Alan Lewis
Elon, North Carolina
February 2011
We have been doing a study of I Corinthians. It has been over a month since we were in our book study. The last time we were in I Corinthians, we studied chapter 14 what Paul said about speaking in tongues. Today, we begin chapter 15 and will be looking at the subject of the gospel. This was an important topic for the Apostle Paul.
Paul was SET APART to preach the gospel (Romans 1:1). In fact, Galatians 1:15-16 says that he was set apart BEFORE he was even born. What God wants us to do is not decided after we become a Christian. It was also planned before we were born.
Paul was SENT to preach the gospel (1:17; II Timothy 1:10-11). Paul was personally commissioned by the resurrected Christ on the Damascus Road. Because he was personally given this mission by Jesus, preaching was not an option for Paul. In fact, Paul said, “Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel” (9:16)
Paul also SUFFERED for the gospel (Philemon 23). He was beaten, imprisoned and eventually beheaded because of the gospel. He gave up his life for the gospel.
What does the Bible say about the gospel? We have been doing an in-depth study of I Corinthians 15. I Corinthians 15 deals with the gospel.
I want to look at I Corinthians 15 but I also want to I want to look at what the rest of the Bible says about this topic. What we some characteristics of the original apostolic message?
Characteristics of the Gospel
1. It is a DIVINE Message.
This message came from God. The gospel was not Paul’s idea. He did not come up with (Galatians 1:11-12). No human ever came up with the gospel. In fact, not only was it was God’s idea from the start but it goes completely against human ways of thinking.
Man did not come up with this message and never would have come up with this message because it completely goes against human ways of thinking. God’s thoughts are not our thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9). The message of the cross is foolish to the world (1:18; 2:14). It is completely ridiculous to the unbeliever.
2. It is an UNCHANGEABLE message.
This message can not be changed. It was unalterable. There are no modern revisions to it. Apostles cannot change it. Angels cannot change it. Church leaders cannot change it. Denominations cannot change it.
Preachers cannot change it. Biblical scholars from Oxford and Cambridge cannot change it. It does not need to be revised or updated for the modern era. It is just as valid today as it was then.
3. It is a UNIVERSAL message.
It is universal. It is God’s message to every country, culture and people. The rest of the world may think that this is America’s religion. The gospel is not a message just for America or just for the Western World. It actually began in the Far East.
Christianity is an Asian religion. Israel is part of the continent of Asia. The promise of eternal life is for EVERYONE who believes (John 3:16). God does not want ANYONE to perish (II Peter 3:9). He wants ALL people to be saved (I Timothy 2:3-4).
4. It is a UNIQUE message.
There is only ONE true gospel. Many preach a different gospel but there is only one gospel. The Judaizers preached another gospel which Paul said “is really no gospel at all” (Galatians 1:7). The idea that man could be saved by grace and not works is unique. All the religions of the world preach some form of works salvation.
5. It is a POWERFUL message.
Paul said that the gospel is the power of God to salvation to everyone (not just to some people) who believes (Romans 1:16; I Corinthians 1:18). Every preacher likes to point out that the Greek word for “power” is the word δυναμις from which we get the word “dynamite”.
The only problem is that dynamite is destructive. It blows things up. The gospel has the power to save, not destroy. It has the power to save the worst sinner from the wrath of God (I Timothy 1:13-16; I Corinthians 15:9-10).
6. It is a POSITIVE message.
It is a message of good news, not bad news. Some bad news is contained in the message (people are sinners, God judges sin, Hell is real and people must repent), the gospel message is positive. It is not a message of works. It is a message of grace to sinners. It is not a message of hopelessness but of hope. it is a message of grace and mercy.
Sinners can be delivered from Hell through this life changing message. That is what makes it good news. It is called “the gospel of God’s grace” (Acts 20:24).
7. It is a CHRISTOCRENTRIC message.
The message is about Jesus. It is based on two historical events about Jesus – his death and resurrection (2:1-2; 15:1-8). Paul uses four verbs to describe the facts of the gospel (died, buried, raised, and appeared).
Jesus died and the proof that he died is that he was buried. Jesus rose from the dead and the proof that he rose was the appearances. Paul doesn’t appeal to circumstantial evidence (empty tomb). He limits the evidence to the appearances. Let’s briefly look at these two points.
First, Jesus died. What makes the death of Jesus good news? Normally someone’s death is bad news. This is not just the death of any man but the God-Man, the Messiah (the “Christ”) and it is the death “for our sins.”
Second, Jesus rose from the dead. Paul gives six groups of witnesses of the resurrection of Jesus – Cephas (15:5), The Twelve without Judas and Thomas (15:5) , Five hundred (15:6), James (15:7), The Apostles (15:7) and the Apostle Paul (15:8).
It is one thing to have two or three witnesses to a murder. It is another thing if five hundred people who saw it take place. How many events in ancient history do we have that five hundred people could verify? Not many.
8. It is a BIBLICAL message.
It did not start in the NT. The gospel is that “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.”
9. It is an IMPORTANT message.
The gospel is an essential doctrine. Paul said that it was a matter “of first importance” (15:3). There are essential doctrines and non-essential doctrines. This is an essential doctrine. There are many doctrines that are minor and you can be off on and still go to heaven.
A person can be wrong on speaking in tongues and still be a Christian. A person can be wrong on how to baptize people and still be a Christian. A person can be wrong on when the rapture takes place and still be a Christian. If you are wrong on the gospel, you can’t go to heaven. You need this message to be saved.
The gospel has to be obeyed (II Thessalonians 1:8; I Peter 4:17). Paul said, “By this gospel you are saved, IF you hold firmly to the word I preached to you” (15:2). What does that mean?
Salvation is CONDITIONAL. If you not believe, you can’t be saved. If you do not continue to believe, you will not be saved. Paul says, “Otherwise, you have believed in vain.” That is the definition of apostasy. People believe for a while and then fall away (cf. Colossians 1:23).
[1] Catherine Ponder, The Millionaire from Nazareth: His Prosperity Secrets for You (1979).
[2] John MacArthur, Hard to Believe: The High Cost and Infinite Value of Following Jesus (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2003). p. 2.
Glory to Jesus for thru Him we are made partakers of the eternal inheritance…the condition .you outlined it…if we believe not other gospels but the real gospel.
I am full joy.My spirit wasnot at rest because,there has been an unanswered question within me.
which one is the real gospel?
now I know,and that put my spirit at rest in Jesus.
amen
Hello darlings! I live in Brazil and the thing here is ugly too!
The false gospel is everywhere, but I thank God that there are still people who seek to know the truth!
May God bless you all! I wrote an article concerning the false gospel that has been preached today! May God always wake up your children to the truth!