Gospel Centrality
The biblical basis for Gospel centrality or centeredness is found in many sections of Scripture, but a passage that demonstrates this ideology and practice well is 1 Corinthians 15:3-4: "For I [Paul] delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures." According to Jared Wilson in Gospel-Driven Ministry: An Introduction to the Calling and Work of a Pastor, Paul's statement of these facts that are "of first importance" do not "mean simply [that they are] of initial importance but of utmost, central importance." In other words, Paul saw a declaration of the Gospel as the most necessary, most helpful, and most God-glorifying Message to preach, because in this Message "of first importance" salvation is accomplished and communicated.