The simple answer to this questions is found in I Cor. 15, where Paul declares that he preached the Gospel: ...which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: [15:3,4]
But, what does all that mean? It means our sinful nature and ways stand between us and a Holy God! It means there's nothing we can do to fix that! It means that God had to send His Son to die in our place. All of that, "according to the scriptures," which means it was not an after-thought.
It means Jesus was God's promised Messiah [Christ], and that his death on the cross was real! He was buried.
It means He did not stay dead and buried, but was given New Life after three days! A resurrected life. Becoming the "first-fruit" of many to come. Those who would also die....to sin.
This is called, in Scripture, The Gospel of The Lord Jesus Christ. It is not to be confused with any other gospel. It is The Gospel of Life, not good health or financial independence. It is The Gospel of forgiveness, not inclusiveness. Sinners are not given a false hope, because they're 'in church' or because they've prayed 'the sinner's prayer,' or because they're doing good works.
The race is sin-sick, desperately wicked and hell-bent. Easy-believism, Inclusivism, Mysticism, Egalitarianism and Phariseeism are no substitute for Repentance of sin and commitment to God, in Christ!
"Church" has become a Party or a Seance in America! The Gospel has been dumped on the scrap heap and a wide-range of new 'gospels' have taken it's place in the minds and hearts of people.
It's a New Reality! And, as with all new realities, we need to be prepared to live by the new standards and expectations it produces. One thing it does NOT produce is New Creatures, in Christ!
