The Gospel of God, the Gospel of Christ

Paul calls the good news two things: the “gospel of God” and the “gospel of Christ.” Now that is not two gospels, child of God; it is one saving message. But look closely at how Paul frames it, because it tells you something about who Jesus is.

“…separated unto the gospel of God, … concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord…” (Romans 1:1–3, KJV)

The gospel of God is about His Son. Now think it through: if Jesus were simply the Father, the gospel would be God’s message about Himself as His own Son, which makes no sense. The gospel shows you a Father who sends and a Son who is sent. “God sent forth his Son” (Galatians 4:4); “the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world” (1 John 4:14); and Jesus prayed to “thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent” (John 17:3). Sender and sent, that is two Persons, one God.

One gospel, one God, the Son who is God

And Paul says it plainly: “to us there is but one God, the Father… and one Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 8:6). At the Jordan you see it whole: the Son in the water, the Spirit descending, the Father’s voice from heaven (Mark 1:9–11). And there is “one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5): a mediator stands between two parties, so the Son cannot be the Father. This is the gospel of God and of Christ: the Father gave His Son; the Son, who is God, gave Himself; and there is no way to the Father but through Him: “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). One gospel. One God. The Son who is God, and not the Father. Glory to God.

Related Teaching

• The Gospel Is Not an American Gospel
• Scripture Supports the Doctrine of the Trinity
• Blinded Minds: Why the Gospel Is Veiled