Definitions for: Gospel


[n] a doctrine that is believed to be of great importance; "Newton's writings were gospel for those who followed"
[n] four books in the New Testament that tell the story of Christ's life and teachings
[n] an unquestionable truth; "his word was gospel"
[n] the body of teachings of a religious group that are generally accepted by that group
[n] a genre of a capella music originating with Black slaves in the United States and featuring call and response; influential on the development of other genres of popular music (especially soul)



Webster (1913) Definition: Gos"pel, n. [OE. gospel, godspel, AS. godspell; god God
+ spell story, tale. See God, and Spell, v.]
1. Glad tidings; especially, the good news concerning Christ,
the Kingdom of God, and salvation.

And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their
synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom.
--Matt. iv.
23.

The steadfast belief of the promises of the gospel.
--Bentley.

Note: It is probable that gospel is from. OE. godspel, God
story, the narrative concerning God; but it was early
confused with god spell, good story, good tidings, and
was so used by the translators of the Authorized
version of Scripture. This use has been retained in
most cases in the Revised Version.

Thus the literal sense [of gospel] is the
``narrative of God,'' i. e., the life of Christ.
--Skeat.

2. One of the four narratives of the life and death of Jesus
Christ, written by Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

3. A selection from one of the gospels, for use in a
religious service; as, the gospel for the day.

4. Any system of religious doctrine; sometimes, any system of
political doctrine or social philosophy; as, this
political gospel. --Burke.

5. Anything propounded or accepted as infallibly true; as,
they took his words for gospel. [Colloq.]

If any one thinks this expression hyperbolical, I
shall only ask him to read [OE]dipus, instead of
taking the traditional witticisms about Lee for
gospel. --Saintsbury.


Gos"pel, a.
Accordant with, or relating to, the gospel; evangelical; as,
gospel righteousness. --Bp. Warburton.


Gos"pel, v. t.
To instruct in the gospel. [Obs.] --Shak.

Synonyms: church doctrine, creed, evangel, gospel singing, gospel truth, Gospels, religious doctrine

See Also: a capella singing, a cappella singing, doctrine, doctrine, dogma, doo-wop, ethnic music, folk, folk music, Gospel According to John, Gospel According to Luke, Gospel According to Mark, Gospel According to Matthew, Gospel of Luke, Immaculate Conception, Incarnation, ism, ism, John, Luke, Mark, Matthew, New Testament, Nicene Creed, philosophy, philosophy, real presence, religious text, religious writing, sacred text, sacred writing, school of thought, school of thought, soul, tenet, true statement, truth, Word of God

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