This lesson declares from passages in 1 Corinthians, chapters 1 and 2, that because Christ is risen, preaching the gospel is not in vain, but essential and full of meaning. The Apostle Paul was sent by Christ “not to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect”—and he came to Corinth determined to know nothing “save Jesus Christ, and him crucified,” preaching in weakness, fear, and trembling so that faith would rest “in the power of God” rather than in human wisdom. The preaching of the Cross—that Christ died for our sins and rose again— is “foolishness” to those who are perishing, but it is “the power of God” to us who are saved.