THE next problem Jesus dealt with in Corinth was confusion and error concerning the resurrection of Christ and what this means for all believers. The chapter can be divided into two. The first half taking us to verse 34, which is about the fact and blessing of the resurrection. The second half is from verse 35 to 58 which is about the resurrection of the body. We look at the first half today.

The problem in Corinth was that some were saying that there was no resurrection of the dead. The fact is that the very heart of the Christian faith is that in Christ we have the blessing of eternal life, and that when this life is over we are raised to live with Christ in his eternal glory for ever in eternal happiness. In fact the Christian teaching is that through faith in Christ as Saviour from our sin we receive eternal life immediately, and in our soul we are born anew and raised to new life, which means that at the end of this earthly life, when our bodies are left in this world, we go on to live with Jesus in eternal bliss. The second half of chapter 15 tells us also that we shall have our bodies raised anew to live in heaven.

Our resurrection is founded on the resurrection of Christ. He, as the second Adam - the second head and representative of all who believe on him – conquered death and won life for all his faithful people. So the fact of the resurrection is crucial to our faith. In verses 1-11 of chapter 15 Paul asserts the assurance of the fact of the resurrection of Jesus. He tells us that the Gospel is that Christ died for our sins, he was buried, and that he was raised from the dead on the third day, and that this is the testimony of Scripture.

Paul goes on to record the unassailable evidence that Jesus did rise by enumerating all the people who saw Jesus risen and could testify that he really did rise. Paul clinches this argument by saying that 500 people saw him all at once, and at the time of his letter to Corinth some of those were still alive and could witness to it.

That Jesus rose from the dead is the great fact upon which our faith is grounded. If the resurrection was proved to be false, then the Christian faith would come crashing to the ground.

This is what Paul deals with in verses 12-19. Paul points out that Christians give up the world and its pleasures to follow Jesus. We follow Jesus because we believe that he has saved us for a better life to come at our resurrection. Our hope of resurrection is based on the fact that Christ rose, and opened the gate to eternal life. If Christ did not rise we have given up the world for nothing, and lost everything. This was very real for Christian's in Paul's time, because they lost everything in the world, and often lost their lives. How miserable the Christian faith would be if there was no resurrection because Jesus had not risen and open up resurrection for his faithful people.

Paul then goes on to show the wonder of Christ's resurrection and what he is doing now to secure his people's resurrection.

This is from verse 20 to 28.

Because Christ rose says Paul, others will most surely rise. Christ is only the firstfruits of resurrection, others will most surely follow. Paul goes on to say we inherit death and hell because we are of the progeny of Adam. If we are children of God through faith in Christ, then we inherit the life of Christ, and being in Christ we shall be alive eternally.

Paul goes on to tell us about how Christ has risen to reign, and to reign victoriously until he has destroyed all his enemies, even death itself, so his people can live with him for ever. He will reign until this is completed, then he will hand authority back to God, and he and all his people will live with God in heaven for eternity. Then all things will be complete as God means things to be, without any blemish or imperfection.

To finish this first half of chapter 15 of 1 Corinthians, Paul returns to the argument which shows how foolish it is to assert that there is no resurrection.

People were baptising those who had died. Paul does not explain this or approve it, but uses it as an example of people concerned that people who had died should be saved from their sin and benefit from eternal life. Now what would be the point of this if there was no resurrection. More cogently Paul speaks of Christians still alive. He points out that what is the point of being a Christian and following Christ in this life if there is no resurrection. It is folly because we lose all the happiness this life has to offer, with no hope of blessed life to come.