Sharing the Gospel (1 Cor. 15:3-8)

For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep; then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles; and last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also.
(1 Corinthians 15:3-8, NASB)

Yesterday, Paul wrote of how the gospel needs to be received and then stood by and held fast. Today’s verses are the gospel in a “nutshell.”

You may have heard of the “elevator speech”? It’s when you’re able to describe or illustrate something in the time it takes to ride an elevator up a high-rise building. In just 99 words, Paul defines “gospel,” which could definitely be said in less than a minute. We Christians should memorize these verses so that we’re prepared to quickly and succinctly share the truth.

So many of us are intimated when we think of sharing the gospel. We’re content to let preachers and teacher do the work for us. Yet we’re all called to share God’s truth. In fact, we’re commanded to do so. Jesus’ final words to His disciples apply to us as well: “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation” (Mark 16:15).

Yet it’s not easy. We’re not quite sure what to say, and we’re afraid we might be asked something we can’t answer. Perhaps having just 99 words that completely encapsulate the truth would help: Jesus died for our sins and was buried and was resurrected according to the scripture. And we know this to be true because He appeared to many—many—before He ascended to heaven.

Share the truth. Share the gospel. Share the 99 words.