The Gospel of the Resurrection (1 Cor. 15:1-11)

[Sung Scripture: Habakkuk 3]

When Paul says 1 Corinthians 15 that Christ died for our sins “in accordance with the Scriptures” and that he was raised on the third day “in accordance with the Scriptures,” Paul is not saying that Jesus fulfilled a particular prophecy here or there. Paul is saying that the whole pattern and teaching of the OT is fulfilled in Jesus.

It’s all nice and good that Paul can appeal to the 500 who saw the risen Christ – but they’ve all been dead for more than 1900 years now.

Jesus knew that we’d struggle with that. That’s why he said to Thomas, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:29)

But all of the scriptures testify that the Christ must suffer and die for our sins – and be raised up from the dead – so that the forgiveness of sins might be proclaimed in all the earth.

If Christ is not raised from the dead bodily – then we are not saved....