 2:5 (NLT)

Have you faced up to this reality? Have you made your peace with God yet? Have you accepted what Jesus did for you by dying for your sins and rising again as the glorious Lord of Lords? If not, don’t let the day go by without doing so.

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Jesus fulfilled Old Testament prophecy.

Peter quoted Psalm 118:22 to explain how Jesus fulfilled Old Testament prophecy in order to convince his hearers that he is indeed the promised Messiah risen from the dead.

He is the STONE WHICH WAS REJECTED by you, THE BUILDERS, but WHICH BECAME THE CHIEF CORNERstone.Acts 4:11 (NASB)

Jesus had earlier quoted this passage in reference to himself.

Jesus *said to them, "Did you never read in the Scriptures, 'THE 
STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED, THIS 
BECAME THE CHIEF CORNER stone; THIS 
CAME ABOUT FROM THE LORD, AND 
IT IS MARVELOUS IN OUR EYES'? 43  "Therefore I say to you, the 
kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people, producing the 
fruit of it. 44  "And he who falls on this stone 
will be broken to pieces; but on whomever it falls, it will scatter him like 
dust." Matthew 21:42-44 (NASB)

By referencing the Old Testament, Peter and Jesus gave their hearers an opportunity to “connect the dots” and understand who Jesus is.

We owe it to our hearers to show how Jesus fulfilled Old Testament scriptures so they too can make the connection and see that Jesus is indeed the Promised Messiah of Israel, the Savior and Lord of all who believe in him, both Jew and Gentile.

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Be ready to share the gospel when opportunity knocks.

In Acts Chapter Four, the Jewish religious leaders demanded that Jesus’ disciples explain bold witness to Jesus’ resurrection and the recent spectacular healing before the council.

They brought in the two disciples and demanded, “By what power, or in whose name, have you done this?” Acts 4:7 (NLT)

This gave Peter a perfect opportunity to restate succinctly the gospel message.

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers and elders of our people, 9  are we being questioned today because we’ve done a good deed for a crippled man? Do you want to know how he was healed? 10  Let me clearly state to all of you and to all the people of Israel that he was healed by the powerful name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, the man you crucified but whom God raised from the dead. Acts 4:8-10 (NLT)

Someone once asked, if we were being prosecuted for being a Christian witness, would there be any evidence to convict us? Peter and John were on trial because they boldly testified to Jesus’ lordship. Silence is not usually a virtue when it comes to the gospel. People need to know where we stand. When we make known our devotion to Christ and his words, it will likely make an impact on those who see it and might stir their curiosity to know more.

In his first letter, the apostle Peter encourages all disciples to be ready to share the gospel any time the opportunity arises.

...And if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it.  1 Peter 3:15b (NLT)

People take note when disciples display the courage of their convictions and boldly share the gospel when opportunity knocks.

We never know when a chance to share the gospel may present itself. When it does, the Lord wants us to be ready and willing to identify ourselves with him and share the good news that he made a way for people to be reconciled to the Father and share his life forever!

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The Gospel causes division.

Peter’s second gospel presentation, which was precipitated by a miraculous healing, caused a great stirring among those who heard it. Their message also “greatly disturbed” the religious leaders, the ones whose hearts were closed and had crucified Jesus.

As they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to them, 2  being greatly disturbed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.Acts 4:1-2 (NASB)

The Sadducees were a sect that did not believe in the resurrection of the dead, and the Pharisees did not believe that Jesus was the Messiah. The common people, however, did not have the same biases against truth and were more able to believe the good news that Jesus rose from the dead.

Jesus told his followers that he would cause division.

The truth always causes division because there are those who steadfastly resist and persecute it.

“Don’t imagine that I came to bring peace to the earth! I came not to bring peace, but a sword. 35  ‘I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. 36  Your enemies will be right in your own household!’ Matthew 10:34-36 (NLT)

Jesus is a king…the King. His kingdom is real and is opposed by the forces of evil in the world.

People will come down on one side or the other when his lordship is announced. Those who appear not to care, the ones Jesus called “lukewarm,” are opposed to the kingdom as much as those who persecute the truth. Both groups refuse to acknowledge and serve the king. We should not be surprised when we encounter hostility when we preach the gospel. In fact, we should expect it. If we properly present the gospel, we will stir things up, not because we are trying to cause trouble, but because our message is authoritative and calls people to surrender to the King. Some will respond as God wishes. Others will be hostile. At least the hostile ones are not lukewarm.

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