The gospel — simple, final, complete. 1 Cor. 15:1–4.

The Foundation of Salvation — the Only Message That Saves

There are passages in Scripture that rise like mountains — immovable, unshakable, untouchable by the doctrines or traditions of men.

1 Corinthians 15:1–4 is one of them.

Paul writes:

“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…”
(1 Corinthians 15:1–2)

Before we go further, notice something essential:

⚠ The gospel is not everything in the Bible.
⚠ Not every passage in Scripture is the gospel.
⚠ The gospel is a specific message — the message that saves.

It is defined.
It is singular.
It is final.

And Paul gives it plainly — without symbolism, without parable, without theological gymnastics.

The bottom-line is all mankind will be judged by Paul’s gospel.

‘in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.’ Romans 2:16

📍 The Gospel Defined

“…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 15:3–4

This is the gospel.

Not your works.
Not your righteousness.
Not repentance plus performance.
Not law-keeping, sacrament-keeping, or commandment-keeping.

Just Christ.

Christ died for our sins.
Because we could not remove them.
He was buried.
Because sin was dealt with completely.
He rose again.
Because God accepted the payment in full.

This is not part of the gospel —
This is the gospel.

📍 The Gospel Saves — Nothing Else Can

Paul says:

“By which you are saved…” (1 Corinthians 15:2)

Not helped. Not improved. Saved.

Once for all. Fully. Eternally.

And then God nails the point down in Romans 1:16:

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ,
for it is the power of God unto salvation
to everyone who believes…”*
— Romans 1:16

🔥 The power of God unto salvation — not religion, not reform, not effort.
🔥 To everyone — no category excluded.
🔥 Who believes — not believes and works, and obeys, and endures. Just believes.

Anything added to faith is unbelief.
Anything added to grace destroys grace.
Anything added to the gospel corrupts the gospel.

Ephesians 2:8–9 echoes like thunder:

“For by grace you have been saved through faith…
not of works, lest anyone should boast.”

Salvation is not what we do for God. It is what God has done for us through Christ.

📍 Why This Matters

Many things are preached today.
Many messages stir emotions, inspire morality, or demand religious effort.

But only one message saves.

A lifetime of church attendance saves no one.
Generosity, devotion, repentance, passion — none take away sin.
The gospel is not about the believer’s ability — it is about the Savior’s accomplishment.

💥 Only the gospel saves.
💥 Only the cross saves.
💥 Only Christ saves.

This is the message the world hates.
This is the message religion complicates.
This is the message God elevates.

Simple. Final. Complete.

📍 Stand in the Gospel

Paul says this is the gospel “in which you stand.”

Not wobble.
Not hope.
Not work toward.
Stand.

Because salvation is settled.
Peace with God is finished.
The wrath is gone, paid in full by the blood of the Lamb.

You do not stand on your performance —
You stand on His resurrection.

**This is the gospel.

This is our foundation.
This is our hope, peace, and life.**

Believe it — and you are saved.
Not later.
Not gradually.
Now. Forever. Completely.

Stand in this truth:

Christ died.
Christ was buried.
Christ rose again.

And that is enough.