Day 1
Remember the Gospel
Read
1 Corinthians 15:1–8 (King James Version)
1Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
2By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
3For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
5And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:
6After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.
7After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.
8And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.
Understand
Before Paul asks anyone to share the gospel, he makes sure they have it right. He reminds the Corinthians of the gospel he preached, which they received and in which they stand, and says he delivered “first of all that which I also received” — the message was handed to him, not invented by him. Its content is short: Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; He was buried; He rose again the third day according to the scriptures. Then Paul names witnesses — Cephas, the twelve, above five hundred brethren at once, James, all the apostles, and himself last of all. A witness carries a message he did not compose. Getting it right comes before speaking it well.
Key Truth
The gospel is Christ crucified for our sins, buried, and risen the third day, according to the scriptures.
Reflect
- Could you state the gospel right now without notes, including the death, the burial, and the resurrection?
- Could you explain the gospel clearly without Christian jargon?
- What parts of the gospel do you need to understand more deeply?
Apply
Practice explaining the gospel in one minute. Include our sin, Jesus Christ, His death, burial, resurrection, and the call to repent and believe.
Pray
“Father, help me understand the gospel deeply and communicate it faithfully. Keep me from adding to it, removing from it, or making myself the center. Give me confidence in Jesus Christ and Your Word. Amen.”
Next Step
Tomorrow’s passage explains what a Christian actually is when they speak of Christ.
