Faith & Reason Nexus

1 Corinthians 15:3-4 lays out the core elements of the Gospel message:

1. Death of Christ (First part of the Gospel)
   • “That Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures.”
     Jesus’ sacrificial death is the foundation of the Gospel. It is through His death that our sins are atoned for, fulfilling the Old Testament prophecies and God’s plan for redemption.
2. Burial of Christ (Second part of the Gospel)
   • “And that He was buried…”
     The burial of Jesus confirms His physical death. His burial marks the completion of His death and sets the stage for the miracle of His resurrection.
3. Resurrection of Christ (Third part of the Gospel)
   • “…and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.”
     The resurrection is the powerful confirmation of Jesus’ victory over sin and death. It is through the resurrection that Christians find hope in eternal life.

The Gospel Re-enacted in Baptism

The elements of the Gospel—Death, Burial, and Resurrection—are also symbolically re-enacted in Christian baptism, which mirrors the work of Christ for believers:

1. Death in Baptism:
   Just as Christ died for our sins, in baptism, the believer “dies” to their old life of sin and is crucified with Christ (Romans 6:3-4).
2. Burial in Baptism:
   The believer is buried in the water, symbolizing Christ’s burial and the complete putting away of the old self.
3. Resurrection in Baptism:
   As Christ was raised from the dead, the believer rises from the water of baptism to walk in newness of life, symbolizing the resurrection and the new life given through Christ’s victory over death.

Conclusion

The Gospel is encapsulated in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and these elements are not only historical facts but are also re-enacted spiritually in the act of baptism. By faith and obedience, believers participate in the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, receiving the salvation that He offers.