In Old English, spel meant a saying, a tale or a message that had weight. It could shape the way you thought, move your emotions, or settle into your memory for life.

It was what a bard might recite before a fire. What a king might declare to his people. What a teacher might pass along through the generations.

In the late 6th century, Christian missionaries arrived in Anglo-Saxon England with a new spel from the King of Kings. They called it the gōdspel (the good spell, or gospel).

The gospel filled the word spel with holy power. After a few centuries, people used spell for any words that had supernatural power. That’s where we get the idea of a magic spell.

Our Gospel is Powerful

The good message was powerful in the first century.

• the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world – Col 1:6
• These men who have turned the world upside down… saying that there is another king, Jesus. – Acts 17:6-7 ESV
• our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power – 1 Th 1:5

The good message was powerful in 7th century England:

• It replaced local gods with the worship of one Creator.
• It reframed political authority so tribal kings now ruled under God.
• It established monasteries and schools that shaped English thought.

The good message is still powerful today:

• the gospel… is the power of God – Ro 1:16
• through the power of the Spirit of God…. I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ – Ro 15:19
• the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God – 1 Co 1:17