1 Corinthians 15:3-4 “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures”.
The transliteration for gospel is ‘euangelion’ which means ‘good news’. The word gospel isn’t found in the OT, but the phrase ‘good news’ can be found in numerous OT passages. Here’s a great explanation of it from RC Sproul —
“In ancient days when soldiers went out to battle, people waited breathlessly for a report from the battlefield about the outcome. Once the outcome was known, marathon runners dashed back to give the report. That is why Isaiah wrote, “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news” (Isa. 52:7). The watchman in the watchtower would look as far as the eye could see into the distance. Finally, he would see the dust moving as the runner sped back to the city to give the report of the battle. The watchmen were trained to tell by the way the runner’s legs were churning whether the news was good or bad. If the runner was doing the survival shuffle, it indicated a grim report, but if his legs were flying and the dust was kicking up, that meant good news. That is the concept of gospel in its most rudimentary sense.”
Oh beloved, we must test all things (1 Jn 4:1) to see if they match up with what sweet Jesus told us!
The Church’s explanation of what gospel sounds more like a prison sentence than it does good news! Ironically (or maybe not), even their communion resembles prison food…
Share the glorious news of what the word ‘gospel’ means with the Mormon you know!!!
With Love in Christ —
Michelle