If There Be No Resurrection of the Dead (Part 2)

The Preaching of the Gospel is Worthless

“And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:14). The word vain means “empty, worthless, meaningless.” Paul’s next argument is that if Christ is not risen from the dead, then the preaching of the apostles is without worth. The main focus behind the preaching of the apostles was Jesus Christ! Paul made it clear when he told the Corinthians that he only intended to give attention to Christ and Him crucified (1 Corinthians 2:2). “And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.” (Colossians 1:18). What of the teaching of baptism in relation to the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ (Romans 6:3-6)? One can even consider the Second Coming of Christ (Revelation 22:20). It wouldn’t matter if Jesus were still dead. Even consider what Paul wrote concerning Christ in the verses leading to this discussion. None of it would matter. Incidentally, this article would have very little use to anyone if Jesus were still in His tomb. The preaching of the gospel done by many individuals today would be all for nought. Why? The central theme of the church’s message today is, “Christ and Him crucified.”