Chapter III
CHAPTER III: THE PRINCIPAL AND MINISTERIAL CAUSES OF THE GOSPEL
The principal cause of the Gospel.
§ 29. Up to this point we have demonstrated that the proper doctrine of the Gospel is the joyful news of the free remission of sins for Christ’s sake. From this the difference between the Law and the Gospel, and whether the Gospel properly speaking is the preaching of repentance, is readily concluded. But before we go on to explain these questions, it is worthwhile first to declare the genuine nature of the Gospel with a more detailed investigation according to the rules of method.1
Therefore let us begin with the efficient cause.2 We say that the principal cause3 of the Gospel is the entire Holy Trinity, both with regard to the decree and with regard to the revelation. As for the first, we say that God the Father along with the Son and the Holy Spirit decreed from eternity that for the remedy of Adam’s fall and sin—the foreknowledge of which could by no means escape the omniscient God—the Second Person of the Trinity, God the Son, in the fullness of time would assume a human nature and by suffering and dying in [this nature] make satisfaction for the sins of people and complete a redemption for the whole human race [cf. Gal. 4:4–5]. The benefits of the Son, the Mediator, must be declared to people through the word of the Gospel and must be conferred on those who through true faith believe in Him for salvation and eternal life. With respect to this decree, the Gospel is called “the mystery which was kept secret for long ages” (Rom. 16:25); “the mystery hidden in God for ages” (Eph. 3:9); “the mystery hidden for ages and generations” (Col. 1:26); “the purpose and grace which He gave us in Christ Jesus before the times of the world” (2 Tim. 1:9); “the hope of eternal life which God, who never lies, promised before the times of the world” (Titus 1:2); “the eternal Gospel” (Rev. 14:6).