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The Gospel in plain words

Gospel means good news. Here it is, as plainly as we can say it, with the Scriptures that say it better than we can.

  1. 1.God made the world good, and made us to know Him

    The Bible opens with a good creation and people made in God's image, meant to live in friendship with Him.

    In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
    Genesis 1:1 New International Version (NIV)

  2. 2.We turned away, and everything fractured

    Every person has chosen their own way over God's. Scripture calls this sin, and it separates us from God and brings death.

    23for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
    Romans 3:23-24 New International Version (NIV)

  3. 3.God did not abandon us; He came Himself

    The eternal Son became human in Jesus of Nazareth. He lived the life we have not lived and showed us what God is like.

    The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
    John 1:14 New International Version (NIV)

  4. 4.Jesus died in our place

    On the cross Jesus bore our sin and its penalty. This was not an accident; it was the plan the prophets had described.

    But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
    Romans 5:8 New International Version (NIV)

  5. 5.Jesus rose from the dead

    On the third day God raised Him bodily. The tomb was empty, and He was seen by many. Death is defeated.

    3For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. 6After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep.
    1 Corinthians 15:3-6 New International Version (NIV)

  6. 6.Salvation is a gift received by faith

    We cannot earn it. We turn from our own way (repentance), trust Jesus as Savior and Lord (faith), and receive forgiveness and new life.

    8For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9not by works, so that no one can boast.
    Ephesians 2:8-9 New International Version (NIV)

How to respond

There is no formula, and no words are magic. Responding to Jesus means honestly turning to Him and trusting Him. Many people find it helps to say it out loud. A prayer like this one, in your own words, is a real beginning:

God, I have gone my own way and I need You. Thank You that Jesus died for my sins and rose again. I turn from my sin and trust Him as my Savior and Lord. Please forgive me, make me new, and help me follow You. Amen.

This is a suggested prayer written by FaithGraph, not a quotation from Scripture.

Next steps

  • Read the Gospel of John. Start with the book overview.
  • Find a church that teaches the Bible and tells people about Jesus, and go this week.
  • Tell someone what you have decided. Faith grows in the open.
  • Keep walking the Journey and follow the evidence in Connections.

FaithGraph is a website, not a church, a pastor, or a counselor. If you are in crisis, please reach out to someone near you now. In the United States you can call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.