Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God and saying, “The time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent and believe in the gospel.”
Mark 1:14-15 ESV
Once again, we find the word Gospel here as a continuation of a message bringing the hearers Good news of victory. Mark identifies firstly the message as the beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God; a message about Jesus. Now we learn Jesus continues the message identifying it as the “Gospel of God”.
The phrase ‘gospel of God’ does not change who the message is about but rather who the message is from. Simply stated the Gospel of God is the message of God’s promise fulfilled.
When the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. Galatians 4:4
Jesus announces “the time is fulfilled and the Kingdom of God is at hand”. As Jesus begins to go about teaching and preaching His message, we learn it was a message with a new and living way. It was new wine not to be put into old wine skins. It was a message with power and authority not seen before. We learn this message upset the status quo in religious and political arenas. We learn that Jesus’ message required “repentance and believing” to enter into this new Kingdom. And, we learn that while it was received by multitudes, it was continually resisted.
The Apostle Paul enlarges the “gospel of God” in his letter to Rome. From Chapter one, where Paul declares he has been set apart for “the gospel of God” and continues in verse two ~
which He (God) promised beforehand through His prophets in the holy Scriptures, 3 concerning His Son, who was born of a descendant of David according to the flesh, 4 who was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, according to the Spirit of holiness, Jesus Christ our Lord, 5 through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for His name’s sake,
The Apostle Paul emphasizes this message has its foundation from the beginning of time. This message originated with God (Genesis 3:15) The prophets through the ages decreed it and then wrote it down. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. Faithful men and women believed it and watched for it. Luke 2:25-38. Now, we have been given a more sure word of prophecy in the fulfilment of God sending his son.
Jesus appeared in the fullness of time and his message still held a need for repentance. Jesus preached, ‘Repent and believe in the gospel,' still being required to enter into this new Kingdom. To those who believe he gave power to become the sons of God.
Now, with lives impacted and changed, we have been given stewardship of THIS message. May we be found faithful stewards over His message.
That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome. I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes……” Romans 1: 15-16