Basic Definitions of the Gospel

Below are some more basic definitions of the gospel that I have found on the internet. Tell me what you like or dislike about them. How would explain what the basic definition is of the gospel?


Albert Mohler
I would define the Gospel as the good news that God saves sinners through the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ [1 Cor. 15:3-4]. This good news tells us that we are sinners, who deserve only death and cannot save ourselves. The Gospel points to the cross of Christ as the propitiation for our sins, the substitutionary sacrifice for our transgressions [Romans 3:21-26] and to the empty tomb as the promise of our resurrection unto eternal life [1 Cor. 15]. This Gospel is God's gift, as is the faith that justifies sinners. Salvation is all of grace, so that no sinner can boast of his salvation. Saving faith is made visible in those who confess with their lips that Jesus Christ is Lord and believe in their hearts that God raised Him from the dead [Romans 10:9].

John Stott, The Cross of Christ
The Biblical gospel of atonement is the good news of God satisfying himself by substituting himself for us. The concept of substitution may be said then, to lie at the heart of both sin and salvation…For the essence of sin is man substituting himself for God; while the essence of salvation is God substituting himself for man. Man asserts himself against God and puts himself where only God deserves to be. Man claims prerogatives which belong to God alone; God accepts penalties which belong to man alone”

Leon Morris
All men are sinners (Romans 3:23) and that hell awaits them (Mark 9:43; Luke 12:5). But God wills to bring salvation and that he has brought it in the life, death, resurrection and ascension of his Son. Christ paid sin’s due penalty (Romans 3:25-26; 6:23; Galatians 3:13). He redeemed us (Ephesians 1:7), paying the price that sets us free (1 Corinthians 6:20; Galatians 5:1). He made a new covenant (Hebrews 9:15). He won the victory (1 Corinthians 15:55-57). He effected the propitiation that turns away the wrath of God (Romans 3:25), made the reconciliation that turns enemies into friends (Ephesians 2:16).

FYI
You can see an updated list of all the basic definitions I have posted so far here on Google Docs.