Greetings!
Here’s a summary of the Bible study on April 20.
Raised or Not? (1 Corinthians 15:1-34)
This Sunday (“Easter,” or “Resurrection Sunday”) we talked about the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This unique and very important event (to say the least!) happened about 2000 years ago. But there is another resurrection that will happen in the future. What is this resurrection? How is it connected to the resurrection of Christ? How is it connected to you and me?
The Gospel (15:1-11)
In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul reminds them of "the gospel” (the good news) he preached to them. What is the essential content of the gospel? What is of "first importance" (15:3)?
Paul answers: 1) that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; 2) that he was buried; 3) that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures; and 4) that he appeared to many people, who became eyewitnesses (15:3-7).
What does it mean that Christ “died for our sins?” “Sin” may be defined as any attitude or action opposed to the authority and moral will of God. “All have sinned” against God (Romans 3:23). In general, humans have failed to honor God as the Creator and Lord. Humans have rejected God, or rebelled against his righteous authority.
God is holy. He cannot tolerate sin. Since “all have sinned,” all deserve God’s judgment. Sin results in a broken relationship between humans and God. The necessary result of sin is death (spiritual and physical) because sin separates us from the Source of life. We can do nothing to save ourselves from this fallen condition. That’s the bad news; but there is also good news!
God is love. In his love, he sent his Son (Jesus Christ) into our fallen world to save us. Though we deserve God’s judgment, Jesus took our sins upon himself and died in our place. He “died for our sins” so we could be forgiven and restored to God. This is a gracious gift from God. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).
After Jesus died on the cross, his body was buried in a tomb. If Jesus had stayed dead, sin and death would have won. But he did not stay dead! He was raised on the third day. Sin and death were defeated. By believing these truths, and trusting in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, we receive the benefits of Christ’s death and resurrection. This is the good news! This is the gospel.
The Eyewitness Testimony
We know these things happened because of eyewitnesses. People saw Jesus crucified. They saw him die. People saw him buried in a tomb. Then, on Sunday morning, people saw the empty tomb. And they later saw Jesus alive. In fact, hundreds of people saw him alive (1 Corinthians 15:6). Surely, Jesus had risen from the dead, just as he said he would!
Many people didn’t believe the testimony of the eyewitnesses, and many people still don’t believe. If you don’t believe, I encourage you to investigate why so many people do believe. Consider “The Passion of Christ,” “The Resurrection of Christ,” and “The Reliability of the New Testament” under Resources/Articles on the ICF website. Ask me for other resources.
The Christians in Corinth believed it. But apparently, some of them did not believe in “the future resurrection.” What is this future resurrection? The Bible teaches a future resurrection of all people (Daniel 12:2; John 5:28-29; Acts 24:15; Revelation 20:12-13). Believers will rise to everlasting life with God, while others will rise to judgment. In this passage, Paul focuses on believers.
If There is No Resurrection... (15:12-19)
Paul argues that if we deny the resurrection from the dead (in general), then Christ himself has not been raised (15:13). If Christ has not been raised, then 1) the apostles' preaching is useless; 2) the believer's faith is useless; 3) the apostles are liars; 4) the believer's faith is futile (we are still in our sins); and 5) Christians who have died are "lost" (perished).
The bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ is essential to Christianity. People cannot properly call themselves “Christians” if they deny that Jesus was actually raised from the dead. If Jesus were not raised from the dead, the good news of Christianity is lost, and the Christian’s faith is futile and useless.
Some may say the morals of Christianity are a positive influence in our world, and that’s not useless. While the world would certainly benefit if everyone lived according to Christian morals, the purpose of Christianity is not merely ‘good behavior.’ Humanity’s greatest need is a relationship with God. The gospel provides the way into a relationship with God, and provides the basis, motivation, ability, guidance, and power for living in the right way.
The Necessity of the Resurrection (15:20-28)
Paul says Christ is the "firstfruits" of those believers who have physically died. "Firstfruits" is an agricultural term referring to the beginning of the harvest, and the guarantee that the rest of the harvest is coming. This is used metaphorically to refer to Christ.
Christ's bodily resurrection is the beginning of the resurrection from the dead, and is the guarantee that his followers will also be bodily resurrected. Christ's bodily resurrection has already occurred in history. His followers' bodily resurrection will occur when Christ returns at the end of this age (time unknown).
Death, the “last enemy,” is destroyed by resurrection, beginning with Christ's resurrection, and completed with the resurrection of all believers when Christ comes again. The resurrection of believers must happen to finally defeat death. Then God will establish his new perfect order, where “there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain” (Revelation 21:4).
Some Questions You May Have
1) Why is a bodily resurrection of believers needed in God's plan of salvation?
Some philosophies teach that the essence of a person is the soul/spirit. The body is merely an earthly tent, or even a "prison." Thus salvation involves a release of the soul from the body. However, the Bible teaches that a human being is a unity of body and soul/spirit. Complete salvation involves the whole person, so salvation must involve the body as well.
2) What is the future resurrection body like?
Stay tuned for Lesson 17 – “Bodies of the Future!”
3) What happens between physical death and the resurrection?
Good question, but people answer differently. If you’re interested in my thoughts, let me know.
What about You?
Do you believe Jesus Christ was raised from the dead? What is the basis for your belief or disbelief? If you don’t believe, I encourage you to investigate the reasons why so many people do believe. There are resources on the ICF website (as mentioned above) and in the ICF library. If you have any questions or comments about this subject, please let me know.
If Christ was raised from the dead (and there’s good reason to believe he was!), some of us are challenged to make a decision. Will we respond to the gospel or not? As Jesus said, "I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?" (John 11:25-26)
Since Christ has been raised from the dead, his followers will also be bodily raised. The "last enemy" (death) will be destroyed (1 Corinthians 15:26) and God will “make all things new” (Revelation 21:5). As a Christian, what difference does this make in your daily life? Pray and reflect on this lesson, asking God to show you how it should affect your attitudes, priorities, and actions.
Your Servant,
Jay