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If not for the Corinthians’ disbelief in bodily resurrection, we might not have the powerful testimony to the resurrection of Jesus Christ given in this chapter. Because the ancient Greeks believed only in the immortality of the soul, thinking that the body was a prison from which the soul could finally escape at death, they could not imagine any reason to believe in bodily resurrection. Even today, as Christians sing hymns like “Home of the Soul” and words like “where the soul of man never dies,” some may think that only the soul lives on. They may not be aware of the Bible’s clear teaching regarding the resurrection and transformation of the body. What proof does God’s word give? That proof is the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ himself!
15:1-11 Christ Died, was Buried, Rose, & Appeared
The gospel (good news) centers on these primary truths.
That’s what was preached, received, must be stood upon, and saves.
“If you hold fast … not in vain.” Again, the real danger of apostasy.
No argument re: his death and burial, but re: his resurrection.
Primary proof given here: his varied, multiple appearances.
Paul himself (1 Co 9:1), though unfit as a former persecutor.
The essential fruit of “saved by grace” is zeal empowered by grace.
“I worked harder than they, but the credit goes to the grace of God!”
It’s not “who preached,” but “who saves!”
We Know He Lives Because …
1. God exists, and he can raise the dead! Acts 26:8
Many reject the resurrection due to prior presuppositions. Sadducees.
Ac 26:8 “Why is it considered incredible … if God does raise the dead?”
2. Many witnesses reported seeing Him in various settings.
Mary Magdalene – Jn 20:14. Women – Mt 28:9-10.
Peter – Lk 24:34. Emmaus disciples – Lk 24:13-33.
Apostles (Thomas) – Jn 20:19-29. Seven disciples fishing – Jn 21:1-23.
500-plus – 1 Co 15:6. Paul himself – 1 Co 9:1; 15:8; Acts 9, 22, 26.
3. Jesus Himself promised He would rise.
Mt 12:40; Mk 8:31-32; 9:31-32; 10:32-34
4. Jesus died publicly.
Ignatius, church leader in Antioch, Syria, lived AD 50-115. Sentenced to death by Emperor Trajan. Fed to the lions in the Coliseum in Rome.
“He was crucified and died under Pontius Pilate. He really, and not merely in appearance, was crucified, and died, in the sight of beings … on earth … But he rose again in three days … crucified in reality, and not in appearance, not in imagination, not in deceit …”
5. His tomb was sealed shut. Mt 27:62-66.
6. His tomb was and is empty. Gospels; Acts 2 … and all of Acts.
7. Enemies tried to explain it away. Mt 28:11-15.
8. Christianity and the church began. Acts 2. In Jerusalem, just fifty days after His death.
9. Witnesses risked all and died. Acts 26:22-23.
10. There is no other logical answer.
Alternative Theories
Skeptics must assert either, “He did not die,” or, “He did not appear.”
1. The Fiction or Legend Theory
Why? No one dies for a myth. No group can keep a secret quiet!
2. The Stolen Body Theory
Oldest; invented by priests. While guards slept? Mt 28:11-15
Stolen by … Disciples, Romans, Jews, thieves (?). Who? Why?
3. The Wrong Tomb Theory Proposed by Prof. Kirsopp Lake in 1907
“He’s not here (in this tomb)! Go (over to that tomb. He’s there!”)
Both 2. and 3. admit Jesus died, He was buried, and the tomb was empty. Both leave him dead. Neither can account for His appearances.
4. The Swoon theory – The Passover Plot, by Hugh Schonfield.
Admits Joseph, Nicodemus. “Spices revived him in the tomb!”
Admits that He appeared to His disciples.
Cannot explain the proofs that He actually died.
5. The Mass Hallucination theory
Admits that He died and that hundreds claimed to see Him.
Cannot account for the variety: time of day, places, people, etc.
Cannot account for the martyrdom of so many witnesses.
15:12-19 If Christ has NOT Been Raised …
Greek philosophy: immortality of the soul, not resurrection of the body.
Greeks saw the body as the “prison house of the soul.”
Death: the soul’s relief from captivity. A raised body? No way! Why?
If that were true, even Christ has not been raised!
Since Christ has been raised, that cannot be true!
If Christ has not been raised, what then?
Read 1 Cor 15:14-19.
15:20-34 Because Christ HAS Been Raised …
He is the first fruits, the prototype. In Adam: death. In Christ: life.
All who are Christ’s will rise at his coming. Then comes the end.
Now he reigns, abolishing all rival powers, last of all death.
Then he hands the kingdom to God the Father and is subject to Him.
Otherwise, no reason that anyone would baptize “for the dead.” We’re not told exactly what this practice was. We can be sure that Paul would not have approved of any “substitute” baptism in which a living person would save a dead, lost person by being baptized on their behalf. That is unthinkable! One thing is clear, however. Whatever was being done, even if Paul would not have approved it, demonstrates the link between baptism and resurrection.
No reason to face danger, “wild beasts,” and daily threats of death.
If no resurrection, live the party life today! This life is all there is!
If yes resurrection, avoid the of bad companions, who do not know God. To follow them is shameful. Sober up! Stop sinning!
15:35-49 The Nature of the Resurrection Body
Seed is sown. It dies, then comes back to life transformed. Jn 12:24
That’s parallel to what happens to the Christian’s body.
All the tombs will open, all the bodies raised. Jn 5:28-29; Ro 8:9-11
“It (the body) is sown … it (the body) is raised …” 1 Co 15:42-44
Perishable, dishonorable, weak, and natural >>> imperishable, glorified, powerful, and spiritual (suited for the spiritual realm).
Christ’s actual physical body arose (Lk 24:36-43; Jn 20:19-29).
As he ascended, he was glorified (1 Tim 3:16) and transformed.
He is now a “life-giving spirit” (1 Cor 15:45).
We’ll be transformed to be like him!
1 Co 15:49 Just as we have borne the image of the earthy (the first Adam), we will also bear the image of the heavenly (the last Adam).
1 Jn 3:2 Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. (John had seen Jesus in his physical, resurrected body, but not “as he is” now, in glory.)
Php 3:20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; 21 who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.
15:50-58 The Change: Why, How, and So What?
Like Christ, we cannot enter heaven in our flesh-and-blood state.
“Mystery” in NT – something previously hidden, now revealed.
In a moment, a split-second, at the last trumpet. 1 Thess 4:13-18
The old will “put on” (be endued with) the new.
Not, “Death swallows,” but, “Death!”
What gives death its sting? Sin! What gives sin its power? Law!
Who has overcome both sin and death? Only Jesus Christ!
Therefore … so what? Steadfast, immovable, always abounding!
Labor not in vain, because of the resurrection!
Because He Lives, We Know …
1. Our preaching is true; our faith is valid.
2. We are no longer in our sins.
3. Saints have “fallen asleep,” but they have not perished.
4. We are not pitied, but eternally hopeful.
5. As Adam is to death, Christ is to life.
6. Death, our last enemy, will fall.
7. We will bear the image of Christ. Imperishable, glorious, immortal.
8. God gives the victory over sin and death!
Because He Lives, We Must …
1. Hold fast His saving word. 15:1-5
2. Live out His empowering grace. 15:9-11
3. Prize and protect His forgiveness. 15:17-19
4. Fight in the arena for His cause. 15:30-32a
5. Live today in light of tomorrow. 15:32b
6. Choose our companions carefully. 15:33
7. Wake up, sober up, and repent. 15:34
8. Anticipate our own resurrection. 15:50-53
9. Give thanks to God through Him. 15:54-57
10. Abound in the work that honors Him. 15:58
