THE RESURRECTION HOPE HAS POWER

Solid Proof of Jesus' Resurrection

Note how Paul opened his  defense.  ( 1 Corinthians 15:1-11)  Unless the Corinthians became believers to no purpose, they will hold fast the good news of salvation. Christ died for our sins, was buried, and was raised up.  In fact, the resurrected Jesus appeared to Cephas (Peter),  "then to the twelve."  (John 20:19-23)  He was seen  by some 500 , perhaps when he commanded:  'Go, make disciples."  (Matthew 28:19, 20)  James saw him, as did all the faithful apostles.  (Ac 1:6-11) Near Damascus, Jesus appeared to Saul "as if one born prematurely -as though he had already been raised to spirit life.  (Acts  9:1-9)  The Corinthians became believers because Paul preached to them, and they accepted the good news.

Observe Paul's line of reasoning. (1 Corinthians 15:12-19)  Since eyewitnesses preach that Christ was resurrected, how can it be said that there is no resurrection?  If Jesus was not raised  from the dead, our preaching and our faith are in vain, and we are liars who bear witness against God by saying that he resurrected Christ.  If the dead are not raised  up, 'we are still in our sins,'  and those dead in union with Christ have perished.   Moreover, "if in this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all men most to be pitied." 

Paul affirms Jesus'  resurrection.  (15:20-28)  Inasmuch as Christ is "the firstfruits" of those asleep in death, others too would be resurrected.  As death resulted from the disobedience in the man Adam, resurrection is through a man-Jesus.  Those belonging to him were to be raised during his presence.  Christ brings "to  nothing all government and all authority and power"  in opposition to God's sovereignty and rules as King  until Jehovah  puts all enemies under his feet.  Even "the last enemy-death inherited through the merit of Jesus' sacrifice.  Then Christ will hand the Kingdom over to his God and Father, subjecting himself  to "the One who  subjected all things to him,  that God may be all things to everyone."

Next time: Baptized for the Dead?

Watchtower, 2000