Paul: His Life and His Teachings The Gospel
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No.38 Paul: His Life and Teachings - The Gospel (Part 1)
No.39 Paul: His Life and Teachings - The Gospel (Part 2)
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What is the Gospel? This is one of the fundamental questions that one must ask. Why? It will determine what to believe to be saved! In this segment of our study on the Pauline doctrine, we will explore what this gospel is. This will also be a strong reminder for us as to what the gospel is to us, at least when we first got introduced to it. In 1 Corinthians 15:1-10, Paul presented the Gospel to the Corinthians by summarizing pertinent details on what Jesus did, its significance, as well as proof of the resurrection. Paul did not present something new to his readers. It is clear though that the resurrection of Jesus is the focal point of his message. All the sermons in Acts demonstrates that. Unapologetically, the apostles preached that Jesus is risen! Then why is it that we are now changing the contents of our message, some to the point of excluding the resurrection from the dead? The Jesus Seminar from De Paul for instance is teaching that we don’t need to believe in the resurrection to become a Christian. Paul though highlights the importance of the resurrection whenever he teaches what the Gospel is.
Paul preached this Gospel to the church in Corinth. They received this Gospel, and stand on it. Their response to the gospel, includes faith, repentance, and baptism. By this Gospel they were saved. The interesting thing is this was written in present passive tense of the verb, which means, “You are being saved.” Yes, we are saved, but we don’t check out your brain and forget the gospel after getting in kingdom of God. This means that salvation is not just something that happened in the past – it is still going on right now. Whatever area in life we need saving from, we are still being saved from it for the power of the gospel is still at work in us who believe. Why was Paul then reminding the Corinthians? The only logical explanation is they are beginning to “forget” what the gospel is and what it was to them. Now, Paul, their apostle, is still alive at this point. They are abandoning the gospel right before his eyes. They are no longer emphasizing what is most important in the Gospel. Some emphasized on faith, 2nd Coming, etc. The number one emphasis should be on the gospel focusing on the resurrection.
While the other doctrines are very important, they become irrelevant without the resurrection. This is also a rebuke against listening to false doctrines that undermines the very foundations of Christianity. Some of the false doctrines includes salvation by works; there is more than one way; or for as long as you are good, you are going to make it to heaven. This also tells us how important doctrine is. That is, the right doctrine. It is alarming that too many ignorant and uneducated preachers today are attacking too quickly those who study. They are not even aware that their doctrines came from the teachings of those who spent a lot of time studying the Scriptures. As we it is often said: Do not be proud of your ignorance. Do not be proud that you never went to school. In order to ensure we are holding on to the right Gospel; once in a while, we need to remember how the Gospel came to us, and ask what was our commitment to the Gospel when we first received it. We need to examine how firm our grip is on the Gospel message, and compare it now, especially on how and what is being presented.
Here is the Gospel then: Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures. He was buried. He was raised on third Day according to the Scriptures. As proof of the resurrection: He appeared to Peter. He appeared to the twelve. He appeared to more than 500 at the same time (during Ascension), some of whom were still alive at the writing of 1 Corinthians. He appeared to James (His Brother). He appeared to all the Apostles. He appeared to Paul. It is worth noting that Paul realized that he was not the first to see the resurrected Jesus. This is one thing that we need to get over with. Some people wants to promote that they are first in everything that they are doing. These proofs are still being contested heavily today. Some even claim that the disciples were just having a mass hallucinations when they claim seeing Jesus after the resurrection. Some are spreading that this event is just a Jewish myth. All of these are designed to cast doubt in our hearts regarding the gospel.
In conclusion, we can say that these are some of the verifiable facts of the resurrection. Jesus did not die and rose again privately. His ministry was with the multitude, His death was a public execution, and resurrection was under the scrutiny of influential opposition. Yet through it all, He rose in history as the One who conquered death – our living Lord and Savior. Praise be to God!