The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

1 Corinthians 15:1-11, “Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand,
2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain.
3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,
4 and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,
5 and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.
6 After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep;
7 then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles;
8 and last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also.”

As the Apostle Paul comes to the closure of this first Corinthians epistle, he emphasizes the resurrection of the LORD Jesus Christ. As important as the crucifixion of the LORD Jesus is, without His resurrection, the guarantee of eternal life would be lacking.

Paul designates both the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ as of “first importance.” Many other things are important; however, if the cross and the resurrection are ignored, there is no salvation.

The cross was witnessed by scores of people; the resurrection by fewer. Paul is building a case by specifically naming Peter and the twelve apostles. Further, he notes that there were more than 500 believers who were witnesses of Jesus’ resurrection, many of whom were still alive at the time of his writing.

Why is all of this so important? It is important because the Scriptures had vowed that Jesus was dying for the sins of mankind and would rise to life again after three days. Without the resurrection, there would have been no salvation for those who believed in Him. These two salient factors are key components in our salvation. To activate eternal life, you have but to confess your sins to Him and trust in Him.

Have you confessed your sin? Have you believed on Jesus for salvation? Pray a simple prayer of faith. It’s not that you have to convince Christ to save you! He wants to do that! He just needs to know that you trust Him. He’s coming again to receive His own? I pray that you will be in His group!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom