1 Corinthians 15:1
1 Corinthians 15:11Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, and in which you stand firm.
The good news is understood as the message of Jehovah's Kingdom under Christ — that the Kingdom will rule the earth, vindicate Jehovah's name, restore paradise, and bring everlasting life to those who learn about him, are baptised as Witnesses, and remain faithful. The preaching of that Kingdom message is the work Witnesses are engaged in at the door.
Paul is about to define the gospel, in writing, so that it can be checked — which is exactly what makes this passage useful. Read verses 1 to 8 in their own Bible without commentary. Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures. He was buried. He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures. He appeared to Cephas, to the twelve, to more than five hundred at once, to James, to all the apostles, and last to Paul. That is the content, and Paul says it is the message by which they are being saved. Then ask, without pressing: does that match the message you brought me this morning? The question is fair rather than hostile, because Paul supplies the standard himself and then applies it to everyone including himself and any angel from heaven (). A Kingdom that rules the earth and a restored paradise are consequences of this gospel — a Christian believes them too. But Paul's definition centres on a death and a resurrection. Compare , , .