The English term gospel comes from the Old English ‘godspel.’ There was a 1971 musical play with the name “Godspell.” Like the Greek word εὐαγγέλιον, gospel means good news or good tidings. This term originally meant the Christian message itself. However, in the second century, it came to be used for the books in which this message was set out. Thus, the gospels became known as the written accounts of the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth. These books are the basis of our knowledge about Jesus Christ. They present a somewhat coherent picture of the life of Christ with different emphasis from each author. We also have the phrase, “That’s the gospel truth.”
the Christian message
Judaism as the root of Christianity
A rough comparison of Judaism and Christianity might be like the relationship of the eastern religions of Hinduism and Buddhism. Judaism would be like Hinduism and Christianity would be like Buddhism. Both religions, Buddhism and Christianity rely on an already established religious base, Judaism and Hinduism, and emphasis the role of a single person, Buddha and Jesus. Both Christianity and Judaism have the same base. The center of the Old Testament covenant was Yahweh and his people, while the heart of the Christian message was around Jesus of Nazareth, the Christ, who was Jewish.
Forgiveness (Sir 28:1-28:5)
“The vengeful will face
The Lord’s vengeance.
He keeps a strict account
Of their sins.
Forgive your neighbor
For the wrong he has done.
Then your sins will be pardoned
When you pray.
Does anyone harbor anger
Against another?
Can they expect healing
From the Lord?
If anyone has no mercy
Toward another like himself,
Can he then seek pardon
For his own sins?
If a mere mortal harbors wrath,
Who will make
An atoning sacrifice for his sins?”
If you are vengeful, you will have to face the vengeance of the Lord because the Lord keeps a strict account of your sins. If you forgive the sins of your neighbor, then your sins will be forgiven. When you pray, you should not be angry with someone else. How can you expect healing from the Lord, if you have not shown any mercy to others? How can you seek pardon for you own sins, if you do not forgive others? Who can atone for your sins? This idea of forgiving your neighbor will be a key component of the Christian message a few hundred years later, especially in the famous “The Lord’s Prayer.”
Eugene Finnegan Bible Project 