The Power over Sin

This is the fourth article in the “Gospel of Salvation” series. (Previous “The Problem of Sin” and “The Penalty of Sin” and “The Payment for Sin”)

  • I Corinthians 15:1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
  • 2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
  • 3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
  • 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
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I Cor. 15:1-4 is the gospel (vs. 1) of salvation (vs. 2) in a nutshell. The good news of Jesus Christ referred to here in I Cor. 15 is Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. In this article, let’s focus on the phrase “And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day.”

Jesus rose again! He did not stay in the tomb! Understand that it was not enough for Jesus to simply die for our sins. I Corinthians 15:17 emphasizes, “…if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.” Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection defeated sin and death, and gives those who believe in Christ life and victory. But without the resurrection, our only hope is on this earth. We have no eternity to look forward to.

  • I Corinthians 15:19 “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.”
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But the blessed reality, according to vs. 54, is that “Death is swallowed up in victory.”

Jesus proclaims, “I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.” (Rev. 1:18) With death defeated, the saved will also proclaim here in I Cor. 15:55, “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” But remember from Whom this victory over sin and death comes from. “But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Vs. 57)

For more on this crucial subject, read “The Prophecies of the Savior.”