For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve.
Some truths are "first importance" truths. They are the heart of the matter, foundational, and immutable truths. We don't have to doubt what those "first importance" things are as Jesus' disciples. The Gospel of our salvation is built on the testimony of eyewitnesses to the historical events: Jesus died, Jesus was buried, Jesus rose from the grave, and Jesus appeared to his disciples, who were never the same after witnessing their resurrected Savior. Let's not let anyone distract us from these core truths or crowd out their simplicity with other matters that some falsely claim to be essential. Our salvation is rooted in our faith and our participation in this simple yet powerful Gospel (
1 Corinthians 15:3-7;
Romans 6:3-7).
Dear God, I confess my faith in your saving work for me accomplished by Jesus. I believe that your Son and my Savior, Immanuel, Jesus of Nazareth, my Lord, was crucified by wicked men just as you had foretold long ago in the Scriptures. I believe Jesus' dead and lifeless body was placed in a borrowed tomb. I believe you brought him back to life on the third day, just as you promised. I believe that those most destroyed by his death, those who knew him best, saw him alive again. I believe their lives were never the same. I believe, dear Father, that as I have confessed my faith in Jesus and shared with him in his death, burial, and resurrection through baptism, my life is caught up with him in your salvation and victory over sin, death, and hell. I praise you for this grace. I thank you for this assurance. So, dear Father, I look forward to sharing in your glory when he returns for me. Thank you for my salvation. In Jesus' name I live, rejoice, and wait in hope. Amen.
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