Introduction :  {That} Jesus rose from the dead is a part of Gospel. Then what is {the} Gospel. In I Corinthians 15 it clearly states that there are 4 important things. These 4 important things makes {the} complete Gospel. We should not miss at least one when we preach the Gospel. The 4 important issues are:

a. Jesus died on the Cross of Calvary
b. Jesus {was} buried and was there for 3 days
c. Jesus risen again on {the} 3rd day
d. Jesus manifested Himself unto men.

These 4 issues make the Gospel complete. We should not add anything to this Gospel. If any preacher or Evangelist adds any thing to these 4 points he is liar and {is} seeking his own Glory instead of presenting Jesus to them. He may appear {to be an} effective Minister of God. But he is gathering wood and grass for God. Be Careful and do the Evangelism according to the Word of God.

a. Jesus Died on the Cross of Calvary:

(Matthew 26:2) "As you know, the Passover celebration begins in two days, and I, the Son of Man, will be betrayed and crucified."

Jesus died on the Cross of Calvary on the day of Passover (Matthew 29:10).

"So let it be clearly known by everyone in Israel that God has made this Jesus whom you crucified to be both Lord and Messiah!" (Acts 2:36). By his death we {have} remission of Sins. He personally carried away our sins in His own body on the Cross so we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. You have been healed by his wounds! (I Peter 5:24). Without {the} shedding {of} blood there is no forgiveness for sins. John the Baptist said "Look! There is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! " (John 1:29).

The person who starts personal Evangelism or stands {at} the Pulpit to teach the Word of God has to believe this from the heart and accept the same in his life and confess it before the presence of God. The person without this experience is not eligible to preach the Word of God and he is doing mimicry on the stage.

When the person who has {a} personal relationship with Jesus Christ ... preaches, the power of {the} Resurrection releases from the {Preacher} and works on the person who listens. Let the power of {the} Resurrection be released unto the men who listen to you when you preach God. And whoever doesn't accept Him {Jesus Christ } as personal Savior {must} confess the four things before the Lord will forgive all your sins.

b. Jesus buried and is {in the grave} for 3 days

(I Corinthians 15 : 4)  He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, as the Scriptures said. Jesus died for you and for me! Hallelujah. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said (I Corinthians 15:3). After death He was buried (I Corinthians 15:4).

Some Verses which are Self Explanatory

(Psalms 103:12) "He has removed our rebellious acts as far away from us as the east is from the west."

(Acts 3:19) "Now turn from your sins and turn to God, so you can be cleansed of your sins."

(Micah 7:19) "Once again you will have compassion on us. You will trample our sins under your feet and throw them into the depths of the ocean!"

2a. Burial Of Jesus Christ is very much related to Baptism.

What is the result of burial of Jesus Christ? By the burial of Jesus Christ all our sins are buried. Not only the past, present and also of the future. This secret every one has to understand. The person who ... believes in Him as personal Savior are buried with Him. Just as we {are} crucified with Him (e.g. Paul said, I am crucified with Christ).

(Romans 6:4) "For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism."

(Colossians 2:12) "For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized."

Even these verses are related to Baptism. But actual cause why we are taking water Baptism is that we are showing (witnessing) before the local assembly or congregation, what happened deep inside the heart to {our human} spirit. Our spirit died and {was} buried. Praise be to God. Old things are passed away everything became new (II Corinthians 5:17). What this means is that those who become Christians become new persons. They are not the same anymore, for the old life is gone. A new life has begun! What happens to the Spirit at the time: {The} Holy Spirit starts talking to our spirit human spirit ({which} is filled with Satan) and our spirit respond{s} to {Him} (by rejecting or accepting) {the call to salvation}. Whenever a person accepts the Word of God he responds to God as "God I am a sinner". Immediately the human spirit will die and {be} buried, and it is risen again {by the} Holy Spirit. ({we} became holy by the blood of Jesus Christ).

Baptism into Christ : Read again Romans 6:3-8 and this baptism into Christ is the work of the Holy Spirit. Since it is the part of Holy Spirit (Gods Part) we {do} not wait for some time to get this, and we need not to do any thing. But we have all been baptized into Christ's body by one Spirit, and we have all received the same Spirit (I Corinthians 12:13)

Problem with People:   Whenever I ask some people in personal Evangelism "when you accepted Jesus Christ"  I won't get {a} proper answer. They used to say, "Every day I used to confess sins". These people never experienced or understand the power of Resurrection. When they understand the power of Resurrection they will ask {for} forgiveness of Sins. And they enjoy the forgiveness of sins and every time they start with worshiping God for their forgiveness of Sin. How is your prayers? Are you still continuing in sin or enjoying the power of Resurrection?

Turn your attention to Colossians 2:11. {Items in brackets like [] are additions by Brother Thimothy} When you came to Christ, [when we accepted Jesus Christ as {our} personal Savior] you were "circumcised," [ part {of us} (sinful nature) is taken out from the body] but not by a physical procedure [not by {use of a} knife]. It was a spiritual procedure [by {the} Holy Spirit] – the cutting away of your sinful nature (Colossians 2:11). So read all the verses in the New Testament about the burial of a person and baptism of the body. It is happened at the time {you are} Born Again or at the time when people receive the Word of God.

People are expecting experiences at the time of Spiritual Baptism. It should not be encouraged. Many local Churches or congregations encourages the "experiences at the time of Spiritual Baptism". So the multitude, even {if} they accepted Jesus Christ as personal Savior, {are} not giving importance to the Word of God, but waiting for some experience. Our faith should not be based on the experience but by the Living Word of God.

Since Satan is ready to deceive the people he enters into the scene as angel of light to {deceive}, but I am not surprised! Even Satan can disguise himself as an angel of light (II Corinthians 12:14.)

If you give the importance to the Word of God {that} means you are utilizing the time very intelligently. That's why Peter said in I Peter 1:16-19 we have to give importance to Word of God.

(1 Peter 1:16-19) "For we were not making up clever stories when we told you about the power of our Lord Jesus Christ and his coming again. We have seen his majestic splendor with our own eyes.... Because of that, we have even greater confidence in the message proclaimed by the prophets. Pay close attention to what they wrote, for their words are like a light shining in a dark place – until the day Christ appears and His brilliant light shines in your hearts."

Yes! Did you read your Bible Today. Are you able to understand what it speaks. Or are you spending {your time} in vain {hoping} that something is going to happen in your life. Don't waste your time. This is the day of Salvation. Fall {at} the feet of Jesus Christ and ask forgiveness of sins and He will forgive and He will Baptize you in the Spirit (Colossians 2:12). No experience {is} required. Experiences are for the people who has doubts. Just as tongues are for the unbelievers. First ask forgiveness of sins with your whole heart see the difference ... Jesus {makes}. Once you understand that you are buried with Christ, you never stop worship{ping} Him. If you died and {are} buried with Christ {this} is true. From the moment you died and buried with Christ you will start worship{ping} him. This is called worshipping in  Truth and Spirit.

Many local Churches don't know what is worshiping in truth and Spirit. (John 4:32, Philippians 3:3, Romans 12:1). Worshiping the God is not having song with full swing or with great music, it is spending time silently and praising Him by remembering the act He done for your spirit on the Cross of Calvary or singing or reading a psalm about Calvary . In worshiping in truth and Spirit no other blessing (whether Spiritual or material) except {the} Cross of Calvary has to come to your mind (Philippians 3:4-14). Be Careful! I am saying again, many, many people don't know how to worship God in truth and Spirit. It is recommended that no musical instrument or sound (Especially unknown tongues) has to come out of person except remembering the Cross of Calvary in plain known Language. Let my Bible Studies members learn these things.

3. Jesus risen again on third Day

By the death and by the burial of Jesus Christ (I Corinthians 15:3)  we {received} the remission of {sins} (I Corinthians 15:4) He never remembers our sins and after that he doesn't {leave} us as orphans. He rose again {the} third day according to the Scriptures. (I Corinthians 15:4) Jesus said "I am The Good Shepherd: the Good Shepherd giveth His life for the sheep" (John 10:11). I lay down my life for the sheep (John 10:15). Therefore doth my Father love me, because I {lay} down my life, that I may take it again (John 10:17). I have power to lay it down and I have power to take it up. (John 10:18). What powerful words {He said} about Himself. These commandments he got it from Father (John 10:18). Nobody in this world {has ever} challenged the world like this. Because they themselves are afraid of death.

"The Father loves me because I lay down my life that I may have it back again. No one can take my life from me. I lay down my life voluntarily. For I have the right to lay it down when I want to and also the power to take it again. For my Father has given me this command." (John 10:17-18)

Jesus manifested Himself:

Not only Jesus Christ has the power to lay down His life for his Sheep. He Himself is Life. (Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.) and Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live (John 11:25 ). Since He Himself is God, death won't overcome him. That {is} why it is written in {the} Scriptures. Now Jesus {has} risen again .. and then He manifested Himself unto men. In {the} Bible only 10 or 11 times it is mentioned. But He manifested Himself many times in 40 days. In I Corinthians 15 we are seeing only some. I am listing down all appearance{s} of Jesus Christ. These appearances were probably in the following order:

1. To Mary Magdalene (John 20:11-18; Mark 16:9)
2. To the other women (Matthew 28:8-10)
3. To Peter (Luke 24:34; I Corinthians 15:5)
4. To the two on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35; Mark 16:12)
5. To ten of the disciples (Luke 24:36-43; John 20:19-29)
6. To all eleven disciples, eight days later (John 20:24-29)
7. To seven disciples by the Sea of Tiberias (John 21:1-23)
8. To five hundred followers (I Corinthians 15:6)
9. To James (I Corinthians 15:7)
10. To the eleven, at the ascension (Acts 1:3-12)

By this we are {finished with} the simple introduction to the Power of Resurrection and {a} complete study on the I Corinthians 15:3,4.

In this issue we are going to discuss about the "Gospel that changes our life". In this we learned what Gospel is. Now we are going to see …

I. Responsibilities of a believer towards the Gospel:

In Corinthians 15:1-2 , Now let me remind you, dear brothers and sisters, ^F76 of the Good News I preached to you before. You welcomed it then and still do now, for your faith is built on this wonderful message. 2 And it is this Good News that saves you if you firmly believe it - unless, of course, you believed something that was never true in the first place.

In this we can identify that:

(a) We have to preach the Gospel
(b) We received the Gospel
(c) We have to stand in the Gospel
(d) We have to memorize the Gospel.

"My ambition has always been to preach the Good News where the name of Christ has never been heard" (Romans 15:20)

"Preach the word of God. Be persistent, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching" (2 Timothy 4:2).

b. We received the Gospel : Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. But now in these final days, He has spoken to us through His Son. (Heb 1:1 & 2) The Gospel comes to us through many ways: radio, television, tract or through messenger. We received that particular Gospel. Receiving involves hearing, understanding, belief and the accepting. This makes the complete receiving of the Gospel. Let us see how the churches in New Testament received the Gospel: Romans church ( Romans 6:17), Corinthians ( 1 Corinthians 1:17,22,23; 1 Corinthians 15:1,2); Galatians (1:11;3:1); Thessalonica (1 Thessalonians 1:5); Philippians (Philippians 1:27); Colossians church (Colossians 1:5).

c. We have to stand in the Gospel : Not only receiving, Paul wants us to stand in the Gospel. {The Church at Galatia} left the very Gospel of Grace (Galatians 1:6). Instead of desolating the faith we have to confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God's glory, (Romans 5:2). It is God who gives us, along with you, the ability to stand firm for Christ, (2 Corinthians 1:21). Stand for the truth always, (2 Corinthians 13:8). Stand firm against the strategy and tricks of the devil, (Ephesians 6:11). Because now a days Satan wants to counterfeit the Gospel, (Gal 1:6-10) and many false teachers are went out from us (2 Timothy 4:1). So let us dedicate ourselves to stand on the Gospel.

d. We have to memorize the Gospel: Its make me wonder why we have to memorize the Gospel. Yes because if we don't by-heart the Gospel now a days lot of false Gospels are coming into this world. They will take us away as chaff. That's why Kind David said "Day and night they think about His law." (Psalm 1:3) It changes our attitude towards others, (Psalm 119:91). Let the word of God be rich in you with all wisdom, (Colossians 3:16). It keeps us not to sin against God, (Psalm 119:11)

II) What happens when we Receive the Gospel :

Word of God came to us, we received it and what happens when we received it. "We are saved by this Good news" (1 Corinthians 15:2) as a result, were born into the family of God. The only evidence of conversion is the presence of the Holy Spirit in the Life of the Believer (See Romans 8:9). Paul asks an important question: Did they received the Spirit by faith in the Word of God or by the doing the Works of the Law? Of Course, there would be but only one answer :The Spirit Came into the Heart because they trusted Jesus Christ. It is important that we understand the work of the Spirit in Salvation and Christian Living. The Holy Spirit Convicts the lost sinner and reveals the Christ to Him, (John 16:7 -11).The Sinner can resist the Spirit (Acts 7 :51) or yield to the Spirit and trust Jesus Christ. When the sinner believes in Christ, he is then born of the Spirit (John 3:1- 8) and receives new life. He is also baptized by the Spirit. So that he becomes the part of Spiritual Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12: 12-14). The believer is sealed by the Spirit (Ephesians 1:13-14) as a guarantee that one day share in the Glory Of Christ. Since the Holy Spirit does so much for the believer, this means that the believer has a responsibility to the Holy Spirit, who lives with in his body (I Corinthians 6:19-20) . The Christian should walk in the Spirit (Gal 5:16,25) by reading the Word of God, praying and obeying the will of GOD. If he disobeys God, then He is grieving the Spirit (Ephesians 4:30), and if he persists in doing this he may quench the Spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:19). This doesn't mean that the Holy Spirit leaves him, because Jesus has promised that the Spirit abides forever (John 14 :16). But it does mean that the Spirit cannot give Him the joy and power that he needs for daily Christian living. Believers Should be filled with theSpirit (Ephesians 5 :18-21), which simply means controlled by the Spirit." This is a continuous experience, like drinking water from the fresh stream"(John 7 :37-39)

III) PURITY IN CHRISTIANITY

Purity is not merely refraining from uncleanness, but it is being occupied with God, and love for Christ, and being filled with the Holy Spirit. If God dwells in our hearts, then uncleanness has fled from our lives. When you fall, do not think a lot about sin, but hurry and strive for Jesus. At that time, He will deliver you from drowning like He delivered Peter. Then, as much as you love God, and pray, and study His Holy Bible, to the same extent you will live in the holy life. THE DOORS OF SIN a. The Heart:The heart that Jesus does not live in is the place of uncleanness, and our senses, our reflections, and our thoughts become desecrated from it. My God... purify my heart, sanctify it, and fill it with Your love. b. The Senses: Do not look at evil with delight, but flee from it. Keep in control... do you use the members of Christ in evil?! Do not listen to evil words even if you are forced to hear it. My God... purify and sanctify my senses and reign totally over them. c. The Thoughts: Evil runs out from a small opening little by little until it drowns the ship of your life. It is the small fox which circles the grapevine. Beware of the evil thought which comes to you in a clean picture and when it finds a place for itself in you, you hand over the leadership and your peace to other thoughts more evil than it. My God... let all my thoughts be captive to obedience to You. d. The Door of the Body: The lazy mind is a factory for Satan. Thus, sin enters due to the slackness of the body. Keep yourself busy with reading the biographies of the pure saints and with spiritual and physical exercises. Fasting that is accompanied by prayer gives you power so that you overcome the desires of the body. My God... grant that You make my body a vessel for honor, so not I live, but You live in me.

1. THE POTENTIAL FOR PURITY I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. We are temples for the Holy Spirit, so the Holy Spirit through prayer purifies and sanctifies us. We are members in the body of Christ. So can I take the members of Christ and make them members for adultery? Never! The continuous presence of God in our lives: "How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?" 2. MY BROTHER, ALWAYS REMEMBER: Resisting the evil sights and words and thoughts is easy as long as they are outside of you. But when you contemplate on it, resisting them is difficult for you because they come out of you. With many fasts and prayers we acquire the virtue of purity. Truly, Jesus is our purity, if we become unclean, since He has "become for us wisdom from God, righteousness, and holiness, and redemption." Who are you? You are the son of God. Thrones of Christ. A member of His body. My God... purify us from the wicked, unclean, and vile thoughts, and abolish, O Lord, all of the devilish dreams, visions, and notions. Amen. Conclusion : In this issue we talked about our responsibilities in Gospel. It is not for specific talented persons or for another one, It is for every one who believes in Jesus Christ. And we saw how wonderfully Holy Spirit taking care of our lives. Let us submissive ourselves to the Holy Spirt and live a holy life. Can you pray like this with me?