Walter Lane spoke at Netherwood this Sunday about priorities, and the message of Christ's death and resurrection being the of first priority in the gospel. I don't know, I may have lost some readers just by using the word "gospel." It's not as commonplace of a word as it used to be. It means good news, the revelation of Christ to the world. It is synonymous with truth. To take something as "gospel" means to assume it is true.

In any case, it is based on this message from Paul (1 Corinthians 15:1-8):

Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.

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. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.

Notice "first importance." He didn't mention Jesus' birth. Or his baptism, or his sermon on the mount. All are critical, key moments in the Christ's life. Walter mentioned other "priority" references. Matthew 22:34-40 talks about how the Pharisees tried to trap Jesus by making him pick one command as the greatest. He gave it to them, plus a secondary one. And he pointed out that all of the other laws HANG on those two (click the link if you don't know them). They are foundational, crucial. And the same language is used by Paul to highlight the importance of the sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus. "Otherwise, you have believed in vain."

Walter mentioned that the implications of primacy are significant. I agree. Not to say that the rest did not matter. It's all part of the same story, and it all tailors God's plan into something that has relevance to the entire world, before and after (John 5:38-47, Gal 3:6-14, and Heb 10:1-18) the time of Jesus. It doesn't mean there is no right and wrong when it comes to God's will. Truth is truth, and God made sure we have the truth in His scriptures.

I believe some groups have gotten some things very wrong, and in a snowball effect, got a lot of other things wrong. But if one clings to the core of the gospel, and seeks the truth, and studies the scriptures (2 Peter 1:19-21, etc), they will find what they need. It HAS to be this way. We're imperfect in our perspective and our nature. God's revelation is made clear in our lives through the Councilor (John 16:7-14), and is proved through it's perfect adherence to the nature of creation and it's Creator. If I have something wrong, but have the Spirit in me, it will be made right one way or another. And it's our responsibility as God's body in this world to encourage each other and hold each other accountable to that which is of primary importance; upon which all other aspects of God's revelation, and our lives, hinge. The Creator knew of our doom before we did, and he provided salvation by the sacrifice and redemption of His son, who is a part of God himself. In doing so he more than saves us. He remakes us into what we were supposed to be from the beginning. Sons and Daughters of the Most High.

As a side note, check out "The Case for Christ" by Lee Strobel, a great book outlining an atheist's investigation of the Bible, and Jesus. It isn't the gospel :) but it's full of great supporting evidences which highlight the reality and truth that are presented in the Bible.

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