Comments on the gospel of God

 The Gospel of God / Romans 1:1

Pastor Jim Gray

Paul uses this phrase 6 times (Romans 1:1; 15:16; 1 Thessalonians 2:2, 8, 9; 1 Timothy 1:11). Mark (1:14) and Peter uses it once (1 Peter 4:7). This has two possible meanings, both related: First, it could mean God’s ownership, or second, the giving by God of the gospel. A survey of the expression as used in Scripture indicates that this is a generic term referring to any type of good news given by God. A survey of the term reveals:

• The preaching and message of John the Baptist (Mark 1:14), popularly called the gospel of the kingdom. It is identified as the Gospel of God.
• Paul connects the term with the gospel he was called and set aside for, which reached back to the promise of Jesus’ humanity and exaltation. (Romans 1:1-6). This promise was through the prophets, Old Testament scriptures and certainly refers back to the promise given to Abraham. 
• Ministering the gospel of God to Christ and to the Gentiles (Romans 15:16).
• Paul preached the gospel of God (1 Thessalonians 2:2, 9).
• God imparted the gospel of God to believers (1 Thessalonians 2:8).
• Peter uses the term (1 Peter 4:17) in the context of rejection of the gospel of God.

We can safely conclude that the term does not apply automatically to any particular gospel. It is a generic term. All gospels or aspects of the gospel can be said to the gospel of God. He is the origin and giver of good news in all dispensations. It can be said that the gospel of God is the core of any gospel. The common core is all the uses of the gospel of God is Jesus Christ—his person, work, and exaltation. Two vital things need to be understood as to the term.

• It does not rule out the fact that there can be different aspects or gospels under this general heading, such as the gospel of the kingdom; the gospel of grace; the gospel of peace, and others. All gospels are the gospel of God. He is their originator, communicator, and definer.
• Each Gospel of God is determined or identified by the context or modifiers. Gospels can have a different focus, forms, instructions, and limitations; but all are the Gospel of God and have a common core—Jesus Christ (cf. Mark 1:1; Rom. 15:19).

Dispensationally we could diagram the Gospel of God as:

GOSPEL OF GOD

TO ISRAEL                                  TO THE PRESENT CHURCH

Gospel of the Kingdom                          Gospel of Grace

 

 Both gospels are referred to as the gospel of God as are other gospels.