November 10, 2026 | www.GospelofJesusChrist.blog | River Wilde
The Gospel of Jesus Christ… What Is It?
One thing is certain: There are many different interpretations of the Gospel of Jesus Christ being taught throughout the world today. But are all of these interpretations truly consistent with what Jesus Christ and His apostles originally taught?
Unfortunately, in some religious organizations, the Gospel has become a mixture of church history, loosely interpreted scriptures, religious traditions, and even “NEW” doctrines that were introduced long after Christ and His apostles walked the earth. Some of these teachings go beyond the scriptures, while others appear to directly contradict the very Gospel that Jesus Christ established.
This raises an incredibly important question: Are we following the Gospel of Jesus Christ as He originally taught it, or are we following a religion that has gradually added its own doctrines, requirements, and interpretations to His teachings?
Let’s find out today, using a very easy and telling process.
Jesus Christ was actually upon the earth. He came here to atone for the sins of mankind. He also came to teach His gospel. Remember, at the time, the Jewish people were following the gospel of the Old Testament.
The Gospel that Jesus Christ taught was called “the gospel of the kingdom of God” (Mark 1:14–15, KJV), proclaiming repentance, faith, salvation, and eternal life through Him.
14 Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,
15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
“The time is fulfilled?” What does this mean?
When Jesus declared, “The time is fulfilled” He was announcing that God’s appointed time for the promised Messiah to appear and begin His earthly ministry had arrived. The centuries of waiting for the fulfillment of God’s promises concerning the coming Saviour were coming to an end. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, had arrived to proclaim the Gospel, call sinners to repentance, and provide the way to salvation and eternal life.
This is an incredibly profound declaration, yet the significance and weight of Christ’s words are so often overlooked, dismissed, or forgotten. Understanding this statement is essential to establishing what the Gospel of Jesus Christ truly is. In simple terms, it is the Gospel that Jesus Christ Himself proclaimed and taught during His earthly ministry. It was COMPLETE. Nothing needed to be added to it.
Jesus did not come to earth to teach “The Gospel of Jesus Christ — Part One,” leaving future generations to discover or introduce additional doctrines necessary for salvation. Rather, He came to reveal the truth of God’s plan of redemption and proclaim the Gospel in its fullness.
For approximately 4,000 years, humanity had awaited the coming of the promised Messiah. When Jesus Christ finally came to earth, He did not leave His mission unfinished or His essential teachings incomplete. He came with a divine purpose: to reveal the Father, proclaim the truth, provide the way to salvation, and accomplish the work of redemption. He would not come into this world, teach His Gospel, suffer upon the cross, and rise again without providing humanity with everything necessary to know the way to eternal life.
As Jesus Himself declared:
John 19:30 (KJV)
“It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.”
The Gospel of Jesus Christ was not an unfinished message awaiting future additions. The work of redemption was accomplished through Jesus Christ, and His Gospel was faithfully proclaimed by Him and His apostles.
I would also like to establish one additional perimeter to the gospel of Jesus Christ, by learning what Paul taught about the gospel that Jesus Christ preached when He was on the earth:
Galatians 1:8–9 (KJV):
8 “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.”
9 “As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.”
Paul repeats the warning for emphasis. The standard is the Gospel has already been received, in full—even the appearance of an angel does not authorize changing it.
Consider the extraordinary significance of Paul’s warning. He did not make an exception for someone claiming to be a prophet, a religious leader, or even a heavenly messenger. Not even an angel from heaven was authorized to introduce another Gospel that differed from the one already delivered through Jesus Christ and His apostles.
This establishes an essential boundary: The truth of the Gospel is not determined by who claims to deliver a message, how extraordinary their spiritual experience may appear, or what divine authority they claim to possess. Rather, every teaching must be measured against the Gospel already revealed in Scripture. If a new teaching contradicts that Gospel, the claimed authority of its messenger cannot make it true, “let him be accursed.”
This brings us to a profoundly important question that every person seeking eternal life should carefully consider: If Jesus Christ and His apostles had already proclaimed the Gospel necessary for salvation, why would mankind need another gospel centuries later? Why would additional requirements, ordinances, or doctrines become necessary for salvation if they were never established in the Gospel delivered by Christ and His apostles?
Paul’s warning directs us back to the original Gospel, not forward to a replacement or a revised version of it. The message is clear: We are not being asked to discover a newer Gospel of Jesus Christ. We are being called to believe, embrace, and remain faithful to the Gospel that was already delivered.
To some of you reading this that have been taught that the Gospel has been “Restored,” I invite you to compare your churches doctrine with the doctrine that Jesus Christ taught. If it was “restored” it would be the same. If it’s not the same, you must consider that the correct word here is “changed” rather than restored. This was paramount for me in my discovery of what the Gospel of Jesus Christ entailed.
The gospel of Jesus Christ is recorded in the New Testament of the Bible. This is where we will go to test the doctrine of a church.
Alright, we are ready to learn the Gospel of Jesus Christ in its pure form. Let’s begin.
The MOST important thing that Jesus taught was the principle of SALVATION.
Definition of Salvation:
Salvation (noun): Deliverance from sin and eternal condemnation through faith in Jesus Christ, resulting in everlasting life in the presence of God.
Let’s learn what Jesus Christ taught about this important principle. How does a person obtain salvation; (living with God forever in Heaven)?
Jesus Christ taught that being born again is absolutely essential to entering the Kingdom of God.
When Nicodemus, a respected Jewish religious leader, came to Jesus seeking understanding, Christ told him plainly in John 3:3 (KJV):
“Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
Jesus was not speaking of a second physical birth, but rather a spiritual transformation that takes place within a person through the power of the Holy Spirit. He further explained in John 3:6 (KJV):
“That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”
Being born again is not accomplished through church membership, religious ceremonies, good works, or simply trying to become a better person. It is a spiritual rebirth brought about by God, through which a person receives new life in Jesus Christ.
Are you with me so far?
A “religious, righteous, well accomplished person” like Nicodemus CANNOT “see the Kingdom of God” (heaven) unless he is born again.
How does a person become born again? Jesus provided the answer in the same conversation with Nicodemus. In John 3:16 (KJV) He declared:
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
A person must recognize their need for a Savior, repent, and place their genuine faith and trust in Jesus Christ, believing that He died for their sins and rose again.
We are all sinners, correct? Because of our sins, we cannot live in the presence of God when we die. This places us in real trouble, right?
Jesus came to earth, and “atoned for our sins” but the connection with us has not yet been established. The atonement of Jesus Christ is not forced upon any of us due to our free agency. We must CHOOSE to accept His GIFT into our own lives to make it effective. This is done through the process of becoming Born Again.
The moment a person truly places their faith in Christ, they receive the gift of salvation and are made spiritually alive through the Holy Spirit. As Jesus promised in John 5:24 (KJV):
“He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”
Being born again is not a lifelong process of earning salvation; it happens immediately through our faith in the atonement of Jesus Christ and our realization that we cannot do it by ourselves, WE NEED HIM! Then, we are born again, and this is the beginning of a new spiritual life and an eternal relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
Let’s let Christ’s words teach us this concept:
Ephesians 2:8–9 (KJV)
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
This is so very telling!!! Salvation is a gift from God, and is offered to all mankind through the grace of God as a gift. We receive that gift through our faith in the atonement.
Consider these teachings:
Romans 3:28 (KJV)
Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
Simply stated, we are saved through our faith in the atonement, not the works that we do to earn salvation. A false teaching I would like to flush out here is that “we earn our way into heaven through good works and righteous living,” we do not! Salvation is based upon only one thing, receiving the gift of the atonement of Jesus Christ. He deserves all of the glory because of what He did for us.
We do not earn it through our own acts of righteousness, nor anything else. We do have a responsibility here though. We must choose to accept the gift of the atonement of Jesus Christ by believing and having faith in what He has done for us.
Titus 3:5 (KJV)
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Paul is describing the spiritual transformation that takes place when a person becomes born again. The two expressions, “washing of regeneration” and “renewing of the Holy Ghost,” describe closely related aspects of God’s saving work within a believer.
Regeneration means spiritual rebirth — being made spiritually alive through Jesus Christ.
Washing represents cleansing from sin, while regeneration refers to receiving new spiritual life.
Romans 4:4–5 (KJV)
4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.
5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
Paul is explaining the difference between earning something through work and receiving something as a gift through faith.
Simply Stated:
Verse 4: When someone works for wages, the money they receive is not a gift. It is something they have earned and are owed. Likewise, if salvation could be earned through good works, it would be a payment rather than a gift from God.
Verse 5: But God does not require us to earn salvation through our good works. Instead, when a person places genuine faith in Jesus Christ, God counts that faith for righteousness. Salvation is received through faith, not earned through works.
Galatians 2:16 (KJV)
Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
Here, Paul teaches that no person can become righteous before God by obeying religious laws, performing ordinances, or doing good works. Instead, we are justified—meaning declared righteous before God—through faith in Jesus Christ.
Salvation is not something we can earn through our own efforts; it is a gift made possible through Jesus Christ and received by faith in Him.
Romans 11:6 (KJV)
“And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.”
Paul explains that God’s grace and earning salvation through works are two different things. If salvation is a gift from God, it cannot be something we earn through good works, religious ordinances, or obedience to laws. Otherwise, it would no longer be a gift. Simply put, salvation is either received freely through God’s grace or earned through works—it cannot be both.
Are things becoming clear now? Let’s continue by again looking at this important scripture:
John 5:24 (KJV) — Jesus Himself Speaking
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
Jesus teaches that anyone who hears His message and genuinely believes in God who sent Him receives everlasting life. That person is no longer under condemnation for their sins but has passed from spiritual death into spiritual life. Notice that Jesus says “hath everlasting life,” meaning salvation is received at the moment of genuine faith—not something a person must spend their lifetime trying to earn.
Good works are the fruit of salvation, not the price of salvation. Ephesians 2:10 immediately follows Paul’s teaching about salvation by grace through faith and explains that believers are created in Christ Jesus “unto good works.” Born again believers show evidence of this new spiritual rebirth by doing good works.
This also helps explain James 2:17, which teaches that “faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.” Genuine faith is expected to produce a changed life, but those works do not purchase God’s gift of eternal life.
So where do good works fit into the gospel of Jesus Christ, we will learn this later in an upcoming article.
DANGER to Consider
If you have been taught that being “Born Again” is a person’s baptism, you have fallen for a great deception…I like to refer to this as “satan’s greatest lie”. When a person thinks that they have been born again by being baptized, they are in a dangerous position, due to the false sense of security feeling that they have been born again, as required in scripture. They have not truly been born again through the act of baptism!!!!!!!!!!. Baptism comes after this spiritual transformation, as we will learn.
I’d like for you to take a moment and consider the thief on the cross, as it relates to salvation and what we have learned today.
Here was a man who had lived a life of wrongdoing, condemned to die for his crimes, with no opportunity to change his past or perform good works to earn God’s favor. He could not be baptized, join a church, pay tithing, perform religious ordinances, or spend the remainder of his life demonstrating his righteousness. He had absolutely nothing to offer Jesus Christ except his faith.
Yet, as he hung beside the Savior, he acknowledged his own guilt, recognized the innocence of Jesus, and turned to Him with a simple request: “Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.” (Luke 23:42, KJV).
Jesus responded with one of the most beautiful promises recorded in Scripture: “Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43, KJV).
Consider the extraordinary significance of this moment. Jesus did not tell the thief that he needed to accomplish additional requirements before receiving salvation. He did not instruct him to perform ordinances, complete religious obligations, or prove his worthiness through good works.
The thief believed in Jesus Christ, and Jesus personally assured him of his eternal destiny. This remarkable account illustrates the very Gospel we have been studying:
Salvation is not something mankind earns; it is a gift made possible through Jesus Christ and received through genuine faith in Him.
The thief had no time left to perform good works, yet he had time to believe. And that faith was not rejected. If salvation required religious achievements or a lifetime of good works, how could this man have received such a promise?
His experience reminds us that the power to save belongs to Jesus Christ, not to religious institutions, human accomplishments, or ceremonies. The thief did not earn his place in paradise. He trusted the One who could give it to him.
Being Born Again is THE MOST IMPORTANT gospel principle the Christ taught. If you do this in your own life, you can KNOW that you will live Forever, in the presence of God in Heaven! This is the only requirement of salvation.
Is it really this simple? I like to say, it really is that IMPORTANT.
Let me conclude in going back to satan’s greatest lie.
I come from a religion that taught many of the teachings of Jesus Christ. They even use His name in the title of their church, but do you know, that the only gospel principle that allows a person to enter heaven, being Born Again, is a teaching that was excluded from their “doctrine.” Can you see the significance here?
Consider, for a moment, Satan’s game plan. His ultimate objective is to keep people from entering the Kingdom of God, and one of his most effective strategies is religious deception.
Rather than attempting to turn everyone away from God, what if he could infiltrate religious institutions and convince people that they are eternally secure when, in reality, they have never been taught the one essential truth concerning salvation?
Imagine a religion that teaches many wonderful principles taught by Jesus Christ, encourages good works, promotes morality, and speaks frequently of God, yet fails to clearly teach the very thing Jesus said was necessary to enter the Kingdom of God: being born again
What could be more deceptive than giving someone a false sense of eternal security while leaving them unaware of the spiritual transformation they must experience to receive everlasting life? This is why Jesus warned that deception could be so convincing that, if it were possible, even the very elect could be deceived.
The following scripture teaching was included in the teachings of Christ, regarding this matter. Let’s read it now:
Matthew 24:24 (KJV)
“For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.”
The “very elect” being deceived by a false prophet is right there in scripture. And their fate, if not learning the true teaching of Salvation? The answer share here:
Matthew 7:21–23 (KJV)
21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
What was Jesus teaching?
Jesus was warning that simply believing in His existence, calling Him Lord, participating in religious activities, or performing good works does not mean a person has received salvation. Notice that these individuals were genuinely surprised when Jesus rejected them. They believed their religious accomplishments demonstrated that they belonged to Him. Yet Jesus did not say, “You did not do enough good works.” Instead, He declared, “I never knew you.”
We could stop right here with the teaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and if a person were to implement what they have just learned, they would be in heaven when they die. There is again nothing more important spiritually than ensuring that you have become “born again” as Christ taught.
Doing this right now, will result in you being “saved.” Accept the gift that is being offered to you, by having faith in the atonement of Jesus Christ as the SOLE reason of your salvation.
Do not fall for the deceptive teaching that it is because of good works, a church, paying tithing, temple worship, or any other teaching or thing that you can do, are necessary to help contribute to your salvation. That distinction belongs FULLY in Jesus Christ, and nothing else.
Let me share the false teaching from my former church:
2 Nephi 25:23 (Book of Mormon)
“For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.“
Can you see the deception here? Can you see the craftiness of the adversary and his involvement in the “greatest lie?” The teaching is that the atonement is only effective “after all that we can do.”
Compare this with the Gospel teaching of Jesus Christ, recorded in the Bible (KJV)
Ephesians 2:8–9 (KJV)
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
There are other ‘religious’ deceptions that satan has infiltrated in the doctrine of churches, but this is the one that could result in being denied entrance into the “kingdom of God” by Jesus Christ Himself.
Christ only KNOWS those who have had this spiritual transformation of being born again, those people who have accepted His gift of the atonement, seeing that as the one and only way that a person can receive salvation.
So, we’ve got other gospel teachings that I will share in upcoming articles. Be certain to check back each day, as we continue to study the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
I am praying for all of you in these end times. Life is so much easier when you realize that you are heaven bound, regardless of what happens here on earth.
See you tomorrow.
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