Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Gospel \Gos"pel\, n. [OE. gospel, godspel, AS. godspell; god God
   + spell story, tale. See {God}, and {Spell}, v.]
   1. 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.

   Note: 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.

   2. One of the four narratives of the life and death of Jesus
      Christ, written by Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

   3. A selection from one of the gospels, for use in a
      religious service; as, the gospel for the day.

   4. Any system of religious doctrine; sometimes, any system of
      political doctrine or social philosophy; as, this
      political gospel. --Burke.

   5. 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 [OE]dipus, instead of
            taking the traditional witticisms about Lee for
            gospel.                               --Saintsbury.

Gospel \Gos"pel\, a.
   Accordant with, or relating to, the gospel; evangelical; as,
   gospel righteousness. --Bp. Warburton.

Gospel \Gos"pel\, v. t.
   To instruct in the gospel. [Obs.] --Shak.

Source : WordNet®

Gospel
     n 1: four books in the New Testament that tell the story of
          Christ's life and teachings [syn: {Gospels}, {evangel}]
     2: an unquestionable truth; "his word was gospel" [syn: {gospel
        truth}]
     3: a genre of a capella 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) [syn: {gospel singing}]
     4: the written body of teachings of a religious group that are
        generally accepted by that group [syn: {religious doctrine},
         {church doctrine}, {creed}]
     5: a doctrine that is believed to be of great importance;
        "Newton's writings were gospel for those who followed"