What is the gospel that Paul delivered according to 1 Corinthians 15:3-4?
The gospel Paul delivered is that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures. His burial proved He was truly dead, and His resurrection is the saving message: believing God raised Him from the dead brings salvation.
Les explains that this is the gospel: Paul received and delivered it, Christ died for our sins according to the Old Testament Scriptures, was buried, and rose again the third day according to the Scriptures. Les emphasizes that you cannot add anything to it or take anything from it. The burial shows He was really dead, not in a coma or an unconscious state; three days in the grave proved it. Les then points to Romans 10:9, where Paul presses the gospel, saying that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved. Les notes that Paul does not mention Christ's death there, but it is implied, because you do not rise from the dead unless you died.
For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: