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What is the True Gospel?

Jesus Christ preached the message of the gospel of the kingdom of God. What is that message about, and why is it such good news?

What was Jesus Christ's message? He preached "the gospel of the kingdom of God" (Matthew 4:23; 9:35; Mark 1:14-15).

The Old English word gospel, or"good spell," means "good news." The good news was the centerpiece of His message. He de-fined His mission with these words: "I must preach the kingdom of God...because for this purpose I have been sent" (Luke 4:43).

What did He command His disciples to teach? "He sent them to preach the kingdom of God..." (Luke 9:2,6).

What is that message about, and why is it such good news?

When Jesus taught about the Kingdom of God (Luke 8:1; 9:11; 12:31; 13:18), He was simply continuing the messages of the Hebrew prophets whose words are recorded in the Old Testament. Centuries earlier God had inspired such faithful men as Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel and Zechariah to look beyond the difficulties and destruction of the kingdoms of Israel and Judah to a magnificent future when God would establish His world-ruling kingdom on earth under the reign of the Messiah.

Notice some of their prophecies describing this wonderful age to come:

"The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them" (Isaiah 11:6).

"They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain, for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. And in that day there shall be a Root of Jesse [the phrase referring to the promised Messiah, Jesus], who shall stand as a banner to the people; for the Gentiles shall seek Him, and His resting place shall be glorious" (verses 9-10).

"I was watching in the night visions, and behold, One like the Son of Man, coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, and they brought Him near before Him. Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom the one which shall not be destroyed" (Daniel 7:13-14).

"Then the Lord will go forth...And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which faces Jerusalem on the east. And the Mount of Olives shall be split in two, from east to west, making a very large valley...Thus the Lord my God will come, and all the saints with You...And the Lord shall be King over all the earth" (Zechariah 14:3-5,9).

Jesus Christ and His apostles spoke of this same world-ruling government, which He called "the Kingdom of God." In Luke 21, after describing a series of trends and events unparalleled in history, He concluded: "Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near...When you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near" (verses 28-31).

The ancient prophets, Jesus and His apostles all spoke of a literal kingdom that will replace the world's governments. When these prophecies become a reality, a triumphant cry will ring out: "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever" (Revelation 11:15, NIV).

Sadly, this message is seldom understood and rarely taught in churches. Many have accepted "a different gospel" (Galatians 1:6) that distorts and obscures this vital biblical truth. You will read in the next chapter how this "other gospel" (verses 8-9), as Paul labels it, evolved and spread throughout the world.

However, you can discover for yourself the full meaning of the gospel-the incredible good news-that Jesus Christ and the apostles preached. This same gospel is faithfully preached by the United Church of God (Matthew 24:14). For a full explanation of the true gospel, be sure to request or download your free copy of The Gospel of the Kingdom.

Related Information:

Sidebar to The Mission and Responsibility of the Church
Origin of article "What is the True Gospel?"
Keywords: Kingdom of God Christ's message world-ruling government apostles prophets 

Prophets:

• The Word of God: The Foundation of Knowledge
• Who Was Jesus Christ? (1/2002)
• The Role of a Watchman--What It Means for You
• Did Elijah Go to Heaven?
• What Are the Prophets Telling Us Today?

• The Bible & Archaeology - The Book of Acts: The Church Begins
• Profiles of Faith - Paul, Apostle to the Gentiles
• Foundations
• What Did the Early Church Believe and Practice?
• Introduction: The Church Jesus Built
• Did Jesus Really Die and Live Again?
• The Apostles, the Old Testament and God's Law
• Why is the Sabbath Commandment Not Repeated in the New Testament?
• Following in the Footsteps of the Apostles
• The New Testament Writers

• The Meaning of the Name 'Jesus Christ'
• The Real Gospel of Jesus Christ
• What Is the Gospel?
• The Gospel From Abraham to Paul
• The Kingdom of God: The Heart of Christ's Message
• The Millennium: The Vision That Won't Die
• How Is the Work of God Accomplished Today?
• What is the Gospel of the Kingdom?
• Seven Truths From Jesus Christ About the Real Secret: The Kingdom of God
• The Gospel of Hope
• The Most Misunderstood Message
• Accept the Challenge
• The Good News: The Story Behind the Magazine
• Awaiting the Prince of Peace
• The Time Is Now
• The Mission and Responsibility of the Church
• The Gospel of Jesus Christ: Salvation in the Kingdom
• Introduction - The Gospel of the Kingdom of God
• Why Don't People Understand the Kingdom of God?
• What Was Jesus' Gospel?
• This is the United Church of God
• Preaching the Gospel
• The Essence of the 'Everlasting Gospel'
• Introduction (bsc6)
• The Kingdom in the Gospels
• The Apostles Teach the Same Gospel
• Where Does the Story Begin?
• The Gospel Jesus Taught
• Three Facets of the Gospel
• Shocking Teachings of Jesus - The Kingdom of God
• Christ the King
• Walking With God in Times of Trouble