Last time we studied I Corinthians 15:1-19, we concluded with these thoughts:

 

 

(1 Cor 15:13) But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. {14} And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. {15} Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up; if in fact the dead do not rise. {16} For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. {17} And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! {18} Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.

 

 

(1 Cor 15:19) If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.

 

This evening we continue our study with this verse:

 

(1 Cor 15:20) But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.

 

Three thoughts:

 

1) Christ has been raised from the dead.

 

The resurrection has already been addressed.

It will continue to be the topic of this chapter.  Without the resurrection, Paul has already pointed out our condition is hopeless.

 

2) He is the firstfruits

 

This is easy to read over, but what are the implications?  If He is the first fruits, then what about the Old Testament saints?  I would assume they are as addressed in point 3:

 

3) Those who have fallen asleep.

“Those who have fallen asleep” is a very scriptural term for what it means to die.  Today, the common belief is that the moment we die we are immediately in the presence of God, or are suffering in eternal torment.  I once believed this like everyone else, but I don’t believe that is what is taught in this passage, or in other passages.  It is true that some passages seem to suggest this.

      A very common expression for death in the New Testament is to fall asleep.  In John 11:11, Jesus said, "Our friend Lazarus sleeps, but I go that I may wake him up."  The disciples were confused  and said, "Lord, if he sleeps he will get well." (John 11:12 NKJV)  "However, Jesus spoke of his death, but they thought that He was speaking about taking rest in sleep." (John 11:13 NKJV) --   So very clearly He used the expression we would use to speak of sleeping, but Jesus used it as a reference to dying.

   

      When Stephen was stoned,  'Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, "Lord, do not charge them with this sin." And when he had said this, he fell asleep.' (Acts 7:60 NKJV) We all know he was stoned to death.

    In Acts 13, Paul said, "For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell asleep, was buried with his fathers, and saw corruption; (Acts 13:36 NKJV)

 

(1 Cor 15:21)  For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead.

 

 

(1 Cor 15:45) And so it is written, "The first man Adam became a living being." The last Adam became a life-giving spirit. {46} However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural, and afterward the spiritual. [This refutes Mormon doctrine which teaches there are “spirit babies” needing a body.  That’s why Mormons are encouraged to have large families] {47} The first man was of the earth, made of dust; the second Man is the Lord from heaven.

 

(1 Cor 15:22) For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive.

 

 

 

(1 Cor 15:23) But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ's at His coming. {24} Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power.

 

 

(1 Th 4:13)  But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. (1 Th 4:14) For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. {15} For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep.

 

 

(1 Cor 15:25) For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. {26} The last enemy that will be destroyed is death. {27} For "He has put all things under His feet." But when He says "all things are put under Him," it is evident that He who put all things under Him is excepted.

 

 

(Psa 8:4)  What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him? {5} For You have made him a little lower than the angels, And You have crowned him with glory and honor. {6} You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet,

 

(Psa 110:1 NKJV)  The LORD said to my Lord, "Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool."

 

(1 Cor 15:26) The last enemy that will be destroyed is death.

 

(1 Cor 15:27 (again)) For "He has put all things under His feet." But when He says "all things are put under Him," it is evident that He who put all things under Him is excepted.

 

 

(1 Cor 15:28) (1) Now when all things are made subject to Him, (2) then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, (3) that God may be all in all. {29} Otherwise, what will they do who are baptized for the dead, if the dead do not rise at all? Why then are they baptized for the dead?

The Mormon Church makes a great deal of this statement.

They teach that you can be baptized for someone who is dead, and thus save that person who otherwise would be lost.

Such teaching flies in the face of common sense, and the clear teaching of the rest of scripture.  The message of the Bible is a message of individual responsibility.  So what is the answer?

 

(1 Cor 15:29) Otherwise, what will they do who are baptized for the dead, if the dead do not rise at all? Why then are they baptized for the dead?

 

(1 Cor 15:26 – Lenski)  Else what shall they do who are baptized with a view to the dead?  If the dead are not raised at all, why at all are they baptized with a view to the them?

 

Baptism is bound up the “death, burial and resurrection.”  (Rom 6:5 NKJV)  For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection,”

(1 Cor 15:29 – Harley’s notes) Otherwise, what will they do who are baptized for [in preparation of the day you will be] dead, if the dead do not rise at all? Why then are they baptized for [in preparation of one day being among] the dead?

 

Now Paul and the apostles in particular:

 

(1 Cor 15:30) And why do we stand in jeopardy every hour?  [It’s for the hope of the dead—the hope of the resurrection] {31} I affirm, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. {32} If, in the manner of men, I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantage is it to me? If the dead do not rise, "Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!"

 

 

(1 Cor 15:33) Do not be deceived: "Evil company corrupts good habits." {34} Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame.

 

There is a resurrection.   There are consequences for the way we live, so “Awake to righteousness.”

 

 

(1 John 2:4-6 NKJV)  He who says, "I know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. {5} But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. {6} He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.

 

The Resurrection:

 

It is our blessed hope, or as Paul says:

 

(1 Cor 9:24 NKJV)  Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.”

The Prize is eternal life!

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