"What is the Gospel?" | by Warren Wiersbe

Warren Wiersbe

As a well-known and trusted Bible theologian and scholar, and former pastor of Moody Memorial Church in Chicago, Warren Wiersbe is well-qualified to answer questions about the gospel. Let's see what he has to say about this most important issue. Commenting on the gospel in 1 Corinthians 15, Wiersbe writes:

"We should test everything by the truth of the Gospel. What is the Gospel? Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures. He was buried and rose again the third day according to the Scriptures. He was seen alive by many witnesses. If you believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, you will be saved. (See I Corinthians 15.)"¹

"The good news of the Gospel is the good news about Jesus Christ, '...that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He was seen...' (1 Cor. 15:3-5)."²

"The gospel is the most important message that the church ever proclaims. While it is good to be involved in social action and the betterment of mankind, there is no reason why these ministries should preempt the gospel. 'Christ died...he was buried...he rose again...he was seen' are the basic historical facts on which the gospel stands (1 Cor. 15:3-5). 'Christ died for our sins' is the theological explanation of the historical facts. Many people were crucified by the Romans, but only one 'victim' ever died for the sins of the world."³

"The burial of Jesus Christ is as much a part of the gospel as is His death (1 Cor. 15:1-5), for the burial is proof that He actually died."⁴

"What gives us our firm footing? The gospel of Jesus Christ. (See 1 Cor. 15:1-5; Rom. 5:1-2; Gal. 5:1.)"⁵

ENDNOTES:

¹ Warren Wiersbe, "SANCTIFIED BY CORRECTION" (accessed November 9, 2011).

² Wiersbe, "J is for Jesus Part 1," (accessed November 12, 2011).

³ Wiersbe, Be Wise (1 Corinthians), p. 164.

⁴ Wiersbe, Be Comforted (Isaiah), p. 162.

⁵ Wiersbe, A Gallery of Grace, p. 123.