What was this early message? The basic message which the early church preached about Jesus, called the kergyma, consisted of four points: 1) Christ died, 2) he was buried, 3) he was raised (note the passive voice), and 4) he appeared to witnesses (See I Co 15:1-8). Notice what the "good news" was, and that there could be no "good news" or "gospel" until after Jesus had died and was raised.
I Co 15:4-8 "I passed on to you what I received which is of the greatest importance: that Christ died for our sins, as written in the Scriptures; that he was buried and that he was raised to life three days later, as written in the Scriptures; that he appeared to Peter and then to all twelve apostles. Then he appeared to more than five hundred of his followeres at once, most of whom are still alive, although some have died. Then he appeared to James, and afterward to all the apostles. Last of all he appeared also to me...."