Repentance and the Gospel

It is interesting to observe that both times when the gospel is first mentioned in Mark's gospel, it is preceded with repentance.

First are John the Baptist's words:

John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
 --Mark 1:4

Then the first preaching of Jesus:

14 Now after John had been taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.

--Mark 1:14-15

21 He made the One who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
--2 Cor 5:21


18 For 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 Cor 1:18

18 If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. 
19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own.
--John 15:18

34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
--Mat 10:34

4 ...Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
--James 4:4

Faith Without Works is Dead

 What good is it, my brothers, if a man says he has faith, but has no works? Can faith save him?  And if a brother or sister is naked and in lack of daily food,  and one of you tells them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled”; and yet you didn't give them the things the body needs, what good is it?  Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead in itself.  Yes, a man will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without works, and I by my works will show you my faith.

--James 2:14

John The Baptist: "Brood of Vipers" to crowd wanting to be Baptized

7 Then he said to the multitudes that came out to be baptized by him, “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 
8 Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. 
9 And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”

--Luke 3