Distinct Biblical Gospels and Their Relationships

Several "gospel" expressions in the New Testament describe related but distinguishable messages. Not every use of "gospel" refers directly to the same content or to the same dispensational offer of salvation.

Two Primary Saving Gospels

1. Gospel of the Kingdom.

This is the good news that the promised messianic kingdom was near and being offered to Israel.

• Proclaimed by John the Baptist, Jesus, and the Twelve (e.g. Matthew 4:23; Matthew 9:35).
• Grounded in the law and the prophets, presupposing Israel under the Mosaic covenant.
• Called Israel to repentance, obedience, and readiness to receive the Messiah-king, with additional kingdomspecific demands (confessing him, enduring, sometimes radical dispossession, taking up the cross, etc.).
• The issue is entrance into Israel’s promised earthly kingdom under Messiah.

2. Gospel of the Dispensation of the Grace of God (Paul’s Gospel).

This is the good news that, apart from Israel’s law and kingdom covenant, God now offers justification and reconciliation by grace through faith in the death and resurrection of Christ.

• Revealed specially to and through Paul as steward of the present dispensation (Ephesians 3:2-9).
• Concerns a heavenly people, the body of Christ, not the establishment of the Davidic kingdom.
• Basis: Christ’s cross and resurrection; condition: faith alone, apart from works of the law.

These two are not identical. The gospel of the kingdom is law-related and nation-centered; Paul’s gospel is grace-based and body-of-Christ-centered.

Foundational and Encompassing Gospels

Gospel of Christ.

This expression highlights the good news concerning the Messiah himself—his person and work:

• That there is a promised Christ,
• That he was to die, be buried, and rise again,
• That Jesus of Nazareth is that Christ.

This is foundational to both the kingdom gospel and Paul’s grace gospel. Both depend on the truth that Jesus is the promised Christ who has died and risen. When Paul proclaims the "gospel of Christ," he is announcing the fulfillment of messianic expectation in Jesus.

Gospel of God.

In Romans, Paul speaks of being:

"Separated unto the gospel of God, (which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,) concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord dots" Romans 1:1-3

The "gospel of God" is the overarching good news promised in the Hebrew Scriptures:

• God’s purpose to set things right through his Messiah,
• The revelation of a coming kingdom, resurrection, and judgment,
• The assurance that the righteous, judged according to the law and the prophets, will hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant."

The gospel of the kingdom is the climactic phase of that prophetic gospel as it is actually offered to Israel in the presence of the Messiah. Paul’s gospel of grace is a distinct dispensation introduced in connection with the same Christ, but operating apart from Israel’s covenants and law.

Relationship and Overlap

In early Acts there is an overlap period:

• The kingdom offer is still being held out to Israel.
• At the same time, the mystery of the body of Christ and the message of grace are being revealed through Paul.

Later, Paul’s "my gospel" stands as the saving message for the present age, while the kingdom gospel pertains to Israel’s prophetic program and will come into renewed view in the future prophetic period.

Hence:

• Gospel of the kingdom: good news of the near kingdom for Israel under law.
• Paul’s gospel / gospel of grace: good news of justification and reconciliation apart from law.
• Gospel of Christ: good news of who the Messiah is and what he has done—underlying both.
• Gospel of God: the broad prophetic good news promised beforehand, within which the kingdom gospel fits and to which Paul’s message is historically and theologically related, though distinct in administration.