What is the Gospel according to Paul in 1 Corinthians 15?
The Gospel is that Christ died for our sins on the cross according to the Scriptures, a truth Paul delivered first of all and also received. By this Gospel believers are saved, if they remember what was preached, unless they believed in vain. It was no accident—God had planned redemption.
Les explains that Paul is speaking of the Gospel that saves and prepares believers for eternity. Paul says he delivered first of all what he also received: that Christ died for our sins when He hung on the cross according to the Scriptures. Les stresses this was not an accident; God had already planned it in the eons of pre-eternal existence, that He would create mankind, man would sin, and He would bring about a plan of redemption, all in His foreknowledge and counsel, as Peter says in Acts chapter 2. Les also notes John 3:16 does not contain this part of the Gospel and must be used in conjunction with it to make sense today. The believer must know what they believe and remember what Paul preached, unless they believed in vain.
For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
More Questions
Why does Paul keep emphasizing that he received the gospel he preached?
Paul repeatedly brings up that he received the gospel he preached (as in 1 Corinthians 15) because he stands at the head of the long line of sinners saved by grace that make up the body of Christ.