In the New Testament of the Bible, the Gospels are the four books which describe the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.
...the parable in St Matthew's Gospel.
...an illustrated and illuminated manuscript of the four gospels.
2. singular noun
In the Christian religion, the gospel refers to the message and teachings of Jesus Christ, as explained in the New Testament.
I didn't shirk my duties. I visited the sick and I preached the gospel.
Synonyms: doctrine, news, teachings, message More Synonyms of gospel
3. countable noun
You can use gospel to refer to a particular way of thinking that a person or group believes in very strongly and that they try to persuade others to accept.
It taught only materialism, the gospel of mammon.
...the gospel according to my mom.
4. uncountable noun
Gospel or gospel music is a style of religious music that uses strong rhythms and vocal harmony. It is especially popular among black Christians in the southern United States of America.
I had to go to church, so I grew up singing gospel.
The group perform variations on soul and gospel music.
5. uncountable noun [usu asN]
If you take something asgospel, or asgospel truth, you believe that it is completely true.
The results were not to be taken as gospel.
He wouldn't say this if it weren't the gospel truth.
Synonyms: truth, fact, certainty, the last word More Synonyms of gospel
gospel in British English
(ˈɡɒspəl)
noun
1. Also called: gospel 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.
a.
the story of Christ's life and teachings as narrated in the Gospels
b.
the good news of salvation in Jesus Christ
c.
(as modifier)
the gospel story
Word origin
Old English gōdspell, from gōdgood + spell message; see spell2; compare Old Norse guthspjall, Old High German guotspell
Gospel in British English
(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 in American English
(ˈɡɑspəl)
noun
1.
the teachings of Jesus and the apostles; the Christian revelation
2.
the story of Christ's life and teachings, esp. as contained in the first four booksof the New Testament, namely Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John
3. (usually cap)
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, esp. concerning salvation and the kingdom of God as announced to the world by Christ
7. (often cap) Ecclesiast
an extract from one of the four Gospels, forming part of the Eucharistic service in certain churches
8. See gospel music
adjective
9.
of, pertaining to, or proclaiming the gospel or its teachings
a gospel preacher
10.
in accordance with the gospel; evangelical
11.
of or pertaining to gospel music
a gospel singer
Word origin
[bef. 950; ME go(d)spell, OE gōdspell ( see good, spell2); trans. of Gk euangélion good news; see evangel1]
More idioms containing
gospel
take something as gospel
Examples of 'gospel' in a sentence
gospel
The rest of the time he is out there consulting, lecturing and spreading the low-tax gospel.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Are those gospel singers a set up?
The Sun (2015)
It was as if he was in a gospel choir of one.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
They not only preached the gospel and set an example of piety and virtue.
Stewart Lamont WHEN SCOTLAND RULED THE WORLD: The Story of the Golden Age of Genius, Creativityand Exploration (2002)
From an early age she followed in their musical footsteps by singing gospel music in church.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Let's hope the veteran gospel and soul singer still has a young heart that runs free.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Twelve gospel singers led the music during the 90-minute service.
The Sun (2007)
I grew up with gospel, soul and funk.
The Sun (2010)
The four gospels we have in the Bible are there because they were credible, both then and now.
Christianity Today (2000)
In other languages
gospel
British English: gospel /ˈɡɒspl/ NOUN
The Gospels are the four books of the Bible describing the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.
...St. Matthew's Gospel.
American English: gospel
Arabic: إِنْـجِيل
Brazilian Portuguese: evangelho
Chinese: 福音
Croatian: evanđelje
Czech: evangelium
Danish: evangelium
Dutch: evangelie
European Spanish: evangelio
Finnish: evankeliumi
French: évangile
German: Evangelium
Greek: ευαγγέλιο
Italian: Vangelo
Japanese: 福音
Korean: 복음
Norwegian: evangelium
Polish: ewangelia
European Portuguese: evangelho
Romanian: Evanghelie
Russian: евангелие
Latin American Spanish: evangelio
Swedish: gospel
Thai: คำสอนของพระเยซู
Turkish: incil
Ukrainian: Євангеліє
Vietnamese: sách Phúc âm
All related terms of 'gospel'
gospel oath
an oath sworn on the Gospels
gospel song
a piece of gospel music
gospel choir
a choir performing gospel music
gospel music
an unquestionable truth
gospel singer
a singer performing gospel music
gospel truth
an unquestionably true statement, fact, etc
Social Gospel
a movement among some U.S. Protestants beginning around 1870, seeking to eliminate poverty , ignorance , etc. by reforming society according to Christian principles
gospel message
The message that someone is trying to communicate , for example in a book or play, is the idea or point that they are trying to communicate.
prosperity gospel
a modern version or, according to some, perversion of the gospel according to which the full blessings of God available to those who approach Him in faith and obedience include wealth , health and power