Why is it important to believe the preached message as stated in 1 Corinthians 15:11? The Unified Witness “Whether, then, it was I or they, this is what we preach, and this is what you believed.” (1 Corinthians 15:11) • Paul levels the ground between himself and the other apostles—same gospel, same authority, same call to believe. • Our confidence does not rest on the personality of the messenger but on the unchanging content of the message. The Gospel That Was Preached • 1 Corinthians 15:3–4 lays out the core: “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures… He was buried… He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.” • This gospel is prophecy-fulfilled, historically anchored, and eternally relevant. • Any “gospel” missing these essentials is no gospel at all (Galatians 1:6-9). Belief Secures Salvation • “By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you.” (1 Corinthians 15:2) • Romans 10:9-10 confirms that confessing and believing the resurrection brings salvation. • Belief is not mere mental assent but wholehearted trust that moves a person from death to life (John 5:24). Belief Anchors Us in Truth • Jesus prayed, “Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.” (John 17:17) • Accepting the apostolic message ties us to the infallible Scriptures rather than shifting cultural opinions. • Acts 17:2-3 shows Paul reasoning from Scripture, proving Christ’s resurrection; belief roots us in that same reliable foundation. Belief Fuels Resurrection Hope • 1 Corinthians 15:12-20 links our future resurrection directly to believing Christ’s. • “For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.” (1 Corinthians 15:22) • Confidence in bodily resurrection transforms grief, suffering, and even martyrdom into hope (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14). Belief Produces Fruitful Living • “The love of Christ compels us… that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him.” (2 Corinthians 5:14-15) • Genuine faith energizes obedience (James 2:17), fuels love (Galatians 5:6), and sparks evangelism (1 Thessalonians 1:5-8). Belief Guards Against Error • Jude 3 urges believers to “contend for the faith once for all delivered to the saints.” • Holding fast to the preached gospel shields against counterfeit teachings, spiritual drift, and moral compromise (2 Peter 2:1-3). Belief Honors Christ’s Authority • Jesus said, “Whoever listens to you listens to Me; whoever rejects you rejects Me.” (Luke 10:16) • Embracing the apostolic gospel is an act of submission to Christ Himself—the Head of the Church. Additional Confirming Scriptures • John 20:31 – Written “that you may believe… and by believing you may have life.” • Ephesians 2:8-9 – Salvation by grace through faith. • Hebrews 2:1-4 – Danger of drifting from the message confirmed by signs and wonders. Takeaway Thoughts Believing the preached message unites us with the apostolic witness, secures our salvation, anchors us in truth, fills us with resurrection hope, shapes holy living, protects us from deception, and ultimately honors the Lord Jesus. Hold firmly to this gospel; everything else in the Christian life flows from that unwavering faith. |
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