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The Message We Carry
Missions and Evangelism · Doctrinal study

The Message We Carry

What the Gospel is, what it is not, and how you can receive it today.

Why It Matters

The Best News You Will Ever Hear

Almost everyone has heard the word Gospel. Far fewer can say what it means.

People use the word for a style of music and for almost any good idea about God. Churches sometimes use it for whatever they happen to be doing. But the word has a plain meaning. Gospel means good news. And news is not advice. Advice tells you what you should do. News tells you what has happened.

Here is what has happened. God's Son came into the world, died on a cross for our sins, was buried, and rose from the dead on the third day. Everyone who turns to Him and trusts Him alone is forgiven and has eternal life. That is the message. Nothing anyone ever tells you will matter more.

We believe salvation is God's free gift, received by repentance and faith in Jesus Christ alone. It is not earned by good works, and it is not given through any religious act. A message that saves has to be carried with care. If you change it, it no longer saves anyone.

DefinitionThe Gospel

The good news that Jesus Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again the third day, so that everyone who trusts Him alone is forgiven and has eternal life, as a free gift from God.

Two Kinds of Readers

If you already know Christ, this study will help you carry His message clearly. If you are not sure that you do, this study is for you more than anyone. Please read to the end. The last section is written to you.

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By Grace Through Faith

Salvation is the free gift of God, received by repentance and faith in Jesus Christ alone, not earned by works or conveyed by sacraments.

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