The Gospel in Five Seconds

  [174 words] The gospel is the good news that Christ died for our sins (1 Corinthians 15:1-5). It is the total message of God’s power to save all who will hear, believe, and obey it (Romans 1:16). The gospel is contained in the second law God gave. “If the first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second” (Hebrews 8:7; cf. 8:8-13; 10:9). The gospel commands a second birth (John 3:3-8). The new birth involves obeying the commands the Spirit has given in the word, including baptism (1 Peter 1:22-23; 1 Corinthians 4:15; James 1:18-22). The gospel promises a second coming of Christ. He shall appear “the second time” (Hebrews 9:27-28; Mark 13:32; Acts 1:11; 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18). The gospel warns of a second death (Revelation 20:12-15). The second death involves the disobedient being cast into the lake that bums with fire and…