Lesson 4821

 (Lesson 4821) (04-14-25) 1st Corinthians 15:12-23 

   “Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.” 

 

   In today’s lesson, Paul addressed the doubts some Corinthians had regarding the resurrection of the dead. He began by highlighting the inconsistency in their beliefs: if they accept that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can they deny the resurrection of others? Paul argued that if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ Himself has not been raised. That would render the apostles' preaching and the believers' faith meaningless, leaving them still in their sins and making them the most pitiable of all people. However, Paul affirmed that Christ has indeed been raised, becoming the "firstfruits" of those who have died. He explained that just as death came through Adam, the resurrection of the dead comes through Christ. All who are immersed into Christ, by faith, will be made alive, but each in their own order: Christ the firstfruits, followed by those who belong to Him at His coming. This lesson underscores the foundational Christian belief in the coming resurrection, linking Christ's resurrection to the coming resurrection of all believers. ~