If There Be No Resurrection of the Dead (Part 4)

The Apostles are Liars

“Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not” (1 Corinthians 15:15). God chose preaching as the avenue by which man would be saved. “For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe” (1 Corinthians 1:21). What if those preaching the message were liars? Certainly, there have been counterfeits throughout the history of man (Jeremiah 14:14; Revelation 2:2). That’s what Paul calls himself and those who preached the message of Christ. The message of the apostles would have been contrary to God, therefore the apostles would have testified of (or against) God! On numerous occasions the apostles pointed to the resurrected Christ. “Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole” (Acts 4:10; cf. Acts 2:32; 3:15; 28:31; Romans 6:23). If Christ was not risen, then the apostles were found to be liars.

If There Be No Resurrection of the Dead (Part 3)

Faith in Christ is Meaningless

“And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:14). If Christ is not risen from the dead, then the faith of Christians is meaningless! God always intended the message of the gospel to reach all mankind. “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). “And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.” (Acts 15:7).  What is the basis of our belief? CHRIST! Our faith in Him also points to our faith in the resurrection. “For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him” (1 Thessalonians 4:14; cf. 2 Timothy 2:11). So much of the Christian faith revolves around the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ If Christ is not risen, then Christians believe a lie.

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.”

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.

Solomon’s Thesis Statement: Argument #5

Solomon’s Thesis Statement: Argument #5

Based on Memory.

How long will the memory of our being be around after our deaths? “There is no remembrance of former things; neither shall there be any remembrance of things that are to come with those that shall come after.” (Ecclesiastes 1:11). Dear reader, a basic fact must be accepted by all. After one’s demise his children will remember him, hopefully fondly. Stories will be passed down to their children and hopefully their grandchildren as well. This one fact must be face is the chances of one being fondly remembered eight generations down the line is slim to none. There will come a time in which one is no longer remembered, even by his own family. Think to those of whom we know in history. For example, think of George Washington. Our history books teach us that he had wooden false teeth, he did NOT chop down the cherry tree as the story goes, and his death was probably more linked to the practice of bloodletting than the respiratory infection which he had. These are just a few facts. There are many, more obvious ones which have not been named. Does one know exactly how his voice sounded? Does one know how he reacted to the rising and setting of the sun each day? Truthfully, only bits and pieces are known of his life. The rest is unknown to man today. Think still of those of whom we read in the Bible. For example, Isaac is a prominent figure in the book of Genesis and a type of Christ. Still, there are years of his life which are overlooked from one chapter to the other. Only that which God has revealed is known. Even our very own memories fade. No one can remember every single detail of his or her life. Based on this fact, seeking things of this world alone is vanity.

A friend and I once walked through a cemetery in Arkansas. While there, we spied three graves for a husband, wife, and child. The husband passed away first followed by their child a few weeks later. Shortly after the death of the child the wife passed away. We looked at the graves and came up with a scenario. The husband may have passed away overseas (as his death was during World War 2). The child may have gotten sick and perished from the ailment while the mother died of a doubly broken heart. After we played through this scenario, we still knew nothing more of these three other than their names (which I have forgotten since then), their date of birth, and death. Dear reader there will come a day when we are nothing more to anyone than a name on a tombstone.

If seeking after the things of this world is vanity, after what should I seek? Solomon summed it up nicely. “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14).

Solomon’s Thesis Statement: Argument #4

Solomon’s Thesis Statement: Argument #4

There is no New Ideology 

“The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us.” (Ecclesiastes 1:9-10). Solomon said that there was nothing new under the sun. One could argue that there are certainly things which are new in the world today. Thousands of years after Solomon’s death, there are many new things which are here. One could argue that a cellular phone disproves his statement as they were not around in his day. It should be noted the Solomon is not making reference to inventions but the basis behind them. For instance, cellular phones are relatively new inventions and are ones which are becoming more enhanced on a monthly basis. Yet, if one were to dig down to the basis for having a cellular phone, we see it is really not a new idea. It’s just a different form of communication. Yes, the technology changes but the basic needs never do. Houses change in style but they are still used for protection from the elements. Many may no longer use horses for travel but vehicles are still used for the same purpose. The basic premise never changes even though it changes its clothing. Even from a spiritual standpoint, before the days of Solomon sin was still sin, man needed redemption, and that redemption could only be found through God. During the days of Solomon the same was true. Today, the same is true. Why is seeking after nothing but that which is in the world vain? It is nothing new, even if its dress is different.

Solomon's Thesis Statement: Argument #3

Solomon’s Thesis Statement: Argument #3

It is Never Satisfactory

What is the biggest problem with greed? You never have enough. Solomon was aware of this as he said, “All things are full of labour; man cannot utter it: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.” (Ecclesiastes 1:8).  The unending desire for more causes one to painstakingly labor for so long that Solomon stated there wasn’t enough time to explain it. What happens when an individual wants something? He labors for it! What happens when he gets it? He wants more and does the labor required for it. Solomon describes it as an eye and ear seeking for more and yet they are never satisfied. Paul wrote, “But godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Timothy 6:6). One who seeks nothing but that which the world has to offer will never be content, therefore, Solomon said it was vanity.