Footsteps #147

A flood of television programming and movies proclaims, in ways both subtle and deceptive, the world’s enticement for the teaching of reincarnation. Blending the thought of Eastern religions, ancient traditions, and New Age concepts, the media proclaim that human life does not end, it endlessly reappears. This of course was the devil’s first lie to Eve in the Garden, “You shall not surely die.” (Gen.3:4) Through séances, ghosts, and spiritualism, the idea that when you die, you don’t die is still prevalent in our 21st-century culture. Without watchfulness, this popular support for reincarnation may begin to corrupt our own faith in the Christian hope. The idea of reincarnation is, in total, contrary to the concept of resurrection. 

Others today adopt a secular-humanist perspective and strongly hold to the idea that death is the end. There is nothing more. Many Christians also hold the unbiblical concept of immortality and a disembodied soul and an ever-burning Hell. This alternative is neither biblical nor appealing. 

In v20 Paul draws on the OT offering of the first fruits of the harvest (Lev23:10,11). Christ is “the first fruits,” the promise of a future harvest. The fact that He has been raised from the dead ensures that all who died in Him will, likewise, be raised. In Christ, the harvest is begun, but it is not finished. 

Apart from the special resurrections of Enoch, Moses, Elijah, and the one in Matt.27:52, the Bible knows of no other resurrection than that which occurs “at His coming” (1Cor.15:23), at the “the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed.” (15:52) Jesus taught this (John6:28), In vs40&42 He said, “I will raise him up at the last day”. Martha believed it “I know he (Lazarus her brother) will rise again in the resurrection at the last day” (John11:24.) Peter proclaimed it (Acts.2:29 & 34) and Paul preached it repeatedly (e.g.1Thess.4:15-17). 

In v28 Paul is trying to redirect their misconceptions to the glorious resurrection of Christ. He by no means supports the idea of baptism for the dead. That would not be consistent with the context of the whole chapter and the rest of Scripture. Baptism requires a personal decision of repentance from sin and faith in Christ.