Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. (I Corinthians 15:1-2)
For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures [Psalm 22; Isaiah 53; Daniel 9:20-27; Zechariah 13:7-9], and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures [Psalm 2; Psalm 16; Hosea 6:1-3], and that He was seen by Cephas [Simon Peter - John 1:42] then by the twelve [John 20:19-29]. 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 [Matthew 28; Mark 16]. After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles [Luke 24:28-43]. (I Corinthians 15:3-7)
Do we want to be able to explain the gospel, the good news to all people? Then we need to memorize this summary. This is the gospel message, clear and simple: Christ Jesus died for our sins, He was buried, He rose again the third day, and He was seen by all His disciples and hundreds of others, before His ascension back to the Father in heaven (Acts 1:1-14), all of which happened exactly as was prophesied in the Scriptures.
Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time. For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God [Paul, formerly Saul - Acts 8:1-3]. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me [Acts 9:1-31]. Therefore, whether it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed. (I Corinthians 15:8-11)
What a testimony! Proof that God can and will use anyone to spread the gospel, no matter what we may have done in the past. Paul used to throw followers of the Way, Christians into jail, and even witness and approve of their murder. But by the grace of God I am what I am; and by that same grace, we all can be what God created us to be. ...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. (Romans 3:23-26)
Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. 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. For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable. (I Corinthians 15:12-19)
Somehow after Paul left the church in Corinth, some false teachers came in and taught some doctrine contrary to what Paul had taught them. Thank God some of them were wise enough to write Paul this letter and ask all these questions that he took the time to clarify. These questions have to be answered and believed by all of us: Did Christ Jesus die on a cross, was buried, and rose on the third day? YES!
But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits [Acts 1:1-14], afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming [I Thessalonian 4:13-18]. Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power [Daniel 7; Revelation 18-20]. (I Corinthians 15:20-24)
For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be destroyed is death. For “He has put all things under His feet.” But when He says “all things are put under Him,” it is evident that He who put all things under Him is excepted. Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all. (I Corinthians 15:25-28)
If we don't believe in the resurrection of Christ Jesus, if in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable. Atheist believe that this is all there is, and they are of all men the most pitiable. But we who are Christians know that there is more, that there is life after this life. There is eternal existence for every single person, but through faith in Christ Jesus, we'll more than exist, we'll have "eternal life"!
People don't clearly understand eternal life, what happens after we die, even though the Scriptures are very clear. But there is no need for any of us to fear, because the last enemy that will be destroyed is death. Christ conquered death by rising again the third day according to the Scriptures. And because He rose, just as the angel told the disciples, "This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:11)
Otherwise, what will they do who are baptized for the dead, if the dead do not rise at all? Why then are they baptized for the dead? And why do we stand in jeopardy every hour? I affirm, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. If, in the manner of men, I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantage is it to me? If the dead do not rise, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!” Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.” Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame. (I Corinthians 15:29-34)
Paul explains it this way also, What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. (Romans 6:1-4) We have to believe this, we have to have the knowledge of God, so that we won't be like unbelievers, to our shame!
For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures [Psalm 22; Isaiah 53; Daniel 9:20-27; Zechariah 13:7-9], and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures [Psalm 2; Psalm 16; Hosea 6:1-3], and that He was seen by Cephas [Simon Peter - John 1:42] then by the twelve [John 20:19-29]. 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 [Matthew 28; Mark 16]. After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles [Luke 24:28-43]. (I Corinthians 15:3-7)
Do we want to be able to explain the gospel, the good news to all people? Then we need to memorize this summary. This is the gospel message, clear and simple: Christ Jesus died for our sins, He was buried, He rose again the third day, and He was seen by all His disciples and hundreds of others, before His ascension back to the Father in heaven (Acts 1:1-14), all of which happened exactly as was prophesied in the Scriptures.
Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time. For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God [Paul, formerly Saul - Acts 8:1-3]. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me [Acts 9:1-31]. Therefore, whether it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed. (I Corinthians 15:8-11)
What a testimony! Proof that God can and will use anyone to spread the gospel, no matter what we may have done in the past. Paul used to throw followers of the Way, Christians into jail, and even witness and approve of their murder. But by the grace of God I am what I am; and by that same grace, we all can be what God created us to be. ...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. (Romans 3:23-26)
Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. 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. For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable. (I Corinthians 15:12-19)
Somehow after Paul left the church in Corinth, some false teachers came in and taught some doctrine contrary to what Paul had taught them. Thank God some of them were wise enough to write Paul this letter and ask all these questions that he took the time to clarify. These questions have to be answered and believed by all of us: Did Christ Jesus die on a cross, was buried, and rose on the third day? YES!
But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits [Acts 1:1-14], afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming [I Thessalonian 4:13-18]. Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power [Daniel 7; Revelation 18-20]. (I Corinthians 15:20-24)
For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be destroyed is death. For “He has put all things under His feet.” But when He says “all things are put under Him,” it is evident that He who put all things under Him is excepted. Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all. (I Corinthians 15:25-28)
If we don't believe in the resurrection of Christ Jesus, if in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable. Atheist believe that this is all there is, and they are of all men the most pitiable. But we who are Christians know that there is more, that there is life after this life. There is eternal existence for every single person, but through faith in Christ Jesus, we'll more than exist, we'll have "eternal life"!
People don't clearly understand eternal life, what happens after we die, even though the Scriptures are very clear. But there is no need for any of us to fear, because the last enemy that will be destroyed is death. Christ conquered death by rising again the third day according to the Scriptures. And because He rose, just as the angel told the disciples, "This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:11)
Otherwise, what will they do who are baptized for the dead, if the dead do not rise at all? Why then are they baptized for the dead? And why do we stand in jeopardy every hour? I affirm, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. If, in the manner of men, I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantage is it to me? If the dead do not rise, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!” Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.” Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame. (I Corinthians 15:29-34)
Paul explains it this way also, What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. (Romans 6:1-4) We have to believe this, we have to have the knowledge of God, so that we won't be like unbelievers, to our shame!
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