The Gospel

Introduction to the Gospel

“If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine;
and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” – John 8:31–32

This section of the website presents “the gospel of the grace of God” (Act 20:24), which is also “the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation” (Eph 1:13), “the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (2Ti 3:15), “the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes” (Rom 1:16; cf. Joh 3:16, 18, 36; 6:35, 37–40; 12:46; Mat 11:28–30; 20:28; Act 2:21; 10:43; Rom 9:33; Tit 2:11; Rev 22:17), and “the faith which was once for all handed down [delivered ESV] to the saints” (Jud 3; cf. Col 1:23) in New Testament (NT) Scripture.

This presentation can serve as an introduction for those coming new to the faith or as a review for the professing Christian.[1] We will start “in the beginning” (Gen 1:1) and build in a logical and orderly manner (Pro 24:3) so that you understand the relationship between God, Satan, humanity, and sin—and why we need a “Savior” (Luk 2:10–14; Joh 4:42; Tit 1:4; 3:4; 2Pe 1:1, 11; 2:20; Jud 24–25; 1Jn 4:14; Act 5:31; 13:23; 1Ti 2:3–4; 2Ti 1:10; cf. Joh 3:14–16). This material can also be found in our book The Gospel of the Grace of God. (También disponible en Español)

Before we begin, I would like to offer some notes to help guide the reader:

You will see verse citations throughout the book. You should be reading and studying Scripture as you go along (Mat 4:4; Psa 1:2; 119:11, 105, 160; Act 17:11; Rom 15:4; 2Ti 2:15; 3:16–17; 1Pe 2:2).[2] You may think I’m citing more verses than necessary at times; however, realize that I’m not just multiplying verses for no reason. To arrive at the (whole) truth of what Scripture teaches (and to avoid false teachings), you must consider and harmonize in aggregate “the sum” (Psa 119:160; cf. 2Ti 3:16–17) of what is written in Scripture while also understanding that Scripture never contradicts itself. Additional verses often expand on a particular subject or view it from a different angle—you cannot pick and choose some verses and make interpretations and doctrine from them in isolation while ignoring others on the same topic. Even the verses I’ve cited are not exhaustive, but they are sufficient to establish correct doctrine. If a verse doesn’t have a citation, it was either given earlier in the chapter or will be at the end of the sentence. Citations are sometimes repeated across chapters for completeness so each chapter can stand on its own.[3] Additionally, Scripture is multifaceted, so the same verse may apply to multiple topics.
There is some repetition of material across chapters, which can be beneficial (Php 3:1; Rom 15:15; 2Pe 1:12–13; 3:1–2).[4] This also allows each chapter to serve as its own “mini study,” if you will.
All Bible verses are New American Standard Bible (NASB) 1995 unless indicated otherwise.[5] In some editions of this book, inline Bible verses may be “colored in blue like this.” There may also be a link to Bible Gateway (biblegateway.com), so you can click the link to read the verses. I will occasionally add annotations to verses; these are clearly marked inside brackets, such as [words here]. I’m not altering Scripture (Rev 22:18); I’m simply trying to help by clarifying the context, adding a note, or adjusting grammar for readability. As you read and study the verses, you can confirm this.
This book is not a novel that you read quickly; it is a study guide to help you understand the Gospel. Therefore, please don’t be in a rush to just skim through this material. While the Gospel message is very simple, we are dealing with a matter of utmost and grave importance here: the eternal destiny of your soul (Mat 10:28; 16:26; 25:31–46; Mar 8:36–37; Luk 12:20; 16:19–31; Heb 9:27). When I was starting out, no one ever sat me down and walked me through the Bible and the Gospel from start to finish in a logical and orderly manner, so that’s what I’m doing with you.[6] I’m doing my best to “guide you” through the Gospel as Philip did with the Ethiopian (see Act 8:26–35), but you must also put in the necessary time and effort. Please read and study the material diligently; if you were to read and study all the cited verses, it could take you several months to get through this book. I also suggest that you study one chapter at a time, and only when you are fully convinced in your own mind about what I’ve written in that chapter should you move on to the next one.
The material doesn’t cover all the nuances of Christian faith and life, but it does get you started well down the true and correct “narrow” path (Mat 7:13–14; Luk 13:24) to “eternal life” (Joh 3:16–17; 5:24; Rom 6:23).
While it is my “duty” to present, preach, and teach the Gospel to you accurately and completely (Num 4:27; Act 20:18–21, 26–31; 2Ti 2:2, 15, 23–26; 3:16–17; 4:1–4, 15; 1Co 9:16; 15:3; Col 1:28; Pro 27:6; Gal 4:16; Eph 4:15; Joh 4:23–24; Rev 18:4–5; 1Ti 1:3–4; 4:1–6, 11, 13; 6:20–21; Eze 33:1–6; Ecc 3:7; Tit 1:9, 13–14; 2:15), it is your responsibility to “be diligent” (2Ti 2:15; Heb 4:11; cf. 2Pe 1:10; 3:14) about your salvation, to “work out your salvation with fear and trembling” (Php 2:12), and to “test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves!” (2Co 13:5). This is to make sure that you are indeed in (and “continue in”) the faith as it was given in Scripture (Jud 3; cf. Col 1:23) and have not been “tricked,” “deceived,” or “led astray” from the truth and into the false teachings and “fake gospels” (paraphrase) of men, committees, councils, conferences, synods, and institutions. Moreover, my responsibility doesn’t end when you are “born again” (Joh 3:1–8); my goal is to ensure that you reach final eternal salvation (heaven, eternal life), which is when you receive your “crown of life”[7] from Jesus on Judgment Day (2Ti 4:8). To do that, I must warn you about the many “snares,” “traps,” and “pitfalls” you will likely encounter that might cause you to be “led astray.” So, as we go along, I will be pointing out some of the false teachings and “fake gospels” that are popular today. I’m doing this out of care and concern for your eternal well-being (Act 20:18–21, 26–31; Rom 15:14; 1Co 4:14; Col 1:28; 3:16; 1Th 5:14; 2Th 3:15; 2Ti 2:23–26; 3:16). Some of the false teachings come from secular sources (obviously), but sadly (and shockingly), others come from what appear to be Christians and Christian churches. Jesus warned us about these “ravenous wolves in sheep’s clothing” (see Mat 7:15; cf. Act 20:28–30; 2Pe 2:1–3; 2Ti 4:3–4; 2Co 11:14–15), as many “false teachers,” “false prophets,” and “fake gospels” have gone out into the world.[8]
In places where verses are harder to understand (and therefore prone to misinterpretation), I may introduce commentary from other brothers in Christ to provide additional understanding (Pro 11:14; 27:17). I encourage you to read and study other trusted commentaries along with what I’ve written in this book, as doing so may lead to a greater understanding of the material.[9]
The careful reader will pay attention to the footnotes as they go along.
And lastly, please remember that I am not an inspired writer; my words are merely the words of man. Don’t just accept anything I (or others) write without checking it against Scripture (Act 17:11).[10] The only purpose of my words is to help explain God’s Word, for it is Scripture that is “the word of God” (Luk 5:1; 8:11, 21; Act 4:31; 6:7; 13:5; Rev 19:13; 20:4), “the word of truth” (2Co 6:7; Col 1:5; 2Ti 2:15; Jas 1:18; Joh 17:17; 4:23–24; Rom 3:4; 2Co 4:2; Eph 1:13; Tit 1:2; Num 23:19; Psa 145:18), and “the word of life” (see Php 2:16; 1Jn 1:1; cf. Joh 1:4; 5:24)—and it alone has the “power” of life (Rom 1:16; 1Co 1:18; 2:4; 4:20; 2Co 6:7; Eph 3:16; 1Th 1:5; 2Th 1:11; Heb 1:3; Rev 7:12; cf. Mar 9:1; 24:30; Luk 21:27; 24:49; Act 10:38; 2Ti 3:16–17).

With that introduction, let us proceed along “the Highway of Holiness” (Isa 35:8; cf. Jer 6:16; Isa 40:3–4; 42:16; 57:14; Joh 1:23; Tit 2:11–14; 1Pe 2:9–10), on the path to “eternal life” with God and His Christ Jesus in heaven. All “blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might, be to our God forever and ever. Amen” (Rev 7:12). —R. John Anderson, Church of Christ

[1] Christians, also called disciples, saints, and brethren; the first use of the name Christians was in Antioch (Act 11:26; cf. Act 26:28; 1Pe 4:16).

[2] The verse excerpts given in this book should be read and studied in their wider context in Scripture, as in many cases, I’m only giving a fragment of the verse. The same goes for verse citations; always expand outward first to see the verse(s) in context. See the chapters “Reading and Studying the Bible” and “Being a Berean” for more information.

[3] For lengthier citations that are repeated, I may use a footnote reference to indicate where you can find the main citation.

[4] And if you’re like me, I often need to have things repeated a few times before I listen to what is being said, and it really sinks in.

[5] Quoted material from other authors may reference different Bible translations (as marked). See also the chapter “Choosing a Bible.”

[6] You can also use this book as an outline to lead others through the Gospel “message of truth.”

[7] See the chapter “The New Testament Plan of Salvation” for verse references.

[8] See the chapter “Beware the Wolves” for “tricked,” “deceived,” “snares,” “traps,” “pitfalls,” “false teachers,” “false prophets,” and “fake gospels” (paraphrase) verse references.

[9] See the chapter “Helpful Resources.”

[10] See the chapter “Being a Berean.”

R. John Anderson

Photographer and author R. John Anderson has journeyed the world over to capture the natural beauty of God’s creation. Having traveled to many countries and continents in a span of over thirty years, he has seen the amazing artistry that can be found in all types of locations, from the glacial fjords of polar Greenland to the wild Serengeti plains in Tanzania to the rich rain forests of Costa Rica. Nature’s greatest natural beauty often lies in the harshest deserts, remotest wilderness, and sub-zero ice-covered regions.