The Gospel
The word "gospel" means "good news". It is the good news about Jesus Christ and His saving work on the cross. It can be summarized in the following four statements…
God
Our motto is "We Preach Christ". God is the only self-existing, creator and sustainer of all things. As such, like a potter with his clay, God has complete rights and authority over what He has created. In addition, He is holy, righteous and just in all His ways. This means, not only is there no sin or wickedness in Him, but that He will also judge all sin and wickedness.
Jd. 25; Ac. 17:24-25; Col. 1:17; Rom. 9:20-21; Is. 6:3; Ps. 145:17; Prov. 11:1; 1 Jn. 1:5; Ecc. 12:14; Mt. 16:27; Ac. 17:31; Rev. 22:12
Man
Man was created by God and for God. We were created in His image and without sin. Adam, our representative, disobeyed God by eating the fruit of the Tree of Good and Evil and all of creation was then plunged into sin, bringing suffering and death. Another consequence of this tragedy is that every person (other than Christ) is born a sinner. We are sinners by nature and by choice and because of this, though God's nature and power are on display in His creation for all to see, we suppress the truth and refuse to thank Him or honor Him as God. On our own, Scripture is clear that we are alienated, hostile in mind and doing evil deeds. We have sinned against God and therefore deserve His just wrath.
Gen. 1:26; Col. 1:16; Gen. 1:27, 31; 3:6; Rom. 5:12; Gen. 3:17-19; Rom. 8:20; Ps. 51:5; Gen. 6:5; Rom. 3:10-18; Rom. 1:19-21; Col. 1:21; Rom. 3:23; Jn. 3:36
Christ
Though we've rebelled against God, He loves us and has sent His son, Jesus. Jesus is God who became a man. He lived a perfect life, always obeying the will of His Father. He then willingly took the place of sinners on the cross as a substitute. The wrath that we deserved was poured out on Him by the Father. He died, was buried, and rose again on the third day showing that debt of sin had been completely paid.
Jn. 3:16; Phil. 2:5-8; Heb. 4:15; Jn. 15:10; Is. 53:4-6; 1 Pet. 2:24; 2 Cor. 5:21; 1 Cor. 15:3-4, 17
Response
In order to receive forgiveness, escape God’s wrath and be reconciled to Him, you must turn from your sin and trust wholeheartedly in Christ. This is salvation, and it is a free gift. It cannot be earned through any good works of our own, nor can we add any merit to what Christ has already accomplished. We are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.
Mt. 3:2; Mk. 1:15; Jn. 3:16; Jn. 20:31; Acts 2:38, 41; Acts 3:19; Rom. 6:23; Eph. 2:8; Rom. 3:20; Gal. 2:16; Eph. 2:9; Phil. 3:7-9