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The Resurrection is God's solemn Amen to all of Christ's claims Part 1

A study of 1 Corinthians 15-the Resurrection Chapter


The most puzzling thing about the resurrection of Jesus Christ is why Christians tend to only speak about it at Easter. This was not the case when the Apostle Paul was preaching.

The Church is increasingly changing the expression Easter to Resurrection, e.g. Resurrection Sunday etc. I welcome this.

Jesus is the risen King who is victorious over death, recognized by His disciples, validated by Scripture, and enthroned over all creation. That truth changes our faith, theology, and life. The resurrection also changes our practical living. The resurrection is not just a doctrine to believe, but a truth should change our behavior.


Prophecy about the Resurrection

Hosea 6:1 Come and let us return to the Lord; For He has torn, but He will heal us; He has stricken, but He will bind us up. 2 After two days He will revive us; On the third day He will raise us up, That we may live in His sight. (NKJV)

Hosea chapter 6:2 says specifically the third day, and it says not merely that He will be resurrected, but that we will be resurrected because His resurrection is the guarantee of our resurrection.

Commentators apply various themes to this passage.

However, many (including Derek Prince) believe this is talking about the resurrection by which believers will live again in the presence of God.

Possible other analogies to the Resurrection include 3 days in the belly of the great fish (Jonah) etc.

 

 

We now turn to the Resurrection chapter of the Bible i.e. 1 Corinthians 15.

1 Corinthians 15: 3 “For I delivered to you first of all [or as the first importance] that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, And that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.”

Notice the highest single authority for the resurrection is the Scriptures. That is always the highest authority for any truth. And Paul says twice, according to the Scriptures, according to the Scriptures. And the final authority is the Scriptures. Amen


1 Corinthians 15:5 “And that He was seen by Cephas [that’s Peter] then by the twelve [apostles]. 6 After that he was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. 7 After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. 8 Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time.”

According to Jewish law two dependable male witnesses are sufficient to attest the truth of any. And God has given us far more than two dependable witnesses. On top of the witness of the Scriptures we have the witness of the people who actually saw Jesus after He was risen from the dead, more than five hundred persons.


1 Corinthians 15:12 “Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some of you say that there is not resurrection of the dead? [This was a false teaching which had already crept into the church in the time of Paul that there is no resurrection.] 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. 14 And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is vain, and your faith is also vain. 15 Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up—if in fact the dead do not rise. 16 For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. 17 And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins!  18 Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.”

Faith in the resurrection is essential for salvation. If you do not believe in the resurrection, you are not saved, and you cannot be saved.


Remember that Romans 10:9 (says) that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

1 Corinthians 15:22 “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. [All will be resurrected eventually.] 23 But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, [that’s number one] [number two] afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming. [Number three] 24 Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father...”

The Resurrection has abolished death. Hallelujah!So, there are three successive main phases. Number one is Jesus the firstfruits, the guarantee of our resurrection. Number two those who are Christ’s at His coming. When He returns, they will be caught up to meet Him in the air and will be with Him forever. And finally, as described in Revelation chapter 1 there is the judgment of the Great White Throne when all the remaining dead are called forth to appear before God and answer for the lives that they have lived.


Amen

Personal Prayer


In Part 2 we consider the changes that occur with the resurrected body.


Materials Consulted

Alexander McLaren’s Commentary

Derek Prince The Resurrection https://www.derekprince.com/sermons/331

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