The Gospel of Jesus Christ
Romans and 1 Corinthians
Timothy Andrew from the Lord’s Library catalogues, using the King James Version of the Bible and his own commentary, verses and passages from across the New Testament that detail how one is justified and saved via the blood of Christ Jesus.
Romans 10:13
To obtain a Romans 10:13 meaning, see the verse in Scripture: "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." This verse is a powerful illustration of the universality of salvation through faith in the Finished Work of Jesus Christ. It explains to the reader that salvation is available to all men and without distinction. Calling upon the Lord in faith (receiving Him by grace through faith) is the only requirement for being saved.
The word "whosoever" reinforces the inclusiveness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Gospel extends salvation to everyone who believes, regardless of race or color. One can see this in the infamous John 3:16: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." God’s offer of salvation is for all humanity, yet it must be received by faith in Christ's Blood Atonement.
Calling upon the name of the Lord is an act of faith, not just a verbal exercise. It maintains trusting in Christ alone for salvation. This is shown in previous verses in Romans 10; see Romans 10:9: "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved."
'Calling' is not about repeating a prayer but about genuinely placing one’s faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior once hearing the Good News of His Blood Atonement. Joel 2:32 first introduces this promise to the reader: "And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call."
Salvation is entirely by grace through faith, not by works or religious observance. Ephesians 2:8-9 declares it! "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." Many have tried and failed to attain righteousness through personal effects, but Romans 10:3-4 explains that Christ is the fulfillment of the law: "For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth."
In short, Romans 10:13 declares that salvation is available to everyone, regardless of past sins, and faith in Christ's completed work on the cross secures it. See what Christ says in John 6:37: "All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out." See also John 5:24: "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life."
1 Corinthians 15:1-4
1 Corinthians 15:1-4 is the essential presentation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ; the Bible's salvation message and core of the Christian faith. In writing to the church at Corinth, the Apostle Paul clarifies the Gospel he was commanded to preach—Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection on the Cross according to the Scriptures.
The verses read: "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:"
The Gospel is the Good News of salvation through the Blood Atonement of Jesus Christ. Paul begins the passage by reminding the Corinthians of the message they had received and on which faith in Christ is founded. This Gospel is not only the message by which we are saved but also one they must hold fast to avoid a belief “in vain." The predication Paul refers to is not the act of working to maintain salvation but an exhortation against a lukewarm faith.
Paul summarizes the contents of the Gospel truth in verse 3: "Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures." This statement describes the sacrificial nature of Jesus’ death and points back to Old Testament prophecies like seen in Isaiah 53:5: "But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed."
The fulfillment of Scripture is a key aspect of the Gospel, showing that Christ’s death was a part of God’s Perfect Will.
In verse 4, Paul emphasizes two additional components of the Gospel: Christ was buried, and He rose again on the third day, "according to the scriptures." The burial of Jesus affirms the reality of His death as a man by His being laid in a tomb. The resurrection on the third day is paramount because it demonstrates Christ’s victory over death and the grave, the same which is promised to those who believe.
Paul would later write in 1 Corinthians 15:17: "And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins." The resurrection is the cornerstone of the Christian's hope, as seen in verses like Romans 4:25: "Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification."
Paul’s repeated use of the phrase “according to the scriptures” in verses 3 and 4 is of the utmost importance.
It reflects how deeply rooted the Gospel is in the prophecies and promises of the Old Testament. Passages like Psalm 16:10, which says, "Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore" and Hosea 6:2, which hints at a resurrection on the third day, align with the events Paul describes: "After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight."
By grounding the Gospel in Scripture, Paul describes perfectly an "if this, then that" scenario which represents conditional logic.
The 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 meaning extends beyond a historical recounting of events. It serves as the basis for Christian doctrine and the hope of eternal life for us. As Paul indicates, the Gospel must be “received” and “stood upon” in verse 1. Romans 10:9-10 reinforces this, stating, "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."
The Bible presents the Gospel Message that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day, according to the Scriptures. A true belief in this offers eternal life; no works required. Do you believe it?
Timothy Andrew is the founder of Lord’s Library. He believes the Bible commands us to minister “as of the ability which God giveth” (1 Peter 4:11). Tim aspires to be as The Lord’s mouth by “taking forth the precious from the vile” (Jeremiah 15:19) and witnessing The Gospel of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15: 1-4) to the whole world.