(Isaiah 61:1) The Lord has anointed me to proclaim the Gospel.

Christians speak about the “Gospel.” However, I am not sure we always know what the word “Gospel” really means. This is often true because of our English translations of the Greek New Testament.

In biblical Greek, the word “Gospel” specifically means “Good News.” The Gospel is the Good News about kingdom of God in Jesus Christ. In reading your English Bible, where ever you read “Gospel,” always think “Good News.”

In my view, the best description of the “Gospel/Good News” is found in Isaiah 61:1-2. It reads "The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn.”

Now, this is Good News! 

In Luke 4:16-21, Jesus was in the synagogue of Nazareth. He opened the book of Isaiah, and read the passage above. He then shocked everyone by declaring that Isaiah 61:1-2 was fulfilled in his ministry.

The Good News of the ministry of Jesus is fully contained in Isaiah 61:1-2. 

There is another problem in our English Bibles that also distort the ministry of Good News. In around 50 verses in the New Testament, the English words “preached or proclaimed” are used in connection with the word “Gospel/Good News.”

These verses read: They “preached/proclaimed” the Gospel. 

Here is the problem: Modern Christians will almost always equate this translation to “preaching sermons.” In other words, to just verbally preach the Gospel. 

However, the Greek word often translated “preaching/proclaiming” in the New Testament is “evangelizing” (ministering) the Good News, which is much more holistic. It is not just verbal.

Yes, we share the message of the Good News, but the ministry (evangelizing) of the Good News includes so much more.

When we re-read Isaiah 61:1-2, we can immediately see that Jesus’ ministry of the Good News included “ministering to the poor, binding up the brokenhearted, setting the captives free, and comforting those who mourn.” 

In the life of Jesus, his ministry (evangelizing) the Good News included healing the sick and casting out demons from the oppressed. 

This is truly Good News! 

I encourage all of us to expand our perception of the Gospel. It is not “preaching.” It is bringing the good news of freedom, deliverance, and wholeness to people that are bound up and oppressed under the destructive influence of Satan. 

Christians are always to be people of Good News (not Bad News); not just in word, but also in the loving actions and power of the Holy Spirit.