Doctrine #52: The Gospel

¹Now I make known unto you brethren, the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye received, wherein also ye stand, ²by which also ye are saved, if ye hold fast the word which I preached unto you, except ye believed in vain.

³For I delivered unto you first of all that which also I received: that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; ⁴and that he was buried; and that he hath been raised on the third day according to the scriptures; ⁵and that he appeared to Cephas; then to the twelve; ⁶then he appeared to above five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain until now, but some are fallen asleep; ⁷then he appeared to James; then to all the apostles; ⁸and last of all, as to the child untimely born, he appeared to me also.

¹Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;

²By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

³For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

⁴And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

⁵And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:

⁶After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.

⁷After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.

⁸And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.

¹⁹and on my behalf, that utterance may be given unto me in opening my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, ²⁰for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

¹⁹And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,

²⁰For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

¹⁴And the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all these things; and they scoffed at him.

¹⁵And he said unto them, Ye are they that justify yourselves in the sight of men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God.

¹⁶The law and the prophets were until John: from that time the gospel of the kingdom of God is preached, and every man entereth violently into it.

¹⁷But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away, than for one tittle of the law to fall.

¹⁴And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him.

¹⁵And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.

¹⁶The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.

¹⁷And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail.

¹⁴And afterward he was manifested unto the eleven themselves as they sat at meat; and he upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them that had seen him after he was risen.

¹⁵And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to the whole creation.

¹⁶He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that disbelieveth shall be condemned.

¹⁴Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.

¹⁵And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

¹⁶He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

¹Forasmuch then as Christ suffered in the flesh, arm ye yourselves also with the same mind; for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; ²that ye no longer should live the rest of your time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.

³For the time past may suffice to have wrought the desire of the Gentiles, and to have walked in lasciviousness, lusts, winebibbings, revellings, carousings, and abominable idolatries: ⁴wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them into the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you: ⁵who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the living and the dead.

⁶For unto this end was the gospel preached even to the dead, that they might be judged indeed according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.

¹Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;

²That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.

³For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:

⁴Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:

⁵Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.

⁶For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.

⁶I marvel that ye are so quickly removing from him that called you in the grace of Christ unto a different gospel; ⁷which is not another gospel: only there are some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.

⁸But though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach unto you any gospel other than that which we preached unto you, let him be anathema.

⁹As we have said before, so say I now again, If any man preacheth unto you any gospel other than that which ye received, let him be anathema.

¹⁰For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? or am I striving to please men? if I were still pleasing men, I should not be a servant of Christ.

¹¹For I make known to you, brethren, as touching the gospel which was preached by me, that it is not after man.

¹²For neither did I receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came to me through revelation of Jesus Christ.

⁶I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:

⁷Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.

⁸But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

⁹As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

¹⁰For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.

¹¹But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.

¹²For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

¹⁵So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you also that are in Rome.

¹⁶For I am not ashamed of the gospel: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

¹⁷For therein is revealed a righteousness of God from faith unto faith: as it is written, But the righteous shall live by faith.

¹⁵So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.

¹⁶For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

¹⁷For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

¹⁴Even so did the Lord ordain that they that proclaim the gospel should live of the gospel.

¹⁵But I have used none of these things: and I write not these things that it may be so done in my case; for it were good for me rather to die, than that any man should make my glorying void.

¹⁶For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of; for necessity is laid upon me; for woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel.

¹⁷For if I do this of mine own will, I have a reward: but if not of mine own will, I have a stewardship intrusted to me.

¹⁸What then is my reward? That, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel without charge, so as not to use to the full my right in the gospel.

¹⁹For though I was free from all men, I brought myself under bondage to all, that I might gain the more.

¹⁴Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.

¹⁵But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void.

¹⁶For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!

¹⁷For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me.

¹⁸What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.

¹⁹For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.

²⁹Else what shall they do that are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why then are they baptized for them?

³⁰why do we also stand in jeopardy every hour?

³¹I protest by that glorying in you, brethren, which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.

³²If after the manner of men I fought with beasts at Ephesus, what doth it profit me? If the dead are not raised, let us eat and drink, for to-morrow we die.

³³Be not deceived: Evil companionships corrupt good morals.

³⁴Awake to soberness righteously, and sin not; for some have no knowledge of God: I speak this to move you to shame.

³⁵But some one will say, How are the dead raised? and with what manner of body do they come?

³⁶Thou foolish one, that which thou thyself sowest is not quickened except it die: ³⁷and that which thou sowest, thou sowest not the body that shall be, but a bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other kind; ³⁸but God giveth it a body even as it pleased him, and to each seed a body of its own.

²⁹Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?

³⁰And why stand we in jeopardy every hour?

³¹I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.

³²If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die.

³³Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.

³⁴Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.

³⁵But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come?

³⁶Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die:

³⁷And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain:

³⁸But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body.

¹Take heed that ye do not your righteousness before men, to be seen of them: else ye have no reward with your Father who is in heaven.

²When therefore thou doest alms, sound not a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have received their reward.

³But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: ⁴that thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father who seeth in secret shall recompense thee.

⁵And when ye pray, ye shall not be as the hypocrites: for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have received their reward.

⁶But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thine inner chamber, and having shut thy door, pray to thy Father who is in secret, and thy Father who seeth in secret shall recompense thee.

¹Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.

²Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

³But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:

⁴That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.

⁵And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

⁶But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

¹²Now if Christ is preached that he hath been raised from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?

¹³But if there is no resurrection of the dead, neither hath Christ been raised: ¹⁴and if Christ hath not been raised, then is our preaching vain, your faith also is vain.

¹⁵Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we witnessed of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead are not raised.

¹⁶For if the dead are not raised, neither hath Christ been raised: ¹⁷and if Christ hath not been raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.

¹⁸Then they also that are fallen asleep in Christ have perished.

¹⁹If we have only hoped in Christ in this life, we are of all men most pitiable.

²⁰But now hath Christ been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of them that are asleep.

¹²Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?

¹³But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen:

¹⁴And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.

¹⁵Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not.

¹⁶For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised:

¹⁷And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.

¹⁸Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.

¹⁹If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.

²⁰But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.

¹What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?

²God forbid. We who died to sin, how shall we any longer live therein?

³Or are ye ignorant that all we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?

⁴We were buried therefore with him through baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life.

⁵For if we have become united with him in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection; ⁶knowing this, that our old man was crucified with him, that the body of sin might be done away, that so we should no longer be in bondage to sin; ⁷for he that hath died is justified from sin.

⁸But if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him; ⁹knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death no more hath dominion over him.

¹⁰For the death that he died, he died unto sin once: but the life that he liveth, he liveth unto God.

¹¹Even so reckon ye also yourselves to be dead unto sin, but alive unto God in Christ Jesus.

¹²Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey the lusts thereof: ¹³neither present your members unto sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves unto God, as alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.

¹⁴For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under law, but under grace.

¹⁵What then? shall we sin, because we are not under law, but under grace? God forbid.

¹⁶Know ye not, that to whom ye present yourselves as servants unto obedience, his servants ye are whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

¹⁷But thanks be to God, that, whereas ye were servants of sin, ye became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching whereunto ye were delivered; ¹⁸and being made free from sin, ye became servants of righteousness.

¹What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?

²God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

³Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?

⁴Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

⁵For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:

⁶Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

⁷For he that is dead is freed from sin.

⁸Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:

⁹Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.

¹⁰For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.

¹¹Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

¹²Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.

¹³Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.

¹⁴For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

¹⁵What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.

¹⁶Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

¹⁷But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.

¹⁸Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.