THE GOSPEL THAT SAVES
The word gospel means “good news.” It is the greatest news the world has ever heard because it tells what God has done through His Son to save sinners.
Paul wrote to the Christians at Corinth that the gospel was the message he had preached, the message they had received, the message in which they stood, and the message by which they were being saved, if they continued to hold fast to it (1 Corinthians 15:1-2).
In a world filled with religious opinions and competing messages, the church must never lose sight of the gospel itself.
The Proclamation
Paul begins by reminding the Corinthians of the gospel he had preached to them (1 Corinthians 15:1). The gospel is not man’s invention. It is God’s message.
Paul declared that he received it by revelation from Jesus Christ (Galatians 1:11-12). Therefore, no one has the authority to change it. Paul warned the Galatians that even if an apostle or an angel from heaven preached another gospel, that messenger was to be rejected (Galatians 1:6-9).
The gospel was “once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3), and Christians are to “hold fast the pattern of sound words” (2 Timothy 1:13). The church is never called to improve the gospel, only to proclaim it faithfully (Mark 16:15).
The Person
At the heart of the gospel is not a plan but a Person. Paul summarizes the gospel in three historical facts: Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, He was buried, and He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).
His death provided the sacrifice for sin (Isaiah 53:5-6; 1 Peter 2:24). His burial confirmed the reality of His death (Matthew 27:57-60). His resurrection declared Him to be the Son of God with power (Romans 1:4) and assures our own resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:20-22).
Remove any one of these truths, and the gospel is no longer the gospel.
The Power
The gospel is not merely information to be admired. It is God’s power to save. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16). The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to those who are being saved it is the power of God (1 Corinthians 1:18).
Through the gospel, sinners are called into fellowship with Christ (2 Thessalonians 2:14), forgiven of their sins (Acts 2:38), and given the hope of eternal life (Titus 1:2). There is no other message that can reconcile man to God.
The body of Christ must never become distracted by entertainment, politics, or human philosophy. Our mission is the same as it was in the first century: preach Christ crucified (1 Corinthians 2:2).
The death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus are not merely the beginning of Christianity. They remain its very heart. Whenever the gospel is preached as God revealed it, people still have the opportunity to believe, obey, and be saved (Romans 10:17).
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Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for the good news of Jesus Christ. Help us never to change, neglect, or be ashamed of the gospel.
Give us courage to proclaim the death, burial, and resurrection of Your Son with faithfulness and love. May many come to know Him through the message You have entrusted to Your church.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
BDD
