Yes, Paul's central message was the gospel of Christ's death, burial, and resurrection, emphasizing salvation by grace through faith alone.
Les Feldick repeatedly emphasizes that Paul's overriding theme in all his letters is the work of the cross—Christ's death, burial, and resurrection. Paul preached 'Christ crucified' (1 Corinthians 1:23) and 'the preaching of the cross' as the core of his message. Furthermore, Paul's burden was for lost people, and his letters focus on salvation by grace, not works or legalism.
1 Corinthians 15:3-4 — This verse clearly summarizes Paul's gospel message: Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again the third day.
The Bible records Paul's own declaration of his message in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4: '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 is the gospel Paul preached. In 1 Corinthians 1:23, he states, 'But we preach Christ crucified,' emphasizing the centrality of the cross. Additionally, Paul's letters stress justification by faith apart from works, as seen in Romans 3:28: 'Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.'
Les Feldick teaches that Paul's main message is the gospel of the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, and the shedding of His blood. He emphasizes that Paul's letters contain the fundamental truths for salvation, the Christian walk, and the operation of the church for this age of grace. Les notes that Paul never mentions the birth of Christ or His earthly miracles, but focuses exclusively on the cross and the resurrection. Les also highlights Paul's deep burden for lost people, as seen in 1 Corinthians 10:33, where Paul seeks the profit of many that they may be saved.
In 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, Paul defines the gospel as Christ dying for our sins, being buried, and rising again the third day. This is the core of Paul's message, which he refers to constantly throughout his letters. Les Feldick underscores that this is Paul's only message, and that he never preaches signs, miracles, or philosophy.
Les teaches that for the Church Age, Paul is the designated Apostle of the Gentiles, and his letters provide the fundamental truths for salvation and Christian living. He stresses that all Scripture is profitable, but Paul's writings uniquely contain the doctrines of grace for this dispensation.
Les observes that Paul could never get lost people off his mind. He quotes 1 Corinthians 10:33, where Paul seeks not his own profit but the profit of many, that they may be saved. This burden is a driving force behind all his letters.
Introduction to Paul's Writings
Les emphasizes the need to separate certain scriptural truths when studying Paul's writings, indicating the unique importance of Paul's letters.
Paul's Burden for the Lost
Les highlights Paul's overriding concern for lost people, referencing 1 Corinthians 10:33, showing Paul's motivation behind his letters.
Paul as Apostle of the Gentiles
Les explains that Paul is the designated apostle for the Gentiles and that his letters contain the fundamental truths for salvation and the Christian walk.
Paul's Theology Centered on the Cross
Les states that everything Paul writes is centered on the work of the cross: Christ died, shed His blood, was buried, and rose again.
Paul Preaches Christ Crucified
Les explains that Paul's theme, popping up in all his letters, is 'Christ crucified' and the doctrine that Christ died for the sins of the world.
Paul's Unique Doctrines of Grace
Les clarifies that while using the whole Bible, Paul's letters uniquely contain the doctrines of grace, which are essential for the Church Age.
Paul's Single Message: Death, Burial, Resurrection
Les emphasizes that Paul never mentions Christ's birth or earthly ministry, but only the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ as the core of his message.
The Gospel as the Foundation
Les explains that the gospel—Christ's death, burial, and resurrection—is what transforms lives and is the constant theme in Paul's letters.
1 Corinthians 15:3-4: 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 is Paul's summary of the gospel he preached, the very core of his message.
1 Corinthians 1:23: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;
Paul declares the central theme of his preaching is Christ crucified.
Romans 3:28: Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
Paul emphasizes that salvation is by faith, not by works of the law, a key aspect of his message.
1 Corinthians 10:33: Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.
This reveals Paul's heart for the lost, a driving motivation behind his ministry.
Les teaches that Paul's 'my gospel' refers to the message of Christ's death, burial, and resurrection, which is the foundation of salvation by grace. This message is unique to Paul's apostleship and is the gospel for the Church Age.
Les explains that Paul's focus is solely on the work of the cross because it is the basis of redemption. He never mentions Christ's birth or miracles because the death, burial, and resurrection are the core truths needed for salvation.
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