The following objections were stated to me several years ago by a pastor who I'll simply call Mr. Small-Faith, because he did not believe
the truth of God's Word on the Gospel (cf. Mark 16:14). I'll cite his objections as accurately
as I can remember, and then set forth my answers from the Bible. My answers
here are the same answers that I gave to Mr. Small-faith except that I have
elaborated on them more here in writing.
OBJECTION #1: While discussing the gospel in 1
Corinthians 15:1-5, Pastor Small-faith said: “First Corinthians 15 is not a list of
what a person has to believe for salvation.”
ANSWER: In 1 Corinthians 15:1 the
apostle Paul is talking about “the gospel”, and we know that the Corinthians
were begotten or born-again (i.e. saved) through this gospel because Paul told
them, “I have begotten you through the gospel” (1 Corinthians 4:15, NKJV).[1]
Writing to the believers in Rome, the apostle Paul says: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16). And writing to the Thessalonian Christians, Paul writes: "in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. These shall be punished with everlasting destruction [away] from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power" (2 Thess. 1:8-9, NKJV).[2]
So we see that in 1 Corinthians 15:1 the apostle Paul is talking about "the gospel", and the gospel is what a person has to believe for salvation from sin, death, and hell.
Writing to the believers in Rome, the apostle Paul says: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16). And writing to the Thessalonian Christians, Paul writes: "in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. These shall be punished with everlasting destruction [away] from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power" (2 Thess. 1:8-9, NKJV).[2]
So we see that in 1 Corinthians 15:1 the apostle Paul is talking about "the gospel", and the gospel is what a person has to believe for salvation from sin, death, and hell.
To be continued...
FOOTNOTES:
[1] Concerning the word "begotten" in 1 Corinthians 4:15, Greek scholar W. E. Vine writes: "It is used metaphorically...of one who by means of preaching the Gospel becomes the human instrument in the impartation of spiritual life, 1 Cor. 4:15; Philm. 10". (W. E. Vine, The Expanded Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, pg. 101.)
[2] People "obey the gospel" by believing it. "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved" (Acts 16:31).
FOOTNOTES:
[1] Concerning the word "begotten" in 1 Corinthians 4:15, Greek scholar W. E. Vine writes: "It is used metaphorically...of one who by means of preaching the Gospel becomes the human instrument in the impartation of spiritual life, 1 Cor. 4:15; Philm. 10". (W. E. Vine, The Expanded Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, pg. 101.)
[2] People "obey the gospel" by believing it. "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved" (Acts 16:31).
