What perspective did Paul preach about Christ crucified?
Paul preached Christ crucified as the means of salvation, viewing the cross from a different perspective: Christ did it for us, that we might have eternal life. To the called—both Jews and Greeks—Christ crucified is the power of God and the wisdom of God.
Les explains that Peter preached the crucifixion to show God had overcome what they had accomplished and could still fulfill His covenant promises. But Paul looks at the whole scene from a different perspective: Christ died for us that we might have life eternal. Les points out that Paul's preaching of Christ crucified was a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the Greeks, yet to the called—the elect, the saved—both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. Les compares this to the Red Sea, where God's supernatural power opened the way, and says that when we believe the gospel, God supernaturally gives us a new divine nature. It is by faith, not by doing anything, but by believing.
But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;