Bible Reading Challenge #51
Christ Has Been Raised!
Warning: There’s a lot included in these verses below, so I encourage you to read them slowly—and then read them again—to help you process what Paul is teaching and correcting.
1 Corinthians 15:20–34
20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at His coming those who belong to Christ. 24 Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. 25 For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 27 For “God has put all things in subjection under His feet.” But when it says, “all things are put in subjection,” it is plain that He is excepted who put all things in subjection under Him. 28 When all things are subjected to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subjected to Him who put all things in subjection under Him, that God may be all in all.
29 Otherwise, what do people mean by being baptized on behalf of the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized on their behalf? 30 Why are we in danger every hour? 31 I protest, brothers, by my pride in you, which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die every day! 32 What do I gain if, humanly speaking, I fought with beasts at Ephesus? If the dead are not raised, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” 33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” 34 Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning. For some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame.
Takeaways:
While many struggle to believe that a dead person could come back to life, this is what Paul is driving home to the Corinthians: In fact, Christ has been raised!
Not only has Jesus been raised from the dead, but He will also rule over all things. He will put every enemy under His feet.
The discussion of baptism relates back to the resurrection—it would make no sense to be baptized in the name of a dead man. But Jesus is not dead!
If there were no resurrection, we might as well live like the world does: “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.”
The resurrection of Jesus changes everything. Satan thought he had won as the Son of God hung on the cross, yet God was doing through Jesus what we could never do for ourselves. God used the death of His Son to bring life to the sons and daughters of faith.
