The Gospel According to Jesus: What Is Authentic Faith?

Written by John F. MacArthur

Narrated by Tom Casaletto

The first edition of The Gospel According to Jesus won wide acclaim in confronting the “easy-believism” that has characterized some aspects of evangelical Christianity. Over the past 50 years, a handful of books have become true classics, revered world-wide for their crystal-clear presentation of the Gospel and lauded for their contribution to the Christian faith. These extraordinary books are read, re-read, and discussed in churches, Bible study groups, and homes everywhere. John MacArthur’s The Gospel According to Jesus is one of those books. In The Gospel According to Jesus, MacArthur tackles the idea of “easy believism,” challenging Christians to re-evaluate their commitment to Christ by examining their fruits. MacArthur asks, “What does it really mean to be saved?” He urges readers to understand that their conversion was more than a mere point in time, that, by definition, it includes a lifetime of obediently walking with Jesus as Lord. This 20th anniversary edition of MacArthur’s provocative, Scripture-based book contains one new chapterand is further revised to provide Christians in the 21st century a fresh perspective on the intrinsic relationship between faith and works, clearly revealing Why Jesus is both Savior and Lord to all who believe.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Zondervan
• Release date: Sep 8, 2009
• ISBN: 9780310772422

John F. MacArthur

Widely known for his thorough, candid approach to teaching God's Word, John MacArthur is a popular author and conference speaker. He has served as pastor-teacher of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, since 1969. John and his wife, Patricia, have four married children and fifteen grandchildren. John's pulpit ministry has been extended around the globe through his media ministry, Grace to You, and its satellite offices in seven countries. In addition to producing daily radio programs for nearly two thousand English and Spanish radio outlets worldwide, Grace to You distributes books, software, and digital recordings by John MacArthur. John is chancellor of The Master's University and Seminary and has written hundreds of books and study guides, each one biblical and practical. Bestselling titles include The Gospel  According to Jesus, Twelve Ordinary Men, Twelve Extraordinary Women, Slave, and The MacArthur Study Bible, a 1998 ECPA Gold Medallion recipient.

Reviews for The Gospel According to Jesus

[Sandeep Katthi · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I don't think any book can explain much clearer way of Gospel in Jesus words than this book. The way John brings the similarity between Paul's gospel and Jesus gospel will be eye opening to many people who think Jesus spoke a different one. This book is recommended to all who wants to know the clear truth on gospel in the midst of so many false gospels

[twiga92 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book was a powerful and sobering message of what true salvation is and how modern-day evangelicalism has turned it into something that Jesus never intended. Salvation is not just saying a prayer and believing that Jesus is God (even the demons believe He is God). It is recognizing our total lost sinful condition and turning to Christ in surrender and repentance, acknowledging He is the only Way to God. Genuine salvation results in a life that is obedient to God. Works do not give us salvation but they are the evidence of it.“Modern evangelism is preoccupied with decisions, statistics, aisle-walking, gimmicks, prefabricated presentations, pitches, emotional manipulation, and even intimidation. Its message is a cacophony of easy-believism and simplistic appeals. Unbelievers are told that if they invite Jesus into their hearts, accept Him as personal Savior, or believe the facts of the gospel, that is all there is to it. The aftermath is appalling failure, as seen in the lives of millions who have professed faith in Christ with no consequent impact on their behavior.”The result of these emotional appeals is “Multitudes declare that they trust Christ as Savior while indulging in lifestyles that are plainly inconsistent with God’s Word – yet no one dares to challenge their testimony.”“Who knows how many people are deluded into believing they are saved when they are not?”“Many who think they are saved but live unholy lives will be shocked to discover in the final judgment that heaven is not their destiny.”“Many sincerely believe they are saved, but their lives are utterly barren of any verifying fruit.”“True salvation occurs when a sinner in desperation turns from his sin to Christ with a willingness to have Him take control.”On my blog with this book review, I posted a video of a song (by Steve Camp), Consider the Cost, which sums up the message of this book. For those who don't want to take the time to listen to the whole video, below are the lyrics.Consider the Cost by Steve Campto obey is better than sacrificeand to hearken than the fat of ramsfor what will a man give for his own lifehouses or money or landthere's a way that seems right to youbut in the end it leads only to deathbut come unto Him all ye wearycome and find your restconsider the cost of building a towerit's a narrow way that you must cometo do the will of the Fatheris to follow the Sonto love Him more than father or motherto love Him more than your own fleshto give all that you are, for all that He isthis is the gospel according to Jesusmany will say, "Lord, Lord" on that daylook what we've done in Your name"We've prophesied and performed many miraclesand Lord, even demons obeyed"then the Lord will declare unto themthe most terriifying words of truth"depart from me ye workers of iniquityfor I have never known you!"oh foolish man, how you built on the sandtrusting in your goodness to save!for when the rain falls, and the floodbreaks the wallsyou will be swept away!but blessed is he who builds on the Rockwho takes Jesus as Lord to save!for when the rain falls, he will endure it allstanding firm in His grace!More quotes from the book:“…the good news of Christ has given way to the bad news of an insidious easy-believism that makes no moral demands on the lives of sinners.”“You cannot remove the lordship of Christ from the gospel message without undermining faith at its core. That is precisely what is happening in the church today.”“The gospel Jesus proclaimed was a call to discipleship, a call to follow Him in submissive obedience, not just a plea to make a decision or pray a prayer.”“Contemporary Christians have been conditioned to believe that because they recited a prayer, signed on a dotted line, walked an aisle, or had some other experience, they are saved and should never question their salvation.”“Genuine assurance comes from seeing the Holy Spirit’s transforming work in one’s life, not from clinging to the memory of some experience.”“Teaching theology to a heathen will not bring him to faith in Christ. He may learn the evangelical vocabulary and verbally affirm the truth. He may intellectually accept a list of gospel facts. But without a divine miracle to open his blind eyes and give him a new heart, he will only be a theologically informed pagan, not a Christian.”“Obviously, a new believer does not fully understand all the ramifications of Jesus’ lordship at the moment of conversion. But every genuine believer has a desire to surrender. This is what distinguishes true faith from a bogus profession: true faith produces a heart that is humble, submissive, obedient. As spiritual understanding unfolds, that obedience grows deeper, and the genuine believer displays an eagerness to please Christ by abandoning everything to His lordship. This willingness to surrender to divine authority is a driving force in the heart of every true child of the kingdom. It is the inevitable expression of the new nature.”“…knowing and affirming facts apart from obedience to the truth is not believing in the biblical sense. Those who cling to the memory of a one-time decision of ‘faith’ but lack any evidence of the outworking of faith had better heed the clear and solemn warning of Scripture: ‘He who does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him’ (John 3:36).”“The pattern of modern evangelism is to give people a pleasing and easy message; take them through a simple formula; get them to pray a prayer, sign a card, or whatever; then tell them they are saved and should never doubt it.”“If your life does not reveal growth in grace and righteousness and holiness, you need to examine the reality of your faith – even if you believe you have done great things in the name of Christ.”“The validation of salvation is a life of obedience. It is the only possible proof that a person really knows Jesus Christ.”

[exinanition · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

John MacArthur has accomplished a superb work in this book. Known for his activism against "easy-believism" and superficial Christianity, MacArthur has written a marvelous little book detailing the ACTUAL gospel of Jesus Christ. The gospel has become so utterly watered down today it is no wonder the church has become weakened in its effectiveness. MacArthur challenges believers to read the truth about The Truth and to become more than just a comfortable group of "pew-warmers" on Sunday mornings. MacArthur reminds us God did not call us to be His "cheerleaders." Rather, than this He has called us to be Salt and Light in a fallen, darkened world.

[nesum_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A masterful work of what it really means to be a Christian. There is so much confusion in the Church about whether we are saved by faith or works, and tempers can run high on this topic. MacArthur helps a great deal with a Bible-saturated explanation of the truth -- We are saved by faith, and faith does not fail to produce works. If you see no works, there is no faith.This really is MacArthur at his best, and it is a book we still so desperately need. When it was released, it caused a stir and set many people on the right theology. But it is a book that should be continually read.More than that, though, the subject should be explored in depth with the Word. We Christians can be so lazy sometime. We read Paul saying, "We are justified by faith," and we don't want to hear another word on the subject. So we learn the surface truth, but we don't even know that we don't know what "faith" really means.Let us follow Christ, and Christ will change us. If we are not changed, then who have we been following?

[James Calas · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

An important book describing the essential doctrine of Lordship Salvation. A classic from John MacArthur.

[Trenton Parker · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great book on Lordship Salvation and why it is the biblical view of salvation.

[Marilin Biye · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The best book I ever listened it is
book for Christians to understand the fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ
Thank you, John MacArthur

[Anete · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Such a timely reminder for every christian, especially any in a leadership position.

[Minana Mpondamasaka · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Beautiful piece of writing and one to meditate on as a Christian

[Rylon Thompson · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book was incredible!! Second only to the Bible for the top books I’ve read/listened to.

[Muoghalu Obinna · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What a gift from the Father to his flock. Highly recommend.

[Peter K Rufus · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Systematic, methodical, and Biblical clarity on what it means to be a Christian.

After reading this, you may not agree with what MacArthur has to say.

But it is unlikely you will misunderstand what he is saying.

Essential reading for anyone who is in the faith.

[Mark Hopkins · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

A book written from the inside of a tradition insisting on literalism and Bible worship. More story and fable than analysis. If you’re looking for bedtime stories that confirm what you already believe then MacAuthur is your man. This book continues the tradition of obscuring fact in favor of a version of Christianity that emerged in the early 1900s instead of supporting a more balanced faith that deals with reality.

However, I don’t take issue with the main premise that faith leads to good works, but it seems rather obvious that good works can themselves produce faith. Such absolutist thinking leads to hubris. MacAuther is celebrated in evangelical circles but he really does not ask hard questions, he just tells his followers what they already want to hear, what they have already been told to believe. If you want actual truth….don’t fall prey to those peddling tradition over thoughtful consideration.

[lgfarlow · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book is a very powerful and Biblical presentation of the truth that being a Christian is more than just saying I am one. A Christian acts and thinks differently than a non-Christian. I think McArthur has been wrongly accused of promoting some new doctrine called "Lorship Salvation" when in fact all he's doing is discussing what the Bible says about the cost of following Christ. This is not a new concept but an old one, as old as scripture itself. If I claim to be a believer yet consistently think and behave like a pagan, chances are I'm not a Christian whether I've "prayed the prayer" or not. McArthur does an excellent job of fleshing out this concept from scripture and I would highly recommend this book to any believer who wants to evaluate their walk in the light of what the Bible says about being a disciple of Christ.