LESSON 23
(15:1-4)

THE GOSPEL

15 Now I would remind you, brethren, in what terms I preached to you the gospel, which you received, in which you stand, 2 by which you are saved, if you hold it fast–unless you believed in vain.
3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures,

This whole chapter was probably written in answer to a question or questions about the resurrection of Jesus.  It is not strange that questions should arise about the matter; people in our day wonder about it; Job expressed the point in 14:14.  Everyone wrestles with life after death at some time in life, if there is one, what will be true if there is one, etc.  Christianity builds its case upon Jesus of Nazareth who, being crucified, arose from the grave.  The Corinthians had heard that preached, accepted it as true, and were enjoying the hope that it brings.  However, as the chapter shows, while accepting the fact of Jesus’ resurrection, some had questions about issues relating to it.  The apostle’s answer might be viewed as follows:

  I. 	The Gospel Message, 15:1-4
  II. 	The Resurrection Witnesses, 15:5-11
  III. 	The Resurrection Necessity, 15:12-19
  IV. 	The Resurrection Results, 15:12-19
  V. 	The Resurrection Life, 15:29-34
  VI. 	The Resurrection Explained, 15:35-49
  VII.	The Resurrection Victory, 15:50-58

Another way to look at the text would be:
  I. 	The Triumph of the Resurrection, 15:1-34
  II. 	The Nature of the Resurrection, 15:35-49
  III. 	The Victory of the Resurrection, 15:50-58.

The resurrection is the chief cornerstone of Christianity from the perspective that it is the best attested fact for faith, it is the answer to the problem of death, and it gives validity to Jesus’ own claims for Himself.  The two charts at the end of this lesson will help you see its importance to you faith.
One of the difficulties with this chapter is the question about whom does Paul speak.  Is he dealing only with the Christian and what the resurrection means to the Christian, or are the non-Christians included too?  If they are included, how much applies to them?  If not included, are they involved with the resurrection of Christ at all?  You might want to watch for these things as you study the three lessons on this chapter.  You might also note the conclusion in v. 58 and the practical application to Christian living.  Hence, though the chapter deals with some theoretical questions, the fact of the resurrection has a very practical application for every Christian.
Picking up the point about the resurrection’s importance to Christianity again, we want to notice that the apostle establishes both its certainty and its value to the believer.  Hardly can we say enough about either of these matters.  It is as certain a historical fact as any other historical fact, if not more so.  Few events in history have as much evidence for their occurrence as does the resurrection.  The change in the disciples, the character of the witnesses, the beginning of Christianity: all these and others find their basis in the resurrection of Jesus.  The value of the resurrection has many facets too, such as attesting to Jesus’ own life and teaching, vanquishing of death, life eternal with God, and many others.  Its value in preaching can readily be seen from the Acts record and a study of the sermons preached by the apostles.  While our chapter is the longest discussion in the N.T. of the resurrection, the epistles in various ways either assume it or utilize it in some way.  May we increase our faith as the text unfold its truths to us.
15:1 – I would remind you – Though the Greek text has the word from “to make known” in it, the fact that they had already been told about the resurrection is the reason for the idea of “reminding” them.
the terms – Actually, the Greek text has the word commonly translated by “gospels” in it.  It is euangelion.  In its verb form it is translated many ways, such as here “I preached” or similar terms.  As you know, the term “gospel” (or sometimes “good news” or “message”) can be found quite often in the New Testament.  The Greek terms (noun, verb, adjective) add up to about 130 times.  To put it in a different way, 15:1 might be translated because of the words Paul used “. . . the gospel which I gospelized to you” or “. . . the preaching which I preached” because Paul used both the noun form mentioned above and the verb form.  “I preached . . . the gospel” actually translates only one word, the verb form of euangelion.
From a different point of view, we often speak about “the terms” of the gospel, by which is normally meant what must be done to become a Christian.  It is just as truthful to say that the terms of the gospel are those things which must be done in order to remain a Christian (i.e., a member of the Covenant).  When we enter into any covenant, there are specified things which must be done to enter the relationship/agreement, and also things which must be done to maintain the covenant.  Especially is this true in respect to the Christian covenant.  Often it is simply a question of semantics, but it is worth considering in that there are “terms” both to becoming Christian and remaining Christian.
The Corinthians had heard, accepted and were “standing” in the gospel which Paul had preached to them.  The “gospel” is defined here as clearly as anywhere in the New Testament as to its essence.  Paul preached the gospel unto them which was, according to him, comprised of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus.  We often hear it said of someone that “He is a gospel preacher” or “That was a good gospel message.”  What is meant is anybody’s guess.  From the text we are studying, many would fall into the class of “gospel” preachers.  From some of the other texts where the term appears, we learn that Jesus preached it, Mt 4:23; that Mark wrote about it, 1:1; that repentance is associated with it, Mk. 1:15; that one could “lose” his soul for it, Mk. 8:35; that Paul preached it to the Gentiles, Acts 15:7; because he was chosen for it and served it, Rom. 1:1, 9; 15:16; that it could be believed, Rom. 10:16; that the Corinthians were begotten through it, 4:15 (Note here I Pet. 1:22-23); that Satan can blind people to it, II Cor. 4:3-4; that there was no other one than Paul preached, Gal. 1:6-11; that Peter was not acting according to it, Gal. 2:14; that the Philippians shared with Paul’s work in it, Phil. 1:5-7; that one ought to live worthy of it, Phil. 1:27; that it is the word of truth, Col. 1:5; that people are punished who do not obey it, II Thess. 1:8; that life and immortality were manifested in it, II Tim. 1:10.  Philip was described by the term, Acts 21:8; God gave some to be evangelists, Eph. 4:11; and Timothy was encouraged to do the work of one who preached the gospel, II Tim. 4:5.  From these texts (which have the noun form of the word) perhaps quite a few conclusions might be drawn about the term, depending upon which text was in mind.  Hence, we might hear it used in several ways.
you stand – The present state in which they had been and still were was Paul’s meaning.
V. 2 – by which you are saved – Many texts bear out this truth.  Jesus’ sacrifice in death and His resurrection are the only means of redemption that God has provided. Cf. Jn. 10:1-7; 14:6; Acts 4:11-12.
if you hold it fast – The benefits of the gospel are always conditioned upon keeping the covenant into which we entered.  It is possible to be saved and remain saved (i.e., “once saved, always saved”) until we depart this world, as this text and Heb. 7:25 bear out.  The “if” is the key word, and it refers to what Christians must do.  God has made the way–we must remain faithful until death to receive the crown of life.
in vain – The Greek word behind “vain” is eik_.  Consider its other uses in the N.T. Paul used it in reference to the representative of the government in Rom. 13:4, where it seems to have the idea of purpose.  In Gal. 3:4 it appears twice, where the thrust seems to include the idea of losing (for the sake of law-keeping) what they had in the gospel, and thus making their previous sufferings have no value or result.  In effect, the Galatians would have lasting purpose for what they had endured as Christians.  In 4:11 where the same general theme is still in mind, Paul expressed the thought that his efforts on their behalf were close to being of no value.  He might as well have skipped the efforts he had made unless they changed.  The last reference is in Col. 2:18, where the apostle has people in view who have no reason for being so high on themselves, that to give up Christ for something else would be the effect of a foolish way of thinking.  (There are some Greek manuscripts that have the term in Mt. 5:22, where the K.J.V. has “without a cause” in the text.)  The basic idea was “at random” or “no purpose in view” or “without any reason” in the literature of the day.  Consequently, Paul called the Corinthians to consider their motive for being believers.  There w\must be acceptable reasons for obeying God’s Word.  One must no just go “through the motions” but have the right goals and aspirations in mind.  It was easily seen that some had the wrong reasons for coming to share in the communion time in Ch. 11.  Some preached the gospel for wrong reasons, Phil. 1:15, 17.  That is why Paul warned the Hebrew Christians that God’s Word could discern the “thought and intentions” of men, 4:12-13.  We shall all be judged, not only by what we have done but the motivation we had in doing.  Let us then make every effort to allow God to cleanse our minds and create within us a right spirit, Ps. 51.
V. 3 – first importance – Not necessarily first of all but of primary importance.
I also received – Speaking of God’s revelation to him.
Christ died – Not just any death, but in our place.  All have sinned, and the wages of sin is death. When Jesus died, as the O.T. Scriptures so often foretold by word, type or symbol (and as He Himself foretold numerous times, Mt. 16:21; etc.), he died to provide a substitute for each person who would accept Him as savior.  He was the acceptable sacrifice to God, suffering what we should have suffered, or will suffer if we refuse His sacrifice.  While He endured much on the cross in a physical sense, it was the cry “Why have you forsaken me?” that spelled out the real suffering.  He had become sin who knew no sin, II Cor. 5:21, so that we who accept Him might become the righteousness of God in Him.  Note then in II Cor. 6:1 the plea of Paul to these same people not to receive God’s grace in vain.
V. 4 – was buried – In a borrowed tomb, forsaken by God and His friends, death seemingly victorious.
was raised – The text in Greek indicates a resurrection that was actually so and remained so.  As Rom. 5:10 states, we are saved by His life.  Not Ch. 6:9, that Jesus, having been raised from the dead, will never die again, for he lives to God, v. 10.  That is the vital difference between the high priests under the Mosaic law and the Christian’s high priest, Heb. 7:23-25: they died; Jesus lives.
on the third day – This is clear enough from many Scriptures.  The Jews understood Jesus to mean “on” the third day rather than “after” the third day, Which is why they asked for a guard at the tomb, Mt. 27:62-64.  Note Jesus’ own predictions in Mt. 16:21; 20:19; Jn. 2:19.  Now turn to Luke’s gospel, Ch. 23, and begin reading at v. 54.  The day of crucifixion was the day of Preparation, the day Jesus died.  In vv. 55-56, the Sabbath came and went.  Day two. In 24:1, day three, when the women came to the tomb, Jesus was risen, just as He said.
according to the Scriptures – Actually, the O.T. Scriptures clearly foretold both Jesus’ death and resurrection, as Peter’s sermon in Acts 2 shows.  We ought to make as much of fulfilled prophecy as we can.  There are few things that are on a par with the evidential value of fulfilled prophecy as it relates to Jesus.  Such speaks of God who plans and fulfills, who knows and carries out, who promises and keeps.  No other god can do such, no other god is worthy of service.  May we who know these things thank God for His matchless grace to us in Jesus Christ, and live a life worthy of Him Who called us out of darkness into Hi s marvelous light. Amen.

	LESSON 23 QUESTIONS

1. 	Make some attempt to outline the chapter.

2. 	Consider carefully the two charts with this lesson.

3. 	If we establish the historical fact of any event by the number of witnesses to it, considering their character and their opportunity to know whereof they speak, can Jesus’ life, death and resurrection be established?

4. 	What brought salvation to the brethren in Corinth?
5. 	What condition was stated that they had to meet to retain their salvation?

6. 	What things composed the gospel that Paul preached to them?

7. 	What things happened to Jesus in accordance with the Scriptures?

8. 	Have you reviewed your reasons for being Christian?  (There might be several good reasons for being Christian, so you might be able to think of more than one reason to be a Christian.)