“Gospel” is a word meaning “good news”. The Bible defines it as good news about the Kingdom of God, and Jesus Christ. (Acts 8:12)

In essence it is the good news that forgiveness and salvation can be obtained through believing in Jesus Christ, and being baptised into him; and that believers will be rewarded with eternal life in a future age called the “Kingdom of God”.

The Kingdom of God will be a wonderful time of God’s righteous rule with justice for all including the poor (read Psalm 72!)

The word gospel is used in the New Testament to summarise the message of hope which the Apostles taught.

In his love, God sent the man Jesus into the world to save men from their failure to live up to God’s ideals and the problems of suffering and death and show His amazing character to all. Jesus is the promised Jewish Messiah, in whom many Old Testament prophecies and promises find their fulfilment. (Matthew 1:21; 5:17; John 3:16) 

Jesus Christ was born to a woman called Mary and inherited human nature from his mother, but was also the Son of God, conceived by God's miraculous power. (Luke 1:30-35)

We all need to understand that failing to live up to God’s standard of character is sin and this is our problem that leads to death.

Although  tempted, Jesus  was perfect, and was therefore a perfect representative sacrifice to  save humankind from the cycle of sin and death. God raised Jesus from death and gave him immortality, and he ascended to heaven, God's dwelling place (Acts 10:38-43; 2:22-36). 

His death was a statement about God's righteousness in condemning human sin, and his resurrection is God's promise of life to those who believe in him. (Romans 3:21-26) 

The Bible promises that one day Jesus will return to reign as king of the world. (Acts 1:11).

He will return to the earth in person to set up the Kingdom of God in fulfilment of the promises made to Abraham and David. This is the focal point of the gospel taught by Jesus and the apostles and gives us hope to look forward to a time of justice for all.

Baptism is simple but profound, and is essential for salvation. An adult who understands the gospel is immersed in water, signifying a “death”, and a rising to a new life following Jesus’ example.

Baptism is a symbolic act where a person is acknowledging they actually deserved the death Jesus suffered on account of their sins, but on the positive side, they want to change and live a new life like him from this point. (Romans 6)

God gives recognition to this act and on account of it will forgive sins and provide salvation.

Jesus himself was baptised, and requires his followers to do the same (Matthew 3:13-17).  This act of baptism, followed by a life of discipleship, gives believers a hope of eternal life in the Kingdom of God (Mark 16:15-16)

Following baptism, a believer must endeavour to obey the teaching of Christ and the apostles by developing Christ-like characteristics and lifestyle. (1Timothy 4:16, 5:5)

Baptised believers enjoy regular eating of bread and drinking of wine in memory of Christ's life & sacrifice, which gives them hope & inspiration in life (Acts 2:42-47). We remember this weekly on Sunday mornings.

Personal meditation on their own lives and Christ’s life helps them to continually reassess their aspirations and endeavours of becoming more like Jesus Christ themselves.

They also gather regularly to pray, read and in the middle of the week to study the Bible together as well as to give gospel presentations to others. Believers enjoy a community of like-minded people who care for each other.

Salvation is the gift of God given to anyone who follows the way of life God outlines in the Bible, which begins with baptism.  (Romans 1:16)

Salvation is about being saved – from what? From death which is the result of temptation and sin. The gift of salvation includes resurrection (of those already dead when Christ returns), forgiveness of sins,  being freed from further temptation and sin and eternal life in God’s kingdom, free from sorrow and suffering. (Romans 5:10, 6:23)

Ultimately salvation means sharing in the future time described in the Bible as the “kingdom of God” (Revelation 12:10)

Jesus Christ will return from heaven to earth to establish the Kingdom of God. “Then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.” (Luke 21:27)

Before Jesus Christ’s birth when the descendants of faithful Abraham had become a nation, these people of Israel were the kingdom of God on earth. The people and the land of Israel were destined for a unique work. They failed to live in accordance with God’s ways however and their status was temporarily suspended. After centuries of dispersion and suffering, the people of Israel have returned to their land, yet they do not believe in the gospel. (Ezekiel 38:8)

Bible prophecy outlines how Israel will suffer a final invasion which will cause them to finally turn to Jesus Christ for help, and finally Israel will be God’s land and God’s people.

At this time of invasion Jesus Christ will return from heaven, raise the dead, judge those responsible and give immortality and perfection of character to people who responded to the gospel message (Romans 2:6-8, Revelation 22:21)

Jesus Christ will then overturn the invasion and prevent the destruction of the nation of Israel. Christ will then reign for 1000 years with the assistance of the immortal saints, establishing peace and goodness, a new world order and a new civilisation with justice for all (Psalm 72, Revelation 20:4)