The Gospel, Part 1

Introduction

On Wednesday nights we have been studying the Gospel. When I tell people that, many of them are a bit confused. Why should a class made up of long time believers need to study the Gospel? Haven’t we heard it enough times? Isn’t it simple enough for a little child to understand? Why would we need to “study” it?

The very fact that we ask this is indicative of our need to take a close look at what Scripture teaches is the Gospel.

Many people today are seeking to improve upon the Gospel, to make it “better” in some way or more “acceptable” or to add to it. In the midst of this madness the Gospel is lost. This is nothing new, the very same thing happened in the days of the New Testament writers. In fact, a significant portion of the New Testament was written in an effort to defend the Gospel from those who were trying to make it something it was not! So, it is a good idea to look through what Jesus had to say, what the Apostles preached in Acts, and what the New Testament letters were guarding the Gospel from.

Last Wednesday night we took a dive into 1 Corinthians 15. There, Paul tells us a great deal about the Gospel, and defines what the Gospel itself is. I will be taking a little time to review what we studied that night while making some observations and commentary on the passage. I will start with verse 1, and you will have to stay tuned for the rest!


The Gospel, Part 1

Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand… 1 Corinthians 15.1 (ESV)

We often think of the Gospel as something which is to be preached to unbelievers so that they might be saved. Absolutely true! However, notice in this passage that the Gospel is something which believers are reminded of by Paul. Other translations say that Paul is “declaring” or “making known” this message of the Gospel to the Corinthian believers. Note that Paul writes this section of his letter to the church of Corinth, to believers, and he calls them brothers. They have already received the Gospel. Therefore, while the Gospel is to be preached to those who are without Christ (unbelievers), it is likewise to be preached to those who have already received Him. The Gospel is to be preached to those who are believers in Christ and members of His body, the Church! If we do not have the Gospel, if we do not remember it to keep it ever before us, we will inevitably be crushed by our sins. We will either be oppressed by our sins or we will become legalists, religious rule keepers out to try and make ourselves look good morally so that we can please others and quiet our consciences. The preaching of the Gospel is able to free us as believers from these horrible consequences!

Notice also from this passage that the Gospel is something which is preached. It is not something which can be “lived” so that others may come to know the Gospel because it is not something which can be presented without words. The Gospel is propositional truth. The Gospel is expressed through words regardless of what language or form they are in (spoken, written, signed). Never think that good deeds of any kind are the Gospel itself, they are not. This is not to say that we do not live the Gospel out in our behavior, only that the changes brought about in our lives by the Gospel which other people see should not be confused with the Gospel itself, which is to be preached.

Paul writes that the Corinthian believers received the Gospel. “Growing up in church” is not sufficient. Being sprinkled with water when you are young, or dunked when you are old, or catechized, or confirmed, or any other such work is not sufficient to save you from your sins. According to the Word of God, you must receive the Gospel. Jesus Christ died on the cross for your sins in accordance with the Scriptures, was buried and raised from the dead in accordance with the Scriptures, and appeared to many. One must receive this to be saved. It is the Gospel in which we stand.

Much more on this in Part 2!

Grace,
Chris