"Knowing the works and history of Christ is not yet knowing the true Gospel; for that does not embrace the knowledge that He has conquered sin, death, and the devil. Even so, knowing the doctrine and commandments recorded in the New Testament is not yet knowing the Gospel; but this is the Gospel, when you hear the voice which tells you that Christ is your own with His life, teaching, works, His dying, His rising from death, and everything that He is, has, does, and is able to do."

-- C.F.W. Walther, "Twenty-Seventh Evening Lecture (May 8, 1885), The Proper Distinction between Law and Gospel