Does the gospel require baptism or joining a church?
No, the gospel does not require baptism or joining a church. The gospel is that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and arose again for our justification. There is no mandated baptism, no mandated joining something, and no mandated doing something—it is simply believing it.
Les explains that when Paul brought the Corinthians to the gospel, he brought them the message that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and arose again for our justification. That is the gospel. Les emphasizes there is nothing in it concerning a mandated baptism, no mandated joining something, and no mandated doing something. It is just simply believing it, which is hard for people to comprehend. He also notes the television response and testimonies of people coming out of spiritual darkness into salvation, showing the gospel still has power. Then reading on in 1 Corinthians 4, Paul says to be followers of Christ.