“The Power of the Empty Tomb” (Part Two)

As a post-Easter study, this week we are looking at 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 to see the impact of Christ’s resurrection. Yesterday we began by looking at the power of the gospel. Today we add two more pieces to this consideration:

The History of the Gospel (vv.3-4)

(3) For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, (4) and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.

In the historical sense, what are the facts of the Gospel?

• “Of first importance”- in the order of priority, this comes first all the time!
• “Paul received”- where? On the Damascus Road (Acts 9) where he met the Savior, “I am Jesus.” Paul received Christ for his own personal salvation, and for his ultimate proclamation of the gospel. He was sent to tell (debtor to both Jew and Greek).
• “Delivered”- God gave it, it didn’t start with Paul.

What is the Gospel? Here it is in its key elements of historical facts:

• Christ died for our sins- the significance of Christ’s death on the cross moved beyond the great anguish and suffering. It was a criminal’s death, taken by the innocent on behalf of the guilty.
• Was buried- burial verified and showed the reality of Jesus’ death. It also establishes the tomb that would be found empty.
• Rose again the third day- the empty tomb reminds us that it is a literal, physical resurrection—not just a spiritual one.
• According to the Scriptures- Previewed by OT.

This statement of the gospel was so clear and so profound that it was used as a baptismal confession by the early church. How important is the historical reality of the gospel?

• It was the focus of Christ’s preaching (Mk.8:31, Jn. 11:25)
• It was the focus of Paul’s preaching (Acts 2:14-36, 3:12-26)

In fact, John Locke said, “Our Savior’s resurrection is truly of great importance in Christianity, so great that His being Messiah stands or falls on it.”

The resurrection is the cornerstone of the Gospel (Rom. 10:9). It’s historicity is vital! As are…

The Doctrines of the Gospel (vv.3-4)

Now, let’s look at vv.3-4 again from a different angle. Here is where history and theology interfaces. Notice how the facts of history are foundational to what we believe.

• Christ Died- “for our sins”! His was a substitutionary sacrifice (Rom.3:23-26) because He himself was sinless. Notice Paul doesn’t cite witnesses here, because the cross is not in question. His death as necessitated by our sins, and was the satisfaction of the just demands of the righteousness of God against sin. Many were crucified—only one of them for the sins of others.
• He was buried- evidence of the total reality of His death. It was necessary, again, top show that His death was actual and definitive.
• He rose again the third day- there is much debate on “third day”— is it three full days? The third day? Parts of three days?

That can be debated, but what is not debatable is that He rose again. The term “rose” is perfect tense, meaning that He was raised from the dead and continues in that living state! It is stated in that way to stress the nonnegotiable certainty of the fact that he rose! The most integral part of the salvation story is resurrection—why? Because a dead Savior can’t save Himself (compare to the mockery Christ endured on the cross). Jesus did better than come down from the cross—He came back from the dead!

These verses are so critical, because they constitute the heart of the gospel. He died, He rose! These realities are:

• linked in the gospel,
• linked in theology,
• linked in history,
• linked in prophecy.

We’ll close this week’s discussion tomorrow.