Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.
For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep.
1 Corinthians 15:1-6
Paul wrote his first letter to the church in Corinth around AD 55. Within 1 Corinthians 15 is a creed historians largely agree (atheist and agnostic, as well) was both sung and taught by early Christians within weeks or months of Jesus’s crucifixion and resurrection in AD 30 or 33. This memorized teaching, written down by Paul, boldly declares the good news God has given. And while First Corinthians wasn’t written to us, the Good News it addresses is a reality written down FOR us (John 17:20: 2 Timothy 3:15-17; 2 Peter 1:16-21)!
The hope God has provided is trustworthy and true, no matter our mood or circumstance. We can think upon the historical reality of the cross (AD 30 or 33) when we doubt, and rejoice in the significance of the empty tomb in our hardships. In the midst of our tears, we can have abundant joy because of God’s good news! Nothing matters more than the Gospel.
Why “Hold Fast?” The messages of “You do you” and “Follow your heart” are all around us. According to a recent poll by Barna, “A new nationwide survey of America’s Christian pastors shows that a majority of pastors lack a biblical worldview. In fact, just slightly more than a third (37%) possess a biblical worldview and the majority—62%—hold a hybrid worldview known as Syncretism” (article here). What we are witnessing today is often a pragmatic commitment to do whatever fills the seats, instead of holding fast to the Scriptures. Sisters, we don’t need pragmatism, we need the Gospel.
To quote author and apologist Teasi Cannon, “The lower our view of Scripture, the higher our view of self. And the lower our view of Scripture, the lower our love for God and others.” To obey personal preference over God, is to build our homes on the shifting sands of our emotions. We need to trust God’s word and lean into His character when times are difficult.
“Christ’s view of Scripture can and should be still be the Christian’s view of Scripture.”
John Wenham, “Christ and the Bible” p. 12
It should also be noted that Hold Fast Apologetics stands behind the Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy. Succinctly stated, this means that I “affirm that the Holy Scriptures are to be received as the authoritative Word of God.” To hold fast to God’s Word is to recognize and affirm that God written Word to us is authoritative and true. God provided the Scriptures both for our instruction and encouragement (Romans 15:4; 2 Timothy 3:16-17).
“For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.”
Romans 15:4
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
2 Timothy 3:16-17
Sisters, we need to remember the Good News God has given us (Jesus’s work, on our behalf) was more than enough. God has given us the greatest gift we could ever receive: Himself! A gift of hope and joy which helps us through every trial and storm. Ladies, God’s got this!
Who is the author? A former Speech and Language Pathologist for nearly 20 years, I began educating our 3 children full-time in 2015 and have cherished every gifted moment…even the challenges. But no matter what is before me each day, what is interwoven into every aspect of daily life (as a wife, via motherhood, teaching, friendship, fitness, etc) is Christian Apologetics.
Apologetics refers to “always being prepared to share a reason for the hope that I/we have with g̲e͟n͟t͟l͟e͟n͟e͟s͟s and r͟e͟s͟p̲e͟c͟t,” (1 Peter 3:15). It’s a Grace-driven journey that began in 1999, and is the most important thing I could do. And it is why this blog exists!
“For the Scripture says, ‘Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.’ For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For ‘everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’”
Romans 10:11-13
His,
Meridith
#solideogloria
What is the Gospel?
1 Corinthians 15:3-4 “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,”
2 Corinthians 5:15 “and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.”
Who is Jesus?
Romans 10:9-10 “because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.”
Mark 14:62-64 And Jesus said, “I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.” And the high priest tore his garments and said, “What further witnesses do we need? You have heard his blasphemy. What is your decision?” And they all condemned him as deserving death.” *Jesus claimed to be God
Evidence for the Resurrection
1 Corinthians 15:1-8 “Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.”
Trust the Bible
2 Timothy 3:16-17 “ All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
🎞️ Video Playlist Regarding Reliability, Sufficiency, Relevancy, and Cannon Compilation
The Essentials
(Christian Doctrine)
2 Timothy 4:3-4 “For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.”
Hold Fast Apologetics 