What is the Good News

By James Caputo

"And this good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to the nations; and then the end will come." –Matthew 24:14 NWT

For centuries these words of Christ have encouraged sincere Christians to have a part in promulgating the Bible’s message of God’s kingdom to the extremities of the earth . The purpose of its global declaration is made clear in the following words of the apostle Paul: "For I am not ashamed of the good news; it is in fact, God’s power for salvation to everyone having faith. (Romans 1:16) That the dissemination of this life-saving message was imperative to Paul is evident in his exclaiming: "Woe is me if I did not declare the good news!" (1 Corinthians 9:18) In harmony with the apostle’s sentiment, Christ himself, in parabolic form, underscored the preaching responsibility all have who appropriate the name Christian. (Luke 19:11-26)

Perhaps what distinguishes Jehovah’s Witnesses from other religious fellowships most is their stalwart door to door preaching in connection with the good news of God’s kingdom. Many witnesses have demonstrated a laudable zeal for public ministry. In lands where such public preaching has been banned, they have faced mob violence and incarceration. Some Witnesses have even given their very lives to this end. One simply cannot undermine the efforts and perseverance of those witnesses who expend so much of themselves out of a sincere motive and love for their neighbors.

While evangelistic zeal and fervor are commendable and serve as an admirable example, the apostle Paul reminds us that truth in conjunction with such attributes should be of utmost importance to the faithful servant of God. "Pay constant attention to yourself and to your teaching. Stay by these things, for by doing this you will save both yourself and those who listen to you." (1 Timothy 4:16) Because our teaching directly effects the salvation of those who listen to us, it is imperative that we as Christians adhere closely to the inspired good news preached by the apostles. (Ephesians 1:13) One may feel, however, that such an admonition is trite and could not possibly apply to them personally. Yet, scripture reveals that even in the presence of the apostles, some had already insidiously deviated from the essence of the true message of the good news. (Galatians 1:6)  As Christians, how do we determine the accuracy and authenticity of the good news we preach? As in all matters, we are exhorted to consult the Bible as the final court of arbitration. (Acts 17:11, 2 Timothy 3:16) 

The purpose of this non-exhaustive study is just that - to see not only what the Bible plainly teaches about the inspired first-century good news, but to determine what it doesn’t teach as well. Its aim, then, is to serve as a scriptural barometer for those who take the preaching of the good news to heart.

I make request, not concerning these only, [the apostles] but also concerning those putting faith in me through their word. –John 17:20 NWT

By  both divine providence and divine superintendence, today the "word" of the apostles is accessible to man in the Christian Greek Scriptures. Those, therefore, who trust the Bible as the inspired word of God have at their disposal the apostolic eyewitness accounts of Jesus life, death and resurrection. Adding to the weight of "their word" is the fact that it was Jesus himself who communicated these divine truths to the apostles. For, we read in John 17:7-8: "They have now come to know that all the things you gave me are from you; because the sayings you gave me I have given to them." 

The Bible shows that after God resurrected Jesus from the dead, he appeared to two disciples on the road to Emmaus, a man named Cleopus and, possibly, his wife. He then interpreted all that was written in the Hebrew scriptures to them. We read the following in Luke’s account: He now said to them: "These are my words that I spoke to you while I was yet with you, that all the things written in the Law of Moses and in the Prophets and Psalms about me must be fulfilled. Then he opened up their minds fully to understand the scriptures," (Luke 24:44)

This complete explanation of how the Hebrew prophecies applied to Jesus was an outstanding example of divine revelation. Jesus then declared the precise message that would be preached throughout the world. The account continues: And he said to them: "In this way it is written that Christ would suffer and rise from among the dead on the third day, and on the basis of his name repentance for forgiveness of sins would be preached in all the nations-starting out from Jerusalem." (24:46-47)

Jesus shared a meal with them and left. They immediately returned to Jerusalem, found the eleven apostles and told them about their meeting with Jesus. While they were telling the story, Jesus appeared to the assembled group. Before ascending to heaven, Jesus indicated to the eleven that he had already been given the authority to take personal responsibility for everything:

"All authority has been given me in heaven and on the earth. Go therefore and make disciples of people of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit, teaching them to obey all the things I have commanded you. And, look! I am with you all the days until the conclusion of the system of things."—Matt. 28:18-20

Jesus on the road to Emmaus opens up the minds of two of his disciples to fully understand the scriptures. He then appears to the eleven apostles and gives them the great commission to make disciples of people of all nations. Did the Apostles understand the good news?

The Biblical record incontestably proves that the message of Jesus' command was understood. In fact, the Apostle Paul’s preaching was centered on the forgiveness of sins. Thus, he referred to this evangelistic work as: "the ministry of reconciliation." (2 Corinthians 5:18) 

Church history also confirms that faithful men of the second and third centuries continued to emphasize this work of reconciliation. In fact, unlike Jehovah's Witnesses who believe in "progressive understanding" of God's word, early Christians did not believe that they would come to a fuller understanding of God and his plan of salvation. Contrarily, second and third century Christians proved their beliefs by pointing back to what the apostles had unambiguously handed down to them. They believed the apostles to be in possession of "perfect knowledge" and that such knowledge was more than adequately articulated to their successors.

In the second century Iranaeus (a prominent presbyter of Lyons) says the following in this regard:

“It is unlawful to assert that the apostles preached before they possessed “perfect Knowledge,” as some do even venture to say, boasting themselves as being improvers of the apostles. For, after our Lord rose from the dead, the apostles were energized with power from on High when the Holy Spirit came down upon them. They were completely filled and had perfect knowledge. They departed to the ends of the earth, preaching the glad tidings of the good things sent to us from God.” (s. 180 E/W), 1.414

In the third century Tertullian (a prominent presbyter of Carthage) said the following:

The heretics usually tell us that the apostles did not know all things…. Exposing Christ to blame for having sent forth apostles who had either too much ignorance, or too little simplicity. What man of sound mind can possibly suppose that they were ignorant of anything, whom the Lord ordained to be teachers? (c. 197, W), 3.253.

And:

“When He, the Spirit of truth, will come, He will lead you into all truth.” He thus shows that there was nothing of which the apostle were ignorant, to whom He had promised the future attainment of all truth by the help of the Spirit of truth. (c. 197, W), 3.253.

These statements were made to the Gnostics who were claiming a further revelation regarding Christ, yet the principle still stands - Christians of subsequent generations unanimously believed themselves to be in possession of apostolic doctrine which needed no accretions or crystallization.

In line with that, the apostle Paul says the following in his epistle to the Galatians: 

"However, even if we or an angel out of heaven should declare to you as good news something beyond what we declared to you as good news, let him be accursed. As we have said above, I also now say again, whoever it is that is declaring to you as good news something beyond what you accepted let him be accursed." 

Paul goes on to establish his God-given authority to both declare and define the essence of the good news by evidencing the source from which he learned it. "For I put you on notice, brothers that the good news declared by me is not something human. For neither did I receive it from man, nor was I taught it, except through revelation by Jesus Christ. "(Galatians 1:11)

The fact that Paul received his understanding of the good news from none other than Jesus Christ himself is significant. Those who claim Christ as their Lord and head should be cautious to never overstep this revelation as understood and expressed by him and the other apostles. 

Do Jehovah’s Witnesses preach the same good news as the inspired apostles of the first century or do they unwittingly place themselves under the "curse" of Galatians 1:8 by preaching "another sort of good news?"

I am astonished by the promptness with which you have turned away from the one who called you and have decided to follow a different version of the Good News.

–Galatians 1: 6, Jerusalem Bible

The Watchtower overtly admits that its message is something different- a special "kind" of good news. In the Watchtower of May 1, 1981 page 17, we read the following:

Let the honest-hearted person compare the kind of preaching of the gospel of the kingdom done by the religious systems of Christendom during all the centuries, with that done by Jehovah’s Witnesses since the end of World War 1 in 1918. They are not one and the same kind. That of Jehovah’s Witnesses is really "gospel," or "good news," as of God’s heavenly kingdom that was established by the enthronement of his Son Jesus Christ at the end of the Gentile Times in 1914.

Perhaps no other religion of modern times has invested in, and depended on, a single date, as has the Watchtower society. Its good news has always been inextricably tied to the date 1914. For more than three decades the year 1914 was pointed forward to as the terminal point for the Watchtower organization’s unique time prophecies. "Bible students" stridently preached the good news that Christ had returned and had been invisibly present since 1874 and that the conversion of the Jews to Christianity, their return to Palestine, the collapse of all political and religious systems of the world as well as the miraculous heavenly transference of the body of Christ would take place by early October 1914.

Now, for some eight decades, the Watchtower has pointed back to that year as the starting point of their time prophecies. In relation to this year, they have in modern times given God a deadline as to when all his promises must take place. 

The May 1, 1984 Watchtower proclaiming that the 1914 generation will not pass away.

In the interval, 1918 was said to be the year for all the aforementioned expectations. When nothing happened, the apocalyptic events were deferred to1925. Shortly after that point Watchtower president Joseph Rutherford discontinued the Biblical teaching of a heavenly hope for all Christians as well as inclusion of all Christians in the new covenant. From that point on, even the very mediatorship of Christ has been marginalized to a relatively few. 

Today the Watchtower’s good news focuses overwhelmingly on negative "world conditions" and the hope of early relief from the problems these bring. This will be accomplished through the entrance of the perennially-at-hand "new world" directed by a new government. 

Jehovah's Witness Iconography regularly focuses on negative world-events as a springboard to preaching their "good news" message.

Through colorful pictures and illustrations in Watchtower publications, a "spiritual materialism" has been skillfully portrayed and deeply instilled in witnesses. These graphic images have depicted witness Armageddon-survivors building beautiful lake-side homes in mountainous surroundings, eating the finest organic foods, delighting in inter-racial picnics, greeting fully-clothed loved ones from the dead and having exotic animals as pets. All this will be enjoyed free from taxation, inflation, and insurance. Gone will be the wrinkles and problems related to old age. Eternal vibrant youth will be theirs to relish!

Instead of confessing the Christian "hope of glory and immortality," some six million Jehovah’s Witnesses are currently making a defense for the aforementioned bucolic "hope" which has been artfully nourished in them. (1 Peter 3:15, read context *1 Peter 1: 3-4*)

If one only read the inspired expressions of Jesus and the apostles concerning the good news of the kingdom, would one ever arrive at the Watchtower organization's interpretation of it? 

The apostle Paul received his understanding of the good news from none other than Jesus Christ himself. When speaking of the Kingdom of God to first century Christians, did Paul ever nourish fleshly desires in them like those found in the colorful illustrations of Watchtower literature?

Acting as both an emotional charge to such carnal expectations and an incentive to fuller part in the door to door ministry is the relentless assurance that the realization of these things is "very near" and "imminently close."

While the Watchtower’s message of the good news strongly pleases the senses, we do well to honestly ask ourselves if the good news of the Watchtower is the same as the inspired good news that Christ and the apostles preached in the first century. If even angels were to be condemned for adding to the good news, where would that place Jehovah's Witnesses regarding the curse of Galatians 1? 

If the "good news" of Jehovah's Witnesses is firmly rooted in the scripture, there should be a considerable similarity between their expressions of God's kingdom and those of the apostles. If Jesus did in fact appear to the disciples teaching them all that there was in the law and the prophets and psalms, we should indeed have confidence that the apostle's message of the good news is a perfect amalgamation of both the old and new testaments. We should never assume, therefore, that they excluded any important aspects or failed to explain salient features of the good news of God's Kingdom that would only be understood in latter days by uninspired men. To the contrary, in the book of Jude we are told that we should fight hard for this faith that was delivered once and for all  times to the holy ones. That deposit of faith - that is, the body of Christian beliefs, were indeed delivered once for all times to the holy ones and now can be found in the New Testament for all to read and believe. 

What follows are  98 direct New Testament references to the good news. The surrounding context is also provided to help grasp the precise meaning of what the inspired writers were intending to convey. 

Faithful second and third century Christians believed the words of the apostles and preached them throughout the ancient world. May the sincere reader believe on "their word" as well.

All scriptures are taken from The New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures. 

Acts 5:41-42 These, therefore, went their way from before the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy to be dishonored in behalf of his name. 42 And every day in the temple and from house to house they continued without letup teaching and declaring the good news about the Christ, Jesus.

Acts 8:4-5 However, those who had been scattered went through the land declaring the good news of the word. 5 Philip, for one, went down to the city of Sa·mar'i·a and began to preach the Christ to them.

Acts 8:11-13 12 But when they believed Philip, who was declaring the good news of the kingdom of God and of the name of Jesus Christ, they proceeded to be baptized, both men and women. 13 Simon himself also became a believer, and, after being baptized, he was in constant attendance upon Philip; and he was amazed at beholding signs and great powerful works taking place.

Acts 8:22-25 22 Repent, therefore, of this badness of yours, and supplicate Jehovah that, if possible, the device of your heart may be forgiven you; 23 for I see you are a poisonous gall and a bond of unrighteousness." 24 In answer Simon said: "YOU men, make supplication for me to Jehovah that none of the things YOU have said may come upon me."

25 Therefore, when they had given the witness thoroughly and had spoken the word of Jehovah, they turned back to Jerusalem, and they went declaring the good news to many villages of the Sa·mar'i·tans.

Acts 8:35-37 Philip opened his mouth and, starting with this Scripture, he declared to him the good news about Jesus. 36 Now as they were going over the road, they came to a certain body of water, and the eunuch said: "Look! A body of water; what prevents me from getting baptized?" 37

Acts 8:40 - 9:2 40 But Philip was found to be in Ash'dod, and he went through the territory and kept on declaring the good news to all the cities until he got to Caes·a·re'a.

9 But Saul, still breathing threat and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, in order that he might bring bound to Jerusalem any whom he found who belonged to The Way, both men and women.

Acts 10:34-43 34 At this Peter opened his mouth and said: "For a certainty I perceive that God is not partial, 35 but in every nation the man that fears him and works righteousness is acceptable to him. 36 He sent out the word to the sons of Israel to declare to them the good news of peace through Jesus Christ: this One is Lord of all [others]. 37 YOU know the subject that was talked about throughout the whole of Ju·de'a, starting from Gal'i·lee after the baptism that John preached, 38 namely, Jesus who was from Naz'a·reth, how God anointed him with holy spirit and power, and he went through the land doing good and healing all those oppressed by the Devil; because God was with him. 39 And we are witnesses of all the things he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem; but they also did away with him by hanging him on a stake. 40 God raised this One up on the third day and granted him to become manifest, 41 not to all the people, but to witnesses appointed beforehand by God, to us, who ate and drank with him after his rising from the dead.

Acts 11:20-21 However, out of them there were some men of Cy'prus and Cy·re'ne that came to Antioch and began talking to the Greek-speaking people, declaring the good news of the Lord Jesus. 21 Furthermore, the hand of Jehovah was with them, and a great number that became believers turned to the Lord.

Acts 13:32-34 And so we are declaring to YOU the good news about the promise made to the forefathers, 33 that God has entirely fulfilled it to us their children in that he resurrected Jesus; even as it is written in the second psalm, ‘You are my son, I have become your Father this day.’ 34 And that fact that he resurrected him from the dead destined no more to return to corruption, he has stated in this way, ‘I will give YOU people the loving-kindnesses to David that are faithful.

Acts 14:5-7 6 they, on being informed of it, fled to the cities of Lyc·a·o'ni·a, Lys'tra and Der'be and the country round about; 7 and there they went on declaring the good news.

Acts 14:14-16 14 However, when the apostles Bar'na·bas and Paul heard of it, they ripped their outer garments and leaped out into the crowd, crying out 15 and saying: "Men, why are YOU doing these things? We also are humans having the same infirmities as YOU do, and are declaring the good news to YOU, for YOU to turn from these vain things to the living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all the things in them. 16

Acts 14:21-22 And after declaring the good news to that city and making quite a few disciples, they returned to Lys'tra and to I·co'ni·um and to Antioch, 22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to remain in the faith and [saying]: "We must enter into the kingdom of God through many tribulations."

Acts 15:7 7 Now when much disputing had taken place, Peter rose and said to them: "Men, brothers, YOU well know that from early days God made the choice among YOU that through my mouth people of the nations should hear the word of the good news and believe;

Acts 15:35 35 However, Paul and Bar'na·bas continued spending time in Antioch teaching and declaring, with many others also, the good news of the word of Jehovah.

Acts 16:9-10 9 And during the night a vision appeared to Paul: a certain Mac·e·do'ni·an man was standing and entreating him and saying: "Step over into Mac·e·do'ni·a and help us." 10 Now as soon as he had seen the vision, we sought to go forth into Mac·e·do'ni·a, drawing the conclusion that God had summoned us to declare the good news to them.

Acts 17:17-18 Consequently he began to reason in the synagogue with the Jews and the other people who worshiped [God] and every day in the marketplace with those who happened to be on hand. 18 But certain ones of both the Ep·i·cu·re'an and the Sto'ic philosophers took to conversing with him controversially, and some would say: "What is it this chatterer would like to tell?" Others: "He seems to be a publisher of foreign deities." This was because he was declaring the good news of Jesus and the resurrection.

Acts 20:19-24 20 while I did not hold back from telling YOU any of the things that were profitable nor from teaching YOU publicly and from house to house. 21 But I thoroughly bore witness both to Jews and to Greeks about repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus. 22 And now, look! bound in the spirit, I am journeying to Jerusalem, although not knowing the things that will happen to me in it, 23 except that from city to city the holy spirit repeatedly bears witness to me as it says that bonds and tribulations are waiting for me. 24 Nevertheless, I do not make my soul of any account as dear to me, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received of the Lord Jesus, to bear thorough witness to the good news of the undeserved kindness of God.

Romans 1:1-6 Paul, a slave of Jesus Christ and called to be an apostle, separated to God’s good news, 2 which he promised aforetime through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, 3 concerning his Son, who sprang from the seed of David according to the flesh, 4 but who with power was declared God’s Son according to the spirit of holiness by means of resurrection from the dead—yes, Jesus Christ our Lord, 5 through whom we received undeserved kindness and an apostleship in order that there might be obedience of faith among all the nations respecting his name, 6 among which [nations] YOU also are those called to belong to Jesus Christ—

Romans 1:9-10 9 For God, to whom I render sacred service with my spirit in connection with the good news about his Son, is my witness of how without ceasing I always make mention of YOU in my prayers, 10 begging that if at all possible I may now at last be prospered in the will of God so as to come to YOU.

Romans 1:13-17 14 Both to Greeks and to Barbarians, both to wise and to senseless ones I am a debtor: 15 so there is eagerness on my part to declare the good news also to YOU there in Rome. 16 For I am not ashamed of the good news; it is, in fact, God’s power for salvation to everyone having faith, to the Jew first and also to the Greek; 17 for in it God’s righteousness is being revealed by reason of faith and toward faith, just as it is written: "But the righteous one—by means of faith he will live."

Romans 2:15-16 They are the very ones who demonstrate the matter of the law to be written in their hearts, while their conscience is bearing witness with them and, between their own thoughts, they are being accused or even excused. 16 This will be in the day when God through Christ Jesus judges the secret things of mankind, according to the good news I declare.

Romans 10:11-17 11 For the Scripture says: "None that rests his faith on him will be disappointed." 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for there is the same Lord over all, who is rich to all those calling upon him. 13 For "everyone who calls on the name of Jehovah will be saved." 14 However, how will they call on him in whom they have not put faith? How, in turn, will they put faith in him of whom they have not heard? How, in turn, will they hear without someone to preach? 15 How, in turn, will they preach unless they have been sent forth? Just as it is written: "How comely are the feet of those who declare good news of good things!"

16 Nevertheless, they did not all obey the good news. For Isaiah says: "Jehovah, who put faith in the thing heard from us?" 17 So faith follows the thing heard. In turn the thing heard is through the word about Christ. (The name of Jehovah or the name of Christ?)

Romans 11:26-28 "The deliverer will come out of Zion and turn away ungodly practices from Jacob. 27 And this is the covenant on my part with them, when I take their sins away." 28 True, with reference to the good news they are enemies for YOUR sakes, but with reference to [God’s] choosing they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers.

Romans 15:14-16 15 However, I am writing YOU the more outspokenly on some points, as if reminding YOU again, because of the undeserved kindness given to me from God 16 for me to be a public servant of Christ Jesus to the nations, engaging in the holy work of the good news of God, in order that the offering, namely, these nations, might prove to be acceptable, it being sanctified with holy spirit.

Romans 15:17-21 17 Therefore I have cause for exulting in Christ Jesus when it comes to things pertaining to God. 18 For I will not venture to tell one thing if it is not of those things which Christ worked through me for the nations to be obedient, by [my] word and deed, 19 with the power of signs and portents, with the power of holy spirit; so that from Jerusalem and in a circuit as far as Il·lyr'i·cum I have thoroughly preached the good news about the Christ. 20 In this way, indeed, I made it my aim not to declare the good news where Christ had already been named, in order that I might not be building on another man’s foundation; 21 but, just as it is written: "Those to whom no announcement has been made about him will see, and those who have not heard will understand."

Romans 16:25-27 Now to him who can make YOU firm in accord with the good news I declare and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the sacred secret which has been kept in silence for long-lasting times 26 but has now been made manifest and has been made known through the prophetic scriptures among all the nations in accord with the command of the everlasting God to promote obedience by faith; 27 to God, wise alone, be the glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen.

1 Corinthians 1:16-17 Yes, I also baptized the household of Steph'a·nas. As for the rest, I do not know whether I baptized anybody else. 17 For Christ dispatched me, not to go baptizing, but to go declaring the good news, not with wisdom of speech, that the torture stake of the Christ should not be made useless.

1 Corinthians 1:22-24 For both the Jews ask for signs and the Greeks look for wisdom; 23 but we preach Christ impaled, to the Jews a cause for stumbling but to the nations foolishness; 24 however, to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

1 Corinthians 4:14-17 I am writing these things, not to shame YOU, but to admonish YOU as my beloved children. 15 For though YOU may have ten thousand tutors in Christ, [YOU] certainly [do] not [have] many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have become YOUR father through the good news. 16 I entreat YOU, therefore, become imitators of me. 17 That is why I am sending Timothy to YOU, as he is my beloved and faithful child in [the] Lord; and he will put YOU in mind of my methods in connection with Christ Jesus, just as I am teaching everywhere in every congregation.

1 Corinthians 9:12-23 Nevertheless, we have not made use of this authority, but we are bearing all things, in order that we might not offer any hindrance to the good news about the Christ. 13 Do YOU not know that the men performing sacred duties eat the things of the temple, and those constantly attending at the altar have a portion for themselves with the altar? 14 In this way, too, the Lord ordained for those proclaiming the good news to live by means of the good news.

15 But I have not made use of a single one of these [provisions]. Indeed, I have not written these things that it should become so in my case, for it would be finer for me to die than—no man is going to make my reason for boasting void! 16 If, now, I am declaring the good news, it is no reason for me to boast, for necessity is laid upon me. Really, woe is me if I did not declare the good news! 17 If I perform this willingly, I have a reward; but if I do it against my will, all the same I have a stewardship entrusted to me. 18 What, then, is my reward? That while declaring the good news I may furnish the good news without cost, to the end that I may not abuse my authority in the good news.

19 For, though I am free from all persons, I have made myself the slave to all, that I may gain the most persons. 20 And so to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain Jews; to those under law I became as under law, though I myself am not under law, that I might gain those under law. 21 To those without law I became as without law, although I am not without law toward God but under law toward Christ, that I might gain those without law. 22 To the weak I became weak, that I might gain the weak. I have become all things to people of all sorts, that I might by all means save some. 23 But I do all things for the sake of the good news, that I may become a sharer of it with [others].

1 Corinthians 15:3-6 For I handed on to YOU, among the first things, that which I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; 4 and that he was buried, yes, that he has been raised up the third day according to the Scriptures; 5 and that he appeared to Ce'phas, then to the twelve. 6 After that he appeared to upward of five hundred brothers at one time, the most of whom remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep [in death].

2 Corinthians 2:12-13 Now when I arrived in Tro'as to declare the good news about the Christ, and a door was opened to me in [the] Lord, 13

2 Corinthians 4:1-6 4 That is why, since we have this ministry according to the mercy that was shown us, we do not give up; 2 but we have renounced the underhanded things of which to be ashamed, not walking with cunning, neither adulterating the word of God, but by making the truth manifest recommending ourselves to every human conscience in the sight of God. 3 If, now, the good news we declare is in fact veiled, it is veiled among those who are perishing, 4 among whom the god of this system of things has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, that the illumination of the glorious good news about the Christ, who is the image of God, might not shine through. 5 For we are preaching, not ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as YOUR slaves for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God is he who said: "Let the light shine out of darkness

2 Corinthians 8:16-18 Now thanks be to God for putting the same earnestness for YOU in the heart of Titus, 17 because he has indeed responded to the encouragement, but, being very earnest, he is going forth of his own accord to YOU. 18 But we are sending along with him the brother whose praise in connection with the good news has spread through all the congregations.

2 Corinthians 9:12-14 because the ministry of this public service is not only to supply abundantly the wants of the holy ones but also to be rich with many expressions of thanks to God. 13 Through the proof that this ministry gives, they glorify God because YOU are submissive to the good news about the Christ, as YOU publicly declare YOU are, and because YOU are generous in YOUR contribution to them and to all; 14 and with supplication for YOU they long for YOU because of the surpassing undeserved kindness of God upon YOU.

2 Corinthians 10:14-16 14 Really we are not overstretching ourselves as if we did not reach to YOU, for we were the first to come even as far as YOU in declaring the good news about the Christ. 15 No, we are not boasting outside our assigned boundaries in the labors of someone else, but we entertain hope that, as YOUR faith is being increased, we may be made great among YOU with reference to our territory. Then we will abound still more, 16 to declare the good news to the countries beyond YOU, so as not to boast in someone else’s territory where things are already prepared.

2 Corinthians 11:4 4 For, as it is, if someone comes and preaches a Jesus other than the one we preached, or YOU receive a spirit other than what YOU received, or good news other than what YOU accepted, YOU easily put up [with him].

2 Corinthians 11:7 Or did I commit a sin by humbling myself that YOU might be exalted, because without cost I gladly declared the good news of God to YOU?

Galatians 1:6-12 I marvel that YOU are being so quickly removed from the One who called YOU with Christ’s undeserved kindness over to another sort of good news. 7 But it is not another; only there are certain ones who are causing YOU trouble and wanting to pervert the good news about the Christ. 8 However, even if we or an angel out of heaven were to declare to YOU as good news something beyond what we declared to YOU as good news, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said above, I also now say again, Whoever it is that is declaring to YOU as good news something beyond what YOU accepted, let him be accursed.

10 Is it, in fact, men I am now trying to persuade or God? Or am I seeking to please men? If I were yet pleasing men, I would not be Christ’s slave. 11 For I put YOU on notice, brothers, that the good news which was declared by me as good news is not something human; 12 for neither did I receive it from man, nor was I taught [it], except through revelation by Jesus Christ.

Galatians 1:15-20 But when God, who separated me from my mother’s womb and called [me] through his undeserved kindness, thought good 16 to reveal his Son in connection with me, that I might declare the good news about him to the nations, I did not go at once into conference with flesh and blood. 17 Neither did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles previous to me, but I went off into Arabia, and I came back again to Damascus.

18 Then three years later I went up to Jerusalem to visit Ce'phas, and I stayed with him for fifteen days. 19 But I saw no one else of the apostles, only James the brother of the Lord. 20 Now as to the things I am writing YOU, look! in the sight of God, I am not lying.

Galatians 1:23-24 23 they only used to hear: "The man that formerly persecuted us is now declaring the good news about the faith which he formerly devastated." 24 So they began glorifying God because of me.

Galatians 2:1-5 Then after fourteen years I again went up to Jerusalem with Bar'na·bas, taking also Titus along with me. 2 But I went up as a result of a revelation. And I laid before them the good news which I am preaching among the nations, privately, however, before those who were outstanding men, for fear that somehow I was running or had run in vain. 3 Nevertheless, not even Titus, who was with me, was compelled to be circumcised, although he was a Greek. 4 But because of the false brothers brought in quietly, who sneaked in to spy upon our freedom which we have in union with Christ Jesus, that they might completely enslave us— 5 to these we

Galatians 2:6-7 6 But on the part of those who seemed to be something—whatever sort of men they formerly were makes no difference to me—God does not go by a man’s outward appearance—to me, in fact, those outstanding men imparted nothing new. 7 But, on the contrary, when they saw that I had entrusted to me the good news for those who are uncircumcised, just as Peter [had it] for those who are circumcised—

 Galatians 2:12-21 13 The rest of the Jews also joined him in putting on this pretense, so that even Bar'na·bas was led along with them in their pretense. 14 But when I saw they were not walking straight according to the truth of the good news, I said to Ce'phas before them all: "If you, though you are a Jew, live as the nations do, and not as Jews do, how is it that you are compelling people of the nations to live according to Jewish practice?"15 We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners from the nations, 16 knowing as we do that a man is declared righteous, not due to works of law, but only through faith toward Christ Jesus, even we have put our faith in Christ Jesus, that we may be declared righteous due to faith toward Christ, and not due to works of law, because due to works of law no flesh will be declared righteous. 17 Now if we, in seeking to be declared righteous by means of Christ, have also ourselves been found sinners, is Christ in reality sin’s minister? May that never happen! 18 For if the very things that I once threw down I build up again, I demonstrate myself to be a transgressor. 19 As for me, through law I died toward law, that I might become alive toward God. 20 I am impaled along with Christ. It is no longer I that live, but it is Christ that is living in union with me. Indeed, the life that I now live in flesh I live by the faith that is toward the Son of God, who loved me and handed himself over for me. 21 I do not shove aside the undeserved kindness of God; for if righteousness is through law, Christ actually died for nothing.

Galatians 3:7-9 Surely YOU know that those who adhere to faith are the ones who are sons of Abraham. 8 Now the Scripture, seeing in advance that God would declare people of the nations righteous due to faith, declared the good news beforehand to Abraham, namely: "By means of you all the nations will be blessed." 9 Consequently those who adhere to faith are being blessed together with faithful Abraham.

Galatians 4:12-14 Brothers, I beg YOU, Become as I am, because I used to be also as YOU are. YOU did me no wrong. 13 But YOU know that it was through a sickness of my flesh I declared the good news to YOU the first time. 14 And what was a trial to YOU in my flesh, YOU did not treat with contempt or spit at in disgust; but YOU received me like an angel of God, like Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 1:12-14 12 that we should serve for the praise of his glory, we who have been first to hope in the Christ. 13 But YOU also hoped in him after YOU heard the word of truth, the good news about YOUR salvation. By means of him also, after YOU believed, YOU were sealed with the promised holy spirit, 14 which is a token in advance of our inheritance, for the purpose of releasing by a ransom [God’s] own possession, to his glorious praise.

Ephesians 2:14-18 15 By means of his flesh he abolished the enmity, the Law of commandments consisting in decrees, that he might create the two peoples in union with himself into one new man and make peace; 16 and that he might fully reconcile both peoples in one body to God through the torture stake, because he had killed off the enmity by means of himself. 17 And he came and declared the good news of peace to YOU, the ones far off, and peace to those near, 18 because through him we, both peoples, have the approach to the Father by one spirit.

Ephesians 3:5-12 5 In other generations this [secret] was not made known to the sons of men as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by spirit, 6 namely, that people of the nations should be joint heirs and fellow members of the body and partakers with us of the promise in union with Christ Jesus through the good news. 7 I became a minister of this according to the free gift of the undeserved kindness of God that was given me according to the way his power operates.

8 To me, a man less than the least of all holy ones, this undeserved kindness was given, that I should declare to the nations the good news about the unfathomable riches of the Christ 9 and should make men see how the sacred secret is administered which has from the indefinite past been hidden in God, who created all things. 10 [This was] to the end that now to the governments and the authorities in the heavenly places there might be made known through the congregation the greatly diversified wisdom of God, 11 according to the eternal purpose that he formed in connection with the Christ, Jesus our Lord, 12 by means of whom we have this freeness of speech and an approach with confidence through our faith in him.

Ephesians 6:14-18 Stand firm, therefore, with YOUR loins girded about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and with YOUR feet shod with the equipment of the good news of peace. 16 Above all things, take up the large shield of faith, with which YOU will be able to quench all the wicked one’s burning missiles. 17 Also, accept the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit, that is, God’s word, 18 while with every form of prayer and supplication YOU carry on prayer on every occasion in spirit.

Ephesians 6:19-20 19 also for me, that ability to speak may be given me with the opening of my mouth, with freeness of speech to make known the sacred secret of the good news, 20 for which I am acting as an ambassador in chains; that I may speak in connection with it with boldness as I ought to speak.

Philippians 1:3-7 thank my God always upon every remembrance of YOU 4 in every supplication of mine for all of YOU, as I offer my supplication with joy, 5 because of the contribution YOU have made to the good news from the first day until this moment. 6 For I am confident of this very thing, that he who started a good work in YOU will carry it to completion until the day of Jesus Christ. 7 It is altogether right for me to think this regarding all of YOU, on account of my having YOU in my heart, all of YOU being sharers with me in the undeserved kindness, both in my [prison] bonds and in the defending and legally establishing of the good news.

Philippians 1:12-14 Now I desire YOU to know, brothers, that my affairs have turned out for the advancement of the good news rather than otherwise, 13 so that my bonds have become public knowledge in association with Christ among all the Prae·to'ri·an Guard and all the rest; 14 and most of the brothers in [the] Lord, feeling confidence by reason of my [prison] bonds, are showing all the more courage to speak the word of God fearlessly.

Philippians 1:15-20 True, some are preaching the Christ through envy and rivalry, but others also through goodwill. 16 The latter are publicizing the Christ out of love, for they know I am set here for the defense of the good news; 17 but the former do it out of contentiousness, not with a pure motive, for they are supposing to stir up tribulation [for me] in my [prison] bonds. 18 What then? [Nothing,] except that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is being publicized, and in this I rejoice. In fact, I will also keep on rejoicing, 19 for I know this will result in my salvation through YOUR supplication and a supply of the spirit of Jesus Christ, 20 in harmony with my eager expectation and hope that I shall not be ashamed in any respect, but that in all freeness of speech Christ will, as always before, so now be magnified by means of my body, whether through life or through death.

Philippians 1:27-28 27 Only behave in a manner worthy of the good news about the Christ, in order that, whether I come and see YOU or be absent, I may hear about the things which concern YOU, that YOU are standing firm in one spirit, with one soul striving side by side for the faith of the good news, 28

Philippians 2:21-24 22 But YOU know the proof he gave of himself, that like a child with a father he slaved with me in furtherance of the good news. 23 This, therefore, is the man I am hoping to send just as soon as I have seen how things stand concerning me. 24 Indeed, I am confident in [the] Lord that I myself shall also come shortly.

Philippians 4:3-5 Yes, I request you too, genuine yokefellow, keep assisting these [women] who have striven side by side with me in the good news along with Clement as well as the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.

Philippians 4:14-15 Nevertheless, YOU acted well in becoming sharers with me in my tribulation. 15 In fact, YOU Phi·lip'pi·ans, also know that at [the] start of declaring the good news, when I departed from Mac·e·do'ni·a, not a congregation took a share with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except YOU alone;

Philippians 4:19-20 19 In turn, my God will fully supply all YOUR need to the extent of his riches in glory by means of Christ Jesus.

Colossians 1:3-6 We thank God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ always when we pray for YOU, 4 since we heard of YOUR faith in connection with Christ Jesus and the love YOU have for all the holy ones 5 because of the hope that is being reserved for YOU in the heavens. This [hope] YOU heard of before by the telling of the truth of that good news 6 which has presented itself to YOU, even as it is bearing fruit and increasing in all the world just as [it is doing] also among YOU, from the day YOU heard and accurately knew the undeserved kindness of God in truth.

Colossians 1:21-23 Indeed, YOU who were once alienated and enemies because YOUR minds were on the works that were wicked, 22 he now has again reconciled by means of that one’s fleshly body through [his] death, in order to present YOU holy and unblemished and open to no accusation before him, 23 provided, of course, that YOU continue in the faith, established on the foundation and steadfast and not being shifted away from the hope of that good news which YOU heard, and which was preached in all creation that is under heaven. Of this [good news] I Paul became a minister.

1 Thessalonians 1:2-7 We always thank God when we make mention concerning all of YOU in our prayers, 3 for we bear incessantly in mind YOUR faithful work and [your] loving labor and [your] endurance due to [your] hope in our Lord Jesus Christ before our God and Father. 4 For we know, brothers loved by God, his choosing of YOU, 5 because the good news we preach did not turn up among YOU with speech alone but also with power and with holy spirit and strong conviction, just as YOU know what sort of men we became to YOU for YOUR sakes; 6 and YOU became imitators of us and of the Lord, seeing that YOU accepted the word under much tribulation with joy of holy spirit, 7 so that YOU came to be an example to all the believers in Mac·e·do'ni·a and in A·cha'ia.

1 Thessalonians 2:1-4 2 To be sure, YOU yourselves know, brothers, how our visit to YOU has not been without results, 2 but how, after we had first suffered and been insolently treated (just as YOU know) in Phi·lip'pi, we mustered up boldness by means of our God to speak to YOU the good news of God with a great deal of struggling. 3 For the exhortation we give does not arise from error or from uncleanness or with deceit, 4 but, just as we have been proved by God as fit to be entrusted with the good news, so we speak, as pleasing, not men, but God, who makes proof of our hearts.

1 Thessalonians 2:7-12 8 So, having a tender affection for YOU, we were well pleased to impart to YOU, not only the good news of God, but also our own souls, because YOU became beloved to us.

9 Certainly YOU bear in mind, brothers, our labor and toil. It was with working night and day, so as not to put an expensive burden upon any one of YOU, that we preached the good news of God to YOU. 10 YOU are witnesses, God is also, how loyal and righteous and unblamable we proved to be to YOU believers. 11 In harmony with that YOU well know how, as a father does his children, we kept exhorting each one of YOU, and consoling and bearing witness to YOU, 12 to the end that YOU should go on walking worthily of God who is calling YOU to his kingdom and glory.

1 Thessalonians 3:1-2 Hence, when we could bear it no longer, we saw good to be left alone in Athens; 2 and we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s minister in the good news about the Christ, in order to make YOU firm and comfort YOU in behalf of YOUR faith,

2 Thessalonians 1:7-10 7 but, to YOU who suffer tribulation, relief along with us at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with his powerful angels 8 in a flaming fire, as he brings vengeance upon those who do not know God and those who do not obey the good news about our Lord Jesus. 9 These very ones will undergo the judicial punishment of everlasting destruction from before the Lord and from the glory of his strength, 10 at the time he comes to be glorified in connection with his holy ones and to be regarded in that day with wonder in connection with all those who exercised faith, because the witness we gave met with faith among

2 Thessalonians 2:13-14 13 However, we are obligated to thank God always for YOU, brothers loved by Jehovah, because God selected YOU from [the] beginning for salvation by sanctifying YOU with spirit and by YOUR faith in the truth. 14 To this very destiny he called YOU through the good news we declare, for the purpose of acquiring the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ  

1 Timothy 1:8-15 8 Now we know that the Law is fine provided one handles it lawfully 9 in the knowledge of this fact, that law is promulgated, not for a righteous man, but for persons lawless and unruly, ungodly and sinners, lacking loving-kindness, and profane, murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, manslayers, 10 fornicators, men who lie with males, kidnappers, liars, false swearers, and whatever other thing is in opposition to the healthful teaching 11 according to the glorious good news of the happy God, with which I was entrusted.

12 I am grateful to Christ Jesus our Lord, who imparted power to me, because he considered me faithful by assigning me to a ministry, 13 although formerly I was a blasphemer and a persecutor and an insolent man. Nevertheless, I was shown mercy, because I was ignorant and acted with a lack of faith. 14 But the undeserved kindness of our Lord abounded exceedingly along with faith and love that is in connection with Christ Jesus. 15 Faithful and deserving of full acceptance is the saying that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. Of these I am foremost.

2 Timothy 1:7-12 8 Therefore do not become ashamed of the witness about our Lord, neither of me a prisoner for his sake, but take your part in suffering evil for the good news according to the power of God. 9 He saved us and called us with a holy calling, not by reason of our works, but by reason of his own purpose and undeserved kindness. This was given us in connection with Christ Jesus before times long lasting, 10 but now it has been made clearly evident through the manifestation of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has abolished death but has shed light upon life and incorruption through the good news, 11 for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher.

12 For this very cause I am also suffering these things, but I am not ashamed. For I know the one whom I have believed, and I am confident he is able to guard what I have laid up in trust with him until that day.

2 Timothy 2:8-9 Remember that Jesus Christ was raised up from the dead and was of David’s seed, according to the good news I preach; 9 in connection with which I am suffering evil to the point of [prison] bonds as an evildoer.

Philemon 13 would like to hold him back for myself that in place of you he might keep on ministering to me in the [prison] bonds I bear for the sake of the good news.

Hebrews 4:1-7 Therefore, since a promise is left of entering into his rest, let us fear that sometime someone of YOU may seem to have fallen short of it. 2 For we have had the good news declared to us also, even as they also had; but the word which was heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who did hear. 3 For we who have exercised faith do enter into the rest, just as he has said: "So I swore in my anger, ‘They shall not enter into my rest,’" although his works were finished from the founding of the world. 4 For in one place he has said of the seventh day as follows: "And God rested on the seventh day from all his works," 5 and again in this place: "They shall not enter into my rest."6 Since, therefore, it remains for some to enter into it, and those to whom the good news was first declared did not enter in because of disobedience, 7

1 Peter 1:10-12 10 Concerning this very salvation a diligent inquiry and a careful search were made by the prophets who prophesied about the undeserved kindness meant for YOU. 11 They kept on investigating what particular season or what sort of [season] the spirit in them was indicating concerning Christ when it was bearing witness beforehand about the sufferings for Christ and about the glories to follow these. 12 It was revealed to them that, not to themselves, but to YOU, they were ministering the things that have now been announced to YOU through those who have declared the good news to YOU with holy spirit sent forth from heaven. Into these very things angels are desiring to peer.

1 Peter 1:24-25 For "all flesh is like grass, and all its glory is like a blossom of grass; the grass becomes withered, and the flower falls off, 25 but the saying of Jehovah endures forever." Well, this is the "saying," this which has been declared to YOU as good news.

1 Peter 4:5-6 But these people will render an account to the one ready to judge those living and those dead. 6 In fact, for this purpose the good news was declared also to the dead, that they might be judged as to the flesh from the standpoint of men but might live as to the spirit from the standpoint of God.

1 Peter 4:17-19 Now if it starts first with us, what will the end be of those who are not obedient to the good news of God? 18 "And if the righteous [man] is being saved with difficulty, where will the ungodly [man] and the sinner make a showing?" 19 So, then, also let those who are suffering in harmony with the will of God keep on commending their souls to a faithful Creator while they are doing good.

Revelation 10:7but in the days of the sounding of the seventh angel, when he is about to blow his trumpet, the sacred secret of God according to the good news which he declared to his own slaves the prophets is indeed brought to a finish."

Revelation 14:6-7 And I saw another angel flying in midheaven, and he had everlasting good news to declare as glad tidings to those who dwell on the earth, and to every nation and tribe and tongue and people, 7 saying in a loud voice: "FEAR God and give him glory, because the hour of the judgment by him has arrived, and so worship the One who made the heaven and the earth and sea and fountains of waters."

Do you believe on their word?