THE RESURRECTION IN I CORINTHIANS 15
By
Dr. 0. Wilburn Swaim, Th.D.
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I. Inherent in the Gospel (1 - 4)
II. Undeniable Through its Witness (5 – 11)
III. Important in its Effect (12 – 19). If not true:
A. The Bible is but a Fable (12, 14a)
B. Christ is Forsaken (of God) (13)
C. Our Faith is Foolish (14b)
D. Our Witness if False (15, 16)
E. All are Sinners Facing Hell (17, 18). Both:
1. The Physically Alive (17)
2. The Physically Dead (18)
F. Christians are Fools (19)
IV. Great in its Events (20 – 34)
A. The Order of the First Resurrection (20 – 24) [1]
1. Christ, the Firstfruits (23a). (Note Matthew 27:51 – 53)
2. Church’s Home-going (23b w/15:51, the Mystery) [2]
3. Coming of Christ (23c)
B. The Victory of Resurrection (24 – 34)
1. The Reign of Christ (24 – 28)
2. The Responsibilities of Christians (29 – 34)
a. Stop Foolish Practices (29)
b. Stand Strong in Christ (30 – 32)
c. Separate from Unbelievers (33, 34)
V. Great in its Results (35 – 50)
A. A New Quality Body (35 – 40)
B. A New Order of Glory (41 – 50)
VI. Powerful in its Victory (51 – 57)
A. The Instant Change (51 – 53)
B. The End of Death (54 – 57)
VII. Effective in Motivating for Service (58)
A. The Character of our Service (58a)
1. Settled
2. Stationary
3. Super-abounding
B. The Reward of our Service (58b)
[1] The "First Resurrection" theologically begins at the Resurrection of Christ. Along with Him, some Jerusalem Saints were resurrected, to establish His resurrection as “Firstfruits,” plural, and not singular. Some two thousand, or more, years later, the Church Saints will be raptured out. The final stage will be the resurrection prophesied in The Revelation 20:5, 6, to occur at the end of the Tribulation Period.
[2] The phrase "at the coming," by interpretation, refers to the Return of Christ to the Earth, at the end of the Tribulation Period. Paul did not reference the Rapture, at this point (verse 23), because it was still a Mystery, to the Corinthians. In verse 51, he reveals the mystery to them.