Spiritual Truth Awakening

Chapter 9: Basic Christian Doctrines

Paul then reiterates the gospel that he preached to them, so there could be no misunderstanding on what their faith should be founded on. Paul gives in a few verses, a summary of the basic doctrines of Christianity.

Doctrine #1: We are saved by faith, by believing the gospel.

1 Corinthians 15:1-2 NIV now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.

Doctrine #2: Christ died for our sins, as predicted in the scriptures.

1 Corinthians 15:3 NIV for what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures,

Doctrine #3: Christ was raised from the dead on the third day.

1 Corinthians 15:4 NIV that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the scriptures,

Doctrine #4: the resurrection was verified by the fact that Christ was seen alive by more than 500 people after his resurrection.

1 Corinthians 15:5-8 NIV and that he appeared to peter, and then to the twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to james, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.

Doctrine #5: there will be a resurrection of the dead.

1 Corinthians 15:21-23 NIV for since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him.

Doctrine #6: there will be a second coming of Christ, and he will reign over heaven and earth.

1 Corinthians 15:24-25 NIV then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.

Doctrine #7: death will be destroyed, we will have eternal life.

1 Corinthians 15:26 NIV the last enemy to be destroyed is death.

Doctrine #8: Christ will present the universe and everything in it to God the father, and all creation will be in unity with God.

1 Corinthians 15:27-28 for he "has put everything under his feet." Now when it says that "everything" has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ. When he has done this, then the son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all.

Paul has given us a simple outline of the basic tenets of Christianity.