Corinthians 15:1–17
Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. Therefore whether it were I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed. Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.
Satan asked Christ to sift people like wheat, so that people would go through times of shaking. But Jesus Christ reveals His will. The Church is the gathering of born-again children of God. The Church is His body, and Christ is the Head. Satan brought persecution upon the Church. And persecution continues to this day, but the Church does not decrease. Then Satan began to use heresies. And so, in the Church in the city of Corinth, a group of people arose who said that there is no resurrection of the dead. What caused them to do this? The death of loved ones? The death of the Apostles? The Church began to become infected with this disease. But Christ repeatedly warned: Do not be afraid! Believe!
Timothy 2:18
Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.
Did we really make all these efforts in vain? The Apostle Paul tried to stop the heresy. A person suddenly begins to seek not what is in Scripture, but what is in his imagination. Some people change the Gospel: they add things or remove things. And such people try to destroy both their own lives and the Church. They add the traditions of the elders, which contradict Christ. Others add the Law of Moses to the Gospel of Christ. But the Gospel is perfect!
Galatians 1:12–13
For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it
Corinthians 2:1–2
And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
This is what the Apostle received through revelation. Christ Himself is the main thing in the Gospel. The Messiah! This was planned before the creation of the world. A Redeemer was given to this earth. The Eternal Word. He left Heaven and came to earth with a message.
Why is there persecution against the Gospel? Because it is the Truth of God. But people like their sins. However, the Lord warns us that a time of judgment will come. Righteousness is being preached. The Truth! And whoever chooses the path of righteousness, Christ renews for eternal life.
Luke 24:47
And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
What does repentance mean? A person hears about Jesus Christ. And the one who opens his heart becomes a child of God. Christ brings that person out from under the power of Satan and places him on a new path.
Ephesians 2:8–9
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Saved by grace. We do not understand God's righteousness. People resist it, and sin fights for its own existence. But when a person repents, Satan and sin lose their power over that person.
Romans 8:16
The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
We have eternal life. It is the Holy Spirit who testifies to our spirit. These are not our own thoughts, but a gift from God. Nothing is more powerful than the Blood of Christ. Nothing needs to be added! But is faith without works alive? But if we love the Lord, He reveals His will to us in the Gospel.
Colossians 3:5–9
Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;
A sinful nature is inherent in us. And whoever follows their feelings destroys themselves. But there is a new path.
Colossians 3:10–16
And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
He shows the way of the new person who has submitted to Christ. And here are the deeds that must be done: to see the needs of those near and far, to help, and to show compassion through participation. And this is the Gospel of Christ!