If There Be No Resurrection of the Dead (Part 1)

If There Be No Resurrection of the Dead… (1 Corinthians 15:12-19).

The church at Corinth was a congregation of many problems. These problems are so well known amongst the church that it has been jokingly said, “Every preacher wants to go to Philippi but no one wants to go to Corinth.” That is to say preachers would like to go to a congregation where very few problems exist, like Philippi, rather than one with more issues than a magazine stand. Among these problems is one of which will be discussed over the course of the next few days. Chapter 15 of 1^st Corinthians is referred to the “Resurrection Chapter” because of the deal of time which Paul writes on the subject. Sadly, he is not writing to keep the brethren encouraged and reminded of the resurrection. One of the main reasons he is forced to write on this subject is because certain members of the congregation denied the resurrection. “Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?” (1 Corinthians 15:12). It was not that these did not believe Christ had not risen from the dead but that there was not going to be a resurrection of the dead. Paul uses an interesting method to combat this false doctrine called “logical implication.” It may sound complicated but implication is very easy. It works like this: If Jacob is older than Sally and Sally is older than Rena, it can be implies that Sally is older than Rena. Over the next few verses he will use multiple “if…then” statements to show the logical conclusions of this teaching.

Christ is Not Risen

Paul does not mince words at the beginning as he wrote: “But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen” (1 Corinthians 15:13). These Corinthians did not deny the resurrection of Jesus but Paul states the resurrection of Jesus is impossible if there is no resurrection of the dead. This is the first and one of the strongest conclusions given by Paul considering the implications of Christ still being dead. This is also a heavy thought when one considers how important the resurrection is in the gospel (vv. 1-4) and that it was done “according to the scriptures.” Consider the relationship between Psalm 16:1-11 and Acts 2:24-32. One of the main reasons Jesus came to this earth was to pave the way for man’s resurrection through His own. Concerning Christ, the Hebrews writer stated: “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil” (Hebrews 2:14). Mankind is flesh and blood and subject to death. One of the reasons that Christ came to this earth was to become flesh and dead and face death. This was done to destroy which power had over mankind. The only way it could be done was through His death AND resurrection. Furthermore, that would make the One who called Himself, the Christ, a fraud. “And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day” (Luke 24:46). He also promised man that whoever believed on Him would have eternal life (John 6:51). This would make Jesus a phony. If there is no resurrection of the dead, then Jesus is still dead. Christians do not serve a risen Savior but a dead master.