Series: Not of Works – A Series on the Gospel of Grace

Anchor Text: 1 Corinthians 15:1–4

When the Bible warns us about “another gospel” in Galatians 1:6–9, it presupposes that there is one true gospel—and only one.

That gospel was not revealed during Jesus’ earthly ministry.
It was revealed later, by the risen, glorified Christ, directly to the apostle Paul (Galatians 1:11–12).
 

Paul calls it “my gospel” (Romans 2:16) and “the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:24).

So what is it?

✅ The Gospel Defined

Paul declares the gospel plainly in 1 Corinthians 15:

“Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand,
by which also you are saved…
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.”
—1 Corinthians 15:1–4

But it’s not just that He died—it’s how He died and what His death accomplished.

“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.”
—Ephesians 1:7

It was the shedding of His blood—the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice—that satisfied God’s justice.

“Without shedding of blood there is no remission.”
—Hebrews 9:22

✝️ The Essential Components

1. Christ died for our sins – as a blood sacrifice to pay our sin debt.
2. He was buried – proving His death was real and complete.
3. He rose again – the proof of our justification (Romans 4:25).

This is the finished work. Nothing more is needed.
Faith in His death, burial and resurrection is all that saves.

‘that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. ‘

Romans 10:9

❌ What Paul’s Gospel Is Not

• It is not “believe and behave.”
• It is not “faith plus fruit.”
• It is not “start by grace, finish by effort.”

Those are counterfeit gospels—and Paul says those who preach them are accursed (Galatians 1:8–9).

⚖️ The Gospel You Believe Matters

Paul says in Romans 2:16 that God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ—according to his gospel. Not Peter’s gospel of the kingdom. Not a blended gospel.
Paul’s gospel of grace—centered on the cross, the blood, and the resurrection.

‘in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.’

Romans 2:16

This is the gospel that saves today. The only gospel.
Anything more… or anything less… is another gospel.