1 Corinthians 15:17 (KJV) “And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.”
Words in blue are not scripture but are added for clarity
From what I read in scripture I fail to see where Christ’s death brings salvation. “For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.” Romans 5:10. From that verse I see that although being “reconciled to God” I still am not saved. Being reconciled is what God did in removing what had divided us, but until believed (the gospel: His death, burial and resurrection) one is still lost, dead, spiritually. “Who was delivered for our offenses and was raised again for our justification.” Romans 4:25. Again being true but until believed it does no good in obtaining that eternal life. “In whom the god (satan) of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” 2 Corinthians 4:4
“And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.” Hebrews 9:22. Sin had to be removed from one in order that salvation can be given/received. If sin was not removed, then, when a person sins again one would die again (Romans 6:23), needing to be saved again. That’s why it is of the utmost of importance for one to understand the work of the cross. “For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” Hebrews 9:26-28.
Sidebar: “once offered to bear the sins of many” why many? why not all? like in “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16. The reason “many” not all, is because of unbelief in His’ death, burial and resurrection. Why is burial a part of this salvation? Burial represents the casting away of sin never to be revived again or for the believer rather, sin never to be brought back and judged again.
Most all Christians and and non-believers tend to levitate to the cross as a spiritual reference of Christ’s death. Non-believers use the cross as a dress ornament or just because their idol wears one and looks cool. If that is far as their faith and knowledge goes, sorry their lost. Paul didn’t add: “And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.”Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: and if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.” 1 Corinthians 15:15-17, Paul didn’t add that just to fill out the rest of the sheet he was writing on.
So what’s the process of salvation? Believe God that: “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Believe God that His judgement is just, that you are a sinner. Realize that forgiveness of sin is only in Christ Jesus: “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;” Ephesians 1:7. “In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:” Colossians 1:14. When one believes the gospel as given by Paul: “In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.” What was, is and will be Paul’s gospel given unto him? “But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.” Galatians 1:11-12, by the now risen Christ. Paul’s gospel: “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; by which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:” 1 Corinthians 15:1-4. Immediately when believed, sin is removed: “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23. One is placed into Christ’s body, the church: “This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.” Ephesians 5:32. Being placed into Christ’s body is baptism as seen here: “For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.” 1 Corinthians 12:12-13. Never, never in all eternity future, past or present lose what God has established before the world began in Christ: “That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: in whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: that we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. in whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.” Ephesians 1:10-14. So in doing one is then: “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; to wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” 2 Corinthians 5:17-21.
JUST BELIEVE!!!
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