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Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, . . . . For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared . . . . so we preached and so you believed.¹

The gospel is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes²; thus, it is of first importance. All Scripture is breathed out by God . . . .³ Yet not all carry the same weight. When we come across phrases that the writers used to unequivocally state its weightiness, we should pay heed; e.g., Seek first,⁴ The most important,⁵ as of first importance.⁶

To correct any deceit, lie, malpractice, or heresy, the Scripture is used as the plumb line, the standard, the final authority. The Word of God is truth.⁷ Then [Jesus] said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.”⁸ O men, how long shall my honor be turned into shame? How long will you love vain words and seek after lies?⁹

Wisdom cries aloud in the street, in the markets she raises her voice; at the head of the noisy streets she cries out; at the entrance of the city gates she speaks: “How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple? How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge?¹⁰ The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.¹¹

If you turn at my reproof, behold, I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you.¹² You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.¹³ Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and Spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.¹⁴

I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life.¹⁵ And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. Little children, keep yourselves from idols.¹⁶

May the God of hope fill you will all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.¹⁷ AMEN!