Most Important

ByJim Stephens

Reading: 1 Corinthians 15; Psalm 148

3 I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me—that Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. 4 He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, as the Scriptures said. 5 He was seen by Peter and then by the twelve apostles. 6 After that, he was seen by more than five hundred of his followers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died by now. 7 Then he was seen by James and later by all the apostles. 8 Last of all, I saw him, too, long after the others, as though I had been born at the wrong time. 9 For I am the least of all the apostles, and I am not worthy to be called an apostle after the way I persecuted the church of God. (1 Corinthians 15:3-9 NLT)

Young Paul the Pharisee had prided himself on his vast and detailed knowledge of, and obedience to, the Jewish Law. Now, as an old man who had sacrificed everything that had ever mattered for his faith and his calling, he defines the Most Important Truths of Scripture:

• That Jesus Christ died for our sins – just as the Scriptures said.
• That Jesus Christ was buried and was raised from the dead on the third day – just as the Scriptures said.
• That Jesus Christ was seen alive after his resurrection by Peter, by the other apostles, by more than 500 people at one time, and by James and the other apostles.
• That Jesus Christ had personally appeared to Paul in an encounter that had changed Paul and his understanding of What Is Most Important forever!

Paul’s Most Important Truths included: Two truths about Jesus Christ that were prophesied in Scripture, four confirmations of Christ’s resurrection by reliable witnesses, and Paul’s personal encounter and experience with the risen Lord and Savior.

What are your Most Important Truths?

Prayer:
Father, Thank you for the Simple Truth! There’s so much to know, so much to learn, so much religious complexity! Thanks for this little lesson from Paul, who knew it all, yet said that the most important things are pretty simple! I believe that Jesus died, was buried, rose again the third day, and lives forever as Christ and Lord. Amen.