SPECIAL TOPIC: THE RESURRECTION

  1. In the Bible being brought back from death (see SPECIAL TOPIC: WHERE ARE THE DEAD?) has three senses.
    1. Those who did not die but who went to be with God (i.e., Enoch, cf. Gen. 5:24; Elijah, cf. 2 Kgs. 2:11), which is called "being translated."
    2. Some, through the power of God, are brought back from death's door to physical health. This is called "resuscitation." They will die at some point in the future.
    3. There has been only one resurrection (i.e., Jesus). He died but was raised from the dead (i.e., hades) and given a new body prepared for eternal life with God.
      1. He is the first fruits of the dead (cf. 1 Cor. 15:20,23
      2. "first born of the dead," cf. Col. 1:15,17)

        Because of Him, believers will be resurrected at the Second Coming (cf. Ps. 49:15; 73:24; Isa. 26:19; Dan. 12:2; Matt. 22:31-32; Mark 12:26-27; John 5:25,28-29; 6:39-40,44,54; Rom. 8:11; 1 Corinthians 15; 20; 23; 1 Thess. 4:13-18; 1 John 3:2).

  2. Evidence for the resurrection
    1. Fifty (50) days later at Pentecost, the resurrection had become the key note of Peter's sermon (cf. Acts 2). Thousands who lived in the area where it happened believed!
    2. The lives of the disciples were changed radically from discouragement (they were not expecting resurrection) to boldness, even martyrdom.
    3. Paul lists many eyewitnesses in 1 Cor. 15:5-8, including himself (cf. Acts 9).
      SPECIAL TOPIC: POST-RESURRECTION APPEARANCES

  3. Significance of the resurrection
    1. Shows Jesus was who He claimed to be (cf. Matt. 12:38-40, prediction of death and resurrection)
    2. God put His approval on Jesus' life, teaching, and substitutionary death! (cf. Acts 2:24; 3:15,26; 4:10; 5:30; 10:40; 13:30,33,34,37; 17:31; Rom. 4:25; 1 Cor. 15:20)
    3. Shows us the promise to all Christians (i.e., resurrection bodies, cf. 1 Corinthians 15; see IV below)

      Claims from Jesus that He would rise from the dead (see exegetical notes online at www.freebiblecommentary.org)

    4. Matt. 12:38-40; 16:21; 17:9,22, 23; 20:18-19; 26:32; 27:63
    5. Mark 8:31; 9:1-10,31; 14:28,58
    6. Luke 9:22-27
    7. John 2:19-22; 12:34; chapters 14-16

  4. Both Peter and Paul assert that Psalm 16 refers to Jesus, the Messiah (see exegetical notes free online)
    1. Peter in Acts 2:24-32
    2. Paul in Acts 13:32-37

  5. Contextual Insights from 1 Corinthians 15
    1. It is obvious from the context that Paul is reacting to a local potential heresy that denied the resurrection of the dead. This could be another question from the church or information from visitors from the church. Several theories have been postulated as to the possible origin:
      1. incipient Gnostic (see SPECIAL TOPIC: GNOSTICISM) ideas which emphasized the dualism between spirit (i.e., God, which is good) and matter (i.e., material things, which are evil)
      2. those asserting that the resurrection has already occurred (cf. 2 Tim. 2:17-18), but only affected Jesus.
    2. This chapter is the definitive passage in the NT on
      1. the resurrection of Christ
      2. the resurrection of believers

        It must be remembered that this passage was probably written before any of the Gospels were written down. Note the Special Topic and the related sermon in the Special Topic Index.

    3. Notice Paul's pastoral emphasis in the way this doctrinal chapter ends, 1 Cor. 15:58. This is similar to 1 Thess. 4:18. Paul always brings doctrine down to daily living and serving. Truth must inform and transform lifestyle! Truth is, in reality, a person (cf. John 8:32; 14:6; 1 John 5:20). SPECIAL TOPIC: TRUTH/TRUE
    4. It helps to see the overall structure of this long chapter. Dr. David King, a colleague at East Texas Baptist University and a professor in the Arab Baptist Seminary in Lebanon for over 30 years, has a good outline (included below) from his class notes. Remember, literary outlines show the development of the original author's thoughts.
      5. "IV. Growing mature Christians requires an understanding of faith in the resurrection (1 Cor. 15:1-58).
      1. Introduction: (1 Cor. 15:1-11) ‒ The Gospel itself is based firmly on the resurrection of Jesus (1 Cor. 15:1-8)
        1. The basic facts of the gospel (the Kerygma; see SPECIAL TOPIC: THE KERYGMA OF THE EARLY CHURCH) concern the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus (1 Cor. 15:3-4).
        2. The post-resurrection appearances of Jesus prove beyond any doubt that Jesus rose from the dead (1 Cor. 15:5-7; see SPECIAL TOPIC: JESUS' POST-RESURRECTION APPEARANCES).
        3. Paul magnifies the grace of God which allowed him to be among the witnesses of Jesus' resurrection (1 Cor. 15:8-11).
      2. The basis of the doctrine of our resurrection is the resurrection of Jesus. (1 Cor. 15:12-34)
      3. Some say that He did not rise from the dead. What are the implications of that? (1 Cor. 15:12-19)
        1. Our preaching is without value (1 Cor. 15:12-14).
        2. Your faith is futile (1 Cor. 15:14 & 17).
        3. We are false witness of the truth of God (1 Cor. 15:15).
        4. You are still in your sins (1 Cor. 15:17).
        5. Those believers who have died are lost forever (1 Cor. 15:18).
        6. All believers are to be pitied (1 Cor. 15:19).
      4. But Christ has been (and still is!) Risen! What are the implications of that (1 Cor. 15:20-34)
        1. He is the first-fruit of a coming harvest (1 Cor. 15:20).
        2. Christ, the man, overcame death which was introduced into the world by the first man, (1 Cor. 15:21-22, cf. Rom. 5:12-21).
        3. The resurrection is divided into two parts: the resurrection of Christ and the resurrection of others (1 Cor. 15:23).
        4. Death will be overcome by resurrection and all will be subject to God, the creator of all (1 Cor. 15:24-28).
        5. Believers are baptized in faith believing in both a spiritual and a physical resurrection (1 Cor. 15:29).
        6. We can face all kinds of danger without fear, for if we die, we shall live again and be judged, according to our deeds (implied) so we must be careful how we live (1 Cor. 15:30-34).
      5. The doctrine of the resurrection of believers is reasonable. Paul answers some of their questions (1 Cor. 15:35-57).
        1. How are the dead raised? Answer: By the power of God, just as God raises plants from seeds (1 Cor. 15:35-38).
        2. What kind of body do they have? Answer: A different kind of body suitable to the different kind of life we will live in eternity (1 Cor. 15:39-41).
          1. God has created different kinds of bodies for life in this world (1 Cor. 15:39-41).
          2. The resurrection body is a new kind of body (1 Cor. 15:42-44).
             Imperishable instead of perishable,
             Glorious instead of humiliated
             Powerful instead of weak
             Spiritual instead of animal (or physical)
          3. The nature of the resurrection body is clarified by contrast with the natural body which leads Paul to a contrast between Adam and Christ (1 Cor. 15:45-49, cf. Rom. 5:12-21).
        3. When will all this take place? Answer: When Jesus comes again (1 Cor. 15:50-57).
          1. A change is necessary for all (1 Cor. 15:50).
          2. We shall all be changed instantaneously (1 Cor. 15:51-52, cf. 1 Thess. 4:14-17).
          3. It will happen when God's trumpet sounds (1 Cor. 15:52-cf. 1 Thess. 4:16).
          4. When the change has taken place complete victory over death will be ours in Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 15:53-57).

      6. The result of belief in this doctrine is steadfastness in service because we know that our service is not in vain (1 Cor. 15:58).

  6. Further Study
    1. Evidence That Demands a Verdict by Josh McDowell
    2. Who Moved the Stone? by Frank Morrison
    3. The Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible, "Resurrection," "Resurrection of Jesus Christ"
    4. Christian Theology, 2nd ed., by Millard Erickson, pp. 1220-1207, 1220-1226

 

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