Concerning The Resurrection of the Dead 1 Corinthians 15:12-34

Transcription

1 Concerning The Resurrection of the Dead 1 Corinthians 15:12-34

2 1 Corinthians 15:12 Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? (ESV)

3 Old Testament Allusions For I know that my Redeemer lives And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God (Job 19:25-26, ESV) And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt (Dan 12:2, ESV)

4 Old Testament Allusions Then he said to me, Prophesy over these bones, and say to them, O dry bones, hear the word of the LORD. Thus says the Lord GOD to these bones: Behold, I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live. And I will lay sinews upon you, and will cause flesh to come upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live, and you shall know that I am the LORD. (Ezekiel 37:4-6, ESV)

5 New Testament References No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day. (John 6:44, ESV) I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live (John 11:25, ESV)

6 New Testament References For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first (1 Thes 4:16, ESV) Knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence (2 Cor 4:14, ESV)

7 Disastrous consequences of not 1 Corinthians 15:13-19

8 1 Corinthians 15:13-16 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. For

9 1 Corinthians 15:16-19 if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied. (ESV)

10 Seven Disastrous Consequences Christ would not be raised (13) But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised

11 Seven Disastrous Consequences Christ would not be raised (13) Preaching would be meaningless (14) And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain

12 Seven Disastrous Consequences Christ would not be raised (13) Preaching would be meaningless (14) Faith would be worthless (14) And if Christ has not been raised your faith is in vain

13 Seven Disastrous Consequences Christ would not be raised (13) Preaching would be meaningless (14) Faith would be worthless (14) All who spread the gospel are liars (15) We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised

14 Seven Disastrous Consequences Christ would not be raised (13) Preaching would be meaningless (14) Faith would be worthless (14) All who spread the gospel are liars (15) All are still in their sin (17) And if Christ has not been raised you are still in your sins

15 Seven Disastrous Consequences Christ would not be raised (13) Preaching would be meaningless (14) Faith would be worthless (14) All who spread the gospel are liars (15) All are still in their sin (17) Former believers have perished (18) If Christ has not been raised then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished

16 Seven Disastrous Consequences Christ would not be raised (13) Preaching would be meaningless (14) Faith would be worthless (14) All who spread the gospel are liars (15) All are still in their sin (17) Former believers have perished (18) Christians are most to be pitied (19) If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied

17 A Definitive Statement Concerning 1 Corinthians 15:20-28

18 1 Corinthians 15:20-24 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. Then

19 1 Corinthians 15:24-27 comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. For God has put all things in subjection under his feet. But when it says, all things are put in subjection, it is plain that he is excepted

20 1 Corinthians 15:27-28 who put all things in subjection under him. When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him, that God may be all in all. (ESV)

21 A Three-Part Affirmation Christ has been raised as the firstfruits (20)

22 A Three-Part Affirmation Christ has been raised as the firstfruits (20) Christ has destroyed the consequence of sin (21-22)

23 A Three-Part Affirmation Christ has been raised as the firstfruits (20) Christ has destroyed the consequence of sin (21-22) Christ has all things in subjection under his feet (23-28)

24 Wonderful Incentives of Believing 1 Corinthians 15:29-34

25 1 Corinthians 15:29-32 Otherwise, what do people mean by being baptized on behalf of the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized on their behalf? Why are we in danger every hour? I protest, brothers, by my pride in you, which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die every day! What do I gain if, humanly speaking, I fought with beasts

26 1 Corinthians 15:32-34 at Ephesus? If the dead are not raised, Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die. Do not be deceived: Bad company ruins good morals. Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning. For some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame. (ESV)

27 Three Powerful Incentives Baptism has meaning Otherwise, what do people mean by being baptized on behalf of the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized on their behalf? (1 Cor 15:29, ESV)

28 Interesting (?) Views Baptism on behalf of the dead Speaks of the blood of martyrdom Talks about ceremonially washing dead bodies for burial Refers to death bed conversions with no opportunity for baptism Officially replaces the vacancies in church positions of those who died

29 The Three Most Common Views Why are they baptized on behalf of the dead in Christ The memory of Christians who died well served as an encouragement for others to be baptized. When they were baptized, they joined with the testimony of the dead in Christ and their proclamation of resurrection from the dead.

30 The Three Most Common Views On behalf of the dead in Christ Why are they baptized with a view toward death Baptism is a powerful and visual proclamation of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. As they were baptized, they claimed and proclaim the resurrection from the dead.

31 The Three Most Common Views On behalf of the dead in Christ With a view toward death Why are they baptized for the dead Even those who participate in a pagan ritualistic and errant practice of proxy baptism give testimony to the fact of the resurrection.

32 Not an Endorsement of Proxy Baptism There is no historical evidence of any church besides Corinth practicing baptism for the dead.

33 Not an Endorsement of Proxy Baptism There is no historical evidence of any church besides Corinth practicing baptism for the dead. Vicarious baptisms were condemned by the early church.

34 Not an Endorsement of Proxy Baptism There is no historical evidence of any church besides Corinth practicing baptism for the dead. Vicarious baptisms were condemned by the early church. Proxy baptism is not in keeping with the nature of baptism anywhere else in Scripture (it is an act of faith, a pledge of a clean conscience towards God, and is linked with repentance).

35 Three Powerful Incentives Baptism has meaning Service has meaning

36 Three Powerful Incentives Baptism has meaning Service has meaning Living for Christ has meaning

37 Concerning The Resurrection of the Dead But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead