What Is the Gospel of Christ?

Our Apostle Paul tells us the purpose and power of the gospel of Christ. In Romans 1:16 Paul tells us that the gospel of Christ is the power of salvation to everyone that believes, to the Jews first and then also to the Greek. Here, “Greek” means non-Jewish people, also known as Gentiles in the New Testament.

We see in Mark 1:1 where Mark introduces the gospel of Christ.

By studying both the Old Testament and the New Testament, and by rightly dividing the word of truth as instructed in II Timothy 2:15, we gain a more complete understanding of the gospel of Christ. While the central message of the gospel of Christ is the “good news” of salvation through Jesus Christ, our study will reveal the differences between the gospel of Christ preached to the Jews versus the gospel of Christ preached to the Gentiles.

In the Bible, a dispensation refers to a distinct period or administration in which God relates to humanity in a specific way, guided by particular responsibilities and revelations. The term comes from the Greek word oikonomia, meaning “stewardship” or “administration.”

The gospel of Christ includes two distinct periods: the dispensation of law, which applied to the Jews, and the dispensation of grace, designated for the Gentiles.

The Dispensation of Law begins with the biblical period of the giving of the Mosaic Law at Mount Sinai (Exodus 20) when Moses received the Ten Commandments. Paul explains in Romans 3:20 that the Law was given so Jews would understand what sin is: “for by the law is the knowledge of sin.”  In Romans 7:7 Paul writes “I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.”

While many may believe that the cross was the means by which the law was abolished for the Jews as well, because Paul in Colossians 2:14 writes “having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.” However, in this verse Paul was speaking to Gentiles only, and not to Jews.

In Matthew 5:17, Jesus Christ tells the Jewish audience that He has not come to abolish the law or the prophets. Then, in Matthew 5:18, He explains that not even the smallest part of the law will disappear until everything is accomplished and heaven and earth pass away.

Paul defines grace as the unmerited favor of God, bestowed as a free gift. In examining Paul’s life, one observes that God selected someone who was once His most fervent opponent and transformed him into a prime example of divine grace. In I Timothy 1:16 Paul says – “I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on Him to life everlasting.”

In Ephesians 3:2, Paul states he was entrusted with the dispensation of the grace of God.

Each dispensation of the gospel of Christ came with its own gospel (message of good news). The gospel of the kingdom, delivered to the Jews by John the Baptist, Jesus Christ, and Peter with the Eleven, proclaimed the fulfillment of prophecies and called for repentance and belief in the gospel (Mark 1:15). This message assured the Jewish people of a prophetic promise: an everlasting earthly kingdom.

The gospel of the grace of God preached to the Gentiles was one of new revelation given to our Apostle Paul by Jesus Christ. This gospel preached by Paul to the Gentiles, promised an eternal life in heaven when they, by faith, believed that Jesus Christ died for their sins according to the scriptures; and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the scriptures.

In Mark 1:1 Mark referenced “the gospel of Jesus Christ.”

In Mark 1:14-15 Mark tells us of Jesus Christ preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God and telling the Jews that the time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God is at hand, repent ye and believe the gospel.

The passages referenced above indicate the association of the gospel of Christ with the gospel of the kingdom. According to scripture, the Jewish people were promised a King who would assume the throne of David. In Luke 1:30-33, it is stated that this King would be named Jesus, identified as the Son of God. He would reign over the house of Jacob, and his kingdom would be everlasting.

Spoken Since the World Began – The gospel of the kingdom was prophesied and spoken of since the world began, as recorded in Matthew 25:34; Luke 1:67-70; Acts 3:19-21.

Following the rejection of the gift of the Holy Spirit by the nation of Israel, (marked by the stoning of Stephen), God chose the Apostle Paul to proclaim the gospel of the grace of God to the Gentiles.

In Galatians 1:11–12, Paul tells the Galatians “But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

In I Corinthians 2:7-8, Paul speaks of the hidden wisdom of God, telling us that if the rulers of this world had known God’s hidden wisdom—that He would offer the gospel of the grace of God—that they would not have crucified Jesus Christ.

The gospel of the grace of God is centered on the sacrificial death, burial, and resurrection for the forgiveness of sins, according to the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:3–4).

Hid In God Since the World Began – The gospel of the grace of God, contains the revelation of the mystery hidden in God since the world began. This mystery revealed through special revelation to Paul, includes the fellowship of the mystery, that the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel (Ephesians 3:2-6), and which was kept secret from the beginning of the world (Ephesians 3:9; Romans 16:25).

The fellowship of the mystery and the gospel of the grace of God was hid in God since the world began.

When we rightly divide the gospel of Christ, we very clearly see the dispensation of law and its gospel of the kingdom, and the dispensation of grace and its gospel of the grace of God. Likewise, we clearly see God’s plan and purpose for those saved under the prophetic program and its gospel of the kingdom, are to inherit the new earth—whereas God’s plan and purpose for we who are saved by our belief of the gospel of the grace of God, are to inherit the new heavens.

When we interpret the word of truth correctly (II Timothy 2:15), each verse of Scripture becomes easier to understand, and we gain greater insight into God’s plan and purpose for us. Rather than individuals seeking truth, we become children of God who know it. This certainty assures us of our eternal salvation and encourages us to share the gospel with others.