“Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.” (1 Corinthians 15:33,4).
The apostle Paul is declaring the gospel that he preached to the Corinthian believers which they received and in which they stood, and were saved. It is noteworthy that Paul is presenting to the believers the same gospel which he also received. Here’s what he says. “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received.” (1 Corinthians 15:3). Paul confirms he also received the gospel.
“The apostle outlines the gospel of God’s grace. (1) It concerns a Person—the Christ of the Scriptures and history. (2) It concerns His death—“for our sins according to the scriptures.” And (3) it concerns His resurrection—likewise “according to the scriptures.” His burial is asserted as the evidence of His death and that He was seen alive is declared as the proof of His resurrection. This is the gospel that Paul preached; that the early Church accepted; and by which men are saved (vv.1-2). (C.I. Scofield, D.D. AKJV).
Paul again makes the argument of his preaching the gospel, in his second letter to the Corinthians. He writes, “For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom we proclaimed among you, Silvanus and Timothy and I, was not Yes and No, but in him it is always Yes. For all the promises of God find their Yes in him . That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory” (2 Corinthians 1:19,20). This proves Paul’s sincerity and faithfulness in preaching the gospel. God is faithful and remains faithful and it is Paul’s intent to remain faithful to God.
The gospel means “good news” and this good news is the clear and simple message that Jesus saves. The Bible says, “He is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him.” (Hebrews 7:25).
The gospel also presents the substitutionary death of the Lord Jesus on the Cross in that He died for the sins of mankind, and not for any sins of His own. The Scripture is very clear on the sinlessness of the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus was completely sinless. The Scripture says, “Knowing that you were redeemed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.” (1 Peter 1:18,19).
Yet, in order to reconcile sinful man to the holy God, Jesus was “made sin for us.” “For our sake he [God] made him [Jesus] to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21). We have a great and wonderful salvation procured for us by a great Savior. May we never cease praising and thanking Him.
A free pardon awaits everyone who does.
Jesus always saves to the uttermost
Everyone who comes to God through Him.
You will be saved, sanctified, and satisfied.
— Geoff Daniels 08/2020
It was absolutely necessary for Jesus to save because “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way.” (Isaiah 53:6). The prophet Isaiah presents a graphic description of the human being centuries before Jesus Christ came on this earthly scene. Without exception, every human being since the first man Adam, have sinned and have come short of the glory of God. This means that each one has chosen our own path of self-will and self-interest to gratify the dictates of the flesh.
It was definitely not God’s will for man to remain in a sinful condition. Therefore, God provided the only effective remedy that would deal with man’s sin once and for all. That remedy was the death and shed blood of Jesus on the Cross. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” (John 3:16,17).
“God so loved the world” means the entire human race. Not their sins, of course. God loves the sinner but hates his sin. Sin separates us from God, who is holy, just, and righteous. Again Isaiah points out, “But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you.” (Isaiah 59:2). “Whoever believes in him” means that person who puts his or her faith in Jesus will definitely receive the gift of eternal life.
It is not God’s sovereign will ”that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9). That’s why God in His infinite love and mercy has provided such a great and wonderful salvation, which “was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard.” (Hebrews 2:3).
If you could only know the blessings and joys that salvation brings, you would receive Jesus Christ as your personal Savior today and be on your way to heaven. May the Lord grant it, for His name sake.
He’s my great and wonderful Savior.
Come, take His free gift of salvation,
And you can live rejoicing every day.
— Geoff Daniels 09/2020)