What other scriptures reinforce the resurrection's significance in Christian doctrine? Setting the Stage Paul drives home the point in 1 Corinthians 15:29, “what will they do who are baptized for the dead, if the dead do not rise”. He treats the resurrection as the unquestionable bedrock of Christian faith and practice. Core New Testament Witnesses • 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 — “Christ died for our sins… He was buried, and… raised on the third day” • 1 Corinthians 15:20 — “Christ has indeed been raised… firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep” • Romans 6:4 — “We were buried with Him… just as Christ was raised… we too may walk in new life” • Acts 2:32 — “God has raised this Jesus to life, to which we are all witnesses” • Acts 17:31 — “He has set a day… will judge the world… by the Man… raising Him from the dead” • Philippians 3:10-11 — “I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection” • 2 Timothy 2:8 — “Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David” • 1 Peter 1:3 — “He has given us new birth… through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” • Revelation 1:18 — “I am the Living One; I was dead, and now… I am alive forever and ever” • John 11:25 — “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me will live” • John 5:28-29 — “all in the graves will hear His voice and come out… to resurrection of life” Old Testament Foreshadowing • Psalm 16:10 — “You will not abandon my soul to Sheol… nor let Your Holy One see decay” • Isaiah 25:8 — “He will swallow up death forever, the Lord GOD will wipe away tears” • Hosea 13:14 — “I will ransom them from the power of Sheol, I will redeem them from death” • Daniel 12:2 — “Many who sleep in the dust… will awake, some to everlasting life” Why These Texts Matter Today • Certainty of salvation — Jesus is alive, so forgiveness and eternal life are secure • Pattern for daily living — union with the risen Christ empowers newness of life • Future hope — believers anticipate their own bodily resurrection and restored creation • Motivation for holiness — one day all will stand before the risen Judge • Fuel for mission — eyewitness testimony of the empty tomb propels the gospel to the nations |
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