Heart of The Gospel: The Resurrection

1 Corinthians 15:1-14

Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. 9 For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. 11 Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed. Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain.

Notes

Paul reminded the Corinthians of the gospel he preached—the message that saves if they hold fast to it. It is of first importance: Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day according to the Scriptures. The Law, Psalms, and Prophets all pointed to this. But more than prophecy, there were eyewitnesses—Cephas, the Twelve, over five hundred at once, James, all the apostles, and finally Paul himself. The resurrection is not just doctrine; it is historical and essential. Without it, there is no gospel, no salvation, no faith.

1. Gospel Affirmed

   Paul reminds the believers about the gospel that saves. They are truly saved if they keep holding on to it through faith. He mentions that this is of prime importance and goes on to mention Christ's death, burial, and resurrection according to the Scriptures. Aside from the Scriptures, witnesses affirm the resurrection.

   
   Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,
   
   When the apostle mentioned the Scriptures, he referred to the Law, the Psalms, and the Prophets. The ceremonial law echoed the Messiah, the Psalms spoke of Him, and the prophets prophesied. The Scriptures point to Christ. More than 500 witnesses point to Christ as well, that He is alive.
   
   5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me (1 Corinthians 15:1-8).
   
   Application: The church must follow through with discipline. When someone is under discipline, we must not maintain casual contact. We must avoid it. That includes digital messages, likes, and replies. We love them best when we stop pretending that everything is okay. It might be painful, but it is Scriptural. We trust that God’s will be done.

2. The Gospel Transforms

   Paul considers himself least and unworthy because he persecuted the church. His transformation from persecutor to a worker for the gospel is a testimony of the power of the resurrection.
   

   For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. 11 Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed (1 Corinthians 15:9-11).

   Application: God’s grace because of the resurrection is powerful. The gospel of Christ transforms our lives. Like Paul, let us work hard for the gospel. Yet let us never claim that it is through our own will and power; let us only say that it is through the grace of God made possible by the resurrection.
   

3. Importance of the Resurrection

   Paul addresses a critical issue in the Corinthian church: some claimed that there is no resurrection of the dead. He responds with astonishment—how can this be when the gospel they received proclaims Christ as risen? If there is no resurrection, then Christ Himself has not been raised. And if Christ is not raised, then all preaching is meaningless, and faith is empty.
   
   Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain (1 Corinthians 15:12-14).
   
   Other passages command church members to avoid those who cause divisions and those who engage in sin that can destroy the community.

   Application: Believe and proclaim the resurrection. We will live and die proclaiming the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. Moreover, we will challenge those who deny the resurrection. We shall present the Scriptures and the witnesses. Let us not forget that we are witnesses as well to the power of the Word and Spirit in our lives.

Reflection & Discussion

1. What are the critical elements of the gospel?

2. Christ rose again according to the Scriptures. Explain (you may cross-reference).

3. Explain the importance of the resurrection.