The Gospel of Jesus Christ

"Gospel" means "Good News"

"Gospel" means "Good News". A gospel presents the Good News that Jesus Christ has made salvation available to all people, not just Jews.

	The Gospel According to Isaiah	700 B.C.

Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

Immanuel means "God with us." It is important to remember that Israelite names were descriptive phrases. It was not unusual for a person to have several names, e.g. (1) Saul and Paul, (2) Peter, Simon and Cephas.

Isaiah 9:6-7 [NIV] [6] For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. [New American Bible: upon his shoulder dominion rests] And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. [7] Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.

Isaiah 11:2-5 [2] The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him-- the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD-- [3] and he will delight in the fear of the LORD. He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with his ears; [4] but with righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth; with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked. [5] Righteousness will be his belt and faithfulness the sash around his waist.

Isaiah 52:13 through 53:12 is called the "suffering servant" passage.

Isaiah 52:13-15 [13] See, my servant will act wisely; he will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted. [14] Just as there were many who were appalled at him -- his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any man and his form marred beyond human likeness -- [15] so will he sprinkle many nations, and kings will shut their mouths because of him. For what they were not told, they will see, and what they have not heard, they will understand.

Isaiah 53:1-12 [1] Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? [2] He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. [3] He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. [4] Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. [5] But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. [6] We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. [7] He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. [8] By oppression and judgment he was taken away. And who can speak of his descendants? For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was stricken. [9] He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth. [10] Yet it was the LORD's will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the LORD makes his life a guilt offering, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand. [11] After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities. [12] Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

Isaiah 61:1-2 [1] The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, [2] to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn

Friend, that is the gospel, just as clear and certain as Matthew, Mark, Luke and John!

IN CASE YOU HAVEN'T HEARD THE GOOD NEWS . . .

GOD HAS AN ETERNAL SON.

Proverbs 30:4 [NKJV] Who has ascended into heaven, or descended? Who has gathered the wind in His fists? Who has bound the waters in a garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name, and what is His Son's name, if you know?

HIS SON CAME TO EARTH.
HE WAS BORN AS A HUMAN MALE.

Isaiah 9:6-7 [6] For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. [7] Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. ... 700 B.C. (cf. Mark 1:1; John 1:1-3, 14)

HE WAS BORN OF A VIRGIN.

Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. 700 B.C. (cf. Matthew 1:20-23)

HE WAS FROM THE HOUSE OF JUDAH.

Isaiah 37:31 Once more a remnant of the house of Judah will take root below and bear fruit above. 700 B.C. (cf. Matthew 1:1-2, 16)

HE WAS FROM THE ROOT AND STUMP OF JESSE.

Isaiah 11:10 In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his place of rest will be glorious. 700 B.C.

Isaiah 11:1 A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. 700 B.C. (cf. Romans 15:12; Matthew 1:1-2a, 5-6, 16)

HE WAS FROM THE HOUSE OF DAVID.

Isaiah 16:5 In love a throne will be established; in faithfulness a man will sit on it--one from the house of David--one who in judging seeks justice and speeds the cause of righteousness. 700 B.C. (cf. Matthew 1:1-2A, 6, 16)

HE WAS BORN IN BETHLEHEM EPHRATHAH.

Micah 5:2 But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times. 700 B.C. (cf. Matthew 2:1)

HE WAS FROM NAZARETH OF GALILEE.

Isaiah 9:1-2 [1] Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the Gentiles, by the way of the sea, along the Jordan -- [2] The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. 700 B.C. (cf. Matthew 2:22-23; 4:13-16)

HIS BIRTH TRIGGERED A MASSACRE OF INFANT BOYS.

Jeremiah 31:15 This is what the LORD says: "A voice is heard in Ramah, mourning and great weeping, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because her children are no more." 625 B.C. (cf. Matthew 2:16-18)

HE CAME OUT OF EGYPT.

Hosea 11:1 When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. 725 B.C. (cf. Matthew 2:14-15)

HE BROUGHT SALVATION TO THE GENTILES.

Isaiah 49:6 he [the Lord] says: "It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth." 700 B.C.

Isaiah 42:1-4, 6 [1] "Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him and he will bring justice to the nations. [2] He will not shout or cry out, or raise his voice in the streets. [3] A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice; [4] he will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth. In his law the islands will put their hope." [6] "I, the LORD, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, 700 B.C. (cf. Matthew 12:14-21)

Note that in Biblical usage the Gentiles are often referred to as "the nations."

HIS MINISTRY INCLUDED MIRACULOUS HEALINGS.

Isaiah 29:18 In that day the deaf will hear the words of the scroll, and out of gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind will see. 700 B.C.

Isaiah 35:5-6a [5] Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. [6a] Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy. 700 B.C. (cf. Luke 7:20-22)

HIS MINISTRY DELIVERED SPIRITUAL CAPTIVES.

HE WAS DESPISED AND REJECTED BY MEN.

Isaiah 53:3 He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. 700 B.C. (See the Crucifixion narratives in all four Gospels.)

HE WAS HATED WITHOUT CAUSE.

Psalm 69:4 Those who hate me without reason outnumber the hairs of my head; many are my enemies without cause, those who seek to destroy me. I am forced to restore what I did not steal. 1000 B.C.

Isaiah 49:7 This is what the LORD says-- the Redeemer and Holy One of Israel-- to him who was despised and abhorred by the nation, to the servant of rulers: "Kings will see you and rise up, princes will see and bow down, because of the LORD, who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you." 700 B.C. (cf. John 7:48-49; 15:24-25)

HE WAS REJECTED BY RULERS.

Psalm 118:22-23 The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone [cornerstone of a building]; [23] the LORD has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes. before 400 B.C. (cf. Matthew 21:42; John 7:48-49)

HE WAS REJECTED BY HIS OWN BROTHERS.

Psalms 69:8 I am a stranger to my brothers, an alien to my own mother's sons 1000 B.C. (cf. Mark 3:20-21; John 7:1-5)

HE WAS BETRAYED FOR 30 PIECES OF SILVER.

Zechariah 11:12 I told them, "If you think it best, give me my pay; but if not, keep it." So they paid me thirty pieces of silver. 500 B.C. (cf. Matthew 26:14-15)

THE SILVER WAS RETURNED.
THEN IT WAS USED TO BUY POTTER'S FIELD.

Zechariah 11:12-13 [12] I told them, "If you think it best, give me my pay; but if not, keep it." So they paid me thirty pieces of silver. [13] And the LORD said to me, "Throw it to the potter"--the handsome price at which they priced me! So I took the thirty pieces of silver and threw them into the house of the LORD to the potter. 500 B.C. (cf. Matthew 27:3-10)

HIS DISCIPLES SCATTERED.

Zechariah 13:7 "Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, against the man who is close to me!" declares the LORD Almighty. "Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered, and I will turn my hand against the little ones." 500 B.C. (cf. Matthew 26:31)

HE WAS BEATEN WITH A ROD.

Micah 5:1 Marshal your troops, O city of troops, for a siege is laid against us. They will strike Israel's ruler on the cheek with a rod. 700 B.C. (cf. Mark 15:19)

HE WAS GIVEN VINEGAR AND GALL TO DRINK.

Psalm 69:21 They put gall in my food and gave me vinegar for my thirst. 1000 B.C. (cf. Matthew 27:34, 48)

HIS HANDS AND FEET WERE NAILED.

Psalm 22:16 Dogs have surrounded me; a band of evil men has encircled me, they have pierced my hands and my feet. 1000 B.C. (cf. John 20:25)

HE WAS CRUSHED FOR OUR INIQUITIES.

Isaiah 53:5-6 [5] But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. [6] We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. 700 B.C. (cf. Romans 4: 25; 1 Corinthians 15:3)

HE TOOK THE PUNISHMENT WE DESERVE.

Psalm 69:4 Those who hate me without reason outnumber the hairs of my head; many are my enemies without cause, those who seek to destroy me. I am forced to restore what I did not steal. 1000 B.C.

HE WAS PIERCED FOR OUR TRANSGRESSIONS.

Isaiah 53:5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. 700 B.C.

Zechariah 12:10 And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son. 500 B.C. (cf. John 19:33-34; 36-37)

NONE OF HIS BONES WERE BROKEN.

Psalm 22:17 I can count all my bones; people stare and gloat over me. 1000 B.C.

Psalm 34:20 he protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken. 1000 B.C. (cf. John 19:33; 36a)

It is important to realize that crucifixion victims' legs normally were broken. And yet, a thousand years before the Crucifixion of Jesus, King David foretold that the Messiah would die in an unusual way. See the Additional References for details.

SOLDIERS GAMBLED FOR HIS CLOTHES.

Psalm 22:18 They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing. 1000 B.C. (cf. Matthew 27:35)

HE WAS BRUTALLY KILLED.

Isaiah 53:8 By oppression and judgment he was taken away. And who can speak of his descendants? For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was stricken. 700 B.C. (See all four Gospels)

HE WAS ASSIGNED A GRAVE WITH THE WICKED . . .

Isaiah 53:9 He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death 700 B.C. (Crucifixion was normally reserved for criminals and people the Romans wanted to "make an example of". As a crucifixion victim, Jesus would have been assigned a grave (if any) with such people.)

BUT HE WAS BURIED IN A RICH MAN'S TOMB.

Isaiah 53:9 He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death ... 700 B.C. (cf. Matthew 27:57,59-60)

HE CAME BACK FROM THE DEAD.

Isaiah 53:8, 11 [8] By oppression and judgment he was taken away. And who can speak of his descendants? For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was stricken. [11] After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities. 700 B.C. (cf. Matthew 28:2, 5-7, 9)

??? WHY DID HE DO THIS ???

Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

John 3:16-18 [16] For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. [17] For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. [18] Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.

Acts 4:12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.

Romans 10:9 If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, YOU WILL BE SAVED.

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