QUESTION:
In 1 Cor. 15 Paul writes that the resurrection of Christ is the basis of the Gospel. How then can he say in the first chapters of that same letter that he had decided to proclaim nothing else “except Jesus Christ, and this One crucified”?

ANSWER:
When the Bible speaks of Jesus Christ, it refers to Him who by His resurrection “was made both Lord and Christ” (1). Christ (= Anointed) is a title that was assigned to Jesus since he received holy spirit and was roused from among the dead (2). Which means that when Paul speaks of “Jesus Christ, and this One crucified,” he has in mind the One who has been roused from among the dead.

Why then, in the first chapters of 1 Corinthians, the emphasis on “the cross”? In chapter 1:21 we read:

For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through its wisdom knew not God, it delights God, through the stupidity of the heralding, to save those who are believing.

God takes delight in completely bypassing what passes for ‘wisdom’ in the world. How does He do that? By having a foolish message proclaimed. Paul possessed much theological and philosophical knowledge, yet refused to make an impression with it. In the Christian world people are all too eager to parade academic titles (professor X, doctor Y, reverend so-and-so and graduate this-and-that), in order to show that one is “really not foolish.” But Paul made no effort to be regarded as ‘wise’ or to proclaim a message that is ‘acceptable’ and ‘correct’ for the world. A ‘scientifically sound apologetics’ (defense of the faith) was not something Paul engaged in. For God saves through a foolish proclamation. How so foolish?

For the word of the cross, indeed, is stupidity to those who are perishing, yet to us who are being saved it is the power of God…
1 Cor. 1:18

The cross stands as a symbol of ultimate humiliation. This dreadful death had been intended by “the chief ones of this eon” (3), the religious elite in Jerusalem, together with the political authorities, for “Jesus of Nazareth.” Having no notion of who he truly was and how perfectly he matched the profile that the prophets had given of the Messiah. In all their ‘wisdom’ they killed him on a stake (Gr. stauros). Yet it is precisely through this act that GOD demonstrates His power and wisdom by rousing Jesus from among the dead!
Paul proclaimed Someone who for the world is merely a “crucified one.” After all, a cross is the last thing that was heard of Jesus.

And I also, coming to you, brethren, came not with superiority of word or of wisdom, announcing to you the testimony of God. For I do not judge myself to perceive anything among you except Jesus Christ, and this One crucified…
1 Cor. 2:1,2

When Paul says that he wanted to know nothing except “Jesus Christ, and this One crucified,” he is not indicating that he did not preach the Risen One. On the contrary: Jesus Christ IS precisely the Risen One! If we look at the contrast in the context, we see that “Jesus Christ, and this One crucified” is set over against “superiority of word or of wisdom.” Paul did not take the (self-wise) world seriously, nor did he aim to be taken seriously by that world. He did not try to impress with philosophy and rhetoric but was willing to proclaim a message that is (in the eyes of the world) utterly ridiculous. The message that GOD saves the world through Someone who died on a cross is, for the religious world, an offense (= stumbling block), and for the non-religious world absurd and ridiculous. Foolish, therefore.

…a crucified Christ, to Jews, indeed, a snare, yet to the nations stupidity…
1 Cor. 1:23

Today this is still no different. Nevertheless, those who are called know better…

…yet to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God…
1 Cor. 1:23,24

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footnotes:
(1) Acts 2:36
(2) Acts 2:33; when Jesus rose out of the water at his baptism, the holy spirit descended upon him like a dove. That was an image of what would take place some years later when He rose from among the dead.
(3) 1 Corinthians 2:8