Remember when many years ago the message of the Gospel was “God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life.” That is true. He does loves us and has good plans for us, but this is not the gospel the Bible teaches.
What is the gospel? Luke says it and tells the whole of the New Testament point to this:
“Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem” (Luke 24:45-47).
The gospel message is this: Repentance for the forgiveness of sins through Christ.
- Luke 24:47 — repentance for the forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed to all nations.
- Acts 2:38 — repent and receive forgiveness of sins.
- Acts 3:19 — repent so that sins may be blotted out.
- Acts 5:31 — Jesus gives repentance and forgiveness of sins.
- Acts 10:43 — everyone who believes in Christ receives forgiveness of sins.
- Acts 13:38 — through Jesus, forgiveness of sins is proclaimed.
- Mark 1:15 — Jesus’ preaching centers on repentance and faith in the gospel.
- 1 Corinthians 15:3–4 — the gospel itself is summarized around Christ dying for sins, being buried, and being raised.
God’s love is behind it all as we see in John 3:16, but the message is clear–repent of your sins and receive forgiveness of sins through Christ.
Forgiveness of sins is our biggest need. Repentance is how we get there. And Christ is who made it possible.
“Jesus died for your sins on the cross” has been the message for a long time. But let’s make that more full. He did die for our sins. If we repent and put our faith in Him, we will be forgiven.
Let this be our singular message.