Romans 1:15-16 "So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek."

What did Paul say he was going to preach at Rome? The "gospel". So, what is the gospel? It's not "good advice". It's not "good ideas". It's not "good steps". No, the Gospel is simply good news.

In Romans 1:15, Paul didn't say "I'm going to preach scriptures" or "I'm going to Rome to preach some good advice, or 12 easy steps to victory". Good advice is good, and so are good ideas and any other information that will help us to succeed. However, the reason that Paul was so direct about defining the gospel, is because He goes on to say in verse 16 that the gospel is the power of God!

It's the power of God unto salvation. The Greek word for salvation is the noun soteria or sozo, containing every promise that God has ever made to man. When you hear a message at church or on the radio or TV, you'll know it's the gospel if it contains the good news of salvation. If it's filled with condemnation, tradition, someone's opinion, legalistic rules, a list of do's and don'ts to earn salvation and right standing with God, you can be sure it's NOT the gospel. If you want the power of God in your life, fill yourself up with the gospel, the almost too good to be true news!