Why is the resurrection of Christ essential to our faith, according to 1 Corinthians 15? Setting the Scene Paul writes to believers in Corinth who are tolerating a rumor that resurrection is impossible. He reminds them of the gospel he “preached” (vv.1-4) and zeroes in on the logical and spiritual fallout of denying resurrection, beginning with verse 12: “But if it is proclaimed that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?” (1 Corinthians 15:12) What Is at Stake? If there is no bodily resurrection at all, then: • Christ Himself did not rise (v.13). • Preaching is “worthless” (v.14). • Faith is “worthless” (v.14). • The apostles are false witnesses about God (v.15). • We remain in our sins (v.17). • Dead believers have “perished” forever (v.18). • We become “most to be pitied” of all people (v.19). Six Devastating Consequences in Detail 1. No living Savior (v.13) – Without His resurrection, Jesus is a dead martyr, not the conquering Son (cf. Romans 1:4). 2. Empty preaching (v.14) – The gospel collapses; the apostles preached a lie (Acts 2:24, 32). 3. Useless faith (v.14) – Belief is only as strong as its object. A dead Christ cannot save (Hebrews 7:25). 4. False testimony about God (v.15) – The entire apostolic witness becomes perjury (Acts 5:32). 5. Unforgiven sin (v.17) – Resurrection is God’s receipt that the payment of the cross cleared (Romans 4:25). 6. Hopeless death (v.18) – Loved ones “asleep in Christ” are gone forever, and we face the same void (1 Thessalonians 4:13). The Turning Point “But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.” (1 Corinthians 15:20) What the Resurrection Guarantees • Validation of Jesus’ identity and work (Acts 17:31). • Our future resurrection: He is the “firstfruits”—more harvest is certain (vv.20-23). • Victory over death: “The last enemy to be destroyed is death” (v.26). • Motivation for holy living: “Bad company corrupts good character” (v.33). • Meaningful labor: “Your labor in the Lord is not in vain” (v.58). • Living hope that transforms suffering now (2 Corinthians 4:14). Living in Resurrection Hope • Stand firm in the gospel (vv.1-2). • Hold to sound doctrine—error about the body leads to error about the soul. • Live courageously; death has lost its sting (vv.30-32; cf. Hebrews 2:14-15). • Serve sacrificially, knowing every act echoes into eternity (v.58). Because Christ rose bodily, every promise of God stands unshakable, our sins are gone, our future is secure, and life today overflows with purpose. |
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