The prophet Job once asked a very important question. It was, “If a man dies will he live again?” I personally cannot think of a more important question. After all, we have already experienced several thousand years of mankind, and while birth is something we all hold in common, so is death. No one ever asks “Is death a reality?” And we don’t have to ask because we know. Today’s question transcends that question because everyone hopes for some kind of positive existence beyond the grave.
The Apostle Paul was not necessarily Job’s question when he wrote his letters to the church at Corinth, but he did answer it indirectly when he addressed the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
1 Cor. 15:3-8 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of who are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born. NIV
Paul made several important points in this passage.
What we see here is testimony. There is the testimony of Scripture to be sure. That is seen in the words, “according to the Scriptures.” To many, that means nothing, but to those who believe it means everything, but if the testimony is only according to the Scriptures we can understand why some would reject it, but what about the testimony of eyewitnesses? Historically that has been considered most important because it is a personal account of what was personally seen.
Paul also makes another important point. He states that the information he is passing along is of FIRST IMPORTANCE. Why is it so important? Because it answers the question first raised. “If a man dies will he live again?” That is answered when Paul writes that Christ died for our sins. It is our sin that brought death in the first place and is Christ’s death through which eternal life is again made possible. HE IS RISEN! HE IS RISEN INDEED!
I love being pastor of the Journey church! I hope to see you on Easter Sunday, the 16th! See our April Events and Activities for more details.
The Apostle Paul was not necessarily Job’s question when he wrote his letters to the church at Corinth, but he did answer it indirectly when he addressed the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
1 Cor. 15:3-8 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of who are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born. NIV
Paul made several important points in this passage.
- Christ died for our sins, and in fact was buried.
- Christ was raised on the third day (Sunday).
- Christ physically appeared to several individuals and groups.
What we see here is testimony. There is the testimony of Scripture to be sure. That is seen in the words, “according to the Scriptures.” To many, that means nothing, but to those who believe it means everything, but if the testimony is only according to the Scriptures we can understand why some would reject it, but what about the testimony of eyewitnesses? Historically that has been considered most important because it is a personal account of what was personally seen.
Paul also makes another important point. He states that the information he is passing along is of FIRST IMPORTANCE. Why is it so important? Because it answers the question first raised. “If a man dies will he live again?” That is answered when Paul writes that Christ died for our sins. It is our sin that brought death in the first place and is Christ’s death through which eternal life is again made possible. HE IS RISEN! HE IS RISEN INDEED!
I love being pastor of the Journey church! I hope to see you on Easter Sunday, the 16th! See our April Events and Activities for more details.