Paul changes topics – either responding to something the Corinthians wrote him about or something he had become aware of. Chapter 15 is a deep discussion of the truth and central importance of the Resurrection of Jesus and of all Christians. As such, it’s one of the most important chapters to understand in the whole Bible!

Following Christ in 21st Century Corinth – Week 22

presented 13 March 2019

1 Corinthians 15: 1-28

AUDIO

Lecture Handout

Handout Week 22

Lesson Notes

The Gospel of Grace (1 Corinthians 15: 1-11)

• Verses 1-2 – Paul recaps the gospel as a preface to arguing for the resurrection of the dead, contra the claims of some in the Corinthian church
  • This is the gospel Paul preached and they received and believed
  • It’s the gospel in which they stand and are saved…
  • …If they truly believe what he preached
  • Unless that belief itself is false -> which Paul argues strongly against
• Verses 3-8 – First importance, i.e. primary doctrine
  • This material is doctrinally most critical – it’s the gospel
  • There can be no compromise or negotiation on this – if you don’t believe this, you aren’t a Christian – it’s really that simple!
  • Elements
    • 1) Christ -> Messiah, Anointed One
      • Built in is that Jesus is that person. John’s Gospel is written to prove that.
    • 2) Christ died for our sins
      • He truly DIED
      • Your sins, mine, ours – we all sin and Christ died because of and for these sins
      • Our sin is why Jesus died
    • 3) In accordance with Scripture – this was God’s plan for eternity, pointed to throughout the Old Testament from Genesis 3: 15 onward
      • Prophets, psalmists all affirm this -> Isaiah 53: 3-12
    • 4) He was buried, i.e. truly dead
    • 5) He was raised from the dead on the 3rd day, also as Scripture stated (Hosea 6: 1-2)
  • The Resurrection is provable historical fact for those first readers
    • Jesus appeared to Peter
    • Jesus appeared to the 12
    • Jesus appeared to more than 500 at once – most still alive so ask them
    • Jesus appeared to His brother James
    • Jesus appeared to all the apostles – more than 12, including James and Paul; others sent out who had seen the risen Christ
• Verse 9 – Paul considers himself least of the apostles because of his history of persecuting the church
• Verse 10 – But God’s grace overcomes all that!
  • God’s grace can take the worst part imaginable and wash it away and turn the persecutor into His most influential apostle!
  • Celebrate this!
  • By the grace of God, Paul says “I am what I am” – a forgiven apostle rather than a condemned persecutor
  • Paul appreciated the significance of all this -> that God’s grace wasn’t shed for purely personal benefit, though there is some
  • God gave His grace for a purpose -> Paul’s ministry
  • Likewise the grace God has shown us to pull us out of ugly messes had a purpose and it isn’t just personal gain
  • Paul worked harder than any other apostle, but I knew it wasn’t to his credit, but was by the power of God and His sustaining, energizing, empowering grace
• Verse 11 – Regardless of which of these many apostolic witnesses preach, all preach the same gospel and they believed it in Corinth …until now…

The Resurrection of the Dead (1 Corinthians 15: 12-28)

• Verse 12 – Some in Corinth were saying there was no resurrection of the dead
  • Probably meaning no bodily resurrection for ordinary Christians
    • That concept was quite foreign (literally) to the Greco-Roman world
  • They aren’t intending to claim Jesus wasn’t resurrected
  • Paul rejects this strongly: if Jesus was resurrected, Christians will be too
  • Their attitude strongly contradicts the proclamation of Jesus’ resurrection
• Verse 13 – If no resurrection for us, then none for Christ either
• Verse 14 – If Christ wasn’t raised, all their efforts, preaching, and faith itself are a waste of time
• Verse 15 – And they’d be lying about God by claiming He raised Jesus from the dead
  • Note this is just extending the logic of those claiming no resurrection
  • Paul already clearly laid out the eyewitness testimony for the Resurrection
  • Verse 16 – because if no raising of the dead, Christ wasn’t raised!
• Verses 17-18 – If Christ wasn’t raised, we’re all wasting our time and money here!
  • Because our sins haven’t been forgiven
  • The resurrection is the proof God accepted Christ’s sacrifice for our sins, that His sacrifice was sufficient and He now reigns in triumph over all things!
    • Acts 17: 29-31
    • Romans 1: 4, 4: 23-25
    • John 10: 14-18 – if He’s wrong about this, He isn’t credible in John 11: 25-27
  • The Resurrection is absolutely critical for us -> no resurrection, no salvation!
  • No resurrection = no hope for those Christ followers who’ve already died
• Verse 19 – If no resurrection, we’re a bunch of pathetic idiots to be pitied!
  • We gave up time, energy, talent, and treasure for God’s Kingdom
  • If no resurrection, it’s all wasted.
• Verse 20 – But Christ did rise!
  • He is the firstfruit of the dead – others will rise, Jesus just led the way
• Verses 21-22 – Adam brought death into the world because of sin and the curse
  • Because of Adam, we all will die
  • But Jesus, the 2nd Adam, the perfect Adam, brought resurrection
  • So in Christ, all who believe in Him shall be made alive!
• Verse 23 – In order: Christ’s resurrection right now
  • We will experience bodily resurrection at His return
  • Our souls will be with God immediately when we die
    • Philippians 1: 21-23
    • Luke 23: 39-43
    • 2 Corinthians 5: 6-9, also
    • Hebrews 12: 23, and
    • Revelation 6:9
• Verse 24 – Christ then will deliver the perfected Kingdom to God the Father
• Verse 25 – He will destroy every enemy
• Verse 26 – Death itself will be destroyed – nothing to fear -> Revelation 20: 11-15
• Verses 27-28 – Because God has given Jesus all authority over everything and everyone except Himself
  • Exactly what Jesus said in Matthew 28: 17-20
  • Jesus Himself submits to the Father – a good pattern for us to note

Next week: 1 Corinthians 15: 29-58