The death, burial, and resurrection of Christ are three fundamental facts of the gospel of Christ (1 Cor. 15:1-5 NKJV). Sadly, Paul needed to remind the Corinthians of these same facts which they had previously heard, believed, and obeyed (Acts 18:8). The Corinthians, like people today, obeyed the gospel through obedience to a "form" of the gospel (Rom. 6:1-4, 17). It was Jesus Christ who commanded the gospel to be taught, believed, and obeyed. The resurrected Christ said: "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned" (Mark 16:15-16). Having reminded the Corinthians of these facts, Paul provided evidence for these facts, particularly for the fact of the resurrection. "He was seen" (1 Cor. 15:5)! In our article today we will note three details of each of the three fundamental facts of the gospel.
"Christ died for our sins" (1 Cor. 15:3). First, the soldiers crucified Jesus. "And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left" (Luke 23:33). Second, Jesus died on the cross. After saying some last words from the cross, "He breathed His last" (Luke 23:46). Third, the soldiers confirmed His death (John 19:31-34). The soldiers broke the legs of the two criminals to hasten their death. "But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out" (John 9:33-34).
"He was buried" (1 Cor. 15:4). First, Joseph requested the body of Jesus. "After this, Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took the body of Jesus" (John 19:38). Second, Nicodemus also helped. "And Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds" (John 19:39). Third, they buried the body. "Then they took the body of Jesus, and bound it in strips of linen with the spices, as the custom of the Jews is to bury. Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. So there they laid Jesus, because of the Jews' Preparation Day, for the tomb was nearby" (John 19:40-42).
"He rose again the third day" (1 Cor. 15:4). First, the women came to the tomb. "Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they, and certain other women with them, came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared" (Luke 24:1). Second, the women found the tomb empty. "But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb. Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus" (Luke 24:2-3). Third, the angels announced His resurrection (Luke 24:4-8). The angels said, "Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen!" (Luke 24:5-6).
These are but a few of the details for each of the three fundamental facts of the gospel. As you study the gospel accounts of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John you will gain a fuller picture of these great events. Remember, Jesus did not die for His sins for He had none. Jesus died for our sins.