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| V. The Resurrection, Part 1 I've had to think alot about how to approach this subject. But I have found that I am going to let Paul take care of it (I love Paul!). Let me start with some background first. 1Co 15:12 Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? 1Co 15:13 But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: 1Co 15:14 And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. 1Co 15:15 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. 1Co 15:16 For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: 1Co 15:17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. 1Co 15:18 Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. I put 1 Co 15:14 in purple, to make it standout. This is the verse that some Christians cling to very tightly thinking that belief in the miracle of Christ's physical resurrection is what makes or breaks their faith. In fact this is even more supported by one of the "eyewitness accounts" of Jesus' resurrection. Lu 24:33 And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them, Lu 24:34 Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. Lu 24:35 And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread. Lu 24:36 And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. Lu 24:37 But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. Lu 24:38 And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? Lu 24:39 Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. Lu 24:40 And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet. Lu 24:41 And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat? Lu 24:42 And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. Lu 24:43 And he took it, and did eat before them. Lu 24:44 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. Lu 24:45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, Here Jesus reassures them that what they see is not a spirit, because the were terrified and affrighted, "a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have" . But verse 41 says they STILL did not believe, not utnil verse 45 when Jesus opens their understanding. verses 46-53 (omitted for sake of space) shows their faith being put into action. Remember Thomas? Jo 20:29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. If no one had seen Jesus after the Resurrection, should we still believe? Why is the Resurrection important? If you think that the miracle of it is a proof, remember that not everyone believed that "proof". If you think that this act will cause the resurrection of the dead, you should perhaps think about who the "dead" are. Paul, please continue: 1Co 15:35 But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come? 1Co 15:36 Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die: (Psssst. It is the spirit that quickeneth...) 1Co 15:42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: 1Co 15:43 It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: 1Co 15:44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. Oooooooooh, "There is a natural body and there is a spiritual body". |
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