Episode 2853 - Lesson 8 - Sunday August 16 - Proclaiming the Resurrection of Christ

Proclaiming the Resurrection of ChristPaul begins 1 Corinthians 15 by focusing on the gospel. He speaks about the gospel: (1) which he preached to the Corinthians; (2) which they received; (3) in which they stood; and (4) by which they were saved (1 Cor. 15:1-2, NKJV). This opening prepares the reader for what comes next in the chapter and shows how essential Christ's resurrection is for our salvation (see also Rom. 10:9-10). His resurrection is such a vital part of the gospel message that denying it contradicts one's faith in Christ.Read 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, Luke 24:44-47, and Romans 1:1-4. What do these passages have in common?In 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, one can find a summary of Paul's message. Whether the phrase "according to the Scriptures" refers to particular Old Testament passages or to the Old Testament as a whole doesn't matter. Jesus' death and resurrection fulfill God's promises found in the Old Testament.Read 1 Corinthians 15:2, 11. Why do these verses place the concepts of believing and preaching side by side? What is the relationship between the two?All who proclaim that Christ is risen must first believe that His resurrection is a historical event. In this case, 1 Corinthians 15:5-8 plays a critical role in the New Testament. This passage provides solid scriptural evidence that Christ was seen by numerous people after His resurrection, many of whom were still alive by the time Paul wrote the letter (1 Cor. 15:6).Basically, Paul is saying, Go ask them for yourselves what they saw. That is how confident he was in the reality of Christ's resurrection.These people were eyewitnesses. They were what Jesus said they would be, namely, "witnesses of these things" (Luke 24:48).What reasons do we have for believing in Christ's resurrection? Also, what other things, secular or sacred, do we believe even if we haven't seen them ourselves?