Adult Bible Study

Adult Bible Study – 1^st Corinthians

Holy Trinity Lutheran Church

Chapter 15

The subject appears to change in the concluding chapters of the Corinthian letter as the topic turns to that of the resurrection from the dead – both Christ’s and every Christians’. Yet, what lies at the foundation of the concern is the split-world view the Paul has preached about abundantly. The resurrection from the dead has to do with the age that is coming – the age when all will be perfected.

What appears however, to lie at the base of the discussion is some fears and questions – even doubts that seem to be circulating around the church that there is no resurrection from the dead. He identifies this message of resurrection as “the good news” that had been related to them, as it had been related to Paul before them. This good news is the basis of all hope – and the basis of the salvation in store for Christians. This good news is to be held firmly until it comes to fullness.

This is the core of the “good news” – the gospel – that

	“Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures”
	that “he was buried”
	and that “he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures”
	that he appeared to Cephas (Peter); then the twelve; then to “more than give hundred brothers and sisters at one time”; then to James; then to the apostles; and finally he appeared to Paul “the least of the apostles” because he claims himself “unfit for apostleship – because he persecuted the church

The message beginning with the death and resurrection of Jesus for us is the beginning of the message – and the transmission of that message is dependant upon those who come after and relate it to others.

What follows is his argument for the resurrection of the dead based entirely upon the truth of Christ’s being raised from the dead. 1) If Christ is raised; how can any one claim that there is no resurrection from the dead? 2) If Christ has not been raised from the dead; then everything is in vain because we are all lost. 3) If there is no resurrection from the dead; then Christ has not been raised; and if Christ has not been raised from the dead; then we are all still dead in our sin; and therefore, those who have died have truly perished.

His statement of faith, however, begins and ends with this: that Christ has been raised from the dead – the “first-fruits” of all who have died. What follows is Paul’s “two man” (sorry Ladies) theology. 1) Death entered the world through one “man” – Adam; 2) resurrection entered through one “man” – Jesus Christ. What is important for Paul’s thinking is the element of human agency through these two entrances into the world. Humanity carried them both. This “first-fruits” theology is means by which life is transmitted through Christ. Christ is not only the first to be raised; but as the first-fruit there are to many that will follow, ourselves included.

Then comes the end . . .

The end is depicted in this co-mingling of destruction and life in the form of God’s kingdom being “handed over” to God through the destruction of other powers and authority until the only authority left belongs to Christ; and he will ultimately had over even his authority to God so that what was three persons (the Trinity) will be again One God. Even the last enemy – the power of this age will be destroyed, death

What appears in verse 29 is that there was a practice of receiving baptism on behalf of someone who was already dead. It appears that the Corinthian Christians were puzzling over the problem of all of those people from among their friends and families who missed out on the “good news” and baptism because they were born and died before it was delivered to Corinth. It must have been as perplexing a problem for them as it has been for us. Happens to those who miss the baptism because they weren’t around then? Paul doesn’t say whether this is acceptable or not – he does, however, use it as part of his argument. If you don’t believe in the resurrection of the dead, then why do you accept baptism for someone who is dead? A further argument is raised in the very life-style of the Apostle and the Christian. They live a risky life, in danger of death and persecution at every turn. If there is no resurrection from the dead – no hope – then why risk it, why not just “eat, drink, and be merry?” Why put yourself in harms way for no hope?

With what kind of body . . .

The question of the resurrection turns a bit more practical; what kind of body will we have when we are raised from the dead? The two ages theology come together pointedly in this discussion. First the obvious – there is no resurrection unless something dies. His answer is couched in terms of seed and the bodies that grow from them. What prevails is that we have nothing to do with the body that will be raised; it lies entirely with God’s decision – God’s crafting. Through his discussion what comes to the surface is that what is coming in the next age is different than what lies in the present age. There is a difference between the earthly bodies and spiritual bodies. Here is revisited the “two-man” theology: the first man (it’s Adam) is from the dust, the second man is from heaven. He concludes with this promise: just as we have born the image of the man of dust, so we will bear the image of man of heaven.

Paul then writes of a stunning transformation about to take place. This is a passage written into the Committal to the Earth at every funeral. It is a promise of transformation from one form to the other “in the twinkling of an eye at the last trumpet”. It is am image of that which was perishable “putting on” the imperishable; and the “moral” putting on “immortality” and then, the resultant fulfillment of what has been written, “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O Death, where is your victory?” “O death, where is your sting?”

What therefore, is necessary for the Corinthians? What is it that genuinely counts for all who are like the Corinthians – all those who follow Christ? It is to be steadfast and immoveable in faith, in believing in the Christ crucified and resurrected from the dead; it is to be constantly excelling in the work of the Lord.

Faith and Ethics

Where Paul brings the church at Corinth is into these two very important elements:

Faith – This is faith in the one single person – Jesus Christ who was crucified for us; whom God raised from the dead; who is the first-fruit of all who will rise from the dead in him; hold fast to the traditions and teachings of the apostles that have been handed down to the present age (e.g. The Eucharistic meal).

Ethics – This is about putting faith into practice. For Paul this boils down to several very important elements: 1) live a life that places the needs of the weaker at the foremost front (e.g. That poor are cared for and fed); 1) live as though we have already been redeemed by Christ and as though the second age has already; 3) the needs of the entire body of Christ must come first (the church is the temple of the Holy Spirit); 4) Live a life that reflects the highest moral standards so as not to lead anyone weaker into temptation or doubt (each Christian body is the temple of the Holy Spirit); 5) let love be the foundation of all practice; 6) seek and use the gifts of the Spirit that build up the body, not the individual;

Wednesday, January 28, 2004