(a) Describe how Paul dealt with the problem of the Corinthian Christians who did not...
(a) Describe how Paul dealt with the problem of the Corinthian Christians who did not believe in ressurection.
(b) What is the significance of the ressurection of Christ to Christians?
Explanation
(a) Paul wrote to the Corinthians to counter the wrong teaching imparted to them. In the first place, he reminded them about his early teaching on the subject which they accepted and hoped would give them justification and salvation if they continued in true faith in Christ. Paul told them that he delivered the doctrine of resurrection to them as he received it; that Jesus died for their sins, was buried and has risen on the third day according to the scriptures. As proofs of his resurrection, he appeared to his disciples including Peter, James and five hundred others. Lastly, he appeared to him Paul, the least of the apostles, being a persecutor of the church. He wondered why some unbelievers should deny the resurrection of Christ if there were such abundant and clear evidence to prove it.
Paul averred that Jesus could not have been raised if there was no resurrection and, if he was not raised, then his preachings and those of others would have been in vain. This means that preachers would be guilty of deception and misrepresentation of God. These would render their faith useless and make them remain in sins. If Jesus did not resurrect, then the dead in Christ remain perished and those who are still alive with faith in Christ stand to be pitied. But the fact remains that Christ has been raised from the dead and has become the first fruit among those who have fallen asleep. Paul stated further that death first came through the first Adam, so also life after death has come to man through Jesus Christ. God has put every thing under Christ's authority and through his grace, Christians are assured of life eternal.
(b) The significance of resurrection of Jesus to Christians are:
(i) Victory over death has been won for the children of God by Jesus.
(ii) Death for a Christian is only the gate-way to eternal life in the kingdom of God for all believers.
(iii) By raising Jesus from the dead, God has shown the world that Jesus is His son.