Basics of Salvation
What is the basic gospel message?
Gospel means “good news,” and we, as Christians, want to spread this good news as far and wide as possible. While there are many teachings that are part of God’s word, the most basic message of the gospel is what the apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4:
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…” (then he enumerates the many to whom Jesus appeared).
Here Paul says this was the most important teaching, and we see that the basic message of the gospel is this:
1. Christ died for our sins and was buried.
2. Christ was raised on the third day.
3. Christ appeared to many.
This serves as the basis for our faith, for Paul says that if Christ was raised, then our faith would be in vain (vv. 12-19). Because Jesus died for our sins, and because He was raised from the dead, we may have our sins forgiven and maintain the hope for eternal life with Him. Death has been defeated in Christ. This is, indeed, good news!
