The Gospel as the Foundation of Christian Faith
The gospel, meaning "good news" or "good message," is the central proclamation of Christian faith, rooted in the saving work of Jesus Christ [3, 1]. This term, derived from the Greek evangelion, signifies the welcome intelligence of salvation for humanity [3]. The early Christian preachers, known as evangelistai (evangelists), spread this message, which centered on the arrival of the Savior [1].
The gospel is understood as the power of God leading to salvation (Romans 1:16) and brings to light life and immortality through Jesus (2 Timothy 1:10) [4]. It is described as glorious (2 Corinthians 4:4) and everlasting (Revelation 14:6) [4]. The content of this good news was foretold in the Old Testament (Isaiah 41:27, 52:7, 61:1-3) and was preached by Christ himself (Matthew 4:23, Mark 1:14) [4]. Ministers are entrusted with the stewardship of preaching this gospel (1 Corinthians 9:17) [4].
The foundation of Christian faith is built upon the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself serving as the cornerstone [2, 5]. This means that the church, as the body of Christ, is established on the person and work of Jesus [5]. The gospel reveals the grace of God (Acts 14:3, 20:32) and provides knowledge of God's glory (2 Corinthians 4:4, 6) [4]. Through the gospel, believers experience Christian liberty, which includes freedom from the law, its curse, the fear of death, sin, and corruption (Romans 7:6, Galatians 3:13, Hebrews 2:15, Romans 6:7, 18, 8:21) [6]. This liberty is conferred by God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit [6].
The "principles of the doctrine of Christ" refer to the fundamental teachings of the gospel, which, while foundational, are not meant to be the sole focus of Christian growth. Believers are encouraged to move beyond these initial principles to deeper understanding, not by abandoning them, but by building upon them [7]. The gospel, therefore, is not merely a historical account but a dynamic message that continues to exhibit the grace and wisdom of God [4, 5].
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”
- Ephesians “Ephesians 2:20 (BSB) — built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone.”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Gospel — A word of Anglo-Saxon origin, and meaning "God's spell", i.e., word of God, or rather, according to others, "good spell", i.e., good news. It is the rendering of the Greek evangelion, i.e., "good message." It denotes (1) "the welcome intelligence of salvation to man as preached by our Lord and his followers. (2.) It was afterwards transitively applied to each of the four histories of our Lord's life, published by those who are therefore called Evangelists', writers of the history of the gospel (the evangelion). (3.) The term is often used to express collecti”
- 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”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Church, The — Belongs to God -- 1Ti 3:15. The body of Christ -- Eph 1:23; Col 1:24. Christ, the foundation-stone of -- 1Co 3:11; Eph 2:20; 1Pe 2:4,5. Christ, the head of -- Eph 1:22; 5:23. Loved by Christ -- Song 7:10; Eph 5:25. Purchased by the blood of Christ -- Ac 20:28; Eph 5:25; Heb 9:12. Sanctified and cleansed by Christ -- 1Co 6:11; Eph 5:26,27. Subject to Christ -- Ro 7:4; Eph 5:24. The object of the grace of God -- Isa 27:3; 2Co 8:1. Displays the wisdom of God -- Eph 3:10. Shows forth the praises of God -- Isa 60:6. God defends -- Ps 89:18; Isa 4:5; 49:25; M”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Liberty, Christian — Foretold -- Isa 42:7; 61:1. Conferred By God. -- Col 1:13. By Christ. -- Ga 4:3-5; 5:1. By the Holy Spirit. -- Ro 8:15; 2Co 3:17. Through the gospel. -- Joh 8:32. Confirmed by Christ -- Joh 8:36. Proclaimed by Christ -- Isa 61:1; Lu 4:18. The service of Christ is -- 1Co 7:22. Is freedom from The law. -- Ro 7:6; 8:2. The curse of the law. -- Ga 3:13. The fear of death. -- Heb 2:15. Sin. -- Ro 6:7,18. Corruption. -- Ro 8:21. Bondage of man. -- 1Co 9:19. Jewish ordinances. -- Ga 4:3; Col 2:20. Called the glorious liberty of the children of God -- Ro”
- Hebrews (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Hebrews 6:1: Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ,.... The Gospel is the doctrine of Christ, and is so called, because Christ, as God, is the author of it; as Mediator, he received it from his Father; as man, he was the preacher of it; and he is also the sum and substance of it: the principles of this doctrine are either the easier parts of the Gospel, called milk in the latter part of the preceding chapter; which are not to be left with dislike and contempt, nor so as to be forgotten, nor so as not to be recurred to at proper times; but so as not to abide in”