The Hope The Resurrection of Christ Gives Believers

Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the New Testament Chapter 15

The Proofs of the Believer’s Resurrection (15:1–34)

Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the New Testament (Chapter 15)

A. Historical proof (vv. 1–11).The Corinthians did not doubt the resurrection of Christ, so Paul began there in his argument for the resurrection of the human body. The resurrection of Christ is an historic fact proved by the message of the Gospel, the testimony of witnesses and the conversion of Paul himself. If there were no resurrection, there would be no salvation, for a dead Savior can save nobody! “Now,” argues Paul, “I know that you Corinthians believe in the resurrection of Christ, otherwise your faith is empty (vain). Christ was a man, and now He has a resurrection body. If He has a glorified body in heaven, why should we believers not have one also?” This is another aspect of the believer’s union with Christ: because He has been glorified, we shall also be glorified one day.

B. Personal proof (vv. 12–19).Paul points to the Corinthians’ own personal experience. He had preached the Gospel to them, they had believed, and their lives had been transformed (6:9–11). But if the dead rise not, then Christ is dead, and that Gospel was a lie! Their faith was vain, and they were still in their sins! The Christian faith is good only if a person lives; there is no hope after death.