Scripture
Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. 2 By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.
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,
Reflection
Verses 15:1-4 forms part of the overall argument in verses 1-34 about the certainty of Jesus’ bodily resurrection. In verses 1-2 the gospel Paul had preached in Corinth (2:1–2) had not changed; but he feared that just as there had been confusion in the church concerning the message of Christ crucified and its implication for believers, the same was happening with regard to the message of Christ’s resurrection. As the former message was an essential element in the Corinthians’ experience of ongoing salvation, so was the latter. To reject bodily resurrection eviscerated “the gospel” and made faith vain because it had an unworthy object (cf. 15:13, 17). Believing the gospel includes holding firmly to belief in Christ’s resurrection. Unless one holds firmly, his belief is “in vain” (Matt. 13:18–22).
Thoughts for the day
- Do you believe as verses 4-5 states that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures?
- What does this passage tell you about God or Jesus?
- What does this passage tell you about humanity?
- What do you feel God is telling you through this passage?
- How can you apply this message in an area of your life that needs transformation?
- Is there anyone you think should hear or will benefit from this message? Go and tell them.
Prayer
What has God been saying to you recently? Where do you need to pause and hear his voice more clearly? Block out some time to listen to God speak.
