1st.Corinthians 15:1-8 "Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the Gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; by which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that CHRIST died for our sins according to the Scriptures:
And that HE was seen of Cephas (Peter), then of the twelve: after that, HE was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, HE was seen of James; then of all the Apostles. And last of all He was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time."
The Apostle Paul spends a great amount of time in today's text authenticating the truth of the resurrection of JESUS CHRIST from the dead. In fact, one half of our text is devoted to a practical defense of this miraculous event. Why did Paul elaborate on the reality of CHRIST's resurrection rather than HIS death ? The Apostle knew mankind would ridicule and scoff at the proclamation of JESUS' resurrection from the dead; therefore, the HOLY SPIRIT led him to remind the Corinthian believers that hundreds of men and women saw JESUS CHRIST firsthand following HIS death and burial.
One who either witnesses a crime or serves as an alibi for an accused criminal wields a great amount of power and influence in a court of law. The jury carefully considers the testimony of even one witness and consequently issues a verdict. Because GOD did not want any confusion or doubt to exist in the minds of men concerning the authenticity of the miraculous resurrection of HIS SON, HE allowed hundreds of witnesses to see the living body of the living MESSIAH - JESUS CHRIST. In fact, many of those witnesses were still alive when Paul wrote this letter to the Corinthian believers (v.6). Surely the presence of over 500 witnesses would put any doubts to rest !
What does the resurrection of JESUS mean to us today ? It means our faith is not in vain (v.14); it means we no longer need to be slaves to sin (v.17); it means we will rise again from the dead one day and receive glorified bodies (vv.20-22). The importance of the physical resurrection of CHRIST cannot be overstated. Yes, "I serve a risen SAVIOR, HE's in the world today; I know that HE is living, whatever men may say." MDC
Your servant in CHRIST,
Julie
Copyright, FEATURE: The Daily Bible Study Guide.
Used with permission. www.featoday.org
