The resurrection of Jesus Christ sets Christianity apart from all the
religions of the world. Scripture presents Christ as a risen Savior on the other side of
death, "alive for evermore." (Rev. 1:18) The Christian has a personal
relationship with, and is in union with, a living Savior.
The resurrection of the body was denied by the Sadducees of
Christ’s day. (Luke 20:27) The preaching of Christ’s resurrection was mocked by
the heathen of Paul’s day. (Acts 17:18, 32) The finite human mind struggles with this
truth. The fact that a body which goes into the grave and returns to dust, or cremated and
tossed to the wind, will rise again goes beyond human understanding. As long as man sets
the limits, resurrection will be a puzzle. This being true, it is only by faith in the
inspired written Word of God that one will come to the knowledge of this truth.
While there are many passages of Scripture which speak of Christ’s
resurrection, 1 Corinthians 15 is a passage devoted to this subject. In this chapter we
find that Jesus’ resurrection is important both to Christianity and to the Christian.
It is essential truth which is to believed for salvation. (vs. 1-2). It is part of
the essence of the Gospel. (vs. 3-4) Paul then gives evidence of
Christ’s resurrection, including himself who had a personal encounter with the risen
and glorified Christ. (vs. 5-11).
To the Christian the resurrection of Jesus Christ could be likened to a
receipt. Payment for our sins was made and His resurrection is a receipt, or proof that
the payment was acceptable and sufficient. (Rom. 4:25) In union with Christ we not only
died with Him, but we are alive in Him as well. (Rom. 6:4–5) By God’s abundant
mercy He "hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus
Christ from the dead" (1 Pet. 1:3) May we rejoice that our Savior lives and will take
us to be with Himself.