A summary of the Gospel

READ: Isaiah 15,16; Psalms 70; 1 Corinthians 15:1-34

SCRIPTURE: 1 Corinthians 15: 3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,
4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,
5 and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve.

OBSERVATION:  In Ancient society, people predominantly used oral tradition to pass on their knowledge and teachings from one generation to the next. Memorization of information was fundamental for the transmission of knowledge. Here, Paul refers to an authentic oral tradition of the Gospel which he shared with the Corinthian believers. In Galatians 1:11-12, Paul says that “by revelation,” he received the Gospel directly from Jesus Christ. In other words, the Gospel that Paul preached was not his Gospel; Paul did not invent or make it up. Paul faithfully preached what he received. Paul was determined to preach the crucified Christ to the Corinth Church (1 Cor.1:23, 2:2).

All people die; people may ask what is unique in Christ’s death? Jesus’s death was not an ordinary one. He died for our sins according to the scriptures. In Christ’s death, we see the fulfilment of many Old Testament messianic prophecies. Through his death, Jesus made propitiation for our sins. We see the demonstration of God’s love in Jesus’s death (Rom.5:8). Apostle Peter says, “He (Jesus) himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness” (1 Pet. 2:24).

The burial of Jesus signifies that his death was not fake. The Gospel of Mark says, “Pilate was surprised to hear that he was already dead” (Mk.15:44). There was no doubt about his death. There is no basis for the swoon theory that says Jesus was unconscious or in a deep coma. Again, according to the scriptures, Jesus was raised on the third day. Jesus’ resurrection was the central message of the apostolic teaching. Christ’s resurrection is not a fable. The New Testament gives us a list of Jesus’ post-resurrection appearances and presents eyewitnesses’ testimonies. Paul mentions six of Christ’s appearances in this chapter. Jesus’ resurrection is a historical fact. As one scholar says, “Belief in the Resurrection is not an appendage to the Christian faith; it is the Christian faith.” We Christians must understand the message of the Gospel to explain it clearly to those who ask and question us. We have the responsibility of passing on the Gospel to others who have not yet know it.

APPLICATION: I believe Jesus died for my sins. He was buried and raised on the third day. Jesus is alive even today. God has given me new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead (1 Pet.1:3).  “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes” (Rom.1:16).

PRAYER: Father God, thank you for the great love that you have shown for me. Jesus, thank you for the cross in which you bore my sins and made atonement with God. Lord, you are alive and unchanging even today. Holy Spirit, strengthen me to spread the light of the Gospel that displays the glory of Christ. Amen.

- Arputharaj Samuel
+91 9538328573

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