Gospel Truth: The Essence of Christianity
April 23, 2025
1 Corinthians 15:1-4 Now I'm making known to you, brothers, the gospel that I proclaimed to you, which you accepted, on which you have taken your stand, and by which you are also being saved if you hold firmly to the message I proclaimed to you - unless, of course, your faith was worthless.
For I passed on to you the most important points that I received: The Messiah died for our sins according to the Scriptures, He was buried, He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures - and is still alive! Cephas saw him and then by the Twelve.
The core essence of Christianity is that Jesus Christ was crucified, then rose from the dead, and is now alive, seated at the right hand of the throne of God in the heavens.
Hebrews 12:2 Fixing our attention on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of the faith, who, in view of the joy set before Him, endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Resurrection refers to life beyond the grave. The belief in Christ's death and resurrection is the cornerstone of Christianity. Without this belief, all our hopes for eternity would collapse. By firmly holding onto this truth, Christians are able to endure trials and remain faithful to God. Our faith is in vain if we do not maintain our belief in the gospel.
Take a closer look at this gospel essence.
"Wherein you stand"
Romans 5:2 Through Him, we have also obtained access by faith into this grace by which we have been established, and we boast because of our hope in God's glory.
"By which you are saved"
Romans 1:16 I am not ashamed of the gospel because it is God's power for the salvation of everyone who believes.
"Unless you believed in vain"
Galatians 3:4 Did you suffer so much for nothing? (If it really was for nothing!)
"According to the scriptures"
Psalm 22:15 My strength is dried up like broken pottery; my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth, and you brought me down to the dust of death.
Isaiah 53:5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, and He was crushed for our iniquities, and the punishment that made us whole was upon Him, and by His bruises, we are healed.
Daniel 9:26 Then, after the 62 weeks, the anointed one will be cut off and will have no successor. Then the people of the coming commander will destroy both the city and the Sanctuary. Its ending will come like a flood, and until the end, there will be war, with desolations having been decreed.
1 Peter 2:24 He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to those sins and live righteously. By His wounds, you have been healed.
"According to the Scriptures"
Psalm 2:7 Let me announce the decree of the Lord that He told me: You are my Son, today I have become Your Father.
Isaiah 53:10 Yet the Lord was willing to crush Him, and He made Him suffer. Although you make His soul an offering for sin, He will see His offspring, and He will prolong His days, and the will of the Lord will triumph in His hand.
Hosea 6:2 After two days, He will restore us to life; on the third day, He will raise us up, and we will live in His presence.