Have We Misunderstood the Gospel? | Dr. Matthew Bates

What exactly is the gospel? In this episode of Water Into Wine, I sit down with New Testament scholar Dr. Matthew W. Bates to explore one of the most foundational questions in Christianity. Bates argues that the gospel is bigger than the familiar summary, “Jesus died for your sins.” The cross is essential, but the gospel is the full royal announcement that Jesus is the Christ—the promised King. We discuss Isaiah’s background to the “good news,” whether Jesus and Paul preached the same gospel, the incarnation, atonement, resurrection, enthronement, and why Bates believes pistis includes trust, faithfulness, loyalty, and allegiance to King Jesus. We also explore the Davidic pattern of anointing and enthronement, Josephus and Maccabean examples of royal loyalty, and the practical question: If this is the gospel, how should Christians actually proclaim it? Dr. Matthew W. Bates is Professor of New Testament at Northern Seminary and the author of several books on the gospel, salvation, faith, allegiance, and Christology. Resources Matthew Bates https://matthewwbates.com/ Books by Matthew Bates https://matthewwbates.com/books/ The Grammar of Messianism — Matthew V. Novenson https://www.amazon.com/s?k=The+Gramma... OnScript Podcast https://onscript.study/ Join the Water Into Wine community For more interviews, biblical scholarship, and resources: https://alecdunlop.com/ 0:00 Coming up 1:03 Introduction – Dr. Matthew Bates 5:18 Have We Reduced the Gospel? 8:08 Jesus Is the Christ: The Gospel of King Jesus 13:26 “Good News,” Isaiah, and the Kingdom of God 16:32 Is Paul’s Gospel Different from Jesus’ Gospel? 26:05 The Full Gospel: Preexistence and Incarnation 31:55 The Cross, Atonement, and the Crucified King 40:34 Burial, Resurrection, and Jesus’ Enthronement 48:00 Faith, Pistis, Loyalty, and Allegiance 55:34 The Holy Spirit and the People of God 58:05 How Should We Share the Gospel? 1:04:32 Discipleship and Salvation