1 Corinthians – Chapter-15

1. 1. The divinity of Jesus rests on the resurrection of Jesus (Rom.1:4).
   2. The sovereignty of Jesus rests on the resurrection of Jesus (Rom. 14:9).
   3. Our justification rests on the resurrection of Jesus (Rom. 4:25).
   4. Our regeneration rests on the resurrection of Jesus (1 Pet.1:3).
   5. Our ultimate resurrection rests on the resurrection of Jesus (Rom.8:11).
   6. “The fact is, that the silver thread of resurrection runs through all the blessings, from regeneration onward to our eternal glory, and binds them together.” (Spurgeon). 

Christ the First fruit: – Resurrection of Saints:  (15:20-29):

In this paragraph we  see 3-images.  The Lord Jesus as the First fruit,  Adam the sinner and the Saints who will be inherited through Jesus Christ.

The First fruit:  (15:21-22):

Firstfruits is the Greek word “aparche.”  In the Septuagint, this word is used for the offering of firstfruits and in general, this word was is used for an entrance fee.  In the OT, the offering of firstfruits brought one sheaf of grain to represent and anticipate the rest of the harvest (Lev.23:9-14). The Jews were offering the first sheaf of their harvest with the hope that God would bless them and have the bumper harvest in the future. Similarly, the resurrection of Jesus represents our resurrection, because if we are  united together in His death, certainly we also be raised in the  resurrection (Rom.6:5). The resurrection of Jesus also assures our resurrection, because we will be raised with a glorified body. The body sleeps, but the soul is at home with the Lord (2 Cor. 5:1-8; Phil 1:21-23). At the resurrection, the body will be awakened  and glorified. Therefore Christ becomes the First fruit of those who have fallen asleep. It must be noted that although Jesus Christ was not the first to rise from the dead (He raised Lazarus and others), He was the first to never die again.  He is the forerunner for us, the proof of our eventual resurrection to eternal life.  We see the similarity of the first fruits of Jews and the Jesus Christ who became the Firstfruit of Resurrection.

• The Feast of Firstfruits was observed on the day after the Sabbath following Passover (Lev.23:9-14). Significantly, Jesus rose from the dead on the exact day of the Feast of Firstfruits, the day after the Sabbath following the Passover.
• The offering at the Feast of Firstfruits was a bloodless grain offering (Lev. 2:1-16). No atoning sacrifice was necessary, because the Passover lamb had just been sacrificed. This corresponds perfectly with the resurrection of Jesus, because His death ended the need for sacrifice, having provided a perfect and complete atonement.
• The resurrection of Jesus is also the Firstfruitsof our resurrection in the sense that He is our “entrance fee” to resurrection. Jesus paid our admission to the resurrection!  (thoughts taken from David Guzik’s online commentary).