Greetings from Paul ~ to Corinth, to us 1 Corinthians

[From] Paul, called by the will of God to be an apostle of Jesus Christ, and Sosthenes, our brother, write this letter to the Church of God, which is at Corinth, to those who have been consecrated in Christ Jesus, to those who have been called to be God’s dedicated people in the company of those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus – their Lord and ours. Grace be to you and peace from God, our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 1.1-3

Good Morning! Twas a common way to open a letter—'from the pen of’ to ‘the hearts of’ … Sosthenes might have been the ruler of the synagogue, we’re not quite sure. Notice with me that
Paul writes to the Church of God, to those

who are set apart and dedicated to the Lord Jesus Christ~

While the letter was addressed to those in Corinth, he writes to you and me as well. If we indeed are part of the universal church, which claims Jesus Christ as Lord, what are the things we esteem? I have published these before, we need to be ready to say what we believe as Christians.
What are the essentials of the Christian faith? I invite you to look up the accompanying verses, as they provide our foundation.

Essentials of the Christian Faith

1. In the beginning, God. . . God always existed. He was not created. We serve an eternal God. Revelation 4.11; Genesis 1.1; Genesis 1.26

2. Sin changed everything. Separated from God by our sin. . . Because God loved us, the crown of his creation, he gave us free will--free will to choose to love him. . . to choose evil, (rebellion). . . or good (obedience).

Romans 5.12 – Therefore just as sin came into the world through one man and death came through sin and so death spread to all because all have sinned.

One man-Adam, one woman-Eve: given everything to enjoy in the Garden of Eden, with the exception of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil--of that, they were forbidden. From the beginning, God required obedience of His children.

3. Grace ~ God's way of redemption

We were separated, but pursued by our loving God. He provided a way of escape for punishment of our sin. Ephesians 2.8 – For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not of your own doing; it is the gift of God.

As with all gifts, we must take hold of grace to experience it.

4. God's instrument of grace was Jesus Christ, God Incarnate.

Jesus was born of a virgin. He was fully human, fully divine. This was prophesied by the prophet Isaiah - chapter 7, verse 14. The birth of Jesus was announced to Joseph by the angel, Matthew 1.21; Matthew 3.17

5. Eternal life was made possible for us because of Jesus' death on the cross, and because of His resurrection from the dead.

-Jesus' suffering was foretold by the prophet Isaish - 53.1-6; Philippians 2.8; John 3.16; Acts 2.23-24;

All of Christianity hangs on the Resurrection. . . Check the historians of the day--not just the writers of Scripture. The Resurrection was a recognized miraculous occurrence. We serve a risen Savior. Hallelujah!

6. After the resurrection, Jesus appeared to the disciples and others.

Jesus assured his loved ones that he did what he told them he would do. 1 Corinthians 15.3-6; John 16:6; Acts 1.3

7. Jesus Christ ascended into Heaven to return to the right hand of the Father.

He stayed with them 40 more days, and then assumed his rightful place in glory. Acts 1.9-11

What a glorious homecoming it must have been! Can you just picture God the Father welcoming home his beloved Son?

8. Christ will come again--watch for Him in the clouds.

This is not the end of the story. . . one day, Christ is coming back for his bride, the church. 1Thessalonians 4.16-17

9. The God-head is triune.

You will not find the word "trinity" in the Bible, however, it is a description of biblical reality.

The three-in-one ~ each seems to minister at different times. There was the plan of God-the-Creator in the vastness of time, space and history; the redeeming, personal work of God-the-Son, both in his ministry on earth and in Heaven; and the comforting, quickening, wooing, convicting, inspiring, sweet Holy Spirit, who helps us in our weakness.

Romans 8.26,27

10. The Bible is the inerrant Word of God.

Scripture is purposed to inform, instruct, inspire, correct us, and lead us to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. It is the Word of God.

How did we get it? 2 Peter 1.20-21

What is its purpose? 2 Timothy 3.16-17

11. We are called to be disciples of Jesus Christ.

Disciples = sold-out followers of Jesus.

Disciples study God's Word, go to him in prayer, obey, follow Christ in baptism, partake of the Lord's Supper, and share the good news of the Gospel.

Yes, how firm a foundation! These truths are valuable to all Christ-followers, and critical to any who obediently shares his faith with others.

Because God is good . . . all the time,

Christine

Podcast: www.pastorwoman.com