Today’s devotion comes from 1 Corinthians 15:1-5.
“Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain.
For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.” 1 Corinthians 15:1-5.
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Our ears should “perk up” when we hear: “Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you” and “For I delivered to you as of first importance”.
How then does Paul define the gospel?
What is “first importance”?
Paul defines the gospel and that which is first importance as “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures”. Verses 3-4.
First, the gospel is based on historical events. In other words, the gospel is based on facts, not beliefs. Later in the chapter, we read: “and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain.” 1 Corinthians 15:14.
Second, the gospel is based on the Scriptures. We read twice that “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures” and “He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures“. Verses 3-4.
Other doctrine defines the gospel as salvation is offered freely to all who accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. Thus, salvation is based on man’s power and man’s action of being wise enough and willing enough to accept Christ.
But, Reformed Doctrine defines the gospel as salvation given by God to God’s elect through Christ’s death and resurrection. Thus, salvation is based on God’s choice and God’s power according to God’s word.
We remember earlier in the book of 1 Corinthians the following Scriptures.
“For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:18.
“For it is written,
“I WILL DESTROY THE WISDOM OF THE WISE,
AND THE CLEVERNESS OF THE CLEVER I WILL SET ASIDE.” 1 Corinthians 1:19.
“For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:22-24.
“and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 2:4-5.
“For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, so that no man may boast before God. But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption,” 1 Corinthians 1:26-30.
“so that, just as it is written, “LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD.” 1 Corinthians 1:31.
And, we also remember Romans 9:15-18.
“For He says to Moses, “I WILL HAVE MERCY ON WHOM I HAVE MERCY, AND I WILL HAVE COMPASSION ON WHOM I HAVE COMPASSION.” So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy. For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “FOR THIS VERY PURPOSE I RAISED YOU UP, TO DEMONSTRATE MY POWER IN YOU, AND THAT MY NAME MIGHT BE PROCLAIMED THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE EARTH.” So then He has mercy on whom He desires, and He hardens whom He desires.” Romans 9:15-18.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 