Proclamation of the Gospel Based on God's Character
The Proclamation of the Gospel Based on God's Character
The proclamation of the gospel is rooted in the character of God, emphasizing His righteousness, holiness, and love. The term "gospel" itself refers to the "good tidings of great joy for all people" [3]. This message is centered on Jesus Christ, whose life, death, and resurrection are the foundation of the Christian faith.
The biblical basis for the gospel proclamation is found in various passages, including Romans 1:17, which states that "the gospel reveals the righteousness of God that comes by faith from start to finish" [6]. This righteousness is not just a moral attribute of God but is specifically related to His justification of sinners through faith in Jesus Christ [7]. The character of God, particularly His holiness, is the standard for Christian living, as seen in Leviticus 19:2 and 1 Peter 1:15-16, which command believers to be holy because God is holy [2].
The gospel proclamation is not limited to individual salvation but encompasses the broader scope of God's plan to redeem humanity. It is described as the "power of God to salvation" [3], emphasizing its efficacy in bringing people to faith and transforming their lives. The apostle Paul, in his letter to the Romans, highlights the universal scope of the gospel, stating that it is for "all and upon all who believe" [4].
The early Christian preachers, known as evangelists, were tasked with proclaiming this message. The term "evangelist" is derived from the Greek word "evangelistai," meaning "those who announce the good message" [1]. The gospel is characterized by its emphasis on the grace of God, as seen in Acts 20:32 and 2 Corinthians 4:4, 6 [3].
Different Christian traditions have understood the gospel proclamation in various ways, but there is a common emphasis on its centrality to Christian faith and practice. For instance, the Baptist/Reformed tradition, as represented by John Gill, highlights the gospel as the means by which forgiveness of sins and justification are proclaimed [9]. Similarly, the Methodist/Wesleyan tradition, as seen in Adam Clarke's commentary, emphasizes the gospel as the doctrine of grace, life, and salvation by Christ [8].
The proclamation of the gospel is closely tied to the concept of God's call to humanity. This call is described as being "of grace" and "according to the purpose of God" [5]. It is through the gospel that people are called to faith and repentance, and it is the means by which God's people are sanctified and conformed to the image of Christ [2].
The historical development of the gospel proclamation is rooted in the ministry of John the Baptist, who was the forerunner of Jesus Christ and the first to proclaim the coming of the Messiah [8]. The apostles, particularly Paul, continued this proclamation, emphasizing the universal scope of the gospel and its relevance to both Jews and Gentiles.
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Gospels — The central fact of Christian preaching was the intelligence that the Saviour had come into the world (Matt. 4:23; Rom. 10:15); and the first Christian preachers who called their account of the person and mission of Christ by the term evangelion_ (= good message) were called _evangelistai (= evangelists) (Eph. 4:11; Acts 21:8). There are four historical accounts of the person and work of Christ: "the first by Matthew, announcing the Redeemer as the promised King of the kingdom of God; the second by Mark, declaring him a prophet, mighty in deed and word'; th”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Holiness — Commanded -- Le 11:45; 20:7; Eph 5:8; Col 3:12; Ro 12:1. Christ Desires for his people. -- Joh 17:17. Effects, in his people. -- Eph 5:25-27. An example of. -- Heb 7:26; 1Pe 2:21,22. The character of God, the standard of -- Le 19:2; 1Pe 1:15,16; Eph 5:1. The character of Christ, the standard of -- Ro 8:29; 1Jo 2:6; Php 2:5. The gospel the way of -- Isa 35:8. Necessary to God's worship -- Ps 24:3,4. None shall see God without -- Eph 5:5; Heb 12:14. Saints Elected to. -- Ro 8:29; Eph 1:4. Called to. -- 1Th 4:7; 2Ti 1:9. New created in. -- Eph 4:24. Possess. ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Gospel, The — Is good tidings of great joy for all people -- Lu 2:10,11,31,32. Foretold -- Isa 41:27; 52:7; 61:1-3; Mr 1:15. Preached under the old testament -- Heb 4:2. Exhibits the grace of God -- Ac 14:3; 20:32. The knowledge of the glory of God is by -- 2Co 4:4,6. Life and immortality are brought to light by Jesus through -- 2Ti 1:10. Is the power of God to salvation -- Ro 1:16; 1Co 1:18; 1Th 1:5. Is glorious -- 2Co 4:4. Is everlasting -- 1Pe 1:25; Re 14:6. Preached by Christ -- Mt 4:23; Mr 1:14. Ministers have a stewardship to preach -- 1Co 9:17. Preached before”
- Romans “Romans 3:22 (Geneva1599) — To wit, the righteousnesse of God by the faith of Iesus Christ, vnto all, and vpon all that beleeue.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Call of God, The — By Christ -- Isa 55:5; Ro 1:6. By his Spirit -- Re 22:17. By his works -- Ps 19:2,3; Ro 1:20. By his ministers -- Jer 35:15; 2Co 5:20. By his gospel -- 2Th 2:14. Is from darkness -- 1Pe 2:9. Addressed to all -- Isa 45:22; Mt 20:16. Most reject -- Pr 1:24; Mt 20:16. Effectual to saints -- Ps 110:3; Ac 2:47; 13:48; 1Co 1:24. To man is Of grace. -- Ga 1:15; 2Ti 1:9. According to the purpose of God. -- Ro 8:28; 9:11,23,24. High. -- Php 3:14. Holy. -- 1Ti 1:9. Heavenly. -- Heb 3:1. To fellowship with Christ. -- 1Co 1:9. To holiness. -- 1Th 4:7. To liber”
- Romans “Romans 1:17 (BSB) — For the gospel reveals the righteousness of God that comes by faith from start to finish, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.””
- Romans (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Romans 1:17: For therein is the righteousness of God revealed--that is (as the whole argument of the Epistle shows), GOD'S JUSTIFYING RIGHTEOUSNESS. from faith to faith--a difficult clause. Most interpreters (judging from the sense of such phrases elsewhere) take it to mean, "from one degree of faith to another." But this agrees ill with the apostle's design, which has nothing to do with the progressive stages of faith, but solely with faith itself as the appointed way of receiving God's "righteousness." We prefer, therefore, to understand it thus: "The righteous”
- Mark (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Mark 1:1: The beginning of the Gospel - It is with the utmost propriety that Mark begins the Gospel dispensation by the preaching of John the Baptist, he being the forerunner of Jesus Christ, and the first proclaimer of the incarnated Messiah. Gospel - for the meaning of the word see the preface to Matthew. Son of God - To point out his Divine origin; and thus glancing at his miraculous conception. This was an essential character of the Messiah. See Mat 16:16; Mat 26:63; Luk 22:67, etc.”
- Acts (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Acts 13:35: Be it known unto you, therefore, men and brethren,.... The apostle having discoursed concerning the incarnation of Christ, his death and resurrection, proceeds to take notice of some particular benefits and blessings of grace arising from thence, which are published and made known to the sons of men in the everlasting Gospel, as were now to the Jews by Paul and Barnabas; such as forgiveness of sins through the blood of Christ, and justification by his righteousness; the former of them is mentioned in this verse, the latter in the next: that through this man is preach”