What is the doctrine of the gospel? Or perhaps a better question states: what is the doctrine of the true gospel? The English word “gospel” comes from the Greek euaggelion (yoo-ang-ghel'-ee-on), which means a good message, i.e. the gospel. Another variation of the word is euaggelizo, (yoo-ang-ghel-id'-zo): to announce good news ("evangelize") especially the gospel:--declare, bring (declare, show) glad (good) tidings, preach (the gospel). This word is often translated “glad tidings” in the King James Version. If this doctrine has to do with preaching and declaring a good message full of gladness; then what is the message?
Simply, it is the message that Jesus brought to this earth some 2,000 years ago as He proclaimed the words of the Father: “For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak” (John 12:49).
Jesus stated in John 5:43, "I am come in my Father’s name, and ye receive me not." What was Jesus' family name? Notice the astonishing answer in John 10:36: "... say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God? Jesus acknowledged being "God’s Son." We, too, have the opportunity of being called God’s sons (I John 3:1). The God Family will be the supreme, divine and all-ruling Family—it is the governing Family over the Kingdom of God! The thrust of Christ’s entire message was about the Kingdom or Family of God and how one may be born into it!
The whole message, which Jesus spoke by the authority of the Lord (Boss)—was to explain that the name "God"—the Hebrew Elohim—is a family name! His message of good news is that we may also carry that name God—that we may be dubbed the sons and daughters of God and be "born again" as spirit beings. In John 10:30, Jesus here reveals that there is one Godhead—one God Family, and that its members work together with one mind and purpose.
Would it not be of monumental commencement to be a part of that family? There is good news—we can! This is no mystery. God is knowable because He has chosen to make Himself knowable. How is this precious truth accomplished? The Apostle Paul was inspired to write, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God” (Romans 8:14). The Apostle Peter also clearly defines the way to receive this Spirit, which imparts God’s mind, character, power and strength, “Repent and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38).
The doctrine continues as Jesus went about preaching the good news of the coming Kingdom of God—kingdom means government—earth being its territory, Himself being its King; human beings will be its subjects and it will be governed by the eternal, spiritual laws of God (see Matthew 5, 6, 7), which will bring about the peace, happiness and joy this entire world so desperately longs for. When all of these aspects are understood in their true form one can begin to see why it is a message of good news or glad tidings! There is more to life than the here and now. Through the gospel we learn why we were born, what we are supposed to be doing and learning during our 70-80 year sojourn and where it is all heading. The message answers the most fundamental questions of life: what, where, when, why and how!
The gospel of Jesus Christ is simply the very same message He preached. Jesus sent forth His apostles starting in the first century and His true ministers to this very day to preach that same gospel to the world. He instructed, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen” (Matthew 28:19-20). Further mentioned in Matthew 24:14: “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.”
So we can see that the doctrine of the gospel is to be preached in the entire world just before the “end” and His second coming. It is also important to realize that this doctrine is to serve as a “witness,” which means the evidence is given, we have testified or given our testimony. It then becomes the responsibility of the hearer as to what is done with the pertinent facts. However, Jesus clearly demands for His message to be embraced: “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned” (Mark 16:15-16). To “believe,” of course, is to obey!
This is the message that is found throughout the gospel books and preached by the original apostles and later the proselytes that followed. Certainly, there have been numerous attempts to pervert the true message. False ministers have been misrepresenting the gospel for centuries and a curse is pronounced against them (Gal. 1:6-7). However, the Bible clearly shows there is only one true gospel. God’s true servants are proclaiming it still today.
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