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The Complete Word Study Dictionary states te definition of the gospel like this:
AMG's The Complete Word Study Dictionary wrote:G2098 εὐαγγέλιον
euaggélion; gen. euaggelíou, neut. noun from euággelos (n.f.), bringing good news, which is from eú (G2095), good, well, and aggéllō (n.f.), to proclaim, tell. Originally a reward for good news, later becoming good news. In the Sept.: 2Sa18:22, 2Sa18:25. In the NT, spoken only of the glad tidings of Christ and His salvation, the gospel. Found twice in Acts, once in Peter's epistles, once in the Book of the Revelation, but not found in Luke, nor in the epistles or Gospel of John Related to euaggelízō (G2097), to announce good news. Also from euággelos (n.f.): euaggelízō (G2097), to evangelize, proclaim the good news.
(I) In the books of the NT, particularly in the sense of glad tidings, except in the writings of Paul.
(A) The gospel of the kingdom of God (Mat4:23; Mat9:35; Mat24:14; Mar1:14). By implication (Mat26:13; Mar1:15; Mar13:10; Mar14:9; Rev14:6, "eternal gospel" [a.t. {cf. Luk2:10}]). See basileía (G932), kingdom. "Kingdom" must be interpreted in this context as the rule which God establishes in the hearts of men when Jesus Christ is received by faith. The gospel of the kingdom of heaven and the kingdom of God are one and the same thing (Mat19:23-24). It means first and primarily the rule of God in the human heart because of Christ (Luke17:20-21). It also refers to the kingdom in its future state during which the believers will reign with Christ forever (Rev22:1-5). In the above references, however, when it is the gospel of the kingdom of God or the eternal gospel, reference is to the invisible rule of Christ in the hearts of believers. By metonymy, it means annunciation of the gospel through Christ (Mar1:1), also the gospel of the grace of God as manifested in Christ (Act20:24).
(B) In respect to the coming and life of Jesus as the Messiah, gospel, glad tidings (Mar8:35; Mar10:29; Mar16:15; Acts15:7; 1Pe4:17). Later, euaggélion came to mean a history of Jesus' life such as we have in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
(II) In the writings of Paul, the gospel, that is:
(A) Generally the gospel plan of salvation, its doctrines, declarations, precepts, promises (Rom2:16, "according to the gospel which I preach" [a.t.]; Rom11:28; Rom16:25; 1Co9:14, 1Co9:18; 1Co15:1; 2Co4:3-4; 2Co9:13; 2Co10:14; Gal1:11, "the gospel which was preached by me" [a.t.]; Gal2:2, Gal2:5, Gal2:14; Eph1:13; Eph3:6; Eph6:19; Php1:5, Php1:7, Php1:17, Php1:27; Php2:22; Col1:5, Col1:23; 1Th1:5; 1Th2:4; 2Ti1:10; 2Ti2:8). The gospel of Christ made known by Him as its founder and chief cornerstone (Rom15:19, Rom15:29; 1Co9:12, 1Co9:18; Gal1:7; 1Th3:2; 2Th1:8). The gospel of God, of which God is the Author through Christ (Rom15:16; 2Co11:7; 1Th2:2, 1Th2:8-9; 1Ti1:11). By antithesis, héteron (G2087), another but different gospel, including other precepts (2Co11:4; Gal1:6).
(B) By metonymy, the gospel work, i.e., the preaching of the gospel, labor in the gospel (Rom1:1, Rom1:9, Rom1:16; 1Co4:15; 1Co9:14, 1Co9:23; 2Co2:12; 2Co8:18; Gal2:2, Gal2:7, "I was entrusted to preach the gospel to the Gentiles" [a.t.]; Eph6:15; Php1:12; Php4:3, Php4:15; 2Th2:14; 2Ti1:8; Phm1:13, "in bonds on account of labors in the gospel" [a.t.]). In Rom10:16, "all have not obeyed the preaching of the gospel" (a.t.), i.e., the gospel as preached.
Vines Expository Dictionary defines Gospel as this:
Vines Expository Dictionary wrote:
Gospel
A. Noun.
euangelion (G2098) originally denoted a reward for good tidings; later, the idea of reward dropped, and the word stood for "the good news" itself. The Eng. word "gospel," i.e. "good message," is the equivalent of euangelion (Eng., "evangel"). In the NT it denotes the "good tidings" of the kingdom of God and of salvation through Christ, to be received by faith, on the basis of His expiatory death, His burial, resurrection, and ascension, e.g., Acts15:7; Acts20:24; 1Pe4:17. Apart from those references and those in the gospels of Matthew and Mark, and Rev14:6, the noun is confined to Paul's epistles. The apostle uses it of two associated yet distinct things, (a) of the basic facts of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ, e.g., 1Co15:1-3; (b) of the interpretation of these facts, e.g., Rom2:16; Gal1:7, Gal1:11; Gal2:2; in (a) the "gospel" is viewed historically, in (b) doctrinally, with reference to the interpretation of the facts, as is sometimes indicated by the context.
The following phrases describe the subjects or nature or purport of the message; it is the "gospel" of God, Mar1:14; Rom1:1; Rom15:16; 2Co11:7; 1Th2:2, 1Th2:9; 1Pe4:17; God, concerning His Son, Rom1:1-3; His Son, Rom1:9; Jesus Christ, the Son of God, Mar1:1; our Lord Jesus, 2Th1:8; Christ, Rom15:19, etc.; the glory of Christ, 2Co4:4; the grace of God, Acts20:24; the glory of the blessed God, 1Ti1:11; your salvation, Eph1:13; peace, Eph6:15. Cf. also "the gospel of the Kingdom," Mat4:23; Mat9:35; Mat24:14; "an eternal gospel," Rev14:6.
In Gal2:14, "the truth of the gospel" denotes, not the true "gospel," but the true teaching of it, in contrast to perversions of it.
The following expressions are used in connection with the "gospel": (a) with regard to its testimony; (1) kerusso, "to preach it as a herald, e.g., Mat4:23; Gal2:2 (see PREACH); (2) laleo, "to speak," 1Th2:2; (3) diamarturomai, "to testify (thoroughly)," Acts20:24; (4) euangelizo, "to preach," e.g., 1Co15:1; 2Co11:7; Gal1:11 (see B, No. 1 below); (5) katangello, "to proclaim," 1Co9:14; (6) douleuo eis, "to serve unto" ("in furtherance of"), Phi2:22; (7) sunathleo en, "to labor with in," Phi4:3; (8) hierourgeo, "to minister," Rom15:16; (8) pleroo, "to preach fully," Rom15:19; (10) sunkakopatheo, "to suffer hardship with," 2Ti1:8; (b) with regard to its reception ol otherwise: (1) dechomai, "to receive," 2Co11:4; hupakouo, "to hearken to, or obey," Rom10:16; 2Th1:8; pisteuo en, "to believe in," Mar1:15; metastrepho, "to pervert," Gal1:7.
Note: In connection with (a), the apostle's statement in 1Co9:23 is noticeable, "I do all things for the Gospel's sake, that I may be a joint partaker thereof," RV, for the incorrect KJV, "that I might be partaker thereof with you."
B. Verbs.
1. euangelizo (G2097), "to bring or announce glad tidings" (Eng., "evangelize"), is used (a) in the active voice in Rev10:7 ("declared") and Rev14:6 ("to proclaim," RV, KJV, "to preach"); (b) in the passive voice, of matters to be proclaimed as "glad tidings," Luk16:16; Gal1:11; 1Pe1:25; of persons to whom the proclamation is made, Mat11:5; Luke7:22; Heb4:2, Heb4:6; 1Pe4:6; (c) in the middle voice, especially of the message of salvation, with a personal object, either of the person preached, e.g., Acts5:42; Acts11:20; Gal1:16, or, with a preposition, of the persons evangelized, e.g., Acts13:32, "declare glad tidings"; Rom1:15; Gal1:8; with an impersonal object, e.g., "the word," Acts8:4; "good tidings," Act8:12; "the word of the Lord," Acts15:35; "the gospel," 1Co15:1; 2Co11:7; "the faith," Gal1:23; "peace," Eph2:17; "the unsearchable riches of Christ, Eph3:8. See PREACH, SHEW, TIDINGS.
2. proeuangelizomai (G4283), "to announce glad tidings beforehand," is used in Gal3:8.
Note: For other verbs see above.
There is no mechanical one size fits all definition of the Gospel message of Christ. It can be condensed to salvation by by grace ... and from there, where does that lead other than the effect of God's power in our lives?
The gospel message produces personal testimonies in each of us that overcome the adversity, persecutions in life, grant us endurance, strength, power, and blessings to live as lights midst a dark world hell bent to live in darkness. Basically, the Gospel is God reaching into humanity to save the lost who do not even know they are lost, awakening them, and changing them by His power, not ours.
It is fantastic awesome news: we are not left alone spinning hopelessly around on this orb called earth with no direction or true purpose for even being. After we are all dead and gone, time will erase all memory of us to those alive on earth. All our plans, goals, dreams, hopes, trials, vanish with us. However, as Christians, we are not forgotten by God and he has a reward in heaven for us that will never fade. God grants and produces hope, faith, love when before there was none.
We have Resurrection unto life, beginning here on this earth and will last forever with Him... in that the gospel resurrects... think about it?
How has he resurrected some of you? In that, we will all discover that the power of the gospel is alive...
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