FB_IMG_1601097120039

What did Paul mean when he said, "unless ye have believed in vain" when he preached the gospel of our salvation?Here is Paul's introduction to his gospel in context.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. - 1 Cor. 15:1-2 KJBHe then preached the gospel of our salvation.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: - 1 Cor. 15:3-4 KJBSo the gospel of our salvation is to believe that Christ died for our sins, and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day.Jesus' death and burial were not by the hand of God. That was by the hands of men. It is his resurrection that was by the hand of God, so him being raised on the third day is the critical part of the gospel of salvation.To understand what Paul meant by, "unless ye have believed in vain", one only needs to continue reading the context.He was aware that some he had preached to did not believe in the resurrection of the dead. So he then deals with their unbelief and focuses on the resurrection of the dead throughout the rest of the chapter.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. - 1 Cor. 15:12-14 KJBPaul is strongly stressing the belief in Christ's resurrection and he did not fail to include the fact that there were over five hundred witnesses to the resurrection of Christ (1 Cor. 15:5-8 KJB).Of course, his audience could easily believe Christ died and was buried, but it is not as easy for some to believe that he was resurrected from the dead, and that is essential for salvation.If one does not fully believe the resurrection part of Paul's gospel, he has only believed two-thirds of the gospel of salvation and has then believed in vain. And if Christ be not raised, YOUR FAITH IS VAIN; ye are yet in your sins. - 1 Cor. 15:17 KJBThere it is. Two-thirds doesn't cut it. To be saved, one must believe all three-thirds of the gospel, the death, burial, AND resurrection of Jesus Christ for our sins.Notice that Paul is saying that if one does not believe in the resurrection of Christ, he is yet in his sins. That means he is not saved.Paul said that a saved member of the body of Christ is made free from sin.Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. - Rom. 6:18 KJBThis is why the rest of the chapter (1 Corinthians 15 KJB) is Paul making the case for the resurrection of the dead. He does not want anyone believing in vain. He wants people saved, sealed, and justified with the imputed righteousness of Christ by faith in the complete gospel to receive everlasting life.But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. - Rom. 6:22 KJBIn whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, YE WERE SEALED with that holy Spirit of promise, - Eph. 1:13 KJBFor 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. - Eph. 2:8-9 KJBNot by works of righteousness which we have done, but ACCORDING TO HIS MERCY HE SAVED US, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; - Titus 3:5 KJBNow to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his FAITH IS COUNTED FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS. - Rom. 4:4-5 KJBBut for us also, to whom [righteousness] shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; Who was delivered for our offences, and was RAISED AGAIN FOR OUR JUSTIFICATION. - Rom. 4:24-25 KJBThe moment you believe Christ died for your sins, and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day, you are saved, sealed, justified and you receive Christ's imputed righteousness to your account. AND YOU CANNOT LOSE IT. Is there anything better than that?Do you believe all three-thirds of the gospel of your salvation? Good! You have not believed in vain. I will see you upstairs then.Grace and peace. Scott Clarke