Information on significant or recent events conveyed through a variety of official or unofficial means. The ministry of Jesus Christ centred on the good news of the kingdom. The Greek word for “gospel” means “good news”.
Political news reported by official and self-appointed messengers
1 Samuel 31:8–9 See also 2 Samuel 1:1–10, 2 Samuel 15:13, 2 Samuel 18:19–32; 2 Kings 7:8–11
The next day, when the Philistines came to strip the dead, they found Saul and his three sons fallen on Mount Gilboa. They cut off Saul’s head, stripped off his armor, and sent messengers throughout the land of the Philistines to proclaim the news in the temples of their idols and among their people.
Personal news conveyed through friends, relatives and by letter
Colossians 4:7–9 See also Genesis 29:11–13; Philippians 2:19–20
Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a beloved brother, a faithful minister, and a fellow servant in the Lord. I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about us, and that he may encourage your hearts. With him I am sending Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you about everything here.
Divine news announced by angels
Luke 1:19 See also Genesis 19:1; Luke 1:26–33, Luke 2:8–12
“I am Gabriel,” replied the angel. “I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news.
The effect of good news
Proverbs 25:25 See also Genesis 45:16; Proverbs 15:30; Nahum 3:18–19; John 4:51–53; 1 Thessalonians 3:6–10
Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land.
Reactions to bad news
Jeremiah 49:23 See also 1 Samuel 4:12–22; 2 Samuel 4:10; Job 1:14–21; Jonah 3:1–10; John 11:1–6
Concerning Damascus: “Hamath and Arpad are put to shame, for they have heard a bad report; they are agitated like the sea; their anxiety cannot be calmed.
The good news of Jesus Christ
Foretold
Numbers 24:17; Isaiah 7:14, Isaiah 9:7, Isaiah 11:2, Isaiah 53:3–12, Isaiah 61:1–3; Micah 5:2; Zechariah 9:9, Zechariah 11:12–13
Announced and demonstrated by Jesus Christ
Matthew 4:23 See also Matthew 11:5; Mark 1:15; Luke 4:17–19, Luke 4:43
Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.
Proclaimed by apostles and preachers
Acts 14:21 See also Mark 16:15; Romans 10:14–15; 2 Timothy 1:11
They preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch,
Spread by word of mouth
Acts 11:19–20 See also Matthew 4:24
Meanwhile those scattered by the persecution that began with Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the message only to Jews. But some of them, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began speaking to the Greeks as well, proclaiming the good news about the Lord Jesus.
Receiving the good news
But when they believed Philip as he preached the gospel of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
Rejecting the good news
But not all of them welcomed the good news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?”
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.