The Bible Story: The Impact of the Bible (1 Corinthians 15:3-8)

Series: The Bible Story

Sermon: The Impact of the Bible

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:3-8

Date: November 11, 2018

 

For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: 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, and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve.  After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep.  After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles.  The last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time.  (1 Corinthians 15:3-8)

Tonight I want to talk about Paul's letters and how we got our English Bibles.

"http://www.saulgotthecallnowpaul.com/"

Paul was probably converted c.AD 37, went to Jerusalem in AD 40 and 49, visited Corinth somewhere around AD 50-52, and wrote 1 Corinthians in AD 55.

The idea that the resurrection was a myth or legend that grew up around the stories of Jesus is so problematic in two ways:

1. Why would somebody leave their first century religion to embrace this Jewish sect that would cause them to lose their jobs, friends, sometimes their families and their lives?
2. Paul writes that people are still alive who saw Jesus alive from the dead.

After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep.  (1 Corinthians 15:7)

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 15:3-4)

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled.  And they realized that they had been with Jesus.  (Acts 4:13)

With the help of Silas, whom I regard as a faithful brother, I have written to you briefly, encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God.  Stand fast in it.  (1 Peter 5:12)

And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up in glory.  (1 Timothy 3:16)

I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.  And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds; God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God; begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made.  Who, for us men and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; he suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and sits on the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge the quick and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end.  (excerpt from the Nicene Creed)

Many of Paul's commands are living out Jesus' words in the great commandment and new commandment.

For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."  (Galatians 5:14)

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.  Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.  Be of the same mind toward one another.  Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble.  Do not be wise in your own opinion.  Repay no one evil for evil.  (Romans 12:14-17)

If not the first time, one full copy was assembled by St. Jerome around AD 400.  This manuscript included all 39 Old Testament books and all 27 New Testament books in the same language: Latin.  (Called the Vulgate)

Here are a few: Judah/Juda/Judas/Jude (all the same name); Golgotha/Calvary; Luke/Lucas; Elijah/Elias; Noah/Noe

For the word of God is quicke and powerfull, and sharper then any two edged sword, pearcing euen to the diuiding asunder of soule and spirit, and of the ioynts and marrowe, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.  Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked, and opened vnto the eyes of him with whome wee haue to doe.  (Hebrews 4:12-13, KJV 1611)

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.  Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.  (Hebrews 4:12-13, KJV)

For the word of God is alive and active.  Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.  Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight.  Everything is uncovered and laid before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.  (Hebrews 4:12-13, NIV)

For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.  And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.  (Hebrews 4:12-13, NASB)

God means what he says.  What he says goes.  His powerful Word is sharp as a surgeon's scalpel, cutting through everything, whether doubt or defense, laying us open to listen and obey.  Nothing and no one is impervious to God's Word.  We can't get away from it - no matter what.  (Hebrews 4:12-13, The Message)

36 Now as they went down the road, they came to some water.  And the eunuch said, "See, here is water.  What hinders me from being baptized?"  37 Then Philip said, "If you believe with all your heart, you may."  And he answered and said, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God."  38 So he commanded the chariot to stand still.  And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him.  (Acts 8:36-38, NKJV)

36 As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, "Look, here is water.  What can stand in the way of my being baptized?"  [37] 38 And he gave orders to stop the chariot.  Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him.  (Acts 8:36-38, NIV)

God inspired a book to reveal Himself and people have sacrificed so much for us to have a copy of it.

Christianity is the result of an event.