From our study of the early Church and the letters of Paul, James and Peter, it should now be clear what is meant by the Gospel or Good News of Jesus Christ. The Gospel is proclaimed in the kerygma. It is the Good News of the fulfillment of God's promises to his people through Jesus Christ. It is the proclamation that because of who Jesus Christ is and what he has done, God offers the human race liberation from the power of sin and evil, forgiveness of sin, the opportunity of spiritual rebirth, the gift of eternal life and reconciliation with him. The Gospel proclaims that the spiritual transformation of human life can begin here and now (John 3:5) but continues to a wonderful fulfillment beyond this present life (1 Corinthians 15, 1 Peter 1:4). The Gospel assures us of God's final and absolute victory over evil and the return in glory of Jesus Christ. Briefly, the Gospel is the announcement of the Good News of salvation for mankind and the manifestation of the rule of God in the world, in Jesus Christ.

The modem English word 'gospel' comes from two old English words 'god spel', meaning 'good news', which were used to translate the Greek word euangelion. Originally euangelion meant 'the reward given to a messenger who brought good news'. In the Greek translation of the Old Testament is used in this way in 2 SarnueI4:1O, which describes how the messenger who brought the news of Saul's death to David did not receive the reward which he expected because it was not good news for David, but bad news. The meaning of euangelion then changed to mean 'the good news itself. The verb connected with euangelion is used in the Greek translation of Isaiah 40:9 and 52:7. 'Jerusalem, go up on a high mountain and proclaim the good news ... that their God is coming!' 'How wonderful it is to see a messenger coming across the mountains, bringing good news, the news of peace!' This prepares us for the use of euangelion in the New Testament where the word is found seventy-two times. Paul use's it fifty-four times, sometimes speaking of the Good News from God, or sent by God, or of God, at other times referring to the Good News of Jesus Christ. Paul gives various descriptions to the Good News which he preaches. It is the Good News of the Risen Christ (1 Corinthians 15), of truth (Galatians 2:5), of hope (Colossians 1:23), of peace (Ephesians 6: 15), of God's promise (Ephesians 3:6), of the ending of the power of death (2 Timothy 1: 10). The Good News is revelation from God (Galatians 1:11, 12) which Paul is 'under orders' from God to proclaim (1 Corinthians 9: 16) and for which he gives up everything (1 Corinthians 9: 19-23).

We should note that the English word 'evangelist' comes from euangelion, and means someone who preaches the Good News.

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