Centrality of Cross

The gospel as the “message of the cross”

1 Corinthians 2:2 NASB 95

For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.

The great threat to our prayer and our meditation on the Word of God is good ministry activity.

John Piper

See also 1 Co 1:17–18; 1 Co 1:23; Ga 3:1

The cross redeems from the curse of the law

Galatians 3:13 NASB 95

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”—

See also Ro 6:14; Ro 7:4; 2 Co 5:21; Ga 2:19–21; Eph 1:7; Eph 2:13–16; Col 2:13–14; Tt 2:14; 1 Pe 1:18–19

The cross brings reconciliation and justification

Romans 4:25 NASB 95

He who was delivered over because of our transgressions, and was raised because of our justification.

See also Ro 5:8–9; 1 Co 15:3–4; Eph 2:16; Col 1:20–22

The cross destroys the power of Satan

Colossians 2:13–15 NASB 95

When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him.

See also Jn 12:31; Jn 14:30; Ga 1:4; Heb 2:14–15; 1 Pe 3:21–22

The cross as a stumbling-block or offence

1 Corinthians 1:22–24 NASB 95

For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

See also Ga 5:11; Ga 6:12

The cross unites believers with Jesus Christ

Romans 6:4–7 NASB 95

Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; for he who has died is freed from sin.

See also Ro 6:2; Ro 8:36; 1 Co 15:30–31; 2 Co 4:10–12; 2 Co 5:14–15; Ga 2:20; Eph 2:14–16; Col 2:20; Col 3:1–3; 2 Ti 2:11

The cross as a symbol of discipleship

Mt 16:24; Php 2:5–8

See also Mt 10:38; Lk 14:27; Jn 12:23–25; Ro 8:13; Ga 5:24; Ga 6:14; Eph 5:25–26; Col 3:5; 1 Pe 2:21; 1 Pe 2:24