The resurrection of the dead. 1 Corinthians 15:12-34 There are some religious scholars and many people beside them who think the resurrection of Christ was an invented story to promote the “faith process” in life. They do not reason through the facts that are historically proven and all the undeniable evidence of the lives of people who believe in the resurrection being dramatically changed for the better. To them the resurrection is not the critical event that defines Christianity, but merely the imagination of some simple people.
Death came on mankind as a result of man’s sin and even creation was affected by sin, not because God failed in some way, or is limited in anyway by creating us to live with Him forever. Human being have been given freedom of the will so that they might truly love God and enjoy being with Him forever. Because of His great grace the Father sent the Son to be our Savior by justly taking away our sin and its consequences. His perfect sacrifice has brought us life and will bring new life to all who believe in Him and He will raise us to be with Him for eternity.
Paul and all Bible-believing preachers are false witnesses and liars if there is no resurrection. The faith of Christians is unreal if there is no resurrection. Dead saints have perished if there is no resurrection. In regards to the program of God, the whole of human history until His coming looked forward to this redemptive work that was foretold. “But now…,” life in Christ is new. “In Christ shall all be made alive…” Christ is the first to be raised to endless life. He is “the first fruit.” The Christians’ resurrection is a sure fact because we belong to Him... “they that are Christ’s.” The ongoing saga of human history after the resurrection doesn't conclude with the words, “then cometh the end.” The initiation of Christ’s kingdom will be accomplished and then “He must reign.” The whole future of humanity centers ultimately on the resurrection.
You may ask, “Why should I believe in Him unless I can see and touch Him?" That is like saying, "I will not deceive myself into thinking an electric light comes on just because I touch the switch. I must see the man at the power station who connects the main switch.” When the Lord ascended, He promised that He would, and He did, send the Holy Spirit. The evidence of the risen Christ is seen in the experience and power of those in whom the Holy Spirit dwells. If you press the switch of repentance and faith, the light and power of the Spirit will come on in your heart.
The resurrection and ascension of Jesus opened the way for the unprecedented invasion into our world of the Holy Spirit of God. Joel prophesied it 800 years before. When people received the Holy Spirit, that opened up a personal fellowship with God. The cross of Christ reveals man’s basic problem – hostility against God. Some of those who were involved heard Peter preach and were called upon to repent and face up to the resurrected Jesus who was Lord and Christ. If they wanted to be saved, they were to demonstrate their sincerity by calling on the name of the Lord. Then they were baptized as evidence of the reality of their profession.
In regards to our present condition, baptism is useless if there is no resurrection because the very teaching of baptism is we have experienced by association with our Lord Jesus, death, burial, and resurrection. By coming out of the water of baptism, we identify ourselves as having spiritual life now and we are alive in Christ forevermore. Also, the physical suffering thousands of believers have experienced for Christ is useless if there is no resurrection.
Paul endured suffering all through his Christian life for the sake of the Gospel. He knew, as we also know, that there is a future ahead beyond the grave that constrains God's people to evangelize so lost sinners can be saved. The physical suffering that is endured in the body will end in glory at the resurrection of believers. Those who do not believe in the resurrection have been in the wrong company and listening to the wrong teachers if they think there is no resurrection.