Note that in 1 Corinthians 15:1-8, the first four verses define the gospel. Christ's accomplishment, not ours, is the essence of the gospel. Above all, the gospel of Christ brings good news, rather than instruction about our behavior. It is so narrow that, according to the Bible, it is actually impossible to believe the gospel unless the hearer is first drawn to it by God (John 6:63-66). It is God's power through Christ and the Holy Spirit that is the gospel. The gospel of not about what we do, but our acts inevitably spring up and overflow in thanksgiving due to what Christ has done for us. That is exactly why the gospel should be presented honestly and with enough clarity for people to reject it. God willing, you might receive the blessings you want or more, but the gospel isn't about what God can do for you. The second four verses give an apologetic for the gospel. It is not taking the life of Jesus as a model way to live or transforming/redeeming the secular realm. The gospel does not change.
These verses, which were an early Christian confession, give us the heart of the gospel and show the that the resurrection is an integral part of the gospel. The true gospel is very narrow in delineating the way to pleasing God. As such, the gospel message is the same today as it was in Jesus' day. The true gospel, rather, is news about what Christ the Saviour, has already done for us (in his life, death and resurrection) rather than instruction and advice about what you are to do for God. Those who preach the gospel without an accompanying apologetic are not preaching the gospel biblically!
Therefore, if distorted by rejection of the truth that all God does for us in Christ is by grace alone through faith apart from works or by a denial of who Jesus is, then the “gospel” is a “different gospel, which is in fact, no gospel at all (Gal. These three "obey the gospel" passages need some further explanation. Indeed, these terms are sometimes used in English translations rather than the term obey.
The gospel is not behavior modification, becoming a better person or learning to become more moral. The stress is on the centrality of these truths to the gospel message.
Therefore to believe the gospel is not only to accept the awesome truths that 1) God is holy, 2) we are hopeless sinners, 3) Christ died and rose again for sinners, and 4) this great salvation is enjoyed by faith in Christ-but believing the gospel is also to treasure Jesus Christ as your unsearchable riches. They should accompany the gospel, and should not separated from the gospel and while God may use them to authenticate the gospel and make our proclamation of the gospel more fertile in hardened hearts yet they are not to be viewed as replacements for the gospel.
5. What makes the gospel Gospel is that it brings a person into the everlasting and ever-increasing joy of Jesus Christ.
6. Note that Paul described this as “of first importance”—a phrase that stresses priority, not time. Believing in the gospel is no guarantee that you'll get any of this stuff. Rather, it is something that God has done for us. This is our salvation via the medium of faith. In one sense, it isn't a message for everyone.
Did you notice the one characteristic of all of the above activities has nothing to do with what Christ has done for us, but all about what we do for him. It is also rooted in humanity's position before an unchanging and uncompromising God. Thus, a clear distinction should be made between gospel (that which we believe for our salvation) and law (that which explains what we are to do in response to our saving faith, as well as that which shows us the need for the gospel ala Romans 3:20).
1. No single English word really gets at the meaning of what is most often translated as "obey." But perhaps these passages are best understood as respect the gospel, welcome the gospel, accept the gospel, heed the gospel, believe the gospel, or hearken to the gospel. The gospel is rooted in specific, literal historical events. In other words, Paul tells us why it is true! This is significant. 1:7).”
Together with the 1 Corinthians passage above, Paul makes it clear in these passages that the gospel is not something that man does. These may all be good things but they are not to be confused with the gospel. It makes no sense for us to obey something that someone else has already accomplished for us. What the gospel is not: the gospel is not about increasing your self esteem or giving you self-improvement techniques. It is not living highly communal lives with others and sharing generously in communities who practice the way of Jesus in local culture.
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