Spend any time around Christians and you’ll hear them speak of the Gospel. In his letter to the Ephesians, the Apostle Paul referred to the Gospel this way: “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation” (Ephesians 1:13).

Gospel means “good news.” According to the Bible, then, the Gospel is the good news about salvation, or about being saved. This particular verse does not spell out exactly what we are saved from, or how, or for what reason. But the Bible has much to say about this salvation, and why it truly is the greatest news in the world.

For each section that follows, read the Scriptures, then answer the proceeding questions.

Saved—From What?
“Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!” (Romans 5:9).

“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 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” (John 3:17-18).

“But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were entrusted. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness” (Romans 6:17-18).

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).

• Based on the passages above, list four things that we are saved from.
• Stop and prayerfully consider all that you have been saved from. What is your response to such grace from God?

Saved—By Whom?
“But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior” (Titus 3:4-6).

“It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. … Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:10-12).

• How do these Scriptures delineate the role of each Person of the Godhead in our salvation?

• When you consider who it is who has saved you—Almighty, most holy God—what do you think your response should be?

Saved—How?
“Jesus our Lord … was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification” (Romans 4:24-25).

“He then brought them out and asked, ‘Sirs, what must I do to be saved?’ They replied, ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household'” (Acts 16:30-31).

• What did Jesus do in order to save us?

• What must be our response in order to be saved?

Saved—For What Purpose?
“So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, who has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace” (2 Timothy 1:8-9).

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).

“In order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation” (Ephesians 1:12).

• List at least three purposes that God has in mind for those He saves.

• Which of these purposes have you begun to fulfill? Which purposes do you need to obediently fulfill more intentionally than you have up to this point?

Saved—Now What?
“This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples” (John 15:8-9).

“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10).

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light” (1 Peter 2:9).

“Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent” (John 17:3).

• According to these Scriptures, what does God intend to have us do, once we are saved?

Pray about the passages you’ve just read, committing yourself to fulfilling God’s purpose for you and asking Him for strength to carry it out.

From what we’ve seen in these Scriptures, it is no wonder why Paul, in 1 Timothy 1:11, calls the Gospel glorious. If you have never responded to this Good News by turning away from your sin and putting your faith in Jesus Christ, will you do so today? If you have already experienced salvation, will you respond in humble gratitude and fulfill the purpose for which God has saved you?