The Good News of Salvation Through Jesus Christ
The Gospel is the most important message that anyone will ever hear. It is the good news that God, in His great love and mercy, has made a way for sinful mankind to be forgiven, reconciled to Him, and receive the gift of eternal life through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.
The word Gospel comes from the Greek word euangelion, which means “good news” or “glad tidings.” It is the message of salvation through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The Apostle Paul summarises the Gospel in 1 Corinthians 15:3–4:
“For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.”
The Gospel is not merely a religious teaching, a moral philosophy, or a set of rules to follow. It is the wonderful declaration of what God has accomplished through Jesus Christ to save sinners.
God Created Us to Know Him
The Bible begins by telling us that God is the Creator of heaven and earth. He created mankind in His own image, giving us the ability to know Him, worship Him, and enjoy fellowship with Him.
Genesis 1:27 teaches that God created man in His own image. Mankind was created to live in obedience to God and to glorify Him.
God is perfectly holy, righteous, loving, and just. He is without sin, and everything He does is good.
However, something happened that changed mankind’s relationship with God.
The Problem of Sin
The Bible teaches that all mankind has sinned against God.
When Adam and Eve disobeyed God in the Garden of Eden, sin entered the world. Through Adam’s disobedience, sin and death became part of the human experience (Genesis 3:1–19; Romans 5:12).
Sin is more than simply doing something wrong. It is any thought, word, action, or attitude that falls short of God’s perfect holiness and righteous standard.
Romans 3:23 declares:
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
This means that every person, regardless of their background, religious upbringing, or moral character, is a sinner in need of God’s forgiveness.
Sin separates mankind from God because God is holy and cannot overlook evil. The consequences of sin are serious.
Romans 6:23 tells us:
“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
The death spoken of in this verse includes both physical death and the spiritual consequences of separation from God. Those who die without salvation face eternal judgment (Revelation 20:11–15).
This is why every person needs to hear and respond to the Gospel.
We Cannot Save Ourselves
Many people believe that being a good person, attending church, giving to charity, being baptised, or performing religious duties will earn them a place in heaven.
However, the Bible teaches that salvation cannot be earned through human effort.
Ephesians 2:8–9 declares:
“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
No amount of good works can remove our sins or make us righteous before God.
We cannot save ourselves because the problem of sin is far greater than anything we can overcome through our own efforts.
Salvation must come from God Himself.
This is the wonderful truth at the heart of the Gospel: what mankind could never accomplish, God has accomplished through His Son, Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ Is God’s Answer to Sin
Because God loves mankind, He sent His only begotten Son into the world to save sinners.
John 3:16 declares:
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”
Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God who became man without ceasing to be God (John 1:1, 14). He was born of the virgin Mary, lived a completely sinless life, and perfectly obeyed the will of His Father.
Unlike every other person who has ever lived, Jesus Christ was without sin (Hebrews 4:15).
He came into the world for a specific purpose: to seek and save those who are lost (Luke 19:10).
Jesus did not come merely to be a good example or a great teacher. He came to give His life as a sacrifice for sinners.
In Mark 10:45, Jesus explained that He came to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many.
Christ Died for Our Sins
The death of Jesus Christ upon the cross is central to the Gospel.
Although Jesus was completely innocent, He willingly suffered and died in the place of sinners.
His death was not an accident or a failure of God’s plan. It was the fulfilment of God’s eternal purpose of redemption.
Isaiah 53:5 teaches that the promised Servant would be wounded for our transgressions and crushed for our iniquities.
When Jesus died upon the cross, He bore the penalty for sin. His sacrifice satisfied the righteous demands of God’s justice and provided the only sufficient basis for our forgiveness.
The Apostle Peter writes:
“For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God” (1 Peter 3:18).
Jesus Christ, the righteous One, died for the unrighteous.
He paid the price that we could never pay.
Through His shed blood, forgiveness and reconciliation with God are made possible (Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:20).
His sacrifice was complete and sufficient. Nothing needs to be added to what Christ accomplished upon the cross.
Jesus Christ Rose Again
The Gospel does not end with the death of Jesus Christ.
After His crucifixion, His body was placed in a tomb. On the third day, He rose bodily from the dead, just as the Scriptures had foretold.
The resurrection is an essential part of the Gospel.
It demonstrates that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, that His sacrifice was accepted, and that He has conquered death.
In 1 Corinthians 15:17, Paul explains that if Christ has not been raised, our faith is worthless and we remain in our sins.
But Christ has indeed risen from the dead!
Following His resurrection, Jesus appeared to His disciples and to many other witnesses (1 Corinthians 15:5–8).
He later ascended into heaven, where He is seated at the right hand of God the Father (Hebrews 1:3).
Because Jesus Christ lives, everyone who trusts in Him has the assurance of eternal life.
How Can I Be Saved?
The Bible makes it clear that salvation is offered freely to everyone who will come to Jesus Christ in repentance and faith.
Salvation is not something we earn. It is a gift received by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
When the Philippian jailer asked Paul and Silas what he must do to be saved, they answered:
“Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31).
To believe in Jesus Christ means more than simply acknowledging that He existed or agreeing with certain facts about Him.
Saving faith involves personally trusting in Jesus Christ, believing that He died for your sins and rose again, and relying upon Him alone for salvation.
The Bible also calls sinners to repentance.
Repentance means a change of mind and heart concerning sin and God. It involves recognising our sinful condition, turning to God, and acknowledging Jesus Christ as the only Saviour.
Jesus declared in Mark 1:15:
“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”
Repentance and faith belong together in a genuine response to the Gospel. We do not earn salvation by reforming our lives; rather, we come to Christ as sinners who need His mercy.
Romans 10:9 teaches the importance of confessing Jesus as Lord and believing in His resurrection.
Salvation is received by grace alone, through faith alone, in Jesus Christ alone.
What Happens When a Person Is Saved?
When a person genuinely places their faith in Jesus Christ, God accomplishes a wonderful work in their life.
Their sins are forgiven. Through Christ’s sacrifice, the believer receives forgiveness of sins (Ephesians 1:7).
They are justified before God. To be justified means to be declared righteous in God’s sight, not because of personal goodness, but through faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1).
They are born again. The Holy Spirit gives the believer new spiritual life (John 3:3–7; Titus 3:5).
They become a child of God. Everyone who receives Jesus Christ by faith is given the right to become a child of God (John 1:12).
They receive eternal life. Eternal life is God’s gift, secured through Jesus Christ (John 5:24).
They are indwelt by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit comes to dwell within every genuine believer and seals them for the day of redemption (Ephesians 1:13–14; 4:30).
Salvation is not merely an improvement in someone’s outward behaviour. It is a spiritual transformation brought about by the grace and power of God.
As 2 Corinthians 5:17 teaches, anyone who is in Christ is a new creature.
Can I Know That I Am Saved?
Yes. The Bible teaches that believers can have assurance of their salvation.
Our assurance is not based upon changing emotions, personal achievements, or religious experiences. It rests upon the promises of God and the finished work of Jesus Christ.
The Apostle John wrote:
“These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life” (1 John 5:13).
God wants His children to know that they belong to Him.
Jesus also promised in John 10:28 that He gives eternal life to His sheep and that they will never perish.
Those who have genuinely trusted in Jesus Christ can rest in His promises, knowing that their salvation depends upon His faithfulness and not their own ability to earn God’s favour.
What Should I Do Now?
Perhaps you have read this page and have begun to realise that you are a sinner in need of God’s forgiveness.
Perhaps you have attended church for many years but have never personally trusted in Jesus Christ as your Saviour.
The most important question you can ask is the same question asked by the Philippian jailer:
“What must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:30).
The answer is simple: repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Recognise that you have sinned against God. Acknowledge that you cannot save yourself. Believe that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day. Place your trust in Him alone as your Lord and Saviour.
You do not need to make yourself worthy before coming to Christ. Come to Him as you are, acknowledging your sin and your need for His forgiveness.
Jesus gives this wonderful promise in John 6:37:
“the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out.”
You may express your repentance and faith to God in prayer. There are no special words that must be spoken, and a prayer itself does not save you. Salvation comes through genuine faith in Jesus Christ.
If you are unsure how to pray, the following may help you express your heart to God.
A Prayer of Repentance and Faith
Heavenly Father,
I come before You acknowledging that I am a sinner and that I have broken Your commandments. I know that I cannot save myself through my own goodness or works.
I believe that Jesus Christ is Your Son, that He died upon the cross for my sins, and that He rose again on the third day.
I repent of my sins and place my faith and trust in Jesus Christ alone for my salvation.
Thank You for Your love, mercy, and grace. Thank You for providing the way of forgiveness and eternal life through Your Son.
Help me to grow in my understanding of Your Word and to live a life that honours You.
In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Remember, it is not the words of a prayer that save you. It is Jesus Christ who saves everyone who genuinely places their faith in Him.
Growing in Your New Christian Life
If you have placed your faith in Jesus Christ, this is the beginning of your new life as a Christian.
The Bible encourages believers to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18).
Begin reading the Bible regularly so that you can learn more about God and His will for your life. The Gospel of John is an excellent place to begin.
Spend time in prayer, speaking to God and bringing your needs before Him.
Find a faithful, Bible-believing local church where the Scriptures are taught, the Gospel is clearly proclaimed, and you can enjoy fellowship with other Christians.
Follow the Lord in believer’s baptism as a public testimony of your faith in Jesus Christ (Acts 8:35–38). Baptism does not save you, but it is an important act of obedience to Christ.
As you grow in your Christian life, seek to obey God’s Word, depend upon the Holy Spirit, and share the good news of salvation with others.
Do Not Put Off Salvation
The Bible reminds us that life is uncertain and that none of us knows what tomorrow may bring.
Hebrews 9:27 teaches that mankind is appointed to die once, and after this comes judgment.
There is no greater decision than how you will respond to Jesus Christ and His Gospel.
The Apostle Paul writes:
“Behold, now is ‘THE ACCEPTABLE TIME,’ behold, now is ‘THE DAY OF SALVATION’” (2 Corinthians 6:2).
Do not put off considering the claims of Jesus Christ.
The Gospel is God’s gracious invitation to sinners to receive forgiveness, reconciliation, and eternal life through His Son.
Jesus Christ is the only way of salvation. He declared:
“I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me” (John 14:6).
The Gospel in One Sentence
Jesus Christ, the sinless Son of God, died for our sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day, so that everyone who repents and places their faith in Him alone may receive forgiveness of sins and the gift of eternal life.
This is the Gospel. This is the good news of Jesus Christ.
Further Bible Reading
If you would like to understand the Gospel more fully, we encourage you to read the following passages in your Bible:
- John 3:1–21 — The new birth and God’s love for the world.
- Romans 3:21–26 — Righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ.
- Romans 5:1–11 — Peace with God through Christ.
- Romans 10:9–13 — Salvation through faith in the risen Lord.
- 1 Corinthians 15:1–8 — The death, burial, and resurrection of Christ.
- Ephesians 2:1–10 — Salvation by grace through faith.
- 1 John 5:11–13 — The assurance of eternal life.
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes” — Romans 1:16.
