What amount of understanding is necessary for a person to believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ?

In The Cosmic Gospel: Committing to the Big Picture of Salvation and The Cosmic Gospel: Stewardship of The Mystery, we considered the necessity of using God’s big story of the Gospel, beginning with Creation, in evangelism. The message of the cross of Jesus and His resurrection cannot be understood apart from an understanding of who God is and our relationship with Him. We are stewards accountable to our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ.

So, if we agree with this—that we must begin with Creation and give the big story of the Gospel—what are the key points of truth to be sure to teach? What must be understood by someone before they can repent and believe on the Lord Jesus for salvation?

17 Foundational Gospel Truths to be Understood to Believe on Jesus

  1. God is our Creator (Genesis 1-2; Acts 17:22-31)
  2. God is Creator of all things, so all living things are His (Genesis 1-2; Acts 14:14-17; 17:22-31).
  3. Created by God, mankind is accountable to God (Gen. 1-2).
  4. Sin is rebellion against God (Genesis 3; Romans 1:18-32)
  5. All have sinned against God and deserve eternal judgement (Romans 3:10, 23; 6:23). (Many use the 10 Commandments and the 2 Great Commands to help people see their sinfulness. Exodus 20, Matthew 22:34-40.)
  6. There are no other gods (Isaiah 43-45)
  7. God promised to send a Savior to deliver us sin and death (Genesis 3:15; Isaiah 53).
  8. Jesus is the Promised One who came from heaven to pay for our sins (1 Peter 2:20-25).
  9. Jesus is the sinless Son of God, the only one worthy to die as the perfect sacrifice on our behalf (John 6; 1 Peter 1:18-21).
  10. God’s love and mercy led Him to provide a way of salvation at such great cost to Himself (John 3:16).
  11. Jesus was raised again bodily from the grave, proving that He was a worthy sacrifice, conquering sin and death (1 Peter 1:18-21; Romans 10:9-10).
  12. God forgives all who repent and believe, so they are no longer condemned but have eternal life (John 5:24; Romans 10:9-13; 8:1).
  13. Jesus is the only way to be made right with God our Creator (John 14:6; Acts 4:12).
  14. Failure to be made right with God through Jesus condemns us to eternal judgment (John 3:16-19, 36).
  15. Salvation is by grace through faith–not by our good works (Ephesians 2:8-9).
  16. Jesus was and is the Son of God, member of the Triune God (Matthew 28:19-20; Philippians 2:5-11).
  17. To repent and believe is a decision to follow Jesus Christ in grateful obedience until He comes again (Matthew 28:19-20; 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10).

Many other passages of Scripture could be listed with each of these foundational Gospel truths.

Faith must come with understanding.

The above list is a formidable one. It may take time and effort to communicate, multiple conversations and/or Bible studies. Some of the truths listed here are different aspects of the same truth, but important aspects.

Those with a Christian background of some kind may already believe some of these truths. We may find that some will embrace these truths quickly while others are much slower to do so. However our listeners respond, we must not allow our own impatience to bypass waiting for their understanding. Faith without understanding is false belief when it comes to biblical Christianity.

Most people are not going to grasp and believe all of these truths in one Gospel interaction. Until we accept this to be the reality for most people, we will make many mistakes in evangelism. As those we seek to lead to Christ believe what they understand, the Holy Spirit will guide them in to more truth.

Teaching the Gospel to Children

As we understand the importance of emphasizing the big picture of the Gospel, accept the seriousness of our stewardship of the mystery of Christ, and embrace the reality of foundational truth required to believe on Jesus, we see quickly the privilege of teaching children. Teaching children regularly about God is a tremendous opportunity to make disciples. Through family Bible time, Sunday School classes, Vacation Bible Schools, Bible Clubs, After School Bible Class, etc., we can easily teach the foundational truths of the Gospel.

Even if a child does not believe on Jesus in their youth, what a privilege it is for them to enter young adulthood with big picture of salvation and key individual Gospel truths already planted in their hearts! As fewer and fewer children are encouraged towards being taught the Bible, we need to take advantage of every opportunity given.

Faith dependent upon hearing

“For the good news came to us just as to them, but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened” (Heb. 4:2).

Everyone in whom we invest ourselves in explaining the Gospel must believe what they have heard so that it benefits them. But they must be taught in order to have an opportunity to believe.

“So faith comes from hearing through the word of Christ” (Rom. 10:17).

May God help us to faithfully proclaim the Gospel message as God gave it. May we be good stewards/managers of the content of that Gospel and the method of its delivery. May we diligently teach it to all who will listen, emphasizing the foundational truths necessary to understand and be saved.

Image by MUNAVIR KALCHURIN from Pixabay

Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations are taken from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®).