The gospel is more than a message—it’s God’s redemptive story revealed through history, fulfilled in Jesus Christ, and meant to transform our lives. This blog post outlines the chronological elements of the gospel, the conceptual themes, the proper response to the good news, and what Scripture teaches about who Jesus is and the kingdom of God.

Chronological Elements of the Gospel

1. Creation

In the beginning, God created a perfect world and placed humanity in it to reflect His image and enjoy fellowship with Him.
Genesis 1:1 – “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” (NLT)

2. Sin & Separation (The Fall)

Humanity sinned and fell short of God’s glory, bringing separation from God, death, and decay into the world.
Romans 3:23 – “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.”
Isaiah 59:2 – “It’s your sins that have cut you off from God. Because of your sins, he has turned away and will not listen anymore.”

3. The Law

God gave His law through Moses to reveal His holy standards and expose sin, not as a means of salvation.
Romans 3:20 – “For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are.”

4. Eternal Judgment

There will be a final judgment. The wicked will be condemned, and the righteous will be rewarded.
Hebrews 9:27 – “And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment.”

5. The Promise of a Savior and King for Israel

Throughout Scripture, God promises a Messiah who would rule forever and save His people.
2 Samuel 7:12-16 – God promises David an eternal throne through his offspring.
Isaiah 9:6-7 – “For a child is born to us… He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity.”

The Right Response to the Gospel

The gospel demands a life-changing response. The early church practiced a clear pattern, especially in Acts 2.

Acts 2:38 (NLT) – “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

Fourfold Response:

  1. Repent – Turn away from sin.
  2. Believe – Trust in Jesus Christ.
  3. Be Baptized – Be immersed in water into Christ.
  4. Receive the Holy Spirit – Receive God’s indwelling Spirit to empower new life.

Conceptual Themes of the Gospel (The Good News)

  • Deliverance from Sin
  • Rescue from Eternal Judgment
  • Condemnation of the Wicked
  • Reward for the Righteous
  • Resurrection of the Dead
  • New Bodies for Believers
  • Establishment of God’s Kingdom on Earth
  • Creation of a New Heaven and New Earth
  • Jesus is the Cornerstone (Ephesians 2:20; 1 Peter 2:6-7)

Romans 6:3 (NLT) – “Have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined him in his death?”

What the Gospel Is NOT

Many modern responses fall short of what the Bible teaches:

  • Merely doing nothing
  • Relying on catechisms
  • Confirmation rituals
  • Church membership
  • Saying the “sinner’s prayer” without transformation

These do not replace true repentance, faith, baptism, and discipleship.

With these things being said I am not saying don’t become a member of a church. I am a member of a local church and am thankful for the community it is important what I am saying is that its not just about saying a sinners prayer its not just about being a member of a local church but its about actually going out and doing what the bible says being doers of the word and not just listeners of the word. When we respond to the Gospel our lives change they don’t stay the same. We can sit in church every Sunday with no change we can get baptized but no change but when we fully accept the gospel and accept Jesus into our lives we will see change, we will see fruit. We can try and gain acceptance through the things we do through our actions but our heart posture also matters. Why are we becoming a member of a church, why are we saying a sinners prayer, getting baptized. are we doing it out of striving and acceptance or out of wanting a true relationship with God and a community to walk out this life with for discipleship.

Who Is Jesus? What Is the Kingdom of God?

Jesus Is:

  • Son of Man
  • One coming on the clouds
  • Given authority over nations
  • King
  • Savior from sin
  • Messiah / Christ
  • Son of God
  • Descendant of David
  • Pre-existent Word made flesh

Scriptures:

  • Daniel 7:13-27 – The Son of Man receives eternal dominion.

13 As my vision continued that night, I saw someone like a Son of Man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient One and was led into his presence.
14 He was given authority, honor, and sovereignty over all the nations of the world, so that people of every race and nation and language would obey him. His rule is eternal—it will never end. His kingdom will never be destroyed.

15 I, Daniel, was troubled by all I had seen, and my visions terrified me.
16 So I approached one of those standing beside the throne and asked him what it all meant. He explained it to me like this:
17 “These four huge beasts represent four kingdoms that will arise from the earth.
18 But in the end, the holy people of the Most High will be given the kingdom, and they will rule forever and ever.”

19 Then I wanted to know the true meaning of the fourth beast, the one so different from the others and so terrifying. It had devoured and crushed its victims with iron teeth and bronze claws, trampling their remains beneath its feet.
20 I also asked about the ten horns on the fourth beast’s head and the little horn that came up afterward and destroyed three of the other horns. This horn had seemed greater than the others, and it had human eyes and a mouth that was boasting arrogantly.
21 As I watched, this horn was waging war against God’s holy people and was defeating them,
22 until the Ancient One—the Most High—came and judged in favor of his holy people. Then the time arrived for the holy people to take over the kingdom.

23 Then he said to me,
“This fourth beast is the fourth world power that will rule the earth.
It will be different from all the others.
It will devour the whole world,
trampling and crushing everything in its path.
24 Its ten horns are ten kings
who will rule that empire.
Then another king will arise,
different from the other ten,
who will subdue three of them.
25 He will defy the Most High
and oppress the holy people of the Most High.
He will try to change their sacred festivals and laws,
and they will be placed under his control
for a time, times, and half a time.

26 “But then the court will pass judgment,
and all his power will be taken away
and completely destroyed.
27 Then the sovereignty, power, and greatness of all the kingdoms under heaven
will be given to the holy people of the Most High.
His kingdom will last forever,
and all rulers will serve and obey him.”

  • Matthew 1:21-23 – Jesus will save His people from their sins.
  • 21 And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.22 All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through his prophet:23 “Look! The virgin will conceive a child!She will give birth to a son,and they will call him Immanuel,which means ‘God is with us.’”
  • Matthew 16:13-18 – Peter declares Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God.
  • 13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”14 “Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.”15 Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?”16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”17 Jesus replied, “You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being.18 Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.”
  • John 1:1,14 – Jesus is the eternal Word who became human.
  • 1 In the beginning the Word already existed.The Word was with God,and the Word was God.
  • 14 So the Word became human and made his home among us.He was full of unfailing love and faithfulnessAnd we have seen his glory,the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.
  • Luke 1:31-33 – His kingdom will never end.
  • 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus.32 He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High.The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David.33 And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!
  • 2 Samuel 7:12-16 – A royal descendant of David will reign forever.
  • 12 For when you die and are buried with your ancestors, I will raise up one of your descendants, your own offspring, and I will make his kingdom strong.
    13 He is the one who will build a house—a temple—for my name. And I will secure his royal throne forever.
    14 I will be his father, and he will be my son. If he sins, I will correct and discipline him with the rod, like any father would do.
    15 But my favor will not be taken from him as I took it from Saul, whom I removed from your sight.
    16 Your house and your kingdom will continue before me for all time, and your throne will be secure forever.

What Will God’s Kingdom Be Like?

  • Peaceful animal relationships (Isaiah 11:6–10)
  • No harm or destruction
  • Children safe among animals
  • No more war (Isaiah 2:4)
  • Weapons turned into farming tools
  • Everlasting kingdom

🐑 Peaceful Relationships in Creation

Isaiah 11:6–9 (NLT)
“In that day the wolf and the lamb will live together;
the leopard will lie down with the baby goat.
The calf and the yearling will be safe with the lion,
and a little child will lead them all…”

In God’s Kingdom, the natural order will be transformed. Predators and prey will no longer harm each other. Wolves and lambs will live side by side in peace. Lions will eat grass like cows. Children will be able to lead these animals without fear. This reversal of the curse shows that sin, fear, and violence will no longer dominate the earth.

👶 Safety for Children and Innocents

Children will be completely safe—even around wild animals.

“The baby will play safely near the hole of a cobra. Yes, a little child will put its hand in a nest of deadly snakes without harm.” (Isaiah 11:8 NLT)

This illustrates the absolute peace and security that will exist. There will be no more danger, no more death, no more reason to fear anything—not even things that once threatened human life.

☮️ An End to War

Isaiah 2:4 (NLT)
“The Lord will mediate between nations and will settle international disputes.
They will hammer their swords into plowshares
and their spears into pruning hooks.
Nation will no longer fight against nation,
nor train for war anymore.”

God Himself will bring peace to the nations. There will be no more military training, no more armies, no weapons of destruction. The tools of war will be converted into tools of agriculture and life, showing that the focus of society will be on building and blessing—not fighting and destroying.

🌍 No More Harm or Destruction

“Nothing will hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain, for as the waters fill the sea, so the earth will be filled with people who know the Lord.” (Isaiah 11:9 NLT)

There will be no pain, no violence, no abuse, no death. Why? Because the world will be filled with the knowledge of God—His love, holiness, and truth will govern every heart and every corner of the earth.

👑 An Everlasting Kingdom

Daniel 7:14 (NLT)
“His rule is eternal—it will never end. His kingdom will never be destroyed.”

The Kingdom of God is not temporary. It will never be overthrown or corrupted. Jesus Christ, the King of kings, will reign forever with perfect justice and mercy. Those who belong to Him will share in this eternal kingdom—ruling and serving with Him in righteousness.

🕊️ A Return to Eden-Like Harmony

In many ways, God’s Kingdom on earth will restore what was lost in Eden. There will be perfect unity between humanity, nature, and God. This is what creation has been groaning for ever since the fall (Romans 8:19–21).

🧭 In Summary:

  • Peace between former enemies (even in nature)
  • Safety for all people, including the vulnerable
  • No more war, no more need for weapons
  • Justice and righteousness flowing from God’s throne
  • Healing for all creation
  • An everlasting reign of Christ
  • The knowledge of the Lord covering the whole earth

Key Passage

Matthew 24:14 (NLT) – “And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come.”

Additional Scriptures to Study

  • Colossians 1:15-20 – Christ is supreme over all creation.
  • Luke 4:43 – Jesus came to preach the kingdom of God.
  • Psalm 2 – God’s anointed King will rule the nations.
  • Psalm 72:11-19 – The Messiah will bring justice and peace.
  • Revelation 11:15 – “The world has now become the Kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ.”
  • Revelation 20:1-6 – The reign of Christ and the resurrection of the faithful.

Colossians 1:15–20 (NLT) – Christ is Supreme Over All Creation

15 Christ is the visible image of the invisible God.
He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation,
16 for through him God created everything
in the heavenly realms and on earth.
He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see—
such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world.
Everything was created through him and for him.
17 He existed before anything else,
and he holds all creation together.
18 Christ is also the head of the church, which is his body.
He is the beginning, supreme over all who rise from the dead.
So he is first in everything.
19 For God in all his fullness
was pleased to live in Christ,
20 and through him God reconciled everything to himself.
He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth
by means of Christ’s blood on the cross.

Luke 4:43 (NLT) – Jesus Came to Preach the Kingdom of God

43 But he replied, “I must preach the Good News of the Kingdom of God in other towns, too, because that is why I was sent.”

Psalm 2 (NLT) – God’s Anointed King Will Rule the Nations

1 Why are the nations so angry?
Why do they waste their time with futile plans?
2 The kings of the earth prepare for battle;
the rulers plot together
against the Lord and against his anointed one.
3 “Let us break their chains,” they cry,
“and free ourselves from slavery to God.”
4 But the one who rules in heaven laughs.
The Lord scoffs at them.
5 Then in anger he rebukes them,
terrifying them with his fierce fury.
6 For the Lord declares,
“I have placed my chosen king on the throne
in Jerusalem, on my holy mountain.”
7 The king proclaims the Lord’s decree:
“The Lord said to me, ‘You are my son.
Today I have become your Father.
8 Only ask, and I will give you the nations as your inheritance,
the ends of the earth as your possession.
9 You will break them with an iron rod
and smash them like clay pots.’”
10 Now then, you kings, act wisely!
Be warned, you rulers of the earth!
11 Serve the Lord with reverent fear,
and rejoice with trembling.
12 Submit to God’s royal son,
or he will become angry,
and you will be destroyed in the midst of all your activities—
for his anger flares up in an instant.
But what joy for all who take refuge in him!

Psalm 72:11-19 (NLT) – The Messiah Will Bring Justice and Peace

11 All kings will bow before him,
and all nations will serve him.
12 He will rescue the poor when they cry to him;
he will help the oppressed, who have no one to defend them.
13 He feels pity for the weak and the needy,
and he will rescue them.
14 He will redeem them from oppression and violence,
for their lives are precious to him.
15 Long live the king!
May the gold of Sheba be given him.
May the people always pray for him and bless him all day long.
16 May there be abundant grain throughout the land,
flourishing even on the hilltops.
May the fruit trees thrive like the forests of Lebanon,
and may the people flourish like grass in a field.
17 May the king’s name endure forever.
May it continue as long as the sun shines.
May all nations be blessed through him and bring him praise.
18 Praise the Lord God, the God of Israel,
who alone does such wonderful things.
19 Praise his glorious name forever!
Let the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen and amen!

Revelation 11:15 (NLT) – The World Has Now Become the Kingdom of Our Lord and of His Christ

15 Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices shouting in heaven:
“The world has now become the Kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ,
and he will reign forever and ever.”

Revelation 20:1-6 (NLT) – The Reign of Christ and the Resurrection of the Faithful

1 Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven with the key to the bottomless pit and a heavy chain in his hand.
2 He seized the dragon—that old serpent, who is the devil, Satan—and bound him in chains for a thousand years.
3 The angel threw him into the bottomless pit, which he then shut and locked so Satan could not deceive the nations anymore until the thousand years were finished.
Afterward he must be released for a little while.
4 Then I saw thrones, and the people sitting on them had been given the authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their testimony about Jesus and for proclaiming the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or his statue, nor accepted his mark on their foreheads or hands. They all came to life again, and they reigned with Christ for a thousand years.
5 (This is the first resurrection.)
The rest of the dead did not come back to life until the thousand years had ended.
6 Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection.
For them the second death holds no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him a thousand years.

Conclusion

The gospel isn’t just a moment—it’s the full, unfolding story of God’s kingdom, fulfilled in Jesus Christ and extended to all who respond with repentance, faith, baptism, and new life through the Holy Spirit. It offers salvation from sin, resurrection hope, and a glorious future in the eternal kingdom of God on earth.

Will you respond in obedience to this Good News?