Footsteps #146

Read for yourself the 1Cor.15:1-58, it will only take 2 minutes.

I am glad the Corinthians had some misconceptions regarding the resurrection, otherwise, we would not have this magnificent chapter explaining the truth.  

Paul asks incredulously, “How can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?” (v12). It is difficult to know just what prompted such a view.  It may have been a return to ideas of their Greek culture about the immortality of the soul and thus the impossibility of physical resurrection.  Or it may have represented a spiritualization of the concept of resurrection. Paul responds at length, and this thorough treatment leaves us in his debt. I love this chapter and am heartened by Paul’s deep convictions about the Christian hope? 

Paul’s account of Christ’s appearances after His resurrection, (1Cor.15:5-8) probably the earliest in the NT, is a treasure trove. It mentions an appearance to “five hundred” (probably the group mentioned in Matt.28:16-20). It also describes an appearance to James that is not described in the Gospels and one to Cephas (Peter) that is only briefly alluded to in Luke.24:34. And Paul includes himself as one who has seen the risen Lord. He is presenting what he hopes will be convincing evidence that Jesus Christ has indeed risen from the dead. 

The appearance to James is probably James, the Lord’s brother, who became a prominent Christian leader (Acts.15:13-21). Earlier in Christ’s ministry, he and his brothers were not believers (John.7:5). Did he become one as a result of Christ’s appearance to him? (In Acts.1:14 Jesus’ brothers are now worshiping with the believers.) 

Paul responds to their concerns in vs12-19. He argues that if there is no future, bodily resurrection of believers, the following would be true: Christ would not have been raised (vs13-17); his work is futile (vs14-15); their own Christian experience is useless and they are still in the grips of sin (vs14,17&19), and those believers who have died have no future (v18). Paul is trusting that none of this will sound like very good news to his audience! And, hopefully, this realization will lead them to reconsider their views.