Witnesses of the Gospel

Is religion just a preference? Is it merely a matter of various personal convictions, all of which accomplish the same thing, and have the same effect on the lives who hold to such beliefs?

Sadly in our society spiritual convictions have become acceptable and tolerated as long as they are not held as absolute and exclusive. The pressure surrounding us, as it was on the Corinthians, is to be open and tolerant of any and all 'gods.' Belief in one God as the only God who can be worshiped and approached only one way is not tolerated. We do have to be tolerant of other people's views, but we must not be willing to agree with what they believe about God that is unbiblical, nor compromise the Truth in any sense or for any reason.

Paul has drawn the Corinthian's attention to the fact that the Gospel is an unchanging message that has four basic elements. The substitutionary death of Christ, His burial and resurrection are historical facts that were witnessed by many. This divinely planned chain of events had been foretold by the Old Testament Scriptures and also by Christ during His earthly ministry.

The Corinthians had an issue with the resurrection and it is this point of the Gospel that Paul will elaborate on through the rest of the chapter.