Overview: What Is the Gospel? Who Proclaims It?
The word gospel (Greek euangelion, “good news”) defines the heart of the Christian faith. It is not merely a set of ethical principles or religious truths, but the divine announcement that salvation is available through the person and work of Jesus Christ—His perfect life, atoning death, and triumphant resurrection. The gospel addresses the fundamental problem of sin and separation from God, offering reconciliation, forgiveness, and eternal life to all who believe.
At its core, the gospel proclaims that “Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day” (1 Corinthians 15:3–4). This message speaks of both divine justice and divine mercy: it reveals the depth of human sin and the magnitude of God’s grace. Through substitutionary atonement, Jesus bore the penalty of sin on behalf of sinners, securing their redemption.
The proclamation of the gospel is a God-ordained task assigned to His people. While angels heralded Christ’s birth and resurrection, the responsibility for gospel proclamation has been given to the Church. Every believer, though not all are preachers by office, is a witness by calling—charged to share, explain, and embody the gospel wherever God has placed them.
Key Scriptures: Romans 10:14–17; 1 Corinthians 15:1–4
Romans 10:14–17 outlines the spiritual logic and necessity of gospel proclamation:
“How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? … So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”
Here, Paul affirms that salvation is mediated through hearing the Word—specifically, through the proclamation of Christ. Though God alone regenerates the heart, He has chosen to do so through the preaching of the gospel.
1 Corinthians 15:1–4 summarises the gospel as both apostolic tradition and divine revelation:
“For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins… that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day.”
This concise creed affirms the historical and theological foundation of the gospel: it is not speculative or cultural, but revealed truth grounded in Christ’s redemptive work.
Doctrinal Themes: General Call, Special Revelation, Mission Mandate
1. The General Call and the Effectual Call
The general call refers to the external, universal proclamation of the gospel. It is extended to all people—an authentic summons to repentance and faith. However, this must be distinguished from the effectual (inward) call, which is the work of the Holy Spirit to bring about actual regeneration and saving faith. Though not all respond to the general call, it reflects God’s merciful desire that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).
2. Special Revelation
While general revelation (e.g., nature, conscience) testifies to God’s existence and attributes (Romans 1:20), it cannot save. Special revelation—found supremely in Scripture and in Christ—is the only means by which the gospel can be known. As Romans 10:17 declares, “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” The content of the gospel is not discovered through human reasoning but revealed by God.
3. The Mission Mandate
The gospel commission is a binding command for the Church. Jesus’ words in Matthew 28:19–20 are definitive: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…” This missional imperative compels the Church to carry the gospel across all cultures, languages, and borders. The proclamation is verbal, doctrinally clear, and Spirit-empowered, and it is central to the Church’s identity and function.
Application: Our Responsibility to Proclaim and Respond
Every Christian bears the responsibility to proclaim the gospel. While not all are called to formal pastoral or evangelistic ministries, every believer is a witness (Acts 1:8). Gospel witness takes many forms:
- Personal testimony to Christ’s grace
- Scripture sharing and explanation
- Acts of love that support gospel words
- Public preaching and digital communication
At the same time, the gospel demands a response. It is not an informational message but a transformational call. The hearer must respond with repentance and faith (Mark 1:15), or risk continued alienation from God (John 3:18). The gospel cannot be neutralised—it is either embraced unto life or rejected unto judgement.
Furthermore, gospel proclamation should not be viewed as burdensome duty but as joyful overflow. Paul writes, “The love of Christ controls us…” (2 Corinthians 5:14). The redeemed heart, grateful for grace, naturally seeks to extend grace to others through evangelism.
Contemporary Note: Preaching, Media, and Missions
The gospel continues to be proclaimed in diverse ways:
- Preaching remains primary and irreplaceable, following the apostolic pattern.
- Media (radio, podcasts, videos, websites) extends gospel reach across barriers of geography and censorship.
- Literature and art communicate gospel truths in creative and culturally contextual ways.
- Education and development work, when rooted in gospel witness, open hearts to hear Christ’s call.
While these tools multiply access, they must not replace the Spirit-led, person-to-person proclamation model of Scripture. Relational evangelism, faithful preaching, and missionary witness remain the means God most often uses to awaken and save.
Missionally, gospel work is not limited to overseas contexts. Every cultural context—urban or rural, local or foreign—requires contextualised, faithful gospel engagement. Whether through church planting, cross-cultural outreach, or digital missions, the Church must keep Christ central in all her gospel efforts.
Conclusion: The Gospel as Command and Privilege
Proclaiming the gospel is both a divine command and a sacred privilege. It is the appointed means by which God calls sinners to salvation and exalts His Son in all the earth. In every generation, the Church is entrusted with the unchanging message of Christ crucified, risen, and reigning.
Let every believer hear afresh the urgency of this calling:
“Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!” (1 Corinthians 9:16)
Faith comes by hearing. The world will not believe unless the gospel is proclaimed. Therefore, let the Church speak boldly, clearly, and lovingly, declaring that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.