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Mark opens his Gospel in verse one not with a formal declaration describing the purpose of the book, but with a statement about its subject.

The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Mark 1:1 (NIV)

Mark uses the Greek word Arche (ar-khay'), which means "beginning" to open his Gospel.

1) What concept is Mark trying to get across to his readers?

That he is writing about the start of the Gospel.

2) How does this differ from the beginnings in Genesis verse one in chapter one?

The Genesis account is the creation of the world.
Mark is talking about the fulfillment of God's plan of redemption.

3) Why does Mark use language reminiscent of Genesis to start his Gospel?

To remind his readers of God's activity in the history of the world and in their lives.

4) We have all heard that the word "Gospel" means "good news", but just what is a Gospel?

It is a literary style found only in Early Christian writings.
A Gospel is the telling of God's plan for the redemption of sinful man.

5) What does Paul in his letter to the Romans tell us about the nature of a Gospel in chapter one verses two through four?

the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures regarding his Son, who as to his human nature was a descendant of David, and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. (NIV)

John Calvin wrote that a Gospel is a "testimony of the revealed salvation, which has been formerly promised to the fathers in an uninterrupted succession of ages. It points out at the same time , a distinction between the promises which kept the hope of the people in suspense, and this joyful message, by which God declares that he has accomplished those things which he had formerly required them to expect."

Paraphrasing Calvin, a Gospel is an illustration of God's stated plan of salvation and its fruition through time and eternity in Jesus Christ.

Mark establishes Jesus as not only the fulfillment of God's promised redemption of His people, but as God incarnate.

Mark wrote his Gospel mostly to Gentile believers, probably while in the company of Simon Peter in Rome. Mark was not able to use quotations from the Old Testament with any frequency due to the
Gentiles lack of familiarity with Jewish scripture. In verses two and three he makes an exception.

It is written in Isaiah the prophet:
"I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way"
"a voice

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