gospel

[ gos-puhl ]

noun

1. the teachings of Jesus and the apostles; the Christian revelation.
2. the story of Christ's life and teachings, especially as contained in the first four books of the New Testament, namely Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
3. (usually initial capital letter) any of these four books.
4. something regarded as true and implicitly believed:

   to take his report for gospel.

5. a doctrine regarded as of prime importance:

   political gospel.

6. glad tidings, especially concerning salvation and the kingdom of God as announced to the world by Christ.
7. (often initial capital letter) Ecclesiastical. an extract from one of the four Gospels, forming part of the Eucharistic service in certain churches.
8. gospel music.

adjective

1. of, relating to, or proclaiming the gospel or its teachings:

   a gospel preacher.

2. in accordance with the gospel; evangelical.
3. of or relating to gospel music:

   a gospel singer.

gospel

¹

/ ˈɡɒspəl /

noun

1. Also calledgospel truth an unquestionable truth

   to take someone's word as gospel

2. a doctrine maintained to be of great importance
3. Black religious music originating in the churches of the Southern states of the United States
4. the message or doctrine of a religious teacher
5. 1. the story of Christ's life and teachings as narrated in the Gospels
   2. the good news of salvation in Jesus Christ
   3. ( as modifier )

      the gospel story

Gospel

²

/ ˈɡɒspəl /

noun

1. any of the first four books of the New Testament, namely Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John
2. a reading from one of these in a religious service

gospel

1. The “good news” of salvation (see also salvation ) ( see Gospels ). Certain styles of religious music are also called “gospel.” ( See spirituals (see also spirituals ).)

Other Words From

• non·gospel adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of gospel¹

First recorded before 950; Middle English go(d)spell, Old English gōdspell ( good, spell ² ); translation of Greek euangélion “good news” ( evangel ¹ )

Word History and Origins

Origin of gospel¹

Old English gōdspell, from gōd good + spell message; see spell ²; compare Old Norse guthspjall, Old High German guotspell

Example Sentences

One musical number even outlines seizure first aid tips, and leads the audience in repeating back the safety steps via a call-and-response gospel song.

From Los Angeles Times

She didn’t have any formal music training, instead drawing on what was around her growing up: gospel music and call-and-response folk traditions.

From Los Angeles Times

The electorate that ushered Trump back into office trusts their fears and patriarchal order and takes conversational declarations that are the podcast personality’s specialty as gospel.

From Salon

In Charles, Jones found an emerging prodigy, a musician who played a blend of blues, gospel and R&B he’d never heard.

From Los Angeles Times

They twist themselves into theological knots teaching and preaching that it's OK to be both a millionaire and a minister to the gospel of Christ.

From Salon

Related Words

• dogma
• faith
• truth