Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense;
and whoever believes in Him will never be put to shame.
The good news (gospel) is simple: God created us in His own image to enjoy fellowship with Him and to worship Him, but through one man's disobedience (Adam), and our subsequent participation in that disobedience, we have been alienated from this life with God, instead serving ourselves. God the Father sent His Son Jesus Christ into the world to live a perfect, sinless life, to pay with His own body and blood the penalty due to us as a result of our rebellion against God. He offers salvation freely to everyone who believes in His sacrificial death on the cross, which paid for our sins and satisfied the justice of a holy and good God—and thus a holy and good Judge. The great dilemma of how God can maintain both His justice and His loving-kindness is solved in the person of Jesus and His vicarious death on the cross for all who will believe in Him—this is where the wrath and love of God kiss.
Part of the gospel is the fact that Jesus Christ died to purchase for Himself a chosen people. This group of people is known as His Body, and also as the church. A church is a gathering of people, not a building. Jesus' body is now the Temple of the Holy Spirit — the Holy Spirit indwells each genuine follower of Christ. Because of this, Christianity is not merely about individual personal salvation, but also about community and the gathering of those who have been washed by the blood of the Lamb of God. These people gather regularly to worship God and to live life together in the service of God.
Find out if there's a healthy church in your area by using the 9Marks church search.
Find out if there's a healthy church in your area by using the 9Marks church search.