Bible glossary

What Does ‘Gospel’ Mean in the Bible?

The gospel means good news: the announcement that God has acted in Jesus to rescue and forgive sinners and open the way to life with Him.

Gospel simply means good news, the kind a herald would proclaim. The Christian gospel is news before it is advice: not first a list of things to do, but an announcement of what God has already done. Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again.

This is why the Bible calls the gospel the power of God for salvation. It is not merely good ideas about how to live; it is the report of a rescue that has actually happened, offered freely to everyone who will receive it by faith.

Key verses

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth.”
Romans 1:16

“For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.”
1 Corinthians 15:3-4

“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.”
Mark 1:15