The Resurrection Defended (1 Cor 15, part 2)

Reformed Baptist Church of Kansas City

In one of the most important chapters of all Scripture, Paul declares, defends, and describes the Resurrection of Believers from the Dead in 1 Cor 15.--In verses 12-34, Paul defends the truth of the Resurrection from the dead against those who questioned or denied it in Corinth.--First -vv12-19-, he gives a Negative Defense of the Resurrection by showing the absurdity and danger of denying the Resurrection- the bodily resurrection of the saints is Inseparable from Christ's bodily resurrection- the denial of the resurrection leads to Illogical conclusions- and the denial of the resurrection leads to all sinners being Irredeemable.--Second -vv20-28-, he gives a Positive Defense by addressing some of the promises associated with it- Christ's purpose for coming included being the Firstfruits from dead to guarantee the full -harvest- of the final resurrection at His second coming- and Christ as King over Final Things returns to put an end to all enemies and death and sin at the consummation of all things through the resurrection.--Third -vv29-34-, he returns to a Negative Defense to show the foolishness of the false teachers and the foolishness of the Christian if there is no resurrection from the dead, before warning the Corinthians not to be so foolish as to listen to, consider, or associate with the heresy of the denial of the bodily resurrection of Christ and-or His people.--I. Negative Defense -vv12-19---error of wrong view ----A. Inseparable -12-13-----B. Illogical -14-15-----C. Irredeemable -16-19--II. Positive Defense -vv20-28---encouragement of right view----A. Firstfruits -20-23-----B. Final Things -24-28--III. Negative Defense -vv29-34---effects of wrong view