We have mentioned in previous lessons that the cross of Jesus Christ crucified not only our sin but also put our entire old nature to death. Death is separation; physical death separates the body from the soul. When Jesus died on the cross, He separated us from our sins, and also from our old nature, which is why Paul could say, "I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live..." (Galatians 2:20).
Today we want to see that the cross is the foundation or the basis for our victory over sin. Oh, what blessings are ours through the cross of Jesus Christ. As the great refrain of the hymn Victory in Jesus says so clearly, "He plunged us to victory beneath the cleansing flood."
Let us now examine both the first and last parts of 1 Corinthians chapter 15, noting that this passage begins with the gospel of Jesus Christ, which is of "first importance," and ends with "victory":
“Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word 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 in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep.” 1 Corinthians 15:1-6
“When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory." "O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?" The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” 1 Corinthians 15:54-58
In the first four verses of 1 Corinthians 15, Paul reminds the Corinthians of the gospel, which he says is of "first importance." This gospel is made up of two parts and contains two proofs.
Question 1. According to 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, what are the two parts of the gospel?
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The two parts of the gospel are:
1. "Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures.”
2. "He was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures."
2. "He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then He appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time..."
In the middle section of 1 Corinthians 15, Paul discourses on the resurrection, both of Jesus Christ and all believers.
Finally, at the end of the chapter, Paul applies the gospel, revealing that the result of the gospel is victory over all our enemies, including the final enemy of death itself. The gospel is the grounds and basis for our victory over all enemies. We will live forever because Jesus died for us and rose again.
Question 2. Paul said this gospel of the death and resurrection of Jesus is "according to the Scriptures" (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). To what Scriptures is Paul referring?