The Good Announcement

Taken as a whole, the Bible is primarily God’s gospel document for His family (the church, the community of the redeemed) and the world.

Mark is the “beginning of the gospel” (archē tou euangeliou, ἀρχή τοῦ εὐαγγελίου; Mark 1:1a). By echoing Genesis 1:1 of the Septuagint (LXX), he indicates that the Jesus story is foundational to the gospel message in its entirety.

The gospel is the good announcement of the victory of “Jesus Messiah” (Iēsou Christou, Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ; Mark 1:1b) through His ministry, death, and resurrection. “Having triumphed over” all God’s enemies (Colossians 2:15), he has eternally and immutably secured the salvation and shalom (peace, holistic wellbeing, שָׁלוֹם; Isaiah 9:6–7) of God’s children, received by faith. In Him, God’s kingdom and new creation have already begun, even as we await their full realization on His second coming.

Jesus, the New Creation and New Creator

God always works in Jesus by His Spirit and word.

Repentant Christians are in (united with) Jesus.

The Holy Spirit uses repentant Christians to accomplish Jesus’ great commission (Matthew 28:19–20).

Godly political action done in Jesus’ name is consistent with God’s gospel and mission to the world.