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Tag: Gospel

The Gospel is Good News to all who will humbly accept Jesus and listen to His teaching.

We refer to the four books of the Bible which tell the story of Jesus Christ as the Gospels. These books are named for their authors: Matthew, a Jewish Apostle; Mark, a disciple of the first generation who recorded accounts of Peter and the Twelve; Luke, a gentile Physician and disciple of the first century; and John, one of the Twelve Jewish Apostles chosen by Jesus.

Most Excellent Felix – Tertullus for the Prosecution
Today we find ourselves with Paul in Caesarea facing Felix.

(The plot thickens even after a secretive conspiracy to assassinate the Apostle.)

History plays out over time through the interactions of its leading actors. Luke records the Acts of these men of the A.D. first century whose leading actors include:
- the Apostle Paul,
- Claudius Lysias (via his letter),
- Felix,
- Festus,
- Agrippa and a host of minor actors in the plot of the Jews to execute Jesus’ Apostle
- and of course, Roman generals – pawns of the Emperors and Caesars.
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Luke focuses on each of these in Acts, which we have cataloged into chapters 22-26. 

He does not need to set the stage for his first century readers, but you may benefit from a few details. 
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~ A.D. 58

This courtroom scene (so to speak) now takes place in the Roman stronghold of Caesarea before the Roman Governor Felix, rather than in a biased Jewish court from where the Apostle and Roman citizen Paulos had been whisked away.

The Political Place of Antonius Felix

Antonius Felix (b. ~ A.D. 5-10)

Appointed Governor of Judea in ~AD 53, the Emperor Claudius had responded to a petition of his Secretary of the Treasury Marcus to elect his own younger brother Felix as Judea’s new Procurator.

Although his name Felix means ‘happy,’ sources agree that in his rule of Judea:

He ruled the province in a mean, cruel, and profligate manner. His period of office was full of troubles and seditions.

Strong’s G5344 – phēlix – BlueLetterBible.org
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And for the politically unastute, a brief definition of sedition:

"The raising of commotion in a state, not amounting to insurrection; conduct tending to treason, but without an overt act; excitement of discontent against the government, or of resistance to lawful authority." 
- source: Wordnik
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Just in case you missed the dramatic events leading up to this change of venue, READ all about it below for a better understanding of the Jewish prosecutors about to appear before Felix. 
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Justice deferred in a Political Theatre of Law

Paul’s Trial before Felix in Caesarea

Acts of the Apostles 24:
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Scriptural quotes primarilary from the ASV 
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And after five days the high priest Ananias came down with certain elders, and with an orator, one Tertullus; and they informed the governor against Paul. And when he was called, Tertullus began to accuse him..

Now the high priest of the Jews has no standing in a judicial court of the Roman government of Judea. However the lead prosecutor of Jerusalem’s religious council has hired a well-known orator to prosecute their case in Caesarea.

Tertullus, which means “triple-hardened,” was a Roman orator in the tradition of Cicero and several of the Caesars known for public speeches designed to sway large crowds of fellow Romans to their way of thinking.

Seeing that by thee we enjoy much peace,

and that by thy providence evils are corrected for this nation,

we accept it in all ways and in all places, most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness.

But, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I entreat thee to hear us of thy clemency a few words. But, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I entreat thee to hear us of thy clemency a few words.
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Always beware.. when a politician claims to have 'a few words.' 
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For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of insurrections among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes:
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(that is, followers of Jesus of Nazareth) 
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who moreover assayed to profane the temple: on whom also we laid hold: and we would have judged him according to our law.
Tertullus, the prosecuting Roman orator hired by the Jews, then turns to make charges against the Roman military athority who snatched Paul (the defendant) from their jurisdiction of Jerusalem’s local authorities and justice of the Sanhedrin.
Lysius, commanding his
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(that is Paul's or the defendant's) 
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accusers to come before thee. from whom thou wilt be able, by examining him thyself, to take knowledge of all these things whereof we accuse him.
(In other words, you will find him guilty of our charges.)

And, as in so many venues where Paul had been called to defend his actions for the gospel of Jesus Christ — practically on cue, the men of the council accompanying the high priest Ananias, ‘joined in the charge, affirming that these things were so.’

The Court will hear from the Defendant

Paul:

Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation, I cheerfully make my defence: seeing that thou canst take knowledge that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship at Jerusalem:

and neither in the temple did they find me disputing with any man or stirring up a crowd, nor in the synagogues, nor in the city.

Neither can they prove to thee the things whereof they now accuse me.

The opening arguments have concluded.

Paul’s Defense of the Gospel

Rome, of course, has NO interest in the Gospel; although politicians and orators may claim the Good News when politically expediant.

Everyone in the courtroom of Felix would have known that some twenty years ago the Emperor Caligula had declared himself a god. And his successor Claudius (to whom Felix was connected) had recently conquered Britain and seemed to have little interest in affairs to the east, here in remote Judea.

But as Paul, Tertullus, Ananias and the elders all knew, Caesar was no friend of the Jews, since Claudius had deported them from Rome just nine years ago. And they gained no favor with the current Emperor Nero either.

So Paul continues his defense:

But this I confess unto thee, that after the Way which they call a sect, so serve I the God of our fathers,

believing all things which are according to the law, and which are written in the prophets;

having hope toward God, which these also themselves look for,

that there shall be a resurrection both of the just and unjust.
Acts of the Apostles 24:14-15 ASV
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Of course as always, the resurrection brings into play the great controversy of GOD exercising both reward and punishment to every soul after the death of our mortal flesh. 

AND at the center of the controversy of this GOSPEL proclamation of the Apostle stands the MESSIAH JESUS - the risen Christ of the Jews crucified on a Roman Cross under Pontius Pilate in Jerusalem some two-dozen years before. 
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Paul tells the court the reason for his return to Jerusalem.

Now after some years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings: amidst which they found me purified in the temple, with no crowd, nor yet with tumult..
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Remember? There had been a famine. And Paul had been asking all the churches in his missionary jouneys for help for the poor (alms) in Jerusalem. 
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Herod’s temple in Jerusalem effectually becomes a large, highly regulated public square during festivals. It is unlike a church building or large meeting house.

Paul defends his public worship there and the lack of evidence that he caused any trouble:

but there were who ought to have been here before thee [Felix, that is], and to make accusation, if they had aught against me.

Acts 24:19 ASV
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Obviously, these so-called-witnesses were NOT called to the stand to accuse Paulos in person. 

Furthermore, Paul continues answering such inadmissable hearsay by challenging those Elders present. 
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Was it something I said?

“Or else let those who are here [Ananias and the Elders of Jerusalem’s council] themselves say if they found any wrongdoing in me [or what wrongdoing] while I stood before the council, unless it is for this one statement which I cried out, standing among them, ‘Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am being judged by you this day.’ ”

Acts 24:20-21 NKJV

The Court will be in recess

Luke’s transcript of the court proceedings ends and he adds additional background of context for the reader.

But Felix, having more exact knowledge concerning the Way, deferred them, saying,

‘When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will determine your matter.’

The Governor, Felix, is a skillfull politician dealing with Jews, Christians (followers of the Way), financial supporters of Nero and Rome, Centurians of Rome’s powerful occupying military and even the handling of grandious prosecuting oraters selling their case such as Tertullus.

And he gave order to the centurion that he [Paulos] should be kept in charge [custody], and should have indulgence [provisions]; and not to forbid any of his friends to minister unto him.

Acts 24:23 ASV

Political inaction — and the Judgment to come

What happens next may look familiar to any who follow the cunning of political strategists.

Since Felix’s obvious action that fairness and justice would demand will create additional trouble in governing, Felix the Governor waits for a more opportune time for public support — and for filling the coffers of his personal PAC which he might use later to gain higher office.

(Felix is looking for a handout $$.)

Luke continues by accounting for Felix’s delay in justice:

But after certain days, Felix came with Drusilla, his wife, who was a Jewess, and sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ Jesus.

Acts 24:24 ASV
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Drusilla was the youngest daughter of Herod Agrippa I and the sister of Herod Agrippa II, making her a member of the Herodian dynasty, which played a significant role in the political and religious landscape of Judea during the first century. 
- source BibleHub.com 
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And as he [her husband the Governor] reasoned of righteousness, and self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was terrified..

The Apostle had noted the appropriate fear of Felix for judgment of his own guilty soul.

Luke adds Felix’s sudden dismissal of Paul saying:

.. ‘Go thy way for this time; and when I have a convenient season, I will call thee unto me.’

Days pass… and more time passes.

Luke notes what everyone knew: it took a bribe to garner a favorable outcome from the Governor:

He hoped withal that money would be given him of Paul: wherefore also he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him.

But while Paul remained in ‘protective custody’ of the Governor of Judea in Caesarea, time not only passed but grows short for Felix.

He was succeeded by Porcius Festus, and when recalled to Rome, he escaped being sentenced to death by Nero only through the intercession of his brother, Pallas. His oppressive rule caused deep resentment among the Jews and strengthened the anti-Roman party.

source: Encyclopedia.com
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Again.. time passes, Luke records:
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But when two years were fulfilled, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus; and desiring to gain favor with the Jews, Felix left Paul in bonds.

Acts of the Apostles 24:27 ASV

To be continued — in the NEXT administration…

Talk of JESUS . com

Comment on Scripture – Share the Gospel
July 8, 2025
And Now the News – Resurrection of the Dead
Paul first establishes the indisputable facts of the Resurrection of Christ supported by evidence.

And Now the News – Just the Facts

the Logic of Christ’s Resurrection

The FACTS established, now the Apostle to the Gentiles must convince believing Corinthians influenced by cultural ‘scientists of Promethean logic‘ about the truth of the nature of the resurrection of the dead.
- How can worshippers of myths — a myriad of made-up gods and goddesses — purport LOGIC as truth?
- How can we present the resurrection of the dead as truth rather than myth (upon which Greek religion tenuously stands)?
This is Paul’s cultural challenge — and ours.

Resurrection is Key to the Gospel

Even Jerusalem’s Sadducees denied the truth and evidence of the resurrection.

Certainly many Greek worshippers of pagan gods held philosophies allowing the evil of the body to coexistence with a soul (hopefully) worthy of heaven.

Paul had encountered such opposition in Athens just before he arrived in Corinth to preach.

Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked...

Acts of the Apostles 17:32a

Note that this mocking at mention of the resurrection is similar to that in Jerusalem at the time many Jews received the Holy Spirit.

They believe these things, but hate them; and they also hate God.

WARRANTED CHRISTIAN BELIEF P.291

Is it not so? Hasn’t this hatred of God also been your experience simply at the mention of Jesus Christ?

Pagan ridicule of the resurrection provides false evidence to their Promethean proofs justifying the sins their flesh-indulged minds.

This was the challenge of the Apostle Paul in A.D. 55, as it is ours in this Common Era of indulgent inclusion.

IF Christ is risen..

Paul has established the indisputable facts of the bodily death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Now he continues in his key logic of the gospel of resurrection of the body and spirit.

1 Corinthians 15: –

“.. this is what we preach, and this is what you believed.

1 COR 15:11b BSB

: RESURRECTION IS: CERTAIN (15:1-34)

Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead,

how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?

1 Cor 15:12 ESV

Paul now addresses those believing doubters of the resurrection influenced by the surrounding pagan culture.

The Apostle follows a step-by-step logical argument:

But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised.

1 Cor 15:13 ESV

These logical Greek Corinthians hear the argument of the Pharisee (Saul of Tarsus) refuting the unbelieving Sadducees.

— AND Paul has just presented the FACTS and evidence that Christ was raised from the grave after His crucifixion.

And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain.

1 Cor 15:14 ESV

SO — You are a follower of The Way – a saint of your local church…

WHY THEN did we preach Christ to you and your fellow saints?

Is your faith in a myth just vanity?
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And Paul continues rhetorically challenging the veracity of his own preaching of the Christ and Jesus' resurrection from DEATH on a Roman cross in Judea.

The apostle of this gospel self-convicts in this alternative scenario concluding: 
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We are even found to be misrepresenting God,

because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised.

1 Cor 15:15 ESV

Heresy!

What is the Apostle’s proposition?

YOU — Corinthians — (and YOU, Common Era questioners) — must judge the TRUTH of the RESURRECTION of the dead based on the FACTS & EVIDENCE that the Lord Jesus Christ was the first man raised from death for your sins.
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Why do I make the bold point that this  would be HERESY? 

Other translations provide a more pointed translation of the Greek that may help us understand the seriousness of Paul's alternative false proposition. 
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εὑρισκόμεθα δὲ καὶ ψευδομάρτυρες

v.15a Moreover we are even found [in a legal sense] to be false witnesses [pseudomartys] of God..

[This would be false testimony against Almighty God, certainly punishable by death of the mortal body and punishment of their immortal soul.]

HERESY – αἵρεσις – hairesis

But the Corinthian saints know that Paul has NOT chosen himself over GOD [Theos].

The Apostle, however, continues down this logical path of its false-reasoning conclusion.

Now to the Apostle’s logical connection:

For if the dead are not raised,
not even Christ has been raised.
1 Cor 15:16 ESV
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(Paul has already opened his argument to the court of logic with Christ's resurrection.)
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Then those also who have fallen asleep [koimaō – a metaphor for death] in Christ have perished [ἀπόλλυμι – .apollymi].

1 Cor 15:18

The Perishing Promethean Heretics

Paul, in providing a clear choice to those who trust in the Way and Truth and Life of Christ, offers a clear logical choice.

The Apostle had opened his Epistle to the Corinthians clearly stating:

For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing^G622,

but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God. For it is written,

“I WILL DESTROY^G622 THE WISDOM OF THE WISE,

AND THE CLEVERNESS OF THE CLEVER I WILL SET ASIDE.”

1 Corinthians 1:18-19 LSB – Paul, citing Old Testament Scripture

“Where is the one who is wise?

Paul had rhetorically asked in the opening of this epistle [1 Cor 1:20].

νυνί – now, at this very moment

NOW Paul continues in the only logical conclusion: :

But now [at this very moment] is Christ risen from the dead
1 Corinthians 15:20a – KJV [def. Gk. νυνί]

The Apostle here is emphatic in his belief proclaimed in his closing.

“But in fact..,” “At this very moment..,” “And now..,

Christ hath risen out of the dead,” read just a few English translations of Paul’s logical Greek argument.

Then Paul proclaims the benefits of Christ’s resurrection applied to the death of those in Christ.

Christ’s resurrection + the firstfruits

But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep…

.. Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ.

1 Cor 15:20,23b ESV

Between Paul’s representation of the resurrection of Christ and resurrections of ‘those who belong to Christ’ — (faithful saints of the Church redeemed in Him) — the Apostle points back once more to original sin and the source of death replacing eternal life with God.

IN THE BEGINNING…

For as in Adam all die…

Paul proclaims:

But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.

For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.

For as in Adam all die,

even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

1 Cor 15:20-22 KJV

IN THE BEGINNING God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void…

And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness…

And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. And the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed… But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it:

for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

Genesis 1-2 KJV excerpts

IN ADAM… ALL DIE.

IN ABRAHAM & JACOB.. ALL DIE.

IN MOSES ALL DIE

and IN DAVID… ALL DIE!

in Christ all will be made alive.
For just as in Adam all die,
so also in Christ all will be made alive.
But each in his own order:
Christ, the firstfruits; afterward, at his coming,
those who belong to Christ.

Then comes the end…

1 Corinthians 15:22-24a CSB
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Good NEWS of the Resurrection of the DEAD - To be continued... 
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May 19, 2025
And Now the News – Just the Facts
Moreover — and as a matter of fact, the Apostle continues — here are the facts of the Gospel of the resurrection and Christ once more (for your logical Greek reasoning).

Letters & NEWS

As we have read in the Apostle’s first epistle to the Corinthian saints, letters are personal and recall a connection of love between Paul and those in Corinth.

I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge— even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you—

.. I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree..

1 Corinthians 1:4-10a excerpt ESV

The Apostle states his obstacles common to the Corinthians — a diverse church in every way — at the outset of his epistle:

For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom,

but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles
Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians 1:22-23 ESV

And the Apostle establishes his own authority in Christ — the head of the Church who died for sinners.

Though I am free of obligation to anyone, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews.

1 Corinthians 9:19-20a ESV

Yet Paul’s pathos and personal connection to the Corinthians appeals to all who love the Lord — Jew and Greek and Romans who worship as saints of one Church — this one in first century Corinth.

The Parthenon

Logic

Recall from our previous look at Paul’s personal letter that even though a remnant of Jews live in Corinth (and the smaller ancient city of Athens), the culture of his audience is Greek.

Propriety in Worship of the Church – 1 Corinthians 14
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(Even the Romans mimicked worship of the Greek gods and goddesses.) 
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In Greek mythology, Tethys was Consort of Oceanus, father of the river gods and goddesses including a Greek goddess who founded Corinth named Ephyra.

What’s missing for Greek worshippers?

The connections between credibility and impact.
- How can worshippers of myths — a myriad of made-up gods and goddesses — purport LOGIC as truth?
In fact, the FACTS of logic built on false premises do not add up.

This is Paul’s cultural challenge — and ours.

Paul’s personal letter to the Corinthian saints (church).

The Apostle’s connection of logic to his Greek audience is agape (love).

“IF I have not love (charity) [agape], I am nothing.

– 1 Corinthians 13:2

As for the difference of Paul’s beliefs in God:

Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand..

1 Corinthians 15:1 ESV

Before we list Paul’s FACTS for believers, let’s examine this Greek culture of logic in the light of truth cast upon the temples of many mythical gods and goddesses of Corinth.

Truths revealed to our minds
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The following quoted in part from WARRANTED CHRISTIAN BELIEF PP290-294
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What more is there to faith than belief?

What distinguishes the Christian believer from the demons?

——

“You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!

Epistle of James to the Church 2:19 ESV

They believe these things, but hate them;

and they also hate God.

WARRANTED CHRISTIAN BELIEF P.291

Is it not so?

Hasn’t this hatred of God also been your experience at simply the mention of Jesus Christ?

Perhaps they also hope against hope that these things aren’t really so..

in a self-deceived way..

the problem here is not merely cognitive..

but.. Promethean..

ibid.

Cultural ‘science‘ of Promethean Logic

COVID-masked Prometheus statue at Rockefeller Center NYC, US as seen on the News

Prometheus, in Greek religion, one of the Titans, the supreme trickster, and a god of fire. His intellectual side was emphasized by the apparent meaning of his name, Forethinker. In common belief he developed into a master craftsman, and in this connection he was associated with fire and the creation of mortals.

Source: Britannica

WE must think to the AD 55 Corinthian culture, as well as our own Common Era challenges of preaching the Good News of Jesus Christ, in these ‘Promethean‘ terms of logic —scientific facts of the world masked as NEWS.

Roger@TalkofJesus.com

The demons, no doubt, are theists and also believe of God that he exists; because they do not trust and love God and do not make his purposes their own.

ibid. p.294

Heretics — those who hate God — contend against Christ.

Gospel Good News

NOW, after stating that everything must be done in order, the Apostle Paul begins with the facts of the resurrection. AND note that he presents these FACTS as ‘of first importance.’

Facts:

For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance:

1 Corinthians 15:3

that Christ died for our sins..
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 ὅτι Χριστὸς ἀπέθανεν ὑπὲρ τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν 
Christ (christos) -- not simply JESUS or Lord or some other designation of His Person or earthly position. 
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The Apostle Paul makes “CHRIST” christos — central to his FACTS to the Corinthians, using this Messianic designation (in Greek) over sixty times in this epistle.

AND Paul’s protos point reminds us that CHRIST DIED FOR OUR SINS

(the Person of Jesus) Christ ἀποθνῄσκω died [apothnēskō] (as all men and women do)
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-- AN INDISPUTABLE FACT --
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Then Christ’s apostle to the gentiles reminds:

ὑπὲρ τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν

hyper egō hamartia
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for our sins 
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Christ’s apostle continues logically with a REASON (remember, these are Greeks seeking wisdom in this) for this indisputable fact that Jesus died on a Cross (some twenty years before this).

And in his logical support of why Christ – the Messiah of the Jews – would do this, the Apostle cites God’s Holy written word:

“.. according to the Scriptures [γραφή – graphē].

AND logically following his FACT of Christ’s death Paul adds:

that he was buried,

that he was raised on the third day

in accordance with the Scriptures,

1 Corinthians 15:4 ESV

Not such a big deal that Jesus was buried (although many criminals hung on Roman crosses were left as carrion for the carnivorous).

It is the RESURRECTION of Christ which always ignites the Promethean detractors of truth.

AND again Paul adds: “in accordance with the Scriptures.”

NOW Paul logically follows-up from presenting his facts to the truthful testimony of eye witnesses.

ὁράω – HE appeared:
1. to Cephas (Peter)
2. the Twelve (Jesus’ Disciples)
3. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep.
4. to James (Jesus’ half-brother)
5. then to all the apostles.
6. the Apostle Paul
Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

1 Corinthians 15:8-9 ESV

We Preached + you believed the facts

In the Apostle’s ‘reminder’ written to the believing saints of the church in Corinth, Paul begins with just the facts — provides witnesses — and now preaches once more what many had proclaimed in person.

But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain.

On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.

Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.

Paul’s first epistle to the Corinthians 15:10-11 ESV

SINCE ~AD 33 — and for all these years of our Lord since — MANY WITNESSES of One Lord — have Preached and Proclaimed

Jesus Christ crucified for our sins, buried, and raised from the dead — appearing, in fact, to many witnesses.

and (when we preached)

— you believed!

But the Apostle is NOT FINISHED with this all-important proclamation of the Good FACTS of the Resurrection.

NEXT, Paul will continue with the certainty of the resurrection of the dead.. and you must consider what this will mean to your own faith and mortal life.

Talk of JESUS . com

Comment on Scripture – Share the Gospel
May 15, 2025