The original Good News from Jesus and his apostles

The “gospel” or Good News about Jesus is a story, a narrative of true, historical facts. The most effective way to help others become followers of Jesus remains following these three steps:

(a) Recount this story in words, song, poetry, art or drama,
(b) Make Jesus’ promises clear, and
(c) Invite folk to start obeying Jesus’ commandments.

The original Good News story is summarized in New Testament texts like these:
Luke 24.44-49
Acts 2.22-25, 32-38
Acts 3.13-15, 19, 26
Acts 5.29-32
Acts 10.38-43
Acts 13.28-33
Acts 17:1-4, 29-31
Acts 26.18-23
1 Corinthians 15:1-8.

Your task is to recount the story through culturally- acceptable media, emphasizing those points that make sense to local folk. The most prominent points across all New Testament texts dealing with the Good News remain Jesus’ death and his return to life. Emphasize both of these two truths.

You might include any of the following details from the texts cited above:

1. This is the Good News that Jesus commanded and that his apostles announced.

2. God has fulfilled all that his prophets foretold in the Scriptures about his promised "Messiah".

3. God sent Jesus,  anointing him with his Holy Spirit and with power. Jesus went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil.

4. Although Jesus was the holy and righteous one, lawless men killed him by crucifixion. It was God’s plan for his Messiah, the Author of Life, to suffer and to be put to death, for human sins. Afterwards, men buried his body in a tomb.

5. Third day after his death, God raised up his servant Jesus from death back to life. After this, Jesus appeared for many days to many men who knew him. God has given assurance to all men but exalting Jesus up into heaven as Leader and Savior.

6. God now commands everyone everywhere to repent from his wickedness, and to turn from the power of Satan to God. Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ.

7. God will forgive you of your sins through Jesus’ name. All who believe in Jesus are freed from everything they have done, and Jesus makes them clean.

8. God is going to judge all people everywhere, by Jesus whom he appointed Judge of the living and the dead. Jesus has commanded his followers to tell this message to all people everywhere.

9. After Jesus rose from death, he appeared to those who had lived with him and saw him being exalted to the right hand of God. God chose these men to serve as witnesses to these things.

10. God gives his promised Holy Spirit, with power, to those who obey Jesus.

As soon as anyone repents from their old ways and puts their belief or trust in Jesus, do for them exactly what Jesus and the apostles did:

1. Confirm their repentance by baptizing them, as Jesus commanded. (Mt 28:18-20)
2.   Add them to a new, little church, as the apostles did. (Ac 2:40-42)

When family members or friends become followers of Jesus together, it could be best to form them immediately into a new little church, and have them invite in others to learn about Jesus.