 Have you ever heard a sermon on the resurrection? Christ or general?  General resurrection of the dead inseparably linked with the resurrection of Christ.  The resurrection is the most critical doctrine in all the New Testament. 3

 Establishes Christ’s credentials  Central to the Christian’s hope (1 Pet. 1:3)  Subject of much false doctrine:  Dispensationalists, materialists, annihilationalists (practically all denomin- ations, JW’s, 7 th Day, WWCG)  Realized Eschatologists (A.D. 70, Max King) 1 Peter 1:3: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, According to the A.D. 70 theory the resurrection took place in A.D. 70 and is variously described as the church, Israel, the children of God from the Old Covenant being transitioned to the New Covenant, the Christian system escaping the oppression of Judaism. All of those positions deny the general resurrection of the dead! 4

 Paul begins by reminding the Corinthians the gospel: “is the power of God to salvation” (Rom. 1:16):  “I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you” (v.1, Acts 18:1-18),  “which also you received” (v. 1; 1 Thess. 2:13),  “in which you stand” (v. 1; 2 Thess. 2:14; Rom. 5:1-2; 10:17),  “by which also you are saved” (v. 2; Rom. 1:16),  “if you hold fast that word which I preached to you” (v. 2; Heb. 3 & 4),  “unless you believed in vain” (v. 2). 5

 Paul establishes the core facts of the gospel are “according to the Scriptures”:  “Christ died for our sins” (v. 3; Isa. 53:10; Rom. 4:25; 2 Cor. 5:21; Gal. 1:4; Heb. 10:10-14; 1 Pet. 2:24; 3:18; 1 Jn. 2:2).  “He was buried” (v. 4; Isa. 53:9; Matt. 27:57-60; Acts 13:29).  “He rose again the third day” (v. 4; Jn. 2:19-22; Matt. 20:19; ; 27:63-64; 28:1-6; Jn. 20:1-9; Acts 1:3; 2:23-24, 32; 13:30-35; 17:31; Heb. 13:20). 6

 Christ’s resurrection is the chief fact undergirding the veracity and the power of the gospel! 7

 Proof Jesus is God’s Son, Rom. 1:4  Proof of God’s seal of approval, Acts 2:22-33  Proof Jesus victorious over sin and death, Rom. 4:25; 5:10; Heb. 9:26; Acts 2:23-24  Proof of death blow to Satan, Gen. 3:15; Matt. 12:29; Acts 2:31; Rev. 1:18 8

 Resurrection proves Jesus meets the divine qualifications: “the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matt. 16:16), “the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matt. 16:16), Foundation upon which church built (Matt. 16:18), Foundation upon which church built (Matt. 16:18), “raise up the Christ to sit on his throne,” and make Him “both Lord and Christ” (Acts 2:29-36), “raise up the Christ to sit on his throne,” and make Him “both Lord and Christ” (Acts 2:29-36), Able to “save” (Acts 2:47; Eph. 5:23), Able to “save” (Acts 2:47; Eph. 5:23), 9

 Proves Jesus meets divine qualifications: Only “name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12), Only “name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12), Judge: “ ” (Acts 17:31; 10:42; 2 Cor. 5:10; 2 Pet. 3:7). Judge: “because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.” (Acts 17:31; 10:42; 2 Cor. 5:10; 2 Pet. 3:7). 10

 No resurrection:  No declaration of Jesus as God’s Son,  No enthroned King, no Lord, no Christ,  No foundation of the church to which the saved are added,  No name by which we can be saved,  No Savior of the body,  No Judge and no judgment.  NO GOSPEL! The Corinthians denial of the general resurrection means they “believed in vain” (v. 2). 11

 But, the reality of Christ’s resurrection confirmed by eyewitness testimony (vv. 5-8):  Credible (sympathetic & unsympathetic),  Multiple in number (>500),  Multiple sightings (12 separate sightings over 40 days),  Verifiable (most witnesses still alive). “If you doubt me, you can go and ask the witnesses for yourself!” 12

 Paul establishes five truths:  Bodily resurrection is the most essential foundational element of the gospel (vv. 1-2),  Bodily resurrection is a historical fact (vv. 3-7),  Preaching of apostles featured the resurrection as a central doctrine (v. 11; Acts 2, 4, 10, 13, 23, 24, 25),  Corinthians accepted the resurrection when they initially obeyed the gospel (vv. 1-2, 11),  Entire system of salvation revealed in the gospel collapses if there is no resurrection (vv ). 13

 Church at Corinth had many problems:  Divisions (chaps 1-3),  Immorality (chap 5),  Lawsuits (chap 6),  Marriage/Divorce (chap 7),  Eating meat offered to idols (chap 8),  Support of gospel preachers (chap 9), 14

 Church at Corinth had many problems:  Fellowship with idolatry (chap 10),  Head covering (chap 11).  Lord’s supper (chap 11),  Spiritual gifts (chaps 12-14),  Resurrection of the dead (chap 15). Issue: Denied the general resurrection of the dead, not the resurrection of Christ (v. 12). 15

 From where did this error about the resurrection arise?  Converted Sadducees? No, Matt. 22:23-33  Greek philosophy:  Accepted the immortality of the soul but not the resurrection of body (very undesirable),  Inherent vileness of flesh (gnostic heresy),  Accepted the resurrection of Christ as an isolated, special case. Inseparable connections: 1) Between gospel and resurrection of Christ, and 2) Between resurrection of Christ and the general resurrection of the dead. 16

 If no resurrection of dead there are serious consequences:  “Christ is not risen” (vv. 13, 17),  Preaching of apostles is “vain” (v. 14),  Their “faith is also vain” (vv. 14, 17),  Apostles were “false witnesses of God” (v. 15; not mistaken witnesses, Titus 1:2; Heb. 6:18),  They “are yet in our sins” (v. 17). 17

 If no resurrection of dead there are serious consequences:  Dead Christians have “perished” (v. 18, lost!),  Their “hope in Christ” is limited to “this life only” (v. 19),  Hence, they were “of all men most pitiable” (v. 19). 18

 If resurrection deniers correct:  At end of time when Lord returns to judge the world (Acts 17:31; 2 Cor. 5:10), destroy “both the earth and the works that are in it” (2 Pet. 3:10) and present “a crown of righteousness” “to all who have loved His appearing” (2 Tim. 4:8)…  Saints will not be “caught up together…in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air…and thus…always be with the Lord” (1 Thess. 4:17),  The Christian hope is empty, vain, an illusion. Christians are entirely miserable dupes! Total losers! 19

 Consequences of the inseparable connection between the resurrection of Christ and the general resurrection of the dead:  “But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen” (v. 13),  “...we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up—if in fact the dead do not rise” (v. 15),  “For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen” (v. 16). How do people miss the point when Paul states it three times in the space of four verses?! 20

 Inseparable connection:  Obvious contradiction: the admission of the specific (the resurrection of Christ) makes the denial of the general (there is no resurrection) impossible.  The universal negative, “There is no resurrection of the dead,” cannot be true if someone was raised from the dead.  Resurrection of Christ and general resurrection stand or fall together! Can’t have one and not the other! 21

 Corinthian position on general resurrection opposed to:  What the Scriptures said (fulfilled prophecy),  What Paul and the other apostles preached,  What Corinthians had believed when they obeyed the gospel,  What eyewitness testimony had established,  What logic demanded (stand or fall together). 22

 Their denial of the general resurrection removed the bedrock foundation of the gospel!  Any ‘modern’ doctrine that denies the general resurrection of the dead, or tries to turn it into something it is not, carries the same dire consequences Paul states here!  Denial of the general resurrection is a teaching that is a “damnable heresy” (2 Pet. 2:1), must be rejected and cannot be fellowshipped (2 Jn. 9-11). 23

“Repeatedly, Paul has pressed the argument to its logical consequences in order to show that the Corinthian’s denial of the general resurrection was not an innocuous deviation from the revealed faith. Rather, it was a pernicious, damnable heresy that denied the very foundation facts on which the gospel rested.” (Willis, Truth Commentaries: 1 Corinthians, p. 465) 24

“Make the Savior what you please, if he failed to rise from the dead he is useless, for he cannot free us from our sin, the one thing for which we need a Savior. If there is no resurrection, there is also no redemption, no reconciliation with God, no justification, no life and salvation. If Christ is still dead, then every believer is still dead in trespasses and sins. 25

“As long as Christ, our surety, is not released, it is certain that our debt is not paid, we are still liable, no matter how much we may trust in some supposed payment or in some release without payment. Christ’s resurrection is the positive proof that his sacrifice was, indeed, sufficient and fully accepted by God. Therefore, Christ was raised for our justification, Rom. 4:25. 26

“To reject his resurrection is to reject the efficacy of his sacrifice, and the death which he died is just as useless as our faith in such a dead Christ.” (Lenski, First and Second Corinthians, pp ). 27

Issue: Denied the general resurrection of the dead, not the resurrection of Christ. Inseparable connection: 1) Between gospel and resurrection of Christ, and 2) Between resurrection of Christ and the general resurrection of the dead. 28

 Paul now presents the case as it actually stands: “But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.” (v. 20) Modern vernacular: “It’s a done deal!” 29

 Christ is “the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep”:  Others had been resurrected, but arose to die again (e.g., Lazarus, son of widow of Nain, Jairus’ daughter).  But, Jesus was the first to rise victorious over death to never die again. 30

 Christ is “the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep”:  Associated with the feast of weeks (Pentecost) (Ex. 23:16; Lev. 23:9-11; Deut. 16:9-10).  Served as a guarantee entire crop would be harvested (i.e., same in kind and quality).  Therefore, the resurrection of all men is as certain as the resurrection of Christ (same in kind and quality, Rom. 8:17). 31 “Just as the first-fruits are the earnest of a later harvest, so the resurrection of Christ is the guarantee of our resurrection.” (Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, I: )

 Adam and Christ are representative heads of the human family.  Adam through disobedience (sin) brought death to himself and the entire human family: “by man came death” (v. 21), “in Adam all die” (v. 22; cf. Gen. 3:19; Heb. 9:27).  Christ through His obedience triumphed over sin and death, was raised from the dead, so all mankind through Him will be raised from the dead: “in Christ all shall be made alive” (v. 22; Jn. 5:28-29; Acts 24:15). Acts 24:15: I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust. Key Verse: 1 Corinthians 15:22: For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. The “all” who “die” “in Adam,” are the same “all” who “shall be made alive,” “in Christ.” John 5:28-29: Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice 29 and come forth — those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation. 32

 Adam vs. Christ as federal head of human family: AdamChrist DisobedientObedient Act of one man brought death to all men Act of one man brings the resurrection to all men Death of all unconditionalResurrection of all unconditional All men to experience physical death All men to experience the resurrection Wicked require a resurrected body Righteous require a resurrected body What is lost through AdamIs regained through Christ Sidebar: Paul understood Adam to be a historical person. Therefore, 1 Corinthians 15 can only be understood if the Genesis account of creation and the fall of man is true. It destroys the arguments of the modernist and evolutionist. 33

 Important to remember:  Death and resurrection are both unconditional, all men are subject to each (v. 22; Heb. 9:27).  General resurrection not a salvation issue.  If term “made alive” (v. 22) means “everlasting life” (i.e., salvation), the passage teaches universal salvation (“all” in first clause the same “all” as in second clause; cf. Jn. 5:28-29; Acts 24:15). Key Verse: 1 Corinthians 15:22: For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. 34 Acts 24:15: I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust. John 5:28-29: Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice 29 and come forth — those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.

 Timing of the resurrection: Christ is “the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming” (v. 23).  Resurrection final event in human history: “Then comes the end” (v. 24).  Christ will complete His reign: “when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father” (v. 24). 35

 Timing of the resurrection: Christ is “the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming” (v. 23).  “when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power” (v. 24). “rootin day” (Matt. 15:13). “rootin day” (Matt. 15:13). Sidebar: These verses leave no room whatsoever for any dispensational/premillennial theories. “Then cometh the end…” The kingdom is “delivered up,” not “received”! Matthew 15:13: Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. 36

 Timing of the resurrection: Christ is “the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming” (v. 23).  “when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power” (v. 24). “the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up” (2 Pet. 3:10). “the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up” (2 Pet. 3:10). “till He [Christ] has put all enemies under His feet” (v. 25). “till He [Christ] has put all enemies under His feet” (v. 25). The last enemy scheduled for destruction is “death” (v. 26). The last enemy scheduled for destruction is “death” (v. 26). 37 “By specifying the last enemy to be destroyed, Paul more clearly defined the length of Christ’s rule. He tells us exactly when Christ’s reign shall end.” (Willis, Truth Commentaries: 1 Corinthians, p. 465)

 When? “then cometh the end”  “at the last trumpet” (v. 52).  “with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God” (1 Thess. 4:13-18, esp. v. 16).  “Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire” (Rev. 20:14).  The Lord gives the saints “rest” (2 Thess. 1:7; Heb. 3 & 4).  The Lord takes “vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Thess. 1:8-9; Matt. 25:41, 46). 38

 Thus to deny the resurrection is to:  Deny the lordship of Christ and His victory over sin, death, and Satan and all that means in God’s scheme of redemption.  Reject the Lord’s plan for the consummation of the ages.  Reject the validity of the gospel and the Christian’s hope (e.g., 1 Pet. 1:3).  Deny the reality of everlasting punishment for the wicked and eternal life for the righteous. 39

“Paul’s argument in this section is clear: the denial of the general resurrection of all men is an assault on God’s final purpose for the universe. He who denies the resurrection denies that the last enemy will ever be subject to Christ, and therefore, denies that the kingdom can ever be handed over to the Father that he may reign supreme.” (Willis, Truth Commentaries: 1 Corinthians, p. 465) 40

“The denial of the resurrection constitutes a denial that Christ will bring this present struggle between himself and the devil to a successful end. If these Corinthians are right, then Christ’s dominion and his glory are a delusion. The denial of the general resurrection is a denial of the gospel’s hope. It denies the completeness of Christ’s reign and his final victory over the devil.” (Willis, Truth Commentaries: 1 Corinthians, p. 465) 41

 Totally illogical to deny the resurrection:  Not talking about “baptism for the dead” as practiced by the Mormons (Rom. 14:12; 2 Cor. 5:10; Rev. 20:12).  Why be baptized in view of the certainty of one’s death (Heb. 9:27) if there is no resurrection of the dead?! If there is no resurrection of the dead, why be baptized to be forever in the realm of the dead? cf. v. 19  The reality of the resurrection is why people are baptized in the first place! Mk. 16:16; Gal. 3:27; Rom. 6; Acts 2:40 1 Corinthians 15:19: If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable. 42

 Totally illogical to risk one’s life for the gospel if there is no resurrection:  Why would Paul expose himself to persecution and risk his life? “…why do we stand in jeopardy every hour?” (v. 30).  By preaching the resurrection Paul exposed himself to persecution on a “daily” basis (v. 31; 2 Cor. 11:22- 28; Gal. 6:17).  Makes no sense, because if there is no resurrection, we should “eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!” (v. 32). 43

 Denial of resurrection is false!  Sign of spiritual intoxication w/false doctrine, sober up! (v. 34).  Sign one is spiritual immature and lacks “the knowledge of God” (v. 34; cf. Matt. 22:23-33).  Downright shameful! (v. 34).  Ultimately leads to infidelity (v. 33  v. 32).  Therefore, wake up and do not fellowship those who deny the resurrection (vv ; 2 Jn. 9-11). Key Verse: 1 Corinthians 15:34: Come to your senses and stop sinning. For to your shame I say that some of you don't even know God. (New Living Translation) 1 Corinthians 15:33: Don't be fooled by those who say such things. If you listen to them you will start acting like them. (TLB) 44

 Paul addresses two objections:  “How are the dead raised up?” (v. 35).  “And with what body do they come?” (v. 35). 45

 Both are foolish questions:  “You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God.” (Matt. 22:29)  “Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak to your shame.” (v. 34).  “Why then are they baptized for the dead?” (v. 29)  “why do we stand in jeopardy every hour?” (v. 30). 46

 Answers: analogy #1—seed/plant  “what you sow, you do not sow that body that shall be” (v. 37).  Resurrection body is not the same as the natural, physical body (Phil. 3;21; 1 Jn.3:2).  “God gives it a body as He pleases” (v. 38). Philippians 3:21: who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself. 1 John 3:2: Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. 47 “The only point that Paul is trying to make is that the grain which is planted in the ground differs from the plant which grows from it. Similarly, our mortal bodies that are laid in the tomb will differ from our spiritual bodies which are raised from the grave.” (Willis, Truth Commentaries: 1 Corinthians, p. 465)

SeedHuman Physical Body Buried Die Seed has a different body than the plant Resurrected body is different from the mortal, physical body Cannot predict form of future body based on the form of the seed Cannot predict the form of the resurrected body based on the form of the mortal, physical body God gives the seed a new body suited for its environment God changes our mortal body into a body suited for spiritual environment “God gives it a body as He pleases” Bottom line: Resurrection body is not the same as the natural, physical body. 48

 Answers: analogy #2—flesh  Flesh of men, animals, fish and birds differ (v. 39).  Point: “God gives it a body as He pleases” (v. 38). 49

 Answers: analogy #2: flesh  Point: God gives each animal the type of flesh it needs to survive and thrive in its environment.  Therefore, God will give us a resurrection body suited to the environment of eternity (Matt. 10:28; Mk. 9:42ff). Matthew 10:28: And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Mark 9:44: where 'Their worm does not die And the fire is not quenched.' Bottomline: God gave us a physical body suited for life in the material world and will give us a resurrection body suited for the spiritual environment of eternity. 50

 Answers: analogy #3—celestial and terrestrial bodies:  “the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. There is one glory of the sun, another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differs from another star in glory” (vv ). 51

 Answers: analogy #3: celestial and terrestrial bodies:  These bodies differ greatly in glory as our resurrection body will differ greatly in glory in comparison with our natural, physical body. 52

 Answers: Summary—”So also is the resurrection of the dead.” (vv ) “So also…” direct application to the resurrection of the dead (spiritual realm). 53

CreationResurrection Seed differs from plant it produces Dead body (planted) differs from resurrected body Different types of fleshDifferent resurrected body Flesh suited to varying needs (earth, water, air) Body suited for eternal life vs. earthly life Bodies of differing glory (sun vs. moon, Grand Canyon vs. Niagra Falls) Resurrected body superior in glory to physical body 54

Mortal BodyResurrected Body “sown in corruption”“raised in incorruption” “sown in dishonor”“raised in glory” (Lk. 20:36) “sown in weakness”“raised in power” “sown a natural body”“raised a spiritual body” (v. 49; 1 Jn. 3:2; Phil. 3:21; cf. Psa. 17:5; Rom. 8:29) “living being” (Gen. 2:7)“life-giving spirit” Natural body firstSpiritual body afterward Bears image of “man of dust” (Gen. 3:19, Adam) Bears image of the “heavenly Man” (Christ; 1 Jn. 3:2) 55

 Summary:  Resurrection body is not the same as our mortal body.  Resurrection body will be suited for the spiritual environment of eternity (heaven or hell).  Resurrection body exceeds the natural body in glory. Critically important to keep in mind that “all who are in the grave” will be resurrected, “those who have done good, to the resurrection of life and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation” (Jn. 5:28-29: Acts 24:15; cf. Dan. 12:2). 56

In the spiritual realm of eternity the righteous will need an incorruptible, immortal body for “eternal life” and the wicked dead will need an incorruptible, immortal body for “everlasting punishment” (Matt. 25:41, 46; Matt. 10:28; Mk. 9:42-48). 57

 As all “have borne the image of the man of dust” (i.e., Adam), all will “bear the image of the heavenly Man.” (i.e., Christ, v. 49)  But “flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption” (v. 50).  Presents a major problem for the living and the dead when Christ returns! Jn. 5:28-29; Acts 24:15  Flesh and blood are corruptible; current bodies unsuitable for eternity; i.e., either heaven or hell! 58

 Paul already informed us we all will “bear the image of the heavenly Man.” (v. 49)  Therefore, our bodies (alive or dead) will be “changed”; i.e., recast into the “image of the heavenly Man,” i.e., made suitable for eternity.  Hence vv  “all shall be changed”: (no moral overtones, Jn. 5:28-29; Acts 24:15; Phil. 3:21; 1 Jn. 3:2; Mk. 9:43- 47; Matt. 10:28). 1 Corinthians 15:51-53: Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed — 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 59

 Conclusion: What shall we do?  “Awake to righteouness” (v. 34).  Associate with the right people (v. 33).  Thank God for the victory!  Keep working for the Lord! 1 Corinthians 15:57: But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:58: Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. 60

 You and I will be resurrected and/or changed (Acts 24:15; 1 Cor. 15:51).  You and I are in control of our eternal destiny (Jn. 5:25; Heb. 4:1, 11):  “the resurrection of life,” or  “the resurrection of condemnation” John 5:25: Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live. Hebrews 4:1: Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. Hebrews 4:11: Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience. 61