Percy’s Blog

First Importance

1 Corinthians 15:1-7 Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. 2 By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. 3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. 6 After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, 8 and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.

The testimony here is central to all Christians. It is about not just a history, but a life awareness that comes before worship styles, communion practices, buildings and music. It says there is a reality that changes what we see, feel, like and do with each other. Jesus died for a purpose and was raised to declare that purpose achieved and was witnessed, not by just a few, but by a large number of persons, some of whom died testifying to this reality. The gospel is a report of a reality regarding our sin life before God the Father. There is a freeing for all sins on the cross for us to proclaim to all. That last “all” is denied by some, but where would we stop if Paul is included? See tomorrow for more on this subject.

BTW, I have not seen many commentaries (not that I seek them) about which James is mentioned in verse 7. Could this be the brother who leads the community in Acts 15? How James the brother got to be the leader and the writer of the epistle is not described elsewhere in the scriptures. Just checking. Anyone know more?

For Your Prayers: Oregon