Most traditions within Christianity would agree that the ÒgospelÓ is the Òstory of the life, death, burial and resurrection of Jesus.Ó Problematically, this common contemporary definition does not fit logically with the biblical texts that reference the term. Consider Mark 1:14, Galatians 3:8, Hebrews 3:16-4:2, Luke 3:18 & 9:6.
_ If Jesus did not speak overtly regarding His intent to die sacrificially until the very end of His earthly ministry, what ÒgospelÓ did He preach at the start of His ministry?
_ What ÒgospelÓ first came to Abraham and was also preached in the days of Moses?
_ What ÒgospelÓ was known by John the Baptist before he baptized Jesus?
_ What ÒgospelÓ was preached by JesusÕ disciples prior to knowing that their Rabbi would go to the cross?
This study not only elucidates the factors that contributed to the loss of the biblical definition of the term "gospel," but also restores its meaning and offers a first century perspective of Hebraic Spirituality.