Six aspects of the gospel stand out in 1 Corinthians 15:3-8:-

1. It is Christological. It centres on the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ: these emphases are ‘of first importance’, v3.  Christianity is Christ: and it is Christ crucified and risen.

2. It is biblical. The work of Christ was achieved ‘according to the Scriptures, v3,4. Cf. Lk 24:25-27,44-46; Acts 2:25-31. ‘The first Christian evangelists made much of the fact that the death and resurrection of Jesus were corroborated by two witnesses – the prophets and the apostles, or, as we would say, the Old Testament and the New Testament.’

3. It is historical. It entails the burial of a dead body, the raising of that body ‘on the third day’, and subsequent appearances of the living Saviour to Peter, to the Twelve, and to ‘more than five hundred’.

4. It is theological. Christ’s death and resurrection were not only historical events; they had meaning and significance. It is an historical statement to say, ‘Christ died’. It is a theological statement to say, ‘Christ died for our sins.’ ‘By this gospel you are saved’, v2.

5. It is apostolic. It is the central core of the authoritative message that was received and handed down by the apostles. It belongs to the apostolic tradition, v11.  We today must remain faithful to that same apostolic message.

6. It is personal. The death and resurrection of Christ are not just history and theology; they constitute a way of salvation, vv1-2.  Christ died ‘for our sins’.

(Adapted from Stott, Evangelical Truth, 31-33.  See also this, by Denny Burk)