Can You Explain the Gospel?

How confident are you in explaining the Gospel to someone? Take a moment to write down or speak aloud:

• the gospel message as if you were explaining it to a non-believer.  
• how you would answer questions such as Who is Jesus?  What is sin? Why did Jesus die?…or any other questions you have been asked about your faith.

How did you go? Did you find yourself wondering where to start? Were you fumbling over your words? Or have you done this so often, it was too easy !  

Remember that it’s not our job to convict anyone of their sin.  That’s the role of the Holy Spirit (John 16:8). All we need to do is explain the Gospel and let God take care of the rest.  But in order to explain it clearly, we need to know and understand what the Bible says about Jesus and salvation.

Suggested Scriptures

Here’s one possible combination of Scriptures we could use:

• God created Adam and Eve (Gen. 1:27)
• Adam and Eve broke God’s rules and sin entered the world (Gen. 2:17a; 3:6-7)
• Their punishment should have been death (Gen. 2:17b)
• BUT…God demonstrated grace by allowing Adam and Eve to live  (Gen. 3:16-19)
• We still need to be saved from the penalty of sin (Rom. 6:23), so God promised a saviour (Gen. 3:15)
• While awaiting a saviour, God provided the Law as a set of rules to live by (Gal. 3:24)
• Jesus was born in the fullness of time (Gal. 4:4; John 3:16)
• Jesus was crucified (Rom. 5:8; 1 Peter 2:24)
• Jesus rose from the dead (1 Cor. 15:3-6)
• Jesus ascended into heaven (Acts 1:9)
• Jesus will return to judge (Acts 17:31; Heb. 9:27)
• Until He returns we still have the opportunity to repent and acknowledge Him as saviour (Acts 2:38; Heb. 3:13)
• Separate eternal destinies await the saved (Matt. 25:34; 1 Peter 1:4) and unsaved (Matt. 25:41; Rev. 20:11-15).

Use Scripture In Context

Even if we know lots of Bible verses, we don’t just quote them at random to an unbeliever. Instead we should take some time to find out what beliefs they have. This isn’t an excuse to delay sharing our faith, it just means we’ll be better prepared in how to share our faith.

For example, when I followed Buddhism I believed in reincarnation. I was taught that doing good works will enable me to earn merit for a good re-birth. But I never had any genuine peace because I couldn’t possibly know if my works would be enough, let alone acceptable.  

The Bible teaches the complete opposite.  What a joy to know that through faith and repentance I am saved by grace, not works.  Salvation in Christ brought a peace to my life I never had before. Instead of anxiety about reincarnation I now have a wonderful assurance of eternal life (1 John 5:11-13)!

Let The Holy Spirit Convict

As the Holy Spirit convicted me, so too will He continue to convict those that God has called to Himself. Don’t veer from God’s truth, or soften it to make it seem more palatable. I know this is particularly difficult when speaking with those we’re close to. But, remember, people’s eternal destinies at stake.  

I like the analogy given in the parable of the sower and the seed (Luke 8:4-15) – we readily spread the Word (seed), but let the Holy Spirit work in people’s hearts (the rocky soil or good soil).

Be Respectful

Our conduct is on permanent display as ambassadors for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20). In addition our words are to be spoken with gentleness and reverence (1 Peter 3:15).

God Will Help Us

Of course its ok if we don’t always have the right words at hand.  God will help us when needed (James 1:5).  But we’ll be a lot more appreciative of God’s wisdom and our ability to share the Gospel if we’ve taken the time to study it for ourselves. God, in turn, can work in us far better too if we are a knowledgeable and willing servant. Be encouraged by God and His Word as you consider how you can prepare yourselves through personal prayer and study to confidently share the Gospel message.