what is the gospel?

The Quest for Salvation

If you could ask God one question to make sure your life was headed in the right direction, what would it be?


For generations, people have asked questions like:

  • What is the purpose of life?

  • What gives life real meaning?

The Bible teaches that only God can truly satisfy us. In Isaiah 43:6–7, God says He created us for His glory — to know Him and find joy in Him. We were made for relationship with Him.

“Everyone who is called by My name, whom I created for My glory.” — Isaiah 43:7


God’s Plan



From the very beginning, God designed humanity for relationship with Him and to rule over His creation.


“So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” — Genesis 1:27


God gave Adam and Eve everything they needed:

  • Acceptance: They were unashamed because they reflected His image (Genesis 2:7).

  • Security: God provided their every need, including food (Genesis 1:29-31).

  • Significance: He gave them purpose — to be fruitful, multiply, and care for the earth (Genesis 1:28).

Man’s Problem


Sin broke our relationship with God. When Adam and Eve disobeyed God, sin entered the world (Genesis 2:15-3:19), and every person since has been affected.


“All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the LORD laid on him the sins of us all.” — Isaiah 53:6


“For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.” — Romans 3:23


Because of sin:

  • We feel shame and try to cover it (Genesis 3:7)

  • We hide from God (Genesis 3:8)

  • We lose understanding and live apart from Him (Genesis 3:9)

Sin separates us from God (Isaiah 59:2) and leads to death — spiritual separation from the One who gives life (Romans 6:23a).


Many try to fix this by doing good deeds or being religious, but no one can earn salvation. The Bible says,


“By the works of the law no one will be justified.” — Romans 3:20


God’s Solution


Because God loves us, He made a way to restore our broken relationship.


“For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” — John 3:16


Jesus Christ — fully God and fully man — came to reveal the Father’s love, live a sinless life, and die for our sins.

  • Romans 5:8: “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

  • John 14:6: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

Through Jesus’ death and resurrection, God offers forgiveness and eternal life. Salvation isn’t earned; it’s a gift (Romans 6:23b).
When we believe in Jesus, God gives us His Spirit, confirming that we belong to Him (1 John 5:9–11).

Knowing and walking with God brings lasting blessings:

  • Peace and purpose — Romans 8:6, 28

  • Strength and fulfillment — Philippians 4:13, 19

  • Freedom — John 8:32, 36

Our Response


The Gospel invites a personal response from each of us.


First, admit your sin and ask for forgiveness.


“Only acknowledge your iniquity… and return to the Lord.” — Jeremiah 3:13–14


Two, believe that Jesus died for you and rose again.


“While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” — Romans 5:8
“Repent and believe in the gospel.” — Mark 1:15


Three, confess Jesus as Lord and Savior.


“If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” — Romans 10:9


Salvation is not something we achieve — it’s something we receive.


“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith… it is the gift of God—not by works.” — Ephesians 2:8–9


The Good News


The Gospel means “good news.” It’s the news that God loves you, sent His Son to save you, and invites you into a new life of peace and purpose.


Through Jesus Christ, you can be forgiven, restored, and made new.


“If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new is here!” — 2 Corinthians 5:17


Want to learn more? 


Please call (216) 397-3392, so we can connect you with someone from our Ministry Team who can provide additional resources and answer any questions you may have. 

The Quest for Salvation


If you could ask God one question to make sure your life was headed in the right direction, what would it be?


For centuries, humanity has wrestled with questions like:

  • What is the purpose of life?
  • What gives life real meaning?

The Bible reveals that only God can fully satisfy and complete us. In Isaiah 43:6–7, God declares that He created us for His glory — to know Him and find joy in Him. Our ultimate purpose is not merely to exist, but to live in relationship with our Creator.


God’s Plan


From the very beginning, God designed humanity for relationship with Himself and to rule over creation under His authority.

  • Genesis 1:27 teaches that we were made in God’s image — a reflection of His character.

  • Genesis 2:7 shows that God personally gave us life by breathing His Spirit into us.

  • Genesis 1:31 affirms that all God made was good.

God also provided for humanity in three essential ways:

  1. Acceptance: Adam and Eve lived without shame, secure in who they were because they reflected God’s image.
  2. Security: God supplied their every need, including food and fellowship.
  3. Significance: God gave them purpose — to be fruitful, multiply, and care for the earth (Genesis 1:28; 2:15).

Yet, instead of finding fulfillment in God, we often chase meaning through pleasure, possessions, or power — pursuits that never truly satisfy.


Man’s Problem


Sin broke the relationship between God and humanity. When Adam and Eve disobeyed God (Genesis 3:6), sin entered the world and affected everyone after them.


The Bible says, 


“All of us, like sheep, have gone astray…” — Isaiah 53:6


“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” — Romans 3:23


Because of sin:

  • We feel shame and try to cover it (Genesis 3:7)

  • We hide from God (Genesis 3:8)

  • We lose understanding and try to live apart from Him (Genesis 3:9)

Sin separates us from God (Isaiah 59:2) and leads to death — not just physical death, but spiritual separation (Romans 6:23a).


Even when we try to earn God’s favor through good deeds or religion, it’s never enough. Salvation can’t be achieved by effort or sincerity alone. As Romans 3:20 reminds us, “Through the law comes the knowledge of sin.”


God’s Solution


Because God loves us, He made a way to restore the broken relationship.


“For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” — John 3:16


Jesus Christ, God’s Son, came to earth to reveal the Father’s love, live a sinless life, and die in our place.

  • Romans 5:8: “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

  • John 14:6: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”


Through Jesus’ death and resurrection, God offers forgiveness and new life. Salvation is not earned — it is a gift (Romans 6:23b). When we believe in Jesus, God places His Spirit within us to assure us that we belong to Him (1 John 5:9–11).


Living in relationship with God brings blessing:

  • A clear conscience (Romans 8:1)

  • Peace and purpose (Romans 8:6, 28)

  • Strength and fulfillment (Philippians 4:13, 19)

  • Freedom (John 8:32, 36)


Our Response


The Gospel calls for a personal response.


To receive God’s gift of salvation:

  1.  Admit your sin and ask for forgiveness. 
    “Only acknowledge your iniquity… and return to the Lord.” — Jeremiah 3:13–14
  2. Believe in Jesus Christ.
    "    While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” — Romans 5:8; 
    “Repent and believe in the gospel.” — Mark 1:15
  3. Confess Him as Lord and Savior. 
    “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” — Romans 10:9

Salvation is a gift of grace — received by faith, not by works.


“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith… it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast.” — Ephesians 2:8–9


Conclusion


The Gospel — the “good news” — is that God loves you and desires a relationship with you.
Through Jesus Christ, He offers forgiveness, new life, and eternal hope.


Our part is simply to believe, receive His gift, and begin walking with Him each day.


Want to learn more? 


Please call (216) 397-3392, so we can connect you with someone from our Ministry Team who can provide additional resources and answer any questions you may have.