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Luke 24:44-53; 1 Corinthians 15 "REVIEWING SIGNIFICANT THEOLOGICAL INSIGHTS"

Day 352 – Luke 24

Text: Luke 24:44-53; 1 Corinthians 15

REVIEWING SIGNIFICANT THEOLOGICAL INSIGHTS

Paul argued strenuously for the doctrine of the resurrection of Christ for a number of reasons. Let’s take time to review these reasons:-

1. The doctrine of the resurrection of Christ was part and parcel of the Gospel of salvation (1 Corinthians 15:1-2).

2. The doctrine of the resurrection was a clear doctrine taught in the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).

3. The resurrection of Jesus was pure fact! Many could attest to the fact that they had seen Him (1 Corinthians 15:5-8).

4. The resurrection of Jesus was also significant because He was the firstfruits of the assured future resurrection of all believers (1 Corinthians 15:20, 23).

THE DOCTRINE OF THE RESURRECTION TO BE TRACED ALL THE WAY BACK TO ADAM

Paul’s arguments were indeed persuasive and powerful. The first three points of the argument were similar to what Jesus had taught His disciples (Cf. Luke 24:1-43). The fourth point was an important theological understanding that came to Paul as he thought through the significance of the resurrection of Jesus.

There were more arguments that could be added to strengthen the doctrine of the resurrection. Let us take time to carefully consider Paul’s further arguments for the doctrine of resurrection.

“For since by man came death,
by Man also came the resurrection of the dead.
For as in Adam all die,
Even so in Christ all shall be made alive.
But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits,
Afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming.”
1 Corinthians 15:21-23

Paul’s understanding of man may be called “Biblical anthropology”. He saw an essential link between mankind and the first man, Adam. In and through Adam we inherited the sinful human nature. As Adam died as a consequence of having sinned against God, so mankind continues to die because of the consequences of sin.

When Christ put on flesh and became Man, He too had to experience death. He bore the weight of mankind’s sins on Himself and died an atoning vicarious death. If He had not been resurrected, then there would not have been victory over sin. When He overcame death, His victory was not with reference to Himself. His victory was for all who believed in Him!

What a deep and powerful theological insight Paul was given, concerning the significance of the resurrection of Jesus. It would do us a world of good to ponder over this deep truth. This truth when fully understood would lead us to a great sense of victory and joy in our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST HAS TO DO WITH HIS SECOND COMING AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A KINGDOM ON EARTH

The doctrine of the resurrection of Christ has deeper implications yet. Let us consider another argument put forth by the Apostle Paul.

“Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s
at His coming.
Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom
To God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and authority
And power.
For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet.
The last enemy that will be destroyed is death…”
1 Corinthians 15:23-26

In the Scriptures, we have a number of prophecies that speak of Jesus establishing a kingdom on earth. This is often called the Millennial Kingdom in the Scriptures. This particular kingdom has special reference to the nation of Israel.

Paul believed the Scriptures fully and held to the view that Jesus would return to earth one day. If He were to fulfil this part of the Scriptures, of course He would have to be risen from the dead!

RAMIFICATIONS OF THE DOCTRINE OF THE RESURRECTION

Obviously, the doctrine of the resurrection of Jesus had important ramifications. He shared one of the ramifications of this doctrine and how it affected his manner of living. He wrote,

“And why do stand in jeopardy every hour?
I affirm, by the boasting in you which I have
In Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.
If, in the manner of men, I have fought with beasts at Ephesus,
What advantage it is to me?
If the dead do not rise, ‘Let us eat and drink,
For tomorrow we die!'”
1 Cornthians 15:30-32

Paul was not afraid to risk his life for the sake of the Lord Jesus Christ, because of his faith in the doctrine of the resurrection. He was confident that should he die in the service of Christ, risking his life for the sake of the Gospel, he would be resurrected one day. His peril may well be compared to the fighting of beasts.

If the dead do not rise, then what is the point of life at all? One might as well just eat and drink heartily, for death ends everything. However, this was not the case. Death does not end everything. There was the hope of the resurrection, therefore that truth should affect the way one lives! What powerful ramifications we have in this doctrine!