The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum Gospel truth

No sir, you are avoiding what the text says! You appear to want to view all preaching with a TULIP approach. The unscriptural sixth sola: Sola Quinque Pedal Declamatio … (Five Pedal Sermons Alone).

As previously posted, Paul was addressing the “brethren” (adelphos). Paul’s statement is not to all the elect (notice that Paul uses the term “if” in verse two, “which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain”). Paul is speaking to the Corinthian Church in a general way, calling them brothers, however, knowing that all are not elect (i.e. the visible church, not the invisible church). Had Paul desired to address only the elect he would have used the term elect.

In 1 Cor 15:3, Paul’s major emphasis is not on Limited Atonement—he does that elsewhere—but rather belief in the resurrection of Jesus Christ (only the elect can truly believe, but that is not Paul’s emphasis “here”). Paul is saying “here” that it is a historical fact—supported by witnesses—that Christ raised from the dead. Notice he is saying this is the “Gospel” however, it is only part and parcel of the Gospel. Notice verse 3: “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures.” [in other words there are "other" important things, but he is not bringing them out "here"]. Paul’s empahsis “here” is on belief, not election, in the death and resurrection of Christ according to the “scriptures.” Look at the context of these verses in reference to the remainder of the chapter.

Though the preacher would know that his audience is not all elect and that everyone he is preaching to will not, and cannot believe, in preaching this text he should not concentrate (primary point) on Limited Atonement, but on belief in the death and resurrection of Christ. The text is the message of the sermon and not one’s presuppositions that he desires to read upon the text.