Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1912-11-16


many minds as to
confusion is making many Christians
unhappy as they contemplate their
mission as bearers of the gospel to
the world. The most cordially ac-
cepted Interpretation OF the gospel IL
that II is social service Save others
physically and officially. and you save
yourself. Belief In ethical culture or
the work OF moral and spiritual evolu-
ton working the gradual elimination
OF evil Is now going on successfully.
Is with many the gospel.
But who should be the most trusted
spokesman of such subject? Would
It not be zone who is very near to the
great teacher, Jesus? II would seem 80.
and we believe the Apostle Paul was
Just such person. and that In the
text he answered the question. What
Is the Gospel" He said he was de-
claring the gospel which he had
preached. and Immediately follows this
statement with the text.
There are just two things here-the
death OF Christ, and the resurrection
OF Christ. The second OF these is pre-
scented without elaboration or com
ment. Christ rose again from the
dead" but in the first. We have the
death OF Christ with the occasion OF
that death: the expiation OF our sins.
and the confirmation OF the death by
burial.
Died for Our Sins.
/. Christ died for our sins. The fact
OF the death OF Christ ON Calvary 10
generally received. but with most per-
sons that death was simply that OF an
unfortunate young man who had
lived a wonderful life. had manifested
unselfishness to degree never equal
ed by man. but who made a mistake
by letting himself fall into the hands
OF his enemies and being put TO death.
The first cause for the death OF
| Christ was our sins With some per-
sons the death OF Jesus Christ has
no possible connection with mans re-
| latlonship to God II Is merely in
spirational and OF moral influence to-
wards better life. beautiful TO be-
hold II you could shut your eyes to the
physical agony and the grewsome
Understanding. But such Is not the
mission OF the death OF Christ In the
purpose OF God. nor have Paul or the
other apostles so thought. The death
had immediate connection with mans
relationship to God--every man who
Is Joined to Christ vitality. there died
to the world and world died TO him
there was the shedding OF blood with
out which the Scriptures plainly
teach there il no remission OF sins"
The brief clause, HE was buried"
has far more significance than most
think. Il is confirmation OF the
death which must be perfectly au.
thenticated The story OF the death
Is quite complete, even before Joseph
OF Arimathea appears on the scene.
and the taking OF the body. its burial
with all tho details given In the gos-
pels. is quite full The sepulcher was
sealed. guard OF soldiers was placed
over IT, thus doubly confirming the
burial OF dead body.
Risen With Christ.
2. The burial payes the way for the
second main proposition-th rising
again OF Jesus from the dead. Paul
preached 10 the Corinthians that Jesus
rose again from the dead We must
read here between the lines, and we
do not question but that Paul present
ed the fullness OF this doctrlne-usIng
II first 10 enforce the necessity OF the
new life--for you have been risen
with Christ" This refers, OF course.
90 the spiritual resurrection. very
forcefully represented In the resurrec-
tlon OF Jesus Christ
But Paul also was preaching COS
mel TO secure man spiritually resur-
rocted against all future contingeu.
cles. Man must die physically, and
even TO the Christian the passing into
the unknown hereafter is something
disturbing TO contemplate, but Paul
gives him the glorious hope that he
shall rise again from the dead even as
Christ. who was the first-fruits Of
them that sleep. rose from the dead
The Gospel OF the death OF Christ
and OF the resurrection OF Christ is
not narrow. in fact. offers the only
platform broad enough on which can
be built the doctrine that man needs
TO deliver him from the curse OF sin
which is now upon him. a curse here
after infinitely greater; and. TO enable
him to have the positive blessing OF
resurrection.