gospel Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun the four books in the New Testament (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) that tell the story of Christ's life and teachings
Gospels; evangel.
noun an unquestionable truth
gospel truth.
- his word was gospel
noun folk music consisting of a genre of a cappella 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)
gospel singing.
noun the written body of teachings of a religious group that are generally accepted by that group
religious doctrine; church doctrine; creed.
noun a doctrine that is believed to be of great importance
- Newton's writings were gospel for those who followed

OE. gospel, godspel, AS. godspell; god God + spell story, tale. See God, and Spell, v.

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.
✍ 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.
One of the four narratives of the life and death of Jesus Christ, written by Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
A selection from one of the gospels, for use in a religious service; as, the gospel for the day.
Any system of religious doctrine; sometimes, any system of political doctrine or social philosophy; as, this political gospel. Burke.
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 Oedipus, instead of taking the traditional witticisms about Lee for gospel. Saintsbury.

Accordant with, or relating to, the gospel; evangelical; as, gospel righteousness. Bp. Warburton.