Yes, being saved according to Paul means believing the gospel he preached, as defined in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4.
Paul declares that the gospel he preached is the means by which believers are saved, provided they understand and hold to it. This gospel involves Christ's death for our sins, burial, and resurrection. Les Feldick emphasizes that this is the only gospel that saves today, affirming that salvation is by grace through faith, resulting in righteousness and deliverance from eternal doom.
1 Corinthians 15:1-4 — This passage defines the gospel that saves, as Paul explicitly says it is the gospel by which we are saved.
The Apostle Paul, writing to the Corinthians, declares the gospel he preached, which they received and in which they stand. He states, 'By which also ye are saved' (1 Corinthians 15:2), making clear that this gospel is the instrument of salvation. In verses 3-4, he outlines the core: '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.' Thus, the biblical basis for salvation is believing this specific gospel message.
Les Feldick emphasizes that there is only one gospel that saves today, and it is the gospel Paul preached, as defined in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4. He stresses that believers must know and understand this gospel; otherwise, they may have believed in vain. Salvation, according to Les, is an act of God whereby He imputes His righteousness to the believer through faith, not works. Les also teaches that salvation delivers a person from eternal doom and places them into the Body of Christ, with a heavenly citizenship and glorious eternal future.
The gospel is outlined in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4: Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, was buried, and rose again the third day. This is the message that saves, as Paul explicitly states in verse 2. Les Feldick emphasizes that this is the only gospel for today, and believers must understand and hold to it to be saved.
A person knows they are saved by understanding and believing the gospel Paul preached, not by mere intellectual agreement. Les Feldick warns against believing 'empty gobbledygook' and stresses the importance of knowing what you believe, as the gospel is the power of God unto salvation.
Being saved results in God imputing His righteousness to the believer, delivering them from eternal doom, and placing them into the Body of Christ with a heavenly citizenship. Les Feldick teaches that salvation is entirely by grace through faith, not by works.
Introduction to 1 Corinthians 15
Les introduces the context of Paul's teaching in 1 Corinthians 15, setting the stage for the gospel message.
The Gospel by Which We Are Saved
Les explains that the gospel in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 is what we must believe for eternal life and entrance into heaven.
The Only Plan of Salvation
Les emphasizes that there is only one plan of salvation today: believing the gospel Paul preached, and it requires understanding, not vain belief.
Saved from Eternal Doom
Les explains that being saved means being delivered from eternal doom, just as the word 'saved' is used in everyday language to describe rescue from calamity.
The Gospel Defined
Les highlights the unique and exclusive nature of the gospel, noting it is 'the gospel' not 'a gospel,' and explains that Christ's death and resurrection are the core.
Salvation Based on the Gospel
Les reinforces that 1 Corinthians 15 is the clearest presentation of the gospel and that salvation is based on it.
Righteousness Imputed
Les teaches that salvation involves God imputing His righteousness to the believer as a result of believing the gospel, entirely by grace through faith.
The Gospel That Saves Today
Les affirms that this gospel saves people regardless of time or place, and emphasizes the need to know what you believe to avoid believing in vain.
1 Corinthians 15:1-4: Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have 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; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
This passage directly defines the gospel that saves, as Paul explicitly states it is the means of salvation.
Paul preached that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again the third day, according to the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). This is the gospel by which we are saved.
A person is saved by believing the gospel Paul preached, which is the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. Les Feldick emphasizes that this must be a genuine understanding, not a vain belief.
In the context of Paul's teaching, being saved means being delivered from eternal doom and receiving righteousness from God through faith in the gospel.
Watch the Teaching: What Is Paul's Gospel? 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 Explained Verse by Verse