Sunday, April 12, 2009

The Significance of the Resurrection of Christ

Now if Christ is preached, that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain. Moreover we are even found to be false witnesses of God, because we testified against God that He raised Christ, whom He did not raise, if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied. But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. (1 Corinthians 15:12-22)

It is impossible to understate the significance of Christ's resurrection. The Apostle Paul knew this, the early church knew this, but even so needed to be reminded as in the letter to the church at Corinth. And how much more then do we in the church today need to be reminded of the consequences of taking lightly the doctrine and historical fact of the resurrection, and the implications it has for us.

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