​The Only One Worthy1 Corinthians 15:3b
...that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures...

Thoughts for Today:In our passage today, Paul gives us what he considers among all the great truths of Scripture -- the one that is of "first" importance: Jesus died for our sins (not His own). It's one of the major differences between Christianity and every other religion of the world. I don't know of any other religious leader who claimed to be without sin. So giving of their life as atonement for the sins of others wouldn't be acceptable (provided they would even do so). Why? Because they were just as much a sinner as everyone else. Jesus is the only perfect, pure and sinless Son of God -- whose life was worthy of sacrifice in exchange for ours. It is one of the truly unique aspects of the Gospel.

Every detail of Christ's death, burial, and resurrection had been prophesied in Scripture. So Paul wasn't just reporting upon historical events, but shared how these events fulfilled Scripture. The concept that Christ would die for our sins is clearly seen throughout the Old Testament. For example:

Psalm 22 -- offers a picture of crucifixion hundreds of years before it was ever used.

Psalm 69 -- references the vinegar Jesus would be offered to drink upon the Cross.

Isaiah 50 -- foretold how Jesus would be mocked, His beard pulled out, face struck, and back beaten.

Isaiah 53 -- describes how Jesus was "pierced for our transgressions...crushed for our iniquities."

As a result, when Paul said, "Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures," he certainly had these passages in mind.

Questions to Ponder:Can you point to the Old Testament Scriptures that foretell the death of Jesus? They are valuable ones to know when speaking with unbelievers about the great truths of salvation. Which is your favorite? Isaiah 53:5-6 is mine.

Ranking the Great Truths of Salvation1 Corinthians 15:3a
For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance...

Thoughts for Today:In our passage today, Paul was not just speaking about the subtleties of religiosity that seem to consume Christianity today. For example: When is it appropriate to receive communion? What day of the week should worship be held? Or, what are acceptable titles of church officers?

Instead, Paul will reiterate the most important things he had shared with them. We will have to wait until our next passage to see which one Paul will reveal as the "first" of all the great truths of salvation, but it got me to thinking about how I would rank these truths. The following is a partial list, although not in order:

Virgin birth of Jesus.
Salvation by grace through faith.
The Godhead (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit).
Existence of heaven and hell.
The deception of mankind by Satan.
Second coming of Christ.
Fellowship of the church.
The Lord's Supper.
Creation of the world and humanity.
Authority of Scripture.
Death and resurrection of Jesus.

As you can see, there are a lot of very important truths that are essential to our faith. So why does Paul place one at the top of the list? Because everything else hinges upon it. We'll find out his answer in our next passage.

Questions to Ponder:What is at the top your list? Which great truth of salvation do you hold as number one? Why? When sharing your faith, what do you think is the most important Biblical truth to convey?

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                                               Holding to God's Truth1 Corinthians 15:2a
By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you.

Thoughts for Today:In our passage today, the word "saved" is speaking of something a little deeper than the initial born-again experience. So, I think there are two scripturally "correct" ways of looking at Paul's statement today. First, Paul could be saying that after we are born-again, we can also be saved from the spiritual and emotional illnesses that plague humanity (depression, fear, insecurity, etc.), provided we hold firmly to the truth of God's Word.

The second way, is as a guideline for our eternal salvation. Although we experience salvation today, we must continue to hold firmly to our profession of faith to the end. This is not to say we cannot be assured of our salvation -- it just needs to continue to be shielded with faith. (1 Peter 1:5: "... who [believers] through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.")

Questions to Ponder:How firmly do you hold to God's truth? Does it save you from the stress of the workplace, temptation, financial problems, or health issues? Faith is our shield, and the source of its power is God's Holy Spirit. Have you been trying to solve problems on your own? Will you seek His help? Will you go to Him now?

Introduction to 1 Corinthians 151 Corinthians 15
Introduction

Thoughts for Today:If we were to make a top ten list of the greatest chapters of the Bible, I have no doubt that Chapter 15 would be on each of our lists. It certainly would be on mine. In fact, it has long been considered one of the most important and crucial in Scripture. Why? Because it answers the first heresy of the church: The denial of the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ.

In Paul's day there were three philosophies regarding death, and life after death. First, there was stoicism, which taught the soul merged into god after death (a oneness resulted so individuality was lost). Second, there was Epicurean philosophy, which taught that everything was material (therefore nothing existed after death). And third, there was Platonism, which taught the immortality of the soul (but from more of a transmigration or reincarnation perspective as in the religions of India). Because of these differing philosophies, when Paul spoke of resurrection, people thought he was speaking of a "new" god.

The great wonder of the Christian faith is we never view life as ending in death. The life we experience in the present, is not all there is, and as believers we look beyond this life to eternity. It's the one great factor that gives life both meaning and purpose. Chapter 15 could be titled the "Great Resurrection" because it shows the most important part of the Gospel message is the resurrection of Christ. Without it - even the death of Jesus is meaningless.

Questions to Ponder:According to Romans 4:25, "He [Jesus] was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification." With His death He paid for our sins, but in His resurrection He gave us a guaranteed entrance into heaven and eternal life. Jesus said (John 14:6): "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." Do you have the assurance of your location for eternity?

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​Rarely Used?1 Corinthians 14:39-40
Therefore, my brothers, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.

Thoughts for Today:A few years ago I bought a standup paddle board. There for a while I was out every weekend paddling around Dana Point Harbor. Now, it pretty much hangs in my garage. Think about it, don't you own a lot of things that you never (or rarely) use? The same can be said of our faith. We might believe in the power of the Holy Spirit, in the truth of prophecy, and know the Holy Spirit wants to work in us personally and in our congregations collectively -- but are we allowing the Spirit to flow through us? Speaking metaphorically, we've got the paddle board, but is it collecting dust or being used regularly?

As we reach the end of Chapter Fourteen, Paul reminds us to "be eager to" use the gifts of the Spirit, but also to use them in a "fitting and orderly way". So there are two parts to these last verses. The first: "being eager" is the one that our Pentecostal brothers and sisters excel like no other. And the second, "fitting and orderly", we Baptists have down to near perfection (perhaps too much). What I believe the Lord intends is for all of us --Pentecostals, Baptists and everyone in between -- to allow prophecy, tongues, interpretation, healing, and words of knowledge and wisdom to flow through us and our churches in an impacting and moving, yet organized and harmonious manner.

Questions to Ponder:It seems as if churches choose an all or nothing course when it comes to gifts of the Spirit. But that is not what Paul instructs. Has Chapter 14 changed your perception of the use of Spiritual gifts in the church today? How so? Have you become more open to the influence of the Spirit's work in your brothers and sisters in Christ? What work is the Spirit doing in you and your church today?