In this chapter Paul is evidently answering some people who are saying that Jesus didn't actually rise from the dead. This is actually an important point and even one that people wrestle with today. In some liberal supposedly Christian churches they even say that Jesus didn't rise from the dead but that it wasn't important. They say that what is important are the good moral teachings that he left behind. Clearly this is false and Paul argues against this view and says why it is true that Jesus rose from the dead and why it is important.
Paul's proof lies on the fact of so many eye-witnesses who saw the risen Christ along with the many eye-witnesses who saw him crucified and buried for three days. There are many powerful aspects of the argument that he gives including the fact of appearing to over 500 witnesses at the same time - who are now mostly still alive.
Some interesting things that we learn as he has the discussion: 1) our resurrection bodies are different from our current physical bodies 2) Paul was evidently thrown to the lions in Ephesus (v 32) 3) Some Christians will be alive at Christ's return and their bodies will be changed instantly on his return (v 52) 4) Those who have died in Christ will preceed those who are still alive (v 52) 5) Death will be defeated forever when Christ returns.
Another point that Paul throws in as a warning: "Do not be misled: 'Bad company corrupts good character'." (v 33). This is an important reminder for us that we need to be careful of who we spend time with and how we spend that time. If we are around people who are speaking falsely about God and his ways, especially if they claim to be Christians, then we will become corrupted. We need to answer false claims as Paul is doing and not just go along with them lest we be corrupted.
The testimony of 500 eye-witnesses is compelling proof that Jesus did in fact rise from the dead. Also, the apostle Paul saw the risen Jesus, and heard his voice on the road to Damascus. We must have faith in the resurrection of the living and the dead; it is the foundation of our faith. Paul said "if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins." (verse 17).
ReplyDeleteWhat does Paul refer to when he says that Jesus "must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet"? (verse 25). Jesus has already conquered the enemies of the kingdom of God, but the work will not be complete until the end of the earth? Isn't Jesus the reigning King right now?
I liked the analogy between the seed bearing a new plant, and the physical body bearing a spiritual body. "And what you sow is not the body that is to be, but a bare kernel, perhaps of wheat or of some other grain" (verse 37). Doesn't this mean that many of the physical aspects of our body will be completely different in heaven?
Paul says that "when the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: 'Death is swallowed up in victory...'" (verse 54). How does this ultimate victory over death corrrespond to deliverance from Death and Hell? Just as Death and Hell are thrown into the lake of fire at the final judgment, what degree of victory is achieved through deliverance in the present day?
Bible is dealing with all the questions we can doubt about God! It was interesting to me that the early corinthians are struggling with the doubt about Jesus's resurrection.
ReplyDeletePeople tend to justify their belief. When people cannot convince Jesus was resurrected, they can focus on other good teaching without trying to believe. However,if Christ has not been raised, my faith is futile v17.
I reminded that I should believe Jesus and God exactly written in the Bible instead of understand it in my own way.
Jason's question about Jesus' reign is sometimes described as the "already and not yet". Yes he is the king and is reigning, but there is still a time where Satan is granted authority on earth. This will end at Christ's return. Hebrews discusses this in Hebrews 2:8 where it says that we don't currently see everything subject to him. The battle has been won, but God's timeline is different from what we might expect. He is giving people a chance to repent (2 Peter3:9) and awaiting the proper time to accomplish the end time events that he has already clearly described by Jesus and in the book of Revelations and elsewhere.
ReplyDeleteI like the analogy of the grain as well. Clearly, yes, our heavenly bodies will be different from our current physical bodies and not just in the fact that they won't die or corrupt. What exactly they will be like we don't exactly know, but we get further hints by looking at Jesus' resurrection body. It was similar but people often didn't recognize him immediately. He could physically appear in a room where the doors and windows were closed and yet he could also eat meals.