What Is the Gospel Anyway? Part 1
➤ God as Creator: Genesis reveals God as Elohim, the Strong Creator, who spoke creation into existence—a feat no human can replicate. Creation isn’t just about origins; it’s a window into God’s power, creativity, and goodness, reflecting His order and provision.
➤ Humanity’s Unique Role: Crafted in God’s image and infused with His breath, humanity holds unparalleled dignity and purpose. Men and women are equal in value but distinct in roles, with women described as ezer—an ally and battle partner, not a subordinate.
➤ The Fall and Redemption: Sin’s entrance through Adam and Eve wasn’t about eating fruit but about pride and rebellion. This original sin severed humanity from God, yet His mercy shines through as He provided the first sacrifice, foreshadowing humanity’s ultimate need for Jesus, the Savior.
“For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” - 2 Corinthians 5:21 (ESV)
Genesis 1:1: “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth (ESV).”
We often miss the point of creation. When we read the first two chapters of Genesis to understand our origin, we are only scratching the surface. What if we viewed creation to help us understand who God is and what He can do? He says, “Let there be light,” and immediately, there is something that, to our knowledge, had never existed before.
This might seem silly, but have you ever tried to “speak” something into existence? Have you ever “willed” a physical thing to become? The answer is no. But God did. Not only that, but keep in mind that everything created was done to reflect the goodness of God. He alone created order, life, and the means of survival
The Hebrew word for God in this verse is Elohim אֱלֹהִ֑ים, which is the plural form of Eloah אֱלוֹהּ. This name of God means The Strong Creator God, and because it is written in the plural form, it becomes the first place we see the trinity in Scripture.
For example, a literal translation could say: “In the beginning, Elohim (God the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit) created the heavens and the earth.”
The Creation of Adam (MAN)
Genesis 2:7: Humans are created in God’s image and with His literal breath, which sets us apart from everything else that is created.
The Creation of Eve (WOMAN)
Genesis 2:18: The word helper comes from the Hebrew word עֵזֶר (Ezer). The word “helper” is not to be viewed as a second-class citizen whose only role is in the kitchen, cooking, or cleaning the house. This term is used for an ally. This term is used for someone who performs acts of valor. An ezer is far more than just an assistant; she is a battle partner.
Although God created men and women with different purposes and roles, they were still created equal in worth, dignity, value, and love.
God planted the Tree of Life where Adam and Eve lived (Gn. 2:8). He gave them one rule to follow while they lived there. Do not eat from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. (Gn. 2:16-17)
Following the rule given to Adam and Eve in Genesis 2 comes the concept of the fall and its repercussions.
Genesis 3 is the first recording of humanity’s exposure to sin. Remember, sin existed in the garden before Adam and Eve ate from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. We see how it was used when the serpent manipulated Adam and Eve, leading them to become sinful like him. Despite the rule being made and the love they had for God, Eve and Adam ate from the one tree God told them not to.
We must remember that God created us with worth, dignity, value, love, and purpose to worship Him; however, in our sinful nature, we defied Him.
Adam and Eve sinned in the garden by transitioning from desiring to be like God to wishing to become their own God. The sin was not eating fruit but rather their pride, defiance, and coveting of God’s knowledge. Because Adam and Eve did this, they were removed from the Garden of Eden, and sin began being passed down through the generations. Now, anyone who is born has a sinful nature. This is known as original sin.
Humans possess the knowledge of morality and the ability to choose between right and wrong, but our decisions will always be bent toward sin. Morality cannot save us. All sin is treason against God. The punishment for treason is death. (Romans 6:23)
As a result of sin, we are separated from God with the ultimate consequence of death (Isaiah 59:2).
Immediately after telling Adam and Eve what the consequences of their transgressions would be, God made the first sacrifice to atone for their sin. (Genesis 3:21)
This shows us the grace and mercy God has toward His creation, even after this treasonous behavior (Romans 3:23).
Within the Tabernacle, a veil existed to separate humanity from the Holy Spirit because of sin. Historically, sacrificing animals was the practice to seek forgiveness, as death was the punishment for treason, and bloodshed was necessary for atonement.
However, this was insufficient. For human sin, a sacrifice that was pure and sinless, created in the image and likeness of God, and filled with His breath was required. The Old Testament demonstrates our inability to do this independently and the desperate need for a savior.
The gospel isn’t just good news—it’s the best news ever. Here’s why: we’re all born into sin (yes, even you—Psalm 51:5, Romans 3:23). Sin is treason against God, and the penalty is death (Romans 6:23). But don’t panic yet. God, in His infinite love, had a rescue plan.
In the beginning, God didn’t just create the world—He dropped a mic on existence itself. Genesis kicks off with Elohim (that’s God in His full Trinity glory) speaking light, life, and order into being with nothing but His words—try pulling that off at your next party. Humanity, crafted with His breath, is unique, bearing His image and purpose. Women? Far more than "just helpers," they're God-ordained battle partners (ezer power!). But then came the fall—cue Adam and Eve’s tragic decision to trade paradise for pride. Sin entered, and humanity’s perfect connection with God was severed. Yet, even in their rebellion, God’s grace shone through. His first sacrifice to cover their shame foreshadowed the ultimate Savior we desperately need, proving that even when we fall, God’s mercy doesn’t.
(some might call this a glossary)
TL/DR—Too Long/Didn’t Read
Gospel—The good news that Jesus Christ fulfilled all the Jewish prophecies and promises made, and through His resurrection, provides a means to salvation.
Sin—A departure from God’s standard.
Treason— “The offense of attempting by overt acts to overthrow the government of the state to which the offender owes allegiance or to kill or personally injure the sovereign or the sovereign's family.”
High Priest—The highest-ranking Jewish leader with the most significant influence, although his authority was limited under Roman supervision.
Temple Veil—A thick curtain that separated the Holy of Holies in the Temple from the outside world. This was where the Ark of the Covenant was located prior to the temple being ransacked by Babylon.
ESV—English Standard Version
NIV—New International Version
NLT—New Living Translation
Apostate/Apostasy—”Abandonment of a previous loyalty.”
Kingdom of God—The place where Christ reigns as King.
The Great Commission—The duty and calling of sharing the gospel, making disciples, baptizing them, and then teaching them from Jesus to His followers.