November 22/23, 2014
1 Corinthians 15-16
How could it be, we wonder, that church, built on suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, could wander so far afield that they deny the resurrection of individual believers. As Paul rightly says in 1 Corinthians 15, “if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised,” (15:13) and “if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins” (15:17).
Read chapter 15 carefully; it’s long, but invaluable. In it, Paul defends the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, the resurrection of the body, and the nature of that resurrection. He even addresses the issue of what happens to our bodies, should be alive at the time of the Lord’s return! Paul’s summation is high and holy: “Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (15:54-57)
In chapter 16, Paul asks the church to take a special offering. Incidentally, he gives credence to the beginning of the Christian shift from Saturday Sabbath worship to Sunday, for he refers to the “first day of the week” as their gathering day! The rest of this last chapter consists of personal remarks and greetings!
Is Paul finished writing the church in Corinth? No. Tomorrow, we begin his second letter to them!
Your fellow traveler through the New Testament,
Pastor Gary
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