- Some of the Corinthian Christians were denying the reality of the resurrection, while believing in a resurrected Jesus. Paul shows how the resurrection of Jesus not only proves His own resurrection, but it proves the principle of resurrection which is common for both.
- And if Christ had not risen, then our preaching isempty and our faith is also empty. Yes, we are found to be false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ. In fact the dead do not rise. For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, our faith is futile; we are still in your sins! Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are the men to be pitied.
- If there is no resurrection, then Jesus is not risen, and what Paul and the other Apostles have been preaching is in vain. There is no real, resurrected Jesus whom they are serving.
- If there is no principle of resurrection, and if Jesus did not rise from the dead, then the Apostles are liars. Then we are false witnesses of God.
- If there is no principle resurrection, then Jesus did not rise from the dead. If Jesus did not rise from the dead, then death has power over Him and has defeated Him. If death has power over Jesus, He is not God. If Jesus is not God, He cannot offer a complete sacrifice for sins. If Jesus cannot offer a complete sacrifice for sins, my sins are not completely paid for before God. If my sins are not completely paid for before God, then I am still in my sins! If Jesus is not risen, He is unable to save.
- If Christ is not risen, then those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If there is no principle of resurrection, then the dead in Christ are gone forever.
- If Christ is not risen, then in this life only we have hope in Christ, and we are of all men the most pitiable. If there is no principle of resurrection, then the whole Christian life is a pitiful joke! If we don’t have something beyond this life to look forward to, why hassle with the problems being a Christian?
- Paul thought, “with all I have endured for Jesus Christ, if there is not a resurrection and a heavenly reward beyond this life, I am a fool to be pitied.” Of all the Apostles, Paul went through greater hardships for the sake of Gospel.
- If you do not believe Jesus Christ rose from the dead in a resurrection body the way the Bible says we have no right to call yourself a Christian. This is one of the essential doctrines of the Christian faith.
- Our dependence upon the Lord rests upon the resurrection of Jesus: They are: