How does 1 Corinthians 15:15 affirm the truth of Christ's resurrection? Setting the Stage in 1 Corinthians 15 • The Corinthian assembly wrestled with doubts about bodily resurrection. • Paul answers by rooting everything in Christ’s own resurrection, establishing it as the central, non-negotiable fact of the gospel (vv. 1-4). Reading the Verse “In that case we are also exposed as false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that He raised Christ from the dead, but He did not raise Him if in fact the dead are not raised.” — 1 Corinthians 15:15 How Verse 15 Affirms the Resurrection • Paul stakes his entire apostolic credibility on the literal, historical rising of Jesus. • Calling himself a “false witness” if Christ is not raised would dismantle his ministry—yet he speaks boldly, proving his absolute certainty that the event occurred. • The verse turns the skeptic’s argument on its head: denying resurrection brands the eyewitness apostles as liars, something incompatible with their proven integrity, suffering, and Spirit-empowered works (2 Corinthians 6:3-10). Paul’s Logic in Four Steps 1. Apostles preached, “God raised Christ” (Acts 2:32; 3:15). 2. If resurrection is impossible, their testimony is false. 3. A false testimony about God would violate the command against bearing false witness (Exodus 20:16) and disqualify their message. 4. Because God authenticated their preaching with miracles (Hebrews 2:3-4), the only coherent conclusion is that their testimony is true and Christ is alive. Additional Scriptural Evidence • 1 Corinthians 15:3-8 — Over 500 eyewitnesses, many still alive when Paul wrote. • Acts 1:22 — Resurrection as the core credential for apostleship. • Romans 1:4 — Jesus “was declared with power to be the Son of God by the resurrection.” • Psalm 16:10 — Prophetic promise that God would not allow His Holy One to see decay, fulfilled in Christ (Acts 2:25-32). Why Apostolic Integrity Matters • The apostles endured persecution, imprisonment, and martyrdom (2 Timothy 1:11-12). People do not suffer and die for what they know to be a lie. • Their consistent message across regions and decades shows unified conviction rather than collusion. Practical Implications for Believers • Solid assurance that faith rests on objective, historical fact, not myth (1 Peter 1:16). • Confidence that sins are truly forgiven—“If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile” (1 Corinthians 15:17), but He has been raised, so redemption is secure. • Hope of our own bodily resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:20-23). • Motivation for steadfast service: “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord…” (1 Corinthians 15:58). Conclusion 1 Corinthians 15:15 turns doubt into evidence. By challenging the consequences of denying resurrection, Paul reinforces the undeniable reality that God truly raised Jesus from the dead—anchoring every gospel promise in an event authenticated by witnesses, prophecy, and divine power. |
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