I Corinthians 15:12-34 (Part 69) Grasping 15:12-19 and 15:20-28
Premise—v. 12 and v. 20
Logical conclusion: 1) Premise, v. 12—conclusions, vv. 13-19; 2) Premise v. 20—conclusions, vv. 21-28
First fruits
• The first sheath represented the whole crop
• It consecrated the whole crop
• It anticipated the whole crop
• It guaranteed the whole crop
I Corinthians 15—first fruits becomes personal
• The first sheath is the resurrection of Christ
• The crop is all dead believers
• Christ’s resurrection guarantees our resurrection
The advantages of the resurrection—vv. 29-34
• The implications of the denial of the resurrection: 1) “Baptized for the dead”—new believers take the place of dead ones, v. 29
• Of those who suffer, vv. 30-32
• If there is no resurrection of the body, then what suffering is worth it??
Three levels of fellowship
• The fellowship we have now on earth
• The fellowship at death
• The fellowship with the Lord in the new body and soul and spirit
Obligation imposed by the doctrine of the resurrection, vv. 33-34
• Danger of association (not in terms of conduct but rather belief--doctrine), v. 33
• Duty to change, v. 34: 1) In terms of sobriety; 2) In terms of sinning (in particular bad company); 3) Description of bad company