Why is the resurrection at the heart of the gospel?
By power according to the Spirit of holiness, God raised Jesus from the dead, declaring Him to be the Son of God, the only begotten. That resurrection is the basis of salvation; without it, no one is saved, because salvation rests entirely on God having raised Him. This is why the gospel depends on it.
Les explains that Paul’s Gospel concerns God’s Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, made of the seed of David according to the flesh, with Mary and Joseph both of David’s seed. Verse 4 says He was declared to be the Son of God by power, according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. Les emphasizes that God’s power raised Him from the dead, declaring Him to be the only begotten Son of God. That is why the resurrection stands at the heart of the gospel. Les also recounts people who say their pastor or Sunday school teacher believes Christ died and is somehow the Savior, but they have a problem with His resurrection. Les teaches that if the power of the resurrection is not the basis of salvation, then there is none, because it all rests on God raising Him from the dead.
And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: