“I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand” (1 Cor. 15:1)
gospel context rhetorical good news roman imperial system Pax Romano New Testament political military overtones Christ King won victory over mankind foundation of the church saved death cross resurrection teaching Paul Romans 1:4 And declared to be the Son of God with power according to the spirit of holiness by the resurrection from the dead Holy Spirit grave without sin jurisdiction devil the wages of sin is death payment evil one consequence life itself embrace death turned away born in heaven voluntarily free choice obedience of the Father He too our sin upon Himself And in one Lord Jesus Christ the only begotten Son of God begotten of the Father before all worlds God of God Light of Light very God of very God begotten not made being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made Adam wage payer conspicuous facts penalty lives previous promise I AM the resurrection and the life he that believeth in me though he were dead yet shall he live immortal glorified fantasy we have not followed cunningly devised fables eyewitnesses Cephas Peter the twelve 12 500 brethren at once James apostles creed 1st corinthians 55 AD written early Christians suffer and die hostile witness skeptic Paul Saul transformed persecutor enemy of the church vocal advocate Jesus brothers unbelievers James Bishop church in Jerusalem martyrs believed because he saw the risen Lord sure ground reigns victorious free gift believe abundance of grace allied King Jesus death is no longer terrifying Pax Dei Peace of God stability guilt canceled broken