Read: 1 Corinthians 15:12-34
Key Text: If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. (1 Corinthians 15:17)
Reflection: As we best we can determine, the Apostle’s Creed appeared in its earliest form in the mid second century. Through it the early church sought to concisely re-state biblical Christianity in the light of ongoing confusion and controversy about doctrinal matters, especially relating to the person and work of Jesus Christ. Then as now there were friends and foes alike who questioned the validity of the resurrection. After all, dead men don’t rise.
In this passage the Apostle Paul confronts this thinking in the church in Corinth. Corinth was a city caught up in the emerging cult surrounding the Roman Caesar. Caesar was thought responsible for salvation amounting to present blessings of safety, health and wealth of what was a very rich city in the empire. For many in Corinth, salvation was to be celebrated in this life and is associated with the coming of Caesar. For Paul, salvation is not just celebrated in this life, but the life to come and such salvation only comes through Jesus Christ. In this, Paul directly links the resurrection of Jesus with the hope we have for our resurrection. In fact Paul is saying simply and directly, no resurrection – no hope.
Ben Witherington summarizes the Paul’s persuasive argument for the centrality of belief in the physical resurrection for Christian faith. If Christ has not been raised:
- Paul’s preaching and the Corinthian’s faith are empty, worthless and futile
- Paul is guilty of bearing false witness about what God did
- Christians are still in their sins
- Those who have died as Christians have already perished
- Believers are to be pitied, since faith in Christ has only temporary benefits
- All effort at moral uprightness is pointless
- All of Paul’s work, including risking his life, is pointless.
Let me be clear; when it comes to the resurrection of Jesus we cannot sit on the fence. Based on the evidence, and by faith we believe it happened, or not. And according to Paul, only if it did do we have real hope that sustains us in this life and the life to come.
Question: How do you respond to people who suggest that the resurrection of Jesus was not bodily, but in some way spiritual? Is this an important distinction?
Read: A Resurrection Day sermon from Rev Dr N.T. Wright preached at Durham Cathedral: http://www.ntwrightpage.com/sermons/EasterDay08.htm
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