The gospel is the good news about the death and resurrection of Jesus for the salvation of God’s people. In Scripture, the word gospel is sometimes used to refer to the historical fulfillment of the Old Testament promises and sometimes to the proclamation of that message in the New Testament.

The word gospel (Greek euangelion) means “good news” or “good tidings.” It is the good news that is the solution to the bad news that all people are unrighteous and are under the wrath and curse of God.

Think of why good news is good news. It’s good because it’s no longer bad. If I had an incurable disease and all of the sudden I was healed, the bad news is that I had an incurable disease, the good news is that I am healed.

God first announced the gospel to Adam and Eve in the garden after their disobedience. Theologians have rightly referred to Genesis 3:15 as the protoevangelium (the first preaching of the gospel), the beginning of the covenant of grace in time. After Adam broke the covenant of works, God promised to send a Redeemer who would conquer the one who conquered man, the devil himself. The proclamation of redemption was based on the eternal decree of God wherein from all eternity He purposed to send Christ to save His people.

The gospel stands in contrast to every attempt of men to establish their righteousness before God on the basis of their effort or law-keeping. The law requires works. The gospel requires faith.

The gospel is called the 'good news' because it addresses the most serious problem that you and I have as human beings, and that problem is simply this: God is holy and He is just, and I'm not. And at the end of my life, I'm going to stand before a just and holy God, and I'll be judged. And I'll be judged either on the basis of my own righteousness–or lack of it–or the righteousness of another. The good news of the gospel is that Jesus lived a life of perfect righteousness, of perfect obedience to God, not for His own well being but for His people. He has done for me what I couldn't possibly do for myself. But not only has He lived that life of perfect obedience, He offered Himself as a perfect sacrifice to satisfy the justice and the righteousness of God.

So, we can be justified in the eyes of God, not by our works or efforts but by the finished work of Christ. And if we believe in Christ, when we stand before the judge, God will declare us righteous.

That is good news