Four Important Things Associated with the Gospel

Four important things are associated with the gospel – Christ’s death, His burial, His rising from the dead, and His appearances to His disciples. Christ’s death was “for our sins” – Matt 26:28; John 1:29; Rom 3:24-25; 4:25; 2 Cor 5:21; Gal 1:4; Heb 1:3; 9:28; 10:12; 1 Pet 2:24; 3:18; Rev 1:5. Anyone who denies that Christ really died is denying the one sacrifice for sins God has provided for mankind, and rejects the one way God has appointed for men to be saved from their sins. Christ’s burial was also of great importance. It was the final and needed proof that He was dead (Matt 27:57-66; Mark 15:42-46; John 19:38-40). Christ’s resurrection (His spirit entering again His dead body and making it alive again and enabling it to leave the tomb) is also of the utmost importance (vs 13,14,17,18; Rom 4:25; Matt 28:6).

Both the death and resurrection of Christ were “according to the Scriptures” (the Old Testament). See Matt 5:17; Luke 24:25-27,45,46. Christ’s appearances to His disciples were also of “first importance”. They were the proof that He had risen from the dead. Paul does not list all of His appearances. On Christ’s appearances after His resurrection see note at Matt 28:6.