The Gospel in the New Testament

The gospel means “good news,” but its message unfolds and becomes clearer throughout the New Testament. The gospel can be broken down into three key moments: promised before the cross, accomplished at the cross, and the mission launched after.

The roots of the gospel are found in the Old Testament, with promises and prophecies pointing to a future Messiah. John the Baptist’s message was to “repent” because the kingdom of heaven was near—he prepared people for Jesus.

Jesus elevated the message: not just “repent,” but also “believe the gospel”—the King is here, and belief brings immediate spiritual life. The cross is the pivotal moment: Jesus declares, “It is finished,” meaning the debt of sin is paid in full.

After the resurrection, the gospel message shifts from anticipation to proclamation of a finished work, launching a global mission. Pentecost marks the ignition of this mission, with Peter’s sermon calling for repentance and baptism in Jesus’ name. The response is powerful—3,000 people are converted in one day, showing the impact of the complete gospel message.

Paul explains the difference between worldly sorrow (regret) and godly sorrow (true repentance leading to salvation). Repentance is a continual theme, not just a one-time act, emphasized even in the final book of the Bible.

The gospel message is consistent in its core—repentance, faith, Christ’s death and resurrection, and the mission to share it—but it unfolds with greater clarity over time. The journey of the gospel: promised (Old Testament), proclaimed (before the cross), accomplished (at the cross), and now shared with the world.

The final reflection: understanding this journey should deepen how we hear and respond to the good news.