Lessons from Paul: The Main Thing
In the midst of the information age and the advent of twenty-first century technologies, we are literally bombarded with messages on a daily basis. Frankly, it takes much work to sift through and determine what messages are important, what messages to engage, and ultimately what messages to act upon. Yet, one message is singular, transcendent, powerful, and life changing. In fact, amid the noise and clutter of a message-saturated world, it is simply the most important message of all, the main thing!
What is the main thing? It is the gospel of Jesus.
In 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, Paul articulated the foundation of the gospel message when he wrote:
“For I delivered to you first of all, that which I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that he was buried and that he rose again on the third day according to the scriptures.”
The gospel is about Jesus’ life and what He accomplished on our behalf. Namely, He paid our sin debt, providing a means of forgiveness, so that through faith we could be reconciled to God and receive the gift of eternal life.
The gospel message is as deep as it is wide. It is the topic of volumes and volumes of books, yet for our purposes, I will touch on just three basics pertaining to the gospel. Writing one entry certainly doesn’t do it justice. The topic is that immense. We should continually study the profundity of the gospel and its eternal implications. Yet, there is still much to be gleaned in focusing on the main things about the main thing, the gospel of Jesus!
The three main components of the gospel message from this 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 passage are the Scriptures, substitutionary atonement, and the resurrection.
The Scriptures
When Paul wrote his letter to the Corinthian church, the Scriptures referred to the Hebrew Bible (the Old Testament). The letters comprising the New Testament had not yet been compiled. When we think about understanding and articulating the gospel message, we’ll be more grounded when we understand the foundations of the gospel message are first revealed in the Old Testament.
Jesus declared in Matthew 5:18 that He came not to “abolish the Law and the Prophets, but to fulfill.” Talking with two men on the road to Emmaus in Luke 24:27, the Lord “…beginning at Moses and all Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.” Finally, Jesus reiterated this truth to His disciples in Luke 24:44-46 just before His ascension, adding in verse 46, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ (Messiah) to suffer and rise from the dead on the third day.”
It’s imperative to utilize the Scriptures in our witness, for “faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God” (Romans 10:17). For God also says about His Word in Isaiah 55:11, “It shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.”
Substitutionary Atonement
Substitutionary atonement is first illustrated for us in the Garden of Eden after the fall when God clothed Adam and Eve with tunics of skin, the skin representing a slain animal. Adam and Eve’s covering of fig leaves was an unacceptable sin covering, for atonement was found in God’s provision rather than man’s efforts. This is critical when distinguishing biblical faith versus other faith systems. In plain yet profound terms, biblical faith is based on divine accomplishment (“this happened”), Jesus did it all on the cross, whereas all other faith systems in one way, shape, or form are based on human effort (“this do”). We see in the garden man’s efforts to deal with his sin and shame rejected by God. Yet, in His mercy and grace, God provided an acceptable covering.
Additionally, substitutionary atonement, ancient Israel’s means of forgiveness found throughout the Old Testament, is particularly highlighted in Leviticus 17:11 where the Scriptures state, “For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.” Isaiah 53 is a powerful messianic prophecy of the Suffering Servant’s sacrifice on behalf of mankind. Substitutionary atonement finds its culmination in the person of Jesus, “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29).
Resurrection
The concept of resurrection is also found at many places in the Old Testament. For example, Daniel 12:1-2 states: “At that time Michael shall stand up, The great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people; And there shall be a time of trouble, Such as never was since there was a nation, Even to that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone who is found written in the book. And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, some to shame and everlasting contempt.” (See also Hosea 6:2, Psalm 16:10, Psalm 49:10, Job 19:25, and Isaiah 26:19). In rising from the dead on the third day, Jesus demonstrated His authority and victory over sin and death. Because He lives, we who trust in Him shall also live!
Understand that as ambassadors for Christ, “we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel” (1 Thessalonians 2:4). Therefore, understand the message, thank and praise God for the message, and share the message, keeping the main thing the main thing!
“Sing to the LORD, bless His name. Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day” (Psalm 96:2).