The Gospel is supposed to be (v.1)
God wants me to be part of (v.1)
Now I make known to you, brothers and sisters, the gospel (euaggelion) which I preached to you, which you also received, in which you also stand, (v.1) (NASB)
Gospel: euaggelion – good news (CWSBD)
Result of receiving this Gospel: I’m (v.2)
…by which you also are saved (sozo), if you hold firmly to the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. (v.2) (NASB)
Saved: sozo – “safe”; to save, i.e., deliver or protect (KJV)
heal, preserve, save, do well, be (make) whole (Strong’s)
(Jesus) I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand.
– John 10:28 (NASB)
…for she was saying to herself, “If I only touch His garment, I will get well (sozo)” But Jesus turning and seeing her said, “Daughter, take courage; your faith has made you well (sozo).” At once the woman was made well (sozo).
– Matthew 9:21-22 (NASB95)
Those who had seen it reported to them how the man who was demon-possessed had been made well (sozo).
– Luke 8:36 (NASB95)
And the prayer of faith shall save (sozo) the sick, – James 5:15 (KJV)
And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save (sozo) us: we perish. – Matthew 8:25 (KJV)
…unless, of course, you believed something that was never true in the first place. – 1 Corinthians 15:2 (NLT)
Here’s the Gospel/Good News
Christ: Means that Jesus (v.3)
For I handed down 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, (vv.3-4) (NASB)
Christ: Christos – the Anointed One, Messiah, Christ (Strong’s)
For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. – Isaiah 9:6 (KJV)
Christianity 101A: Christians believe that Jesus is
Every other religion believes that Jesus is
This means: My me from God (v.3)
…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, – Romans 3:23 (NASB)
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. – Romans 6:23 (NASB95)
Christianity 101B:
Christianity holds that Jesus for my sins
Every other religion holds that for my sins
Jesus was and then from the dead (v.4)
…He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas (Peter), then to the twelve. After that He appeared to more than five hundred brothers and sisters at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep; (vv.4-6) (NASB)
(Jesus) Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. For My yoke is comfortable, and My burden is light. – Matthew 11:28-30 (NASB)