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Last Update: 23 December 2024
The Apostolic Gospel
1 Corinthians 15:1-58
Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved ... For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures.
1 Corinthians 15:1-3
The Apostolic Gospel is the Gospel of Jesus Christ proclaimed by the apostles and handed down to the believers once and for all, as written in the New Testament of the Bible and summarised in the Apostles' Creed. The gospel is the good news of salvation that Jesus died for our sins and was raised from the dead for our justification in order to give us eternal life. Jesus Christ is the Son of God and Saviour of the world. He is the foundation of the faith and the centre of the message of hope for eternal life. By His atoning death, Jesus established eternal salvation, available to all and accessible by all who believe. Christ's crucifixion was the victory over sin; His resurrection was the victory over death. His suffering was redemptive suffering for our sake. There is one Gospel, the Good News of Jesus Christ. The main aspects of the Apostolic Gospel are the forgiveness of sins (remission), salvation from the power and consequences of sin (redemption), a restored relation with the Creator (reconciliation), the victory over death and promise of eternal life (resurrection) and the establishment of ultimate justice by Jesus' Second Coming (return). This plan of God's salvation for humanity used to be a mystery, but is now revealed in the Gospel.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ
Gospel means good news or glad tidings. It was originally used as an announcement of victory. In the biblical context, this applies to the good news of Jesus Christ and His victory over sin and death to give believers eternal life. It is the glad tidings of good things (Romans 10:15), the good news of peace (Isaiah 52:7) and 'the hope of eternal life' (Titus 1:2; 3:7). This was achieved by Jesus' death on the cross and resurrection from the grave. The Good News is that Jesus died for our sins (1 Corinthians 15:3) and that there is forgiveness of sins which gives us redemption (Ephesians 1:7). The fundamental Biblical premise is that in our moral universe there are consequences for sin, that is, 'missing the mark' by breaking God's commandments and therefore falling short of God's standard of perfection. Our flawed, sinful human nature is prone to sin, that is, breaking God's moral Law, which results in an alienation and separation from God, and, if not reconciled with God, this state will remain so in eternity. There is a need for salvation because of our human condition (see more in A4). Hence the premise: the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ (Romans 6:23). Christ's crucifixion was the victory over sin; His resurrection was the victory over death. His substitute death paid the price for the atonement of sin, and therefore there is forgiveness of sin for those who repent. By His resurrection He overcame death and ushered in eternal life for those who believe. The Gospel is the Good News of salvation for all who believe it (Romans 1:16). Christ's suffering was a redemptive suffering—He died for the ungodly so that sinners could be made righteous before a holy God.
'The gospel of Jesus Christ, Son of God' (Mark 1:1) was expressed with the invitation for us to turn from sin to God and 'believe in the gospel' (v 17). It is the Good News that the Kingdom of God/Heaven has come within reach of human beings like never before. It is 'the gospel of the grace of God' (Acts 20:24), a message of 'repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ' (v 21). The Gospel offers salvation and eternal life in view of eternity, as well as a new way of life on earth. Salvation and eternal life are received by faith in Christ who died to save us from the punishment of sin, which is eternal damnation (John 1:12; 3:16-17). The Apostolic Gospel is the Gospel of salvation (Romans 1:16; Ephesians 1:13), of grace (Acts 20:24; Ephesians 2:8) and of peace through Christ (Romans 5:1-2; Ephesians 2:14). Salvation is the gift of God by His grace and received by faith (Ephesians 2:8-9).
The Gospel is 'the gospel of God' (Romans 1:1) in the sense that it is the message from God to humanity, and it is concerning His Son, Jesus Christ, as promised in the Scriptures (vv 1-3). Although innocent, Jesus died as a criminal amongst sinners, because He came to save sinners. He was 'numbered among the transgressors' because He died a substitute death for all of humanity in sin. He became human to save humans. He came to save, not condemn. God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that those who believe in Him might be saved and have eternal life (John 3:16-17). This was because of His great love for humanity (Ephesians 2:4-9; Titus 3:4-7). His suffering was redemptive—for our sake. It is a trustworthy saying, deserving full acceptance: 'Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners' (1 Timothy 1:15). The eternal Son of God became human by His incarnation. He humbled Himself further by death on the cross. God raised Him from the dead and He ascended to the right hand of the God. God gave Him the Name above all names (Philippians 2:6-11) as Saviour and only name in whom there is salvation (Acts 4:12). His incarnation and crucifixion were His humiliation; His resurrection and ascension were His exaltation. In the paraphrased words of Church Father Athanasius (later adapted by C.S. Lewis): The Son of God became the Son of Man so that the sons of men could become sons of God. Jesus came to bring us back to God and end the alienation from the Father.
Through the forgiveness of sins, salvation is available to all who believe in the Saviour—it is the gospel of salvation (Ephesians 1:7, 13-14; Romans 1:16-17). The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the power of God to save those who believe (Romans 1:16; 1 Corinthians 1:18). It is 'the gospel of your salvation,' which is 'the message of truth' (Ephesians 1:13). By 'the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ' spiritual blindness is broken and light shines into people's hearts (2 Corinthians 4:4, 6). The gospel brought 'life and immortality to light' (2 Timothy 1:10). Jesus is the Light of the world so people no longer need to walk in darkness (John 8:12). The believers become the children of light and are to spread the light of love and hope in the world as the light of the world. There is sin and the consequences are horrendous, yet there is salvation and its results are beautiful!
The consequences of sin is death, but the free gift God offers us in Christ by faith is eternal life (Romans 6:23). The reason people die is sin. It is sin that makes people do wrong, immoral and bad things. And it is sin that warrants a punishment for breaking God's law. In a moral universe this is an expression of justice. As moral agents, we are held accountable for our actions. Yet we know we fail and have sinned. The Good News is, that Jesus saves us from the righteous wrath of God on sin (1 Thessalonians 1:10). God's justice demands atonement for sin, and Jesus, the Saviour, took the punishment for us, the sinners. God doesn't want to reject and condemn us because of our sins, He sent His Son to save and accept us. God doesn't reject anyone; people reject God. Jesus made that clear: no one who comes to Him will be rejected (John 6:37). Those who believe in Jesus have moved from death to life, and avoid God's righteous judgment on sin (5:24). The God of the Bible is 'a just God and a Savior' (Isaiah 45:21). He died to make us righteous and bring us back to God (1 Peter 2:24; 3:18).
Sin demands atonement and Jesus died to atone. He is, figuratively, the Lamb of God who carried the sins of the world (John 1:29). The sacrificial Lamb whose love is redemptive is the Son of God (v 34). This is the good news, the offer of salvation! This is the good news as we have it in the four biographies of Jesus (known as the Gospels) and explained in several letters by the different apostles and their associates. There is one Gospel, the Good News of Jesus Christ as delivered by His eyewitnesses, the apostles, and recorded in the New Testament of the Bible. The central message of the Gospel is that God is Saviour and the eternal salvation He offers is in Jesus Christ, Son of God and Saviour of the world, by His death on the cross and affirmed by the resurrection from the dead. His atonement is the basis for the forgiveness of sin. Based on His atonement for the sins of the world, there is forgiveness through Christ. This is God's love and justice.
Jesus came to seek and save what was lost (Luke 19:10). He came to call sinners to repentance (Matthew 9:13) and not to condemn them. Sin brings death; Jesus gives life. Sin separates us from God; salvation in Christ brings us back to Him. We have reconciliation with God through Christ (2 Corinthians 5:18-21). The Just died for the unjust, in order to bring us to God (1 Peter 3:18). Christ redeemed us from the curse of sin by carrying it all on the cross, in order for those who believe to receive the blessing of salvation in Christ (Galatians 3:13-14). The godly One died for the ungodly to demonstrate the love of God for sinful humanity (Romans 5:6-8). He came to save the world, not to condemn it (John 3:16-17). His suffering is redemptive. Jesus who knew no sin, died a substitute death and carried the sin of humanity on the cross so that those who confess, repent and believe might gain eternal life by the redemption that comes through the forgiveness of sins (2 Corinthians 5:18-21; Ephesians 1:7; 1 John 1:9—2:2). Forgiveness removes the sin that separates us from God. Jesus is, therefore, the Mediator between God and humanity who brought salvation (1 Timothy 2:5; Titus 2:11). The finished work of Christ at the cross makes salvation possible. It is accessible by faith. When Jesus died on the cross, He stated: 'It is finished' (John 19:30). He provided 'once for all... eternal redemption' (Hebrews 9:12). Therefore, the Gospel is the faith of salvation 'once for all delivered to the saints' (Jude 3).
By faith in Christ we find peace with God (Romans 5:1-2). Those who receive Christ by faith become children of God (John 1:12-13). This is the Gospel of Jesus Christ, Son of God and Saviour of the world. This is the hope of eternal life (Titus 3:4-7). It is the power of God for salvation to those who believe (Romans 1:16-17). The Gospel is the word/message of the cross as the power of God unto salvation to those who believe (1 Corinthians 1:18). John wrote his gospel account so that people would believe in Christ and through their faith have 'life in His name' (John 20:30-31). This is the Apostolic Gospel of Jesus Christ that was delivered by the apostles to the saints/believers once and for all, the Gospel of God's salvation (Jude 3). This gospel shall be preached in the whole world (Matthew 24:14). The central aspect is the death of God for the sins of humanity.
The Death of God
The central message of the Gospel is 'Jesus Christ and Him crucified' (1 Corinthians 2:2). It is the gospel that 'Christ died for our sins' as predicted in Scripture and delivered by the apostles (15:1-10). This message is first and foremost not about what human beings must do to get to God (religion), or what humans think about God (philosophy), but what God has done for humanity so we can get to Him and be reconciled with Him (Gospel). It is the revelation of God to humanity, rather than the thoughts of humanity about God. It is the message of grace—what God has done for us; not a religion of works—what we must do to earn God's love and our salvation. Works in terms of living a moral life are a natural outworking for those who were saved from sin, not a way to earn salvation. The death of Christ for our sins doesn't justify sinful living or relieves us from responsibility for our sins. It is salvation from a burden too great to carry, so God had to step in on our behalf.
This Message is unique and expressed in one central event—the death of God in the humiliation of crucifixion.
'Christianity is the only major religion to have as its central event the humiliation of its God.' Bruce L. Shelley
The 'humiliation' is the death of the Son of God, Jesus Christ, on the Cross (Church History, 3). We should ask ourselves, as Oxford mathematics professor John Lennox asked, 'What is God doing on the cross?' This 'barbarous death' was the expression of God's love in that God took the root problem of humanity and cause of suffering on Himself at the cross. God didn't abandon humanity in sin and suffering; He took action to redeem us. His love is redemptive. This death brought about life and salvation for humanity: God became a Man and carried the main problem of humanity and main reason for suffering in the world. He confronted evil by facing it and taking the responsibility of human sin, even to the point of death. It was a substitute death—the just One, the innocent One died for the sinful and guilty ones. Christ died for sinners while still in sin as the expression of God's love (Romans 5:6-8). The death of God in the humiliation of Christ on the cross brought forth life and salvation. His suffering was redemptive, because He died for us to demonstrate God's love.
Death wasn't the last word; resurrection was! He carried sin on the cross and rose from the dead to overcome death itself. Hence, God is not dead—He is alive as the living God. Christ overcame sin and death for us. His crucifixion was the victory over sin, for in it is forgiveness and redemption; His resurrection was the victory over death, for in it is justification and eternal life. Christ humbled Himself even unto death on the cross, and therefore God exalted Him and bestowed in Him the Name above all names (Philippians 2:6-11). For the joy set before Him, He endured the cross and despised the shame of the humiliation by public execution (Hebrews 12:2) in order to set people free from death and the fear and bondage of death (2:14-15). Jesus is 'the Prince of life' who rose from the dead (Acts 3:15) after carrying His cross to pay the price for the forgiveness of sin. The death of God brought forth life for humanity. He carried His Cross for us.
The death of God
in the humiliation of Christ
on the cross
brought forth life and salvation.
His Cross and Ours
The Gospel affirms that Christ died on the cross for the sins of humanity. The Cross is the place of the divine exchange that took place when the righteous One died for the guilty ones in order to pay the price for their forgiveness, salvation and freedom. He took the sins of the world on Himself as an expression of God's love for humanity He wishes to save. Sin brings condemnation, yet the Gospel affirms the salvation available through the work of Christ on the cross. His cross is the symbol of salvation. The gospel addresses the root problem of human existents—sin and the resulting alienation from God and His moral Law—and shows the right way to deal with its destructive force and overcome its enslaving power—faith in Christ and obedience to His teaching, the truth that sets free. The Gospel is first and foremost the Good News of what God has done for us in Christ, not what we must do to gain some reward from Heaven. Yet it also teaches us how to respond to this amazing grace we are given through Christ. The Gospel offers a new way of life, a way as God originally intended. The Gospel offers real life in the present and eternal life in the future. The crossroad is at the cross: do we receive what God offers to us or do we reject it?
Yet the Christian faith is more than a statement of faith or creeds to believe in or doctrines to obey, although what we believe matters and that we obey the biblical teaching is vital. There is a way to outwork your salvation by walking in God's purpose and live truly meaningful lives according to His design. We are created in God's image and He wishes us to live the way He originally intended. Those who confess Christ are obliged to live like Him (1 John 2:6). By the Gospel, as the power of God unto salvation, we gain not only forgiveness of sins but also the liberation from sin and its destructive power. Jesus came to set people free! The power of the Gospel is in its liberating effects. This enables us to live like Christ lived. He carried His cross for our freedom.
The cross is the place of death and the pathway to resurrection and new life. Christ bore His own cross for us (John 19:17) and told us to pick up our cross and follow Him (Matthew 16:24). Jesus spoke these words to His followers after predicting His crucifixion. They were to deny self, a life of sin and vain pleasure, and follow their Lord and Saviour's example (Luke 9:18-24). The pathway to new life is to die to the old life of sin. It is to carry the cross of death to sin and obedience to Christ. To carry our cross is to shoulder the responsibility of a moral life in a corrupt generation and do good in this suffering world in service to others motivated by love with a heart to glorify God. There is His cross and there is ours. He carried His cross, we must carry ours. He carried His cross of redeeming love; we must carry our cross to spread that message of love, peace and redemption. To carry your cross is to lose your life for Christ and regain true life by Christ (v 24). Paul used the cross figuratively to affirm that he died to sin and now lived for Christ (Galatians 2:19-21) and that the world with all its lust and pride of human achievement means nothing to him compared to the wealth He found in Christ (Galatians 6:14; Philippians 3:4-11). The Saviour who died for him, was the Lord Paul choose to follow. He gave up everything on earth to serve his Saviour. What good is it to gain the whole world but lose one's soul? Nothing this world offers compares in any way to what Christ can give. His is the true living water that satisfies the human soul (John 4:13-14).
Believers are called to crucify sin and lust (Galatians 5:24), an allusion to the Cross on which the Saviour died for our sins and an instruction for us to live a new life in Christ apart from sin (Ephesians 4:17-24). John encouraged the believers to live for the will of God, not for the passing things of this world with its lust, pride and vainglory (1 John 2:15-17). Life simply does not consist of the abundance of material possessions (Luke 12:15). Peter wrote how the 'divine nature,' of which we are partakers through Christ, empowers us to live a life above the desires of sin (2 Peter 1:2-4). Baptism means that we died to sin and live for Christ (Romans 6:1-4). The cross means we crucify our sinful desires and live for the Saviour who died for us. People simply won't be happy and live fulfilled lives in selfish pursuits of pleasure, the pride of life and the desires of the flesh. We need meaning and purpose in life and must shoulder responsibility to be truly happy and live as human beings in the way God intended. Shouldering responsibility by carrying our cross is to follow Christ, become like Christ and serve like Christ—to be salt and light in the world of darkness and corruption. It is to not conform to this world, but to be renewed in God's image (Romans 12:2; Ephesians 4:23-24), in order to shine as lights in the midst of corruption and perversion (Philippians 2:15-16). We must be saved from the corruption and perversion in our generation (Acts 2:40). This becomes possible through Christ. The crossroad is at the cross: will we embrace newness of life in Christ or live in the old lifestyles of sin?
Hence, Christ tells us to pick up our cross and follow Him (Matthew 16:24). There is His Cross and there is ours. He carried His cross, we must carry ours. His cross is the place for the forgiveness of sin; our cross symbolises the death to sin and embracing the 'newness of life' by resurrection to new life in Christ. The Gospel is not just about making sinful people 'good'; it is first about making dead people alive. We come alive in the truest sense of the meaning and learn to understand the world as God intended. We are born from above as a new creation in Christ (John 3:3, 5; 2 Corinthians 5:17) in order to walk in the 'newness of life' )Romans 6:4). We are called to follow Him and live the life He modelled for us. Those who confess Christ are obliged to live like Him (1 John 2:6). Death to sin is the starting point of a new life of godly morality. It is taking the responsibility to live morally and selflessly in service to others as an expression of love for God and humanity. It is expressing God's redemptive love 'in deed and truth' (1 John 3:16-18; 4:16-19). Winning one's life is in losing it (Matthew 16:25), that is, laying it down in service to others in the Name of the Messiah. Trying to win the whole world but losing your own soul is a bad choice from the eternal perspective (v 26). Jesus paid the price for our freedom at the cross as a sacrifice. The cross is the place of sacrifice unto God: Christ paid the price for sin and we are called to live as a 'living sacrifice' for the glory of God who showed exceeding kindness and mercy to us (Romans 12:1-2). The crossroad is the cross: will we live for selfish, sinful desires or for God's glory according to His will?
There is His Cross and there is ours. Those who believe in Him must also follow Him. Christianity is, therefore, more than a religion or even a statement of faith. It is a relationship with God, our Creator, through reconciliation, and a way of life through discipleship with Christ, our Lord. He must be both Saviour and Lord. Calling Him, 'Lord, Lord' is not enough apart from a genuine faith and true obedience (Matthew 7:21-23). Calling Him 'Lord' but not obeying Him (Luke 6:46) is a contradiction between the confession and the lifestyle, and is setting oneself up for failure. It's like building your house on 'sand,' i.e., a weak foundation that will make your 'house' collapse (vv 47-49). Faith in Christ is the first step on a journey with God to please Him in all things. The true family of God are those who do His will (Mark 3:31-35). Only those who do His will last forever (1 John 2:17). Jesus called His followers to a radical life of love in service to others: greater love has no one but the one who lays down his or her life for others (John 15:13). Fulfilling the Law is done by a life of love (Galatians 5:14; Romans 13:10). Fulfilling the Law is still the aim, but not apart from God in our own strength—it is done by having Christ in us after being justified by Him. We are to serve others in love (Galatians 5:13) as an expression of 'faith working through love' (v 6). Jesus called His disciples not to rule over others, but to serve in humility with the promise that the meek shall inherit the earth (Mark 10:43-45; Matthew 5:5). The life of love in sacrificial service to others and death to sin is the way to carry our cross. We die to sin and our fleshly desires and live for Him who died for us on the cross. This is a life of responsibility that gives true meaning and satisfaction.
The cross is the place of death
and the pathway to resurrection
and new life.
The Gospel as delivered by the Apostles
The Gospel is the Good News of salvation in Christ. It comes to us through the witness and writings of the eyewitnesses, the apostles and their associates. The gospel Paul preached was the gospel he delivered to the believers and the gospel he himself had received: 'that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures' (1 Corinthians 15:3). It is the message the believers had received by faith, in which they stood by faith and which had brought them salvation (v 1). Christ not only died for our sins (v 3), He also rose from the dead 'according to the Scriptures' (v 4). These events were witnessed by many (vv 5ff). 'Christ and Him crucified' was the central message of Paul's ministry (1 Corinthians 2:2). Christ is the foundation of the faith and the Church (3:11). Christ is the Head of the Church (Ephesians 1:22; Colossians 1:18), 'in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge' (Colossians 2:3). There is no other gospel but the gospel of the crucified Messiah who died for our sins as Saviour and Lord. This is the Gospel of Jesus Christ the apostles preached. This is the Gospel we must preach.
Peter proclaimed that there is no other Name written under heaven by which human beings can be saved (Acts 4:12). Jesus is the way to the Father (John 14:6; cf., Ephesians 2:18). Those who call on His Name shall be saved (Acts 2:21; Romans 10:13). John wrote that those who believe in His Name shall receive eternal life as God's children (John 1:12-13; 20:30-31). This is the Apostolic Gospel we are to proclaim, the salvation and faith once and for all delivered for which we should contend in the face of heresy (Jude 3). It is the 'glorious gospel' and 'good confession' we are to hold onto (1 Timothy 1:11; 6:12-13). Paul preached Christ and not himself (2 Corinthians 4:5). We are to preach Christ, the glorious hope (Colossians 1:27-28). Only by preaching Christ can the light of the Gospel break spiritual blindness in people. There is no other gospel except the one delivered by the apostles (Galatians 1:8-9).
The two major supernatural events in the life and work of Jesus were His birth by a virgin (incarnation) and His bodily resurrection from the dead. These events speak of His divinity and affirm His humanity. Christ is fully God and was fully Man during His life on earth. He is the eternal divine Son, the second Person of the divine Trinity. Christ, although God, became Man to die for humanity lost in sin. He humbled Himself in the incarnation and then even more so by the death on the cross. God raised Him from the dead and exalted Him to receive the Name above all other names as Lord (Philippians 2:6-11). Jesus is the only Saviour because He is the only One who died for the sins of humanity. He came from the Father to reveal Him and He is the Way to the Father (John 1:18; 14:6). There are three vital aspects to this which refer to the uniqueness of Jesus Christ:
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Revelation: Jesus in His incarnation is the only One who came from Heaven to reveal God (John 1:18; 6:46)
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Salvation: Jesus is the only One who died for the sins of humanity to provide atonement for the forgiveness of sin (Acts 4:12)
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Affirmation: Jesus is the only One who rose from the dead to validate His message (Acts 17:31)
The death, burial and resurrection of Jesus were 'according to the Scriptures' (1 Corinthians 15:3-4) and witnessed by His apostles and disciples (vv 5-8). The resurrection from the dead is proof that Jesus is the Son of God and that salvation in Christ is real (vv 12-19). If the resurrection never happened, our faith is empty and in vain. But it did happen and was witnessed by many—and the historical fact that they witnessed to it even at the pain of death, underlines the truthfulness of their witness. The message is that although through the sin of Adam death came into the world, by the resurrection of Jesus life is available (vv 20-22). He will eventually subjugate all evil rule under the good rule of His Father's kingdom and the last enemy that will be destroyed is death itself (vv 23-28). The resurrection is the victory over sin and death. Christ came to give us eternal life as is the life-giver (v 45), the Lord of heaven (v 47), and the heavenly Man (v 48) whose image we shall bear (v 49). Death will be swallowed up eventually; the victory over death for eternal life is in Christ (vv 50-57). Believers can labour on earth with this hope, knowing that it is not in vain (v 58).
Christ came to give us eternal life and to remove the fear of death and the bondage of that fear (Hebrews 2:14-15). He gives life and immortality, expressed by the gospel (2 Timothy 1:10). Death was defeated by His life. His resurrection was the victory over death. The death Christ suffered was to carry the curse on sin as explained by the Law, with the purpose of redeeming us from this curse (Galatians 3:13). The verse quoted from the Law (Deuteronomy 21:22-23) describes a person who would be hung on a tree because he had committed a sin worthy of death. Jesus, however, knew no sin—He carried ours (2 Corinthians 5:21; John 1:29). This substitute death brought us the blessing God had promised to the father of faith, Abraham (Galatians 3:14). Christ died for our sin so that we shall have eternal life! A criminal was released by the Roman ruler in the place of Christ. The One they crucified despite His innocence took His punishment. This is a symbol our own salvation: Christ died for the ungodly (Romas 5:6). The two criminals who died to the left and right of Jesus made their choice: one mocked Him and blasphemed; the other acknowledged both his guilt and Jesus' innocence, and had the courage to ask Jesus to remember Him in Paradise. Jesus did. Jesus came to save sinners. As sinners we can embrace the salvation Jesus died for.
The Apostolic Gospel affirms the death of Jesus for the forgiveness of sins and His bodily resurrection for the justification of those who believe (Romans 4:23-25). We believe that Jesus died and rose again (1 Thessalonians 4:14). Jesus abolished death and brought forth life and immortality through the gospel (2 Timothy 1:10). It is the message of salvation in Christ, the salvation and the faith once and for all delivered to the believers (Jude 3). Any other or 'different gospel' is a false gospel (Galatians 1:6-9). False apostles will seek to craftily persuade people of a 'different gospel' and impart a 'different spirit,' just as the devil had deceived Eve in the Garden of Eden (2 Corinthians 11:1-15). The Church of Jesus Christ must remain in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Gospel Jesus came to bring and the apostles proclaimed and passed on to the believers. False prophets seek to deceive with another message, but those who endure to the end in faithfulness to the Messiah and the true gospel shall be saved (Matthew 24:4-13). True believers remain in the true doctrine of Christ (2 John 9).
The Gospel must be proclaimed, yet also explained, and sometimes clarified and defended, in the face of old and new heresies and false teachings. Paul was a messenger of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the defence and confirmation of the Gospel (Philippians 1:7, 17). The believers were in fellowship with Paul for the Gospel (v 5) and partakers of God's grace (v 7). They were to strive 'for the faith of the gospel' with a conduct worthy of it (v 27; cf., Ephesians 4:1). Jude instructed the believers to contend for the true faith of the Gospel (Jude 3). What the apostles delivered is vital if we are to understand the Gospel properly. The Apostolic Witness affirms the authority of the source, the authenticity of the message and the accuracy of the doctrine.
We call it the Apostolic Gospel because it is the message passed onto the apostles who were witnesses of Jesus, and who then faithfully passed the gospel on to the believers. The disciples/apostles of Jesus declared what they had seen, heard and touched (1 John 1:1-4). Peter, John and James were 'eyewitnesses of his Majesty' (2 Peter 1:16) when they were on the Mount of Transfiguration with Jesus (see Matthew 17) and heard God's voice 'from the Excellent Glory,' affirming that Jesus is God's beloved Son (2 Peter 1:17). The apostles were to 'hear Him' (Matthew 17:5) in fulfilment of the prophecy of Moses that God would raise up a Prophet whom the people must heed (see Deuteronomy 18:15-19). Jesus was more than that Prophet, more than any of the other prophets; He is 'the Son of the living God' (Matthew 16:13-16).
Paul encountered the risen Jesus and it changed his life forever (Acts 9). Christ appeared to many who saw Him after His resurrection, and lastly also to Paul (1 Corinthians 15:3-10; cf., Acts 1:3). He proclaimed the Son of God as Messiah and Saviour, even at great cost to his life. The great persecutor became the great apostle. Luke, the beloved physician, had set out to make an orderly account of what Jesus did and taught, conducting his thorough research based on 'those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word' (Luke 1:1-4). He recorded what Jesus commanded His apostles after the resurrection (Acts 1:1-2). Luke, as NT Professor F.F. Bruce affirms, 'had access to the information which eyewitnesses could supply' to conduct his 'thorough and accurate research' (Acts 6-7). Luke's writings were 'a record of the apostolic witness to Jesus' ministry of word, deed, suffering, and triumph' (Acts 8). What is true of Luke, can also be said of the other Gospels. Matthew and John were disciples of Jesus, and Mark was a close associate of Peter. In their writings, Jude and Peter also emphasised the importance of the role of the original apostles (2 Peter 3:2; Jude 17). We can trust the apostolic witness in Scripture. The price they paid to spread this message and the sacrifices the early believers made, and indeed believers today in many parts of the world are giving, is further witness to the truth of the Gospel.
One of the crucial aspects of the life of the early church in the Book of Acts was the apostles' teaching or doctrine (Acts 2:42; cf., 6:2, 4). The focus of the Gospel is the person and work of Jesus Christ: His crucifixion, burial and resurrection. The apostles were witnesses to these events. Their message of Christ's death and resurrection was 'according to the Scriptures' (1 Corinthians 15:3, 4). The things fulfilled by Christ were foretold by the prophets (Acts 3:18). They were written in the Law, the Prophets and the other Writings of the Hebrew Bible, witnessing to the things Christ had to suffer and that He would rise again and that in His name all nations would hear the message of the forgiveness of sins (Luke 24:44-47). These things were witnessed by the apostles (v 48) and proclaimed they them in the power of the Spirit (v 49; Acts 1:8). Hence, the Gospel is according to the Scriptures and faithfully transmitted by the disciples/apostles/witnesses. As in the days of Paul, so also today, there are imposters and false teachers who do not teach 'according to the Scriptures,' but according to their own will and thoughts, seeking to deceive others. They seek to draw people after themselves, rather lead them to Christ and edify them in the truth to follow Him. Believers are instructed to follow the Holy Scriptures (2 Timothy 3:13-17). True believers follow the Gospel as delivered by the apostles. We follow the biblical Gospel so that we won't be tossed around by confusing claims, wrong teachings or deceiving schemes (Ephesians 4:14). We accept the apostolic witness and the authority of Scripture as the basis for our faith.
The essence of the Apostolic Faith was later summarised in the early Church by the Apostles' Creed.
The Apostles' Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit
and born of the virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
The third day he rose again from the dead.
He ascended to heaven
and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty.
From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic [universal] church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Apostles' Creed explained
The Apostles' Creed is, in the words of Oxford professor Alister McGrath, 'a statement of faith, summarising the main points of Christian belief, which is common to all Christians.' The word 'Creed' comes from the Latin credo, 'I believe.' The Apostles' Creed reflects the teaching of the original apostles based on the teachings and work of Jesus Christ. The creed, originally, was a formula for those undergoing water baptism as an expression of their faith in Christ in the form of questions, in order to make sure their faith was biblical. The Trinitarian formula of Father, Son and Spirit is beautifully visible in the Apostles' Creed. God is three-in-one. Three Persons, one substances, co-equal and eternal. The Creed captures the main aspects of who the triune God is and what He has done for humanity in Christ, as written in holy and inspired Scripture.
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God is Father, the Almighty and Creator of all things (Genesis 1:1; John 1:1-4; Hebrews 1:1-4).
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Jesus Christ is God's Son, evidenced by the supernatural birth caused by the Holy Spirit through a virgin called Mary (Hebrew original: Miryam), who gladly and humbly accepted the will of God for her life (Luke 1:26-38). The suffering of Jesus' crucifixion took place under the authority of Roman governor Pilate (Matthew 27:1-2, 11-26), whose wife had a dream that Jesus was a 'righteous Man' (v 19), who should be released; yet Pilate, as the 'crowing' of this miscarriage of justice in the mock trial against Jesus, released a criminal in order to have Jesus crucified as 'King of the Jews' between two criminals (vv 27-56). Jesus died (v 50) and was buried in a tomb (vv 57-61). He descended to the realm of the dead (1 Peter 3:18-22) but rose again (Matthew 28:1-10: Mark 16:1-8; Luke 24:1-12; John 20:1-9) and ascended to Heaven (Acts 1:9-11) to the right hand of God the Father (Hebrews 1:3; 1 Peter 3:22; Acts 7:56). He will return as Judge of all mankind (2 Corinthians 5:10; 1 Timothy 4:1; 1 Peter 4:5; Acts 17:31). Roman historian Tacitus confirmed that Christ 'was executed by sentence of the procurator Pontius Pilate when Tiberius was emperor' (Acts 8).
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The Holy Spirit is the third Person of the divine Trinity (2 Corinthians 13:14). The Church is both holy and universal ('catholic' means universal). The saints (a term for believers set apart for God) are to have communion with one another (1 John 1:5-7; Hebrews 10:23-25). There is forgiveness of sins through Christ (Ephesians 1:7; 1 John 1:9—2:2). There will be a bodily resurrection to eternal life (1 Corinthians 15:38-57; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).
The Main Aspects of the Gospel
There are five main aspects to the atoning work of Christ at the cross as expressed in the gospel, the good news of salvation. What Jesus Christ did with His death by crucifixion was to bring remission of sin, redemption for humanity, and reconciliation with God. 'Christ died for our sins' (1 Corinthians 15:3), so that we can have 'forgiveness of sins' through His blood, which brings about redemption (Ephesians 1:7). Christ came as Saviour to 'give knowledge of salvation to His people, by the remission of their sins' (Luke 1:77). Peter proclaimed that 'through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins' (Acts 10:43; cf., 13:38). In Jesus' name is forgiveness of sins (1 John 2:12; cf., Psalm 25:11). Jesus, in Hebrew 'Yeshua,' meaning 'Yahweh saves,' came to save His people from their sins (Matthew 1:21). It was the expression of 'God with us,' illustrated in the prophetic name, 'Immanuel' (vv 22-23). Jesus/Yeshua speaks of the purpose of His mission (God's salvation); Immanuel speaks of the nature of His mission (God's faithfulness). Yahweh Himself came to save humanity in Yeshua, the Son and Saviour. The forgiveness of sins gives us redemption, which is the deliverance from the punishment and slavery of sin. Jesus is portrayed as the Lamb of God who took the sins of the world upon Himself (John 1:29). He frees us from the power and consequences of sin, and calls us to a life of responsibility for God's glory. Forgiveness from God does not relieve as of the responsibility towards our sin—God requires honesty and humility. His goodness is offering salvation as a gift means He did for us what we couldn't do for ourselves. We cannot save ourselves, but we can believe in the One who can—Jesus the Saviour.
Jesus is described as the Passover Lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7), an allusion to the great deliverance of God's people from slavery in Egypt in the time of Moses (see Exodus 12). Jesus died during Passover (Matthew 26:1-2), the symbolic background to His deliverance from the slavery of sin on behalf of humanity. The blood of Jesus saves us from the judgment of God on sin, just as the blood of a lamb on the doorposts of the Israelites' homes saved them from the judgment of God on Egypt. Christ saves us from the wrath of God on sin (1 Thessalonians 1:10). The worship of God's people included the sacrificial ritual of a spotless lamb for the forgiveness of sins and by it the sinner would be acquitted, the punishment being diverted to the sacrifice. The symbolism was that the innocent died for the guilty one. This foreshadowed the work of Christ as the innocent Redeemer on behalf of guilty sinners. God forgave sins by the blood of a lamb as the means of forgiveness and redemption. It was the expression of grace and love from God. In the New Covenant, God forgives sins by the blood of the Lamb, Jesus, who is, figuratively speaking, called the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world (John 1:29). The forgiveness of sins lays at the heart of the Gospel. It is the basis of redemption and the way to get right with God. Forgiveness of sins removes what stands between a holy God and a sinful person. The Bread and the Wine witness of His broken body and sacrifice by blood for the forgiveness of sins, which we shall remember until He returns (1 Corinthians 11:23-26). Jesus, by the forgiveness of sin, made the way to reconciliation with God, the Creator, possible. His body was broken for our wholeness. By His tripes we are healed. The innocent One died for the guilty ones. This is God's means of grace, just as He had provided during the Mosaic Covenant. God is the God of grace and goodness.
Remission of sin and redemption in Christ lead to reconciliation with God, in that Christ paid the price for our forgiveness and union with God (2 Corinthians 5:18-21). Sin separates people from God. Forgiveness is like a bridge over that separating gap between God and humanity. Jesus is the way back to God because He is the One who brings reconciliation with God. He died for the forgiveness of sins and He rose for the justification of the sinner (Romans 4:25). The resurrection was the crowing of the work of atonement and infallible proof of Christ's divinity. Christ died for our sins and rose from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). The resurrection is God's victory over sin and death, and the guarantee of eternal life. He gave us His Spirit to seal us for the day of final redemption. Because of His resurrection God caused us to be born again to 'a living hope' (1 Peter 1:3). We do not believe in vain. Salvation in Christ is like an anchor of hope for our soul (Hebrews 6:18-20).
The fifth main aspect of the Christian faith advocates for the return of Christ as Judge of the living and the dead (1 Timothy 4:1; Titus 2:13; cf., 2 Corinthians 5:10; Acts 17:31). He will separate the sheep from the goats figuratively speaking, that is, the humble and faithful from the rebellious and faithless. Hence the confession: 'Christ died, Christ rose from the dead and Christ will come again.' The return of Christ is His appearing (Greek: Parousia) or Second Coming to consummate all things and create a new heaven and a new earth in which righteousness will dwell (2 Peter 3:13). There will be no more tears, or sin or sorrow; no more pain, injustice or crying. All things will be made new (Revelation 21:1-4). The Paradise lost at the beginning of time will be restored at the end of time for those whose names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life (v 27; 3:5).
Access to God and His Grace by Faith
Humanity is cut off from God and eternal life because of sin. The way to the Tree of Life in Paradise is blocked (Genesis 3:24). Yet through the Saviour we can regain access to God (Revelation 2:7; 22:14). Through Christ we can have peace with God and access to His grace by faith (Romans 5:1-2). Access to the Tree of Life—the symbol of eternal life—was made possible through Jesus the Giver of life. The Paradise that was lost by Adam is restored by Christ. The Tree of Life is now in Heaven and Christ gives us access to it. Faith is the key that unlocks Heaven for us. The Gospel brings salvation to those who believe (Romans 1:16-17); hence it must be preached so it can be heard and people can believed (vv 14-17). Faith comes from hearing the Word of Christ (v 17; cf., Ephesians 1:13). The Word of Christ must dwell richly among us (Colossians 3:16). We are saved 'by grace through faith' (Ephesians 2:6, 8). We are not saved by good works (v 9), but for good works (v 10). We don't have to work for our salvation, we only have to outwork the salvation given to us as a gift of God's grace. The gospel is the gospel of grace (Acts 20:24). Justification is by faith in Christ, not by human or religious works. It is through the forgiveness of sin and faith in Christ that we can be justified before God (Acts 13:38-39). We have 'peace with God' because we are 'justified by faith' (Romans 5:1-2).
Grace is the gift of God we don't deserve, but don't have to earn. We don't deserve it because of our sin, but we don't have to earn it by works because of God's love (Ephesians 2:1-9). We are saved by faith in Christ, not by works of our own (Titus 3:4-7). We cannot save ourselves, but we can believe in the One who can: Jesus the Saviour. God's salvation in Christ is His free gift (Romans 5:17). The wages of sin are death, but in Christ we can have eternal life as a gift (6:23). You don't pay for a gift; you simply receive it. God's gift is received by faith in Christ. Hence, the Gospel is in essence not first and foremost what we must do for God in order to get some reward, but rather, it is about what God has done for us in Christ and how we should respond to it. God offers us grace and salvation; we respond by humility and faith. Therefore, salvation is a gift for sinners, not a reward for religious works. Works are part of our response to God as our outworking of the salvation we have received.
We receive Christ by faith, and with Him salvation and the right to become children of God—life is in His Name, accessible by faith (John 1:12-13; 20:30-31). All human beings are God's creations, made in His image. Although alienated because of sin, those who receive salvation in Christ by faith gain reconciliation with God and adoption by God to become His children (Galatians 4:4-7). The gospel Paul preached and delivered to us must be received and held unto by faith (1 Corinthians 15:1-2; Ephesians 1:13-14). By faith in Christ, God gives us the Spirit of adoption and we call God our Father as His children (Romans 8:15-17). We become children of God by faith in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:26). We can be transferred from the domain of darkness into the glorious light in Christ (Colossians 1:13-14). Our response to God's love, mercy and grace is first our repentance and faith, and then our obedience to Him expressed in good works (Titus 2:11-14). We don't do good works in order to be saved; we do good works because we are saved. God justifies us by our faith in Christ, who is our righteousness. Living a life pleasing to God is the appropriate response and outworking of His gracious salvation and beautiful love for us. This glorious Gospel used to be a mystery but is now revealed by the Apostolic Witness in Scripture.
By referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets
in the Spirit.
Ephesians 3:4-5
The Apostolic Witness
The apostolic witness to the main aspects of the Gospel is found in the apostolic proclamations in Acts and the writings of the New Testament. The Canonical writings are the doctrinal authority for the Church of Christ. The Apostolic Witness affirms the authority of the source, the authenticity of the message and the accuracy of the doctrine. The Apostolic Gospel and their witness can be trusted and they matter.
According to Paul, redemption comes to us through the forgiveness of sins by the blood of Jesus (Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:14). Paul witnessed to the forgiveness of sins and the resurrection of Christ (Acts 13:26-39). According to John, confession of sins leads to forgiveness of sins because of the 'propitiation for our sins' by Jesus the righteous Advocate who is faithful and righteous to forgive when we repent and confess our sins to the One who forgives them (1 John 1:9—2:2). Confession of sin is to Him who has the power to forgive sins (Mark 2:10). John reassured the believers that their sins are forgiven in His name (1 John 2:12). According to Peter, believers are redeemed by the 'precious blood... of Christ,' who died for our sins once and for all (1 Peter 1:18-21; 3:18). He proclaimed how by faith in Christ we can receive the forgiveness of sins (Acts 3:19; 10:43). The letter of Hebrews (author anonymous) also elaborates on the blood of Jesus for the forgiveness of sins and its provision for eternal salvation. The central message of the Gospel is that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures and was raised from the dead, as witnessed by the apostles and delivered to the believers once and for all (1 Corinthians 15:1-10; Jude 3).
This Gospel was proclaimed and witnessed to in the Book of Acts: there is no other Name but the Name of Jesus (Hebrew: Yeshua, 'Yahweh saves') by which we can be saved (Acts 4:12). Jesus came to save His people (Jews) and the rest of humanity (Gentiles) from their sins (Matthew 1:21; Acts 3:18-26; 10:43). God is the God of all of creation and of all nations, hence Christ died for all people—for each and everyone. As Creator and Saviour, God is the God of both Jews and Gentiles (Romans 3:29). Those who believe in Jesus are saved. Jesus was raised from the dead by God after being crucified by men, and the apostles witnessed to it (Acts 2:32). Christ died for all of humanity (John 3:16; 1 John 2:2) because God wants all human beings to find repentance and faith unto salvation (1 Timothy 2:4; cf., 2 Peter 3:9). Salvation in Christ is available to everyone, and accessible by faith in Him. This Gospel is the hope of eternal life and the power of God unto salvation to all who believe. Christ and Him crucified is the central aspect of the Gospel, the Good News.
The centrality of the gospel to Christianity and Christian doctrine is because the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the heart of the Bible. Jesus is the fulfilment of all prophetic Scripture and the consummation of God's plan of salvation for humanity. The purpose of the apostles' teaching was 'love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith' (1 Timothy 1:5), the sound doctrine that is 'according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God' (vv 6-11). Sound doctrine must be in line with the gospel. The gospel must always remain central. Christ is the centre of our proclamation; He is the foundation of the Church and its Head (1 Corinthians 2:2; 3:11). He is the Saviour and God's Mediator between God and humanity (1 Timothy 2:4-6). We must abide in the truth of Christ (John 8:31-36) and the doctrine of Christ (2 John 9). Only the truth will bring freedom and guard us from heresy and deception (2 Timothy 3:13-17). Whatever doctrinal claims people make, if it is not in accordance with Scripture or contrary to it, it cannot be of God, for God doesn't contradicts His Word.
The Gospel explains the plan of God's salvation for humanity. This plan used to be a mystery but was revealed through Jesus Christ in the Gospel, and faithfully proclaimed and accurately transmitted by the apostles. We call the Gospel of Jesus Christ 'The Apostolic Gospel' because it is the gospel given to and shared by the apostles, trustworthy witnesses of His life, death and resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:5-8). The Apostolic Witness in Scripture is vital and important. Their proclamations and teachings are the foundation of faith (Ephesians 2:20-21). Christ is the irreplaceable Cornerstone-Foundation (1 Corinthians 3:11). The Gospel was a mystery once hidden, but now revealed by the apostolic witness through the Gospel (Ephesians 3:3-5).
The Gospel-Mystery revealed
The mysteries of God were revealed in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the gospel the apostles proclaimed. Paul wrote of the 'mysteries of God' (1 Corinthians 4:1) and the 'mystery of Christ' (Ephesians 3:5). He wrote of 'God's mystery' (Colossians 2:2) and the 'revelation of the mystery' (Romans 16:25). A mystery is something unknown, hidden or secret. You know it exists but you don't know what it is. Revelation, on the other hand, makes that which is hidden known; it reveals the unknown or secret thing. From the Torah we know that there are 'secret things' that belong to the Lord (He knows but hasn't revealed it or revealed it yet), as well as the 'revealed things' that belong to God's people: revealed in the written Law of God, making plain how His people are to live (see Deuteronomy 29:29). Shortly before Jesus' Ascension, His disciples asked whether He would restore the kingdom back to Israel at this time (Acts 1:6). This came after Jesus renewed the promise of the Holy Spirit to them (vv 4-5), the promise of the Father (Luke 24:49) as foretold in the Scriptures (v 44). The outpouring of the Spirit was somehow related to the end of time; Joel's prophecy indicated that (Joel 2:28-32; Acts 2:16-21). The appearing of the Messiah had already been a clear message that the end was near, that God would judge the world and establish His kingdom of righteousness and peace on earth.
Despite the many ancient prophecies pointing to these things, the timing of events had not been entirely clear, hence the disciples' asking Jesus about the 'End-Times.' The emphasis of Jesus, however, was on His disciples/apostles being 'witnesses.' Both in Luke (24:44-49) and Acts (1:8) the Spirit is given as an empowerment to be witnesses of Him, the Messiah, Suffering Servant and Saviour of the world. He died to carry the sins of the world so that salvation can be given to those who believe in Him (John 3:16-17). No other Name is given under heaven through whom we might gain salvation and eternal life (Acts 4:12). Jesus is the way, the truth and the life—He is the only way to the Father (John 14:6) because only He paid the price for salvation by dying on the cross for the forgiveness of sin (2 Corinthians 5:18-21). This was God's plan and purpose, as Peter explained in his sermons in the early chapters of Acts and Paul in the later chapters (e.g., Acts 2:22-24, 32).
According to Paul, called by God to be an apostle (a commissioned messenger of God), the Gospel through which those who believe can receive eternal life, is the power of God unto salvation (Romans 1:16-17). In the letter to the Romans (Christians in Rome), this Gospel, however, had been a 'mystery kept secret since the world began,' but had now been revealed in the Gospel of Jesus Christ: it is 'the revelation of the mystery' (16:25). It was 'now made manifest,' as outlined in the 'prophetic Scriptures' of the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament), 'according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith,' and to God's glory (vv 26-27). The 'now' relates to the time of Paul, hence, the mystery is revealed in the Gospel Paul preached and it is Christ and His salvation by faith which is the righteousness of God.
In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul again states that this 'mystery,' made known to him 'by revelation' (3:3), had not been made known in other ages, but was now revealed by God's 'apostles and prophets,' of whom he was one (v 5). Paul had explained what it is: salvation by grace through faith in Christ (2:1-10), who is our peace and who brought reconciliation to humanity (vv 11-18), so that all peoples by faith in Christ can become part of God's people (vv 19-22). This message is the foundational teaching of the Church, Christ being the chief cornerstone (the foundation and major element) of this revelation (v 20). Christ is Head and all in all, through whom God brought reconciliation of all things (1:15-23). The mystery of Christ was revealed for all to know, proclaimed in the Gospel of Jesus the Messiah, Saviour of the world, who brought remission of sin and reconciliation with God. Paul was an ambassador who proclaimed the mystery of the gospel (6:18-20). The mystery of ages past had become the revelation of the present and for the future until Christ returns.
In Colossians, Paul wrote how the 'mystery' had been hidden in previous ages, but has now been revealed in his 'stewardship from God' to 'fulfilled the word of God,' a 'mystery' that 'now has been revealed,' being 'preached to every creature under heaven' (1:23-26). God reveals this mystery to people (v 27), and the mystery is Christ (2:2) and Christ in us (1:27) and believers in Christ (v 28). Christ is the 'true knowledge of God's mystery' (2:2), because all wisdom and knowledge are in Christ (v 3) and in Him Deity (Divinity) is fully revealed and manifested (v 9). Life and truth are in Christ and the gospel of salvation, not in the traditions of men or the elementary principles of human or worldly philosophies and empty deceptions (vv 10-23). The 'mystery of Christ' is the gospel Paul preached (4:3-4). Christ is the example believers on earth must look to in order to live pleasing to God above the sins of the flesh (3:1-25). The mystery of Christ was revealed in the Gospel and teaches us to live godly in this present life (cf., Titus 2:11-14).
Paul's preaching and writing to the Corinthians, likewise placed emphasis on Christ: 'we preach Christ crucified' (1 Corinthians 1:23), which is 'the word of the cross,' namely, 'the power of God' unto salvation for those who believe (v 18). Christ is the power and wisdom of God (v 24, cf., v 30) and Christ crucified is the testimony of God (2:1-2). The crucifixion of Christ that brought salvation is God's wisdom revealed in the gospel through the Spirit, something previously hidden and not understood by worldly rulers, but now revealed to those who are called (vv 6-16). Christ is the irreplaceable foundation (3:11) of the Temple of God, which is the body of believers, the Church (vv 10, 16), an entity that must be built properly, and destroying it has serious consequences (vv 12-17). Paul and others were faithful stewards of these mysteries now revealed through their preaching of the gospel (4:1-2). The 'gospel of Christ' (9:12) and imitating Christ (11:1) are important; His sacrifice is the essence of the New Covenant (11:23-26). Christ gives gifts to the Church for edification in love (12—14) and is the One who died for our sins (15:3), was raised from the dead (v 4) and based on the resurrection the apostles' preaching has validity and power (v 14). Victory over death is in Christ (vv 50-58). Preaching 'the gospel of Christ' is like a sweet fragrance that brings life to those who believe (2 Corinthians 2:12-16), the veil that blinds people's hearts being 'removed in Christ' (3:14, 16) at the preaching of the gospel by the Spirit of God (3:4-6). The gospel is veiled only to those who are perishing, but to those who believe it is light and glory (4:1-6). The gospel is the 'word of reconciliation,' a reconciliation between sinful humans and a holy God that is in and through Christ, who died for our sins so we can gain God's righteousness (5:18–21) and be born-again to a new creation in Christ (v 17). Paul's preaching of the gospel (10:12-18) betrothed the Church as a virgin to Christ the husband, figuratively speaking, to whom they must be devoted, especially in the face of heresy and counterfeit gospels that seek to deceive (11:1-15). Any other 'visions and revelations' of an 'inexpressible' nature Paul had in an exceptional experience were not to be uttered or shared (12:1-6). The apostle's focus was on the preaching of the gospel, on that which is revealed.
The mystery of God is Christ crucified, revealed in the Gospel, to which we must remain faithful as stewards and believers. The mystery of God according to Paul is Christ and is revealed in the gospel the apostles preached, a message that brings salvation and reconciliation to those who believe it, and instructs us to live pleasing to God in Christ in obedience to the apostolic faith. We focus on that which is revealed and on being witnesses to Christ and the gospel in the power of the Spirit. This faith, the salvation in Christ, is once and for all delivered to the believers (Jude 3). The church (body of believers, community of faith) is to abide in the apostles' teaching/doctrine (Acts 2:42; 6:2, 4) as the faithful witness to Jesus Christ and His atoning work of salvation, available to all and accessible by faith.
The mysteries of the kingdom of heaven Jesus revealed in parables (Matthew 13) refer to the nature of God's kingdom; the revealed mystery of God in Paul's writings was Christ as explained in the gospel which refers to the content of God's message. Christ is the Messiah-King of God's kingdom, through whom we have access to salvation and the kingdom of God. The Apostolic Gospel is the good news of Jesus Christ, a mystery once hidden, but now a revelation available to all, written in Scripture. 'Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures' (1 Corinthians 15:3). What took place 2,000 years ago in Jerusalem, the city of peace, is that the Prince of peace died there to bring peace to all the world. This took place 'according to the Scriptures': everything written previously had to be fulfilled and was fulfilled in Christ (Luke 24:44-47). The apostles and all witnesses were to proclaim this gospel (v 48) in the power of the Spirit (v 49; Acts 1:8). Everything happened according to Scripture and is now written in Scripture. We are to faithfully proclaim and transmit this glorious gospel of Jesus, Son of God and Saviour of the world.
References
McGrath, Alister E., Christian Theology: An Introduction. Oxford: Blackwell Publishing, 2001.
Bruce L. Shelley. Church History in Plain Language (Updated Second Edition). Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995.
F.F. Bruce. The Book of Acts (Revised Edition). Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans Publishing, 1988.
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