The Apostolic Gospel: Mood

Before addressing the core content of the apostolic gospel, two key overarching characteristics of the gospel will first be considered. The first of these concerns the mood or tone of the gospel proclamations found in the Book of Acts, along with two fundamental presuppositions underlying the good news. The second involves the communicative form in which it was expressed. Subsequent to these preliminary considerations, the core content of the gospel will be identified, followed by a review of the responses generated by the apostolic gospel.

In terms of the mood, it is significant that the term "gospel" itself means good news. Throughout the Book of Acts the apostolic gospel emphasized the Creator's goodness in calling sinful humans to gracious reconciliation with himself. Even in the first public proclamation of the gospel which occurred on the day of Pentecost, Peter, when speaking to the Temple crowd which had been complicit in the recent unjust torture and crucifixion of Jesus, does not adopt a hostile posture or employ combative rhetoric as he unflinchingly testifies to their culpability. Instead, he focuses on the greatness and goodness of God manifested in Jesus and concludes with the wonderful promises of forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit offered to his hearers provided they repent and be baptized (Ac 2:14-40). This first sermon is in many ways prototypical of most of the ensuing accounts of gospel proclamation found in Acts, particularly with respect to the general tone in which it was communicated. Indeed, The term "gospel" was no misnomer to describe the message the apostles preached; it was indeed good news.

The exception to this general tone is found in the addresses to the religious authorities who were aggressively seeking to suppress the proclamation of the gospel. Although they of all people should have known better and recognized the Messiah, they obstinately and perniciously sought to stamp out any and all apostolic preaching concerning Jesus Christ. The strongest example of a shift in tone is found in Acts 7:51-53 (TNIV) which records some of Stephen's speech to the Sanhedrin: “You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors: You always resist the Holy Spirit! Was there ever a prophet your ancestors did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him—you who have received the law that was given through angels but have not obeyed it.” Nevertheless, even as he was being stoned to death to become the first Christian martyr, Stephen prayed for his persecutors' forgiveness.

• [Although Stephen was not technically an apostle, his ministry grew to the point that it included activity that otherwise is found being done by the apostles; namely, publicly proclaiming the gospel and performing signs and wonders (Ac 6:8-10).]

Similarly, the accounts of the apostles providing a defense for their public proclamation of the gospel also include strong language spoken to the persecuting religious authorities, yet not without salvation and forgiveness of sins being mentioned (Ac 4:8-12; 5:29-32). Thus, even though an evil, obdurate audience of religious authorities called for strong words to be spoken in witness of the truth, it was not without an ultimate emphasis on the good news being offered to anyone who would receive it. Had the message been exclusively antagonistic, the eventual conversion of a large number of priests would never have taken place (Ac 6:7).

Next to be addressed will be two key presuppositions underlying the apostolic gospel.