Face Whose face is on the Gospel? It should not be ours! “What we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord” (2 Corinthians 4:5). From the start, Mark shows the focus of the Gospel: “The beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God” (Mark 1:1). 2 Corinthians calls it, “the Gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” Then, it goes on to say,
For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 4:4-6).
Value The Gospel promises forgiveness, renewal and eternal life. Ephesians 1:13 calls it “the word of truth, the Gospel of your salvation.” Its value is far beyond all the wealth of this world (Mark 8:36). The resurrection of Christ gives us “an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you” (1 Peter 1:3-4).
You were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot (1 Peter 1:18-19).
Beware of so-called ‘gospels’ that promise earthly wealth and health. To think that “godliness is a means of gain” is to fall into Satan’s snare and to be “deprived of the truth” (1 Timothy 6:5-12 cf. 2 Corinthians 2:17). Earthly money cannot buy heavenly power (Acts 8:18-23).
Nation Jesus proclaimed “the Gospel of God” and said, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the Gospel’” (Mark 1:14-15). Jesus then established His kingdom, in which His people now live (Colossians 1:13; Revelation 1:6). The Gospel announces that Jesus is reigning as King (Acts 2:30-36; Ephesians 1:20-23; Philippians 2:9; 1 Peter 3:22; Revelation 1:5; 17:14; 19:16).
But when they believed Philip as he preached Good News about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women (Acts 8:12 cf. Acts 19:8; 20:25; 28:23, 31).
Authority “The Gospel of God” comes from the highest authority of all (Mark 1:14; Romans 1:1). God the Father gives “all authority” to His Son (Matthew 28:18). Therefore, those who believe the Gospel confess that “Jesus is Lord” (Romans 10:9 cf. Acts 2:36; 10:36; 16:31; 19:5; 2 Corinthians 4:5). The official seal that guarantees full value is the Holy Spirit.
In Him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the Gospel of your salvation, and believed in Him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of His glory (Ephesians 1:13-14).