In Christ All Will Be Made Alive
1 Corinthians 15:12-34
Key Verse: 15:22
For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.
Some of the Corinthians were confused about the resurrection of the dead. In this Chapter, Apostle Paul presented the most extensive biblical teaching about the resurrection of Jesus and the resurrection of believers. In the previous study, Apostle Paul confirmed the resurrection of Christ from the Scriptures and the testimonies of eyewitnesses including himself. In today’s passage, Apostle Paul logically explains:
The serious consequences of denying the resurrection of the dead (12-19)
The connection between the resurrection of Christ and our resurrection (20-28)
How to live with resurrection faith (29-34)
May God open our heart and mind to accept the resurrection of believers deeply so that we can live for him boldly in this wicked generation.
1. Read verse 12-16.
ANSWER:
1Co 15:12-16 But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. 15 More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either.
What was preached to the Corinthians? (12a, 3-4)
ANSWER:
1Co 15:12a But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead,...
1Co 15:3-4 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,
That Jesus Christ has been raised from the dead. Jesus’ resurrection is the guarantee of our bodily resurrection.
Christ’s resurrection and our bodily resurrection were clearly preached to the Corinthians.
OT teaching about resurrection:
Gen 5:24; 2Ki 2:11; Job 19:26; Psa 17:15, 23:6, 49:15, 73:24, 16:10; Isa 25:8, 26:19, 66:22-24; Eze 37:3-5; Dan 12:2; Hos 6:2, 13:14
Based on OT teaching, most Jews believed the resurrection of the dead (Act 24:15; Jn 11:24; Heb 11:19)
Jesus’ teaching about the resurrection:
- Jesus predicted his own death and resurrection (Mk 8:31; 9:9,31; 10:34; 14:28)
- Jesus promised a literal, physical, bodily resurrection (Jn 5:28, 6:44, 11:25-26, 14:19)
The Apostles’ teaching about the resurrection:
- The Apostles taught that Christ rose from the dead (Acts 2:24,32, 3:15, 4:10, 5:30, 10:40)
- The Apostles taught the resurrection of the dead (Acts 4:2)
Paul’s teaching about the resurrection:
- Paul taught that Christ rose from the dead (Acts 13:30, 17:3,31, 26:23)
- Paul taught the resurrection of the dead (Acts 23:6, 24:15; Php 3:21; 2Co 4:14; 1Th 4:16)
What did some of the Corinthians say about the resurrection? (12b)
ANSWER:
1Co 15:12b ...how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?
That there is no resurrection of the dead!!
How could they have thought this way?
The resurrection of the dead is the most fundamental gospel teaching:
Christ’s resurrection and our bodily resurrection were clearly preached to them. The OT teachings, Jesus’ teachings, the Apostles’ teachings, and Paul’s teachings were saying the same thing that there was a resurrection of the dead.
Then how did some of them come to deny bodily resurrection? Possibly:
- they accepted the resurrection of Jesus but denied our bodily resurrection.
- they believed that we lived forever in spirit, not in (resurrected) bodies.
Why did they deny the resurrection of the dead?
Possibly they were:
influenced by Greek philosophy (Dualism) and, thus, believed...
- that the physical body is intrinsically evil and spirit is pure, good and superior.
- that the resurrected body is also evil and that it is therefore disgusting and undesirable.
influenced by the thinking of the Sadducees (Mk 12:18; Acts 23:8) and, thus, believed...
- that this visible, physical, present world is all we have.
- that life after death is just wishful thinking.
- that enjoying this tangible world is the best thing we can possibly do.
Lessons:
People who do not hold firmly to the basic teachings of the Bible can easily be deceived by false doctrine and teaching.
It is extremely important to have a strong foundation in the gospel. Even if we have heard the gospel a million times, we still need to hear it over and over again. We need to have deep root in the truth of the gospel in order to discern false teachings.
Fundamental errors such as this come from not knowing the Scriptures – lack of loving intimacy with the One about whom the Scriptures speak, his glory, goodness, and power as displayed in Scriptures by his Spirit – and, thereby, failing to experience of his resurrection power at work inside (Mat 22:29).
If there is no resurrection of the dead, then what would be true concerning:
(a) Christ? (13, 16)
ANSWER:
1Co 15:13 If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised.
1Co 15:16 For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either.
Christ would not been raised if there is no resurrection of the dead.
Paul here shows them logically and theologically the consequences of denying the resurrection of the dead. He connects the bodily resurrection of believers with the bodily resurrection of Christ and shows them that our salvation is dependent on the resurrection of Jesus Christ (Rom 10:9).
The Corinthians had to reason, based on their philosophical assumption, in this manner:
One, Dead men do not rise (assumption)
Two, Jesus was dead (historical fact)
Three, Therefore, Christ did not rise from the dead (logical conclusion).
But Paul reasoned, based on historical fact, in this manner:
One, Jesus has been raised from the dead (historical fact)
Two, Jesus was dead (historical fact)
Three, therefore, dead men can rise and there will be resurrection of believers (logical conclusion)
Paul argued in this manner against the Corinthian’s assertion that there is no resurrection of the dead:
One, If your opinion is true (that there is no resurrection of the dead), then logically Christ could not rise.
Two, But Christ has been raised from the dead (4, 20) as we proclaimed before and as you accepted before.
Three, Therefore, your basic assumption (that there is no resurrection of the dead) is wrong and unbiblical. Therefore, there is a resurrection of the dead according to the OT, Jesus, the Apostles, and Paul.
(b) Paul’s preaching and their faith? (14)
ANSWER:
1Co 15:14 And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.
Both would be useless.
Paul continued to explain the logical and theological the consequences of denying the resurrection of the dead.
Our preaching is useless.
The Gospel they preached was based on the resurrection of Jesus (Rom 1:3-4).
- If there is no resurrection, then Christ has not been raised.
- If Christ has not been raised, then he did not conquer death.
- If there is no resurrection, then there is no good news, no gospel.
- Therefore, “our preaching is useless”. There is nothing to preach.
- If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is useless, worthless, empty and vain.
Your faith is useless.
If the gospel is a lie, if the gospel is useless, then putting our faith in it is equally useless.
(c) Paul and his coworkers ? (15)
ANSWER:
1Co 15:15 More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised.
Paul and his coworkers would be liars because they told everybody that God raised Jesus when, in fact, God did not raise Jesus.
If Christ has not been raised, this means that:
- All the preachers are a bunch of liars.
- All the pastors are professional liars.
- All the seminary schools are for training professional liars.
- All the missionaries are international liars.
- The entire bible is a classic collection of lying and liars.
The line of reasoning here is that the resurrection of the dead, the resurrection of Christ, the preaching of the apostles, and the testimony of the preachers form a unit.
You either believe all of it or none of it.
You cannot choose to believe just one or two parts of it.
2. Read verses 17-19.
ANSWER:
1Co 15:17-19 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. 19 If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men.
What would be the consequences if Christ has not been raised:
(a) for our spiritual condition? (17)
ANSWER:
1Co 15:17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.
We would still be in our sins.
Apostle Paul continues to show the logical and theological consequences of denying the resurrection of the dead.
If the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either.
If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. (Why? See what follows.)
(b) for those who have fallen asleep in Christ ? (18)
ANSWER:
1Co 15:18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost.
They are lost.
- Everyone who died with faith in Jesus Christ is damned.
- Peter, James, John, Paul, Stephen, are all suffering in hell.
- Saint Augustine, Martin Luther, John Calvin are burning in hell.
- Charles Spurgeon, Jonathan Edwards, Martin Lloyd Jones are in hell.
- Msn Samuel Lee and all other faithful servants of God are in hell.
If Christ has not been raised, you are still in your sins and then, when you die, you also will go to hell.
(c) for those who have hope in Christ? (19)
ANSWER:
1Co 15:19 If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men.
They are to be pitied. (Why? See what follows)
What does it mean to be ‘still in our sins’? (17)
ANSWER:
1Co 15:17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.
To be still under condemnation, still alienated from God, still unforgiven.
To be ‘still in our sins’ means...
According to the definition:
To be ‘in our sins’ is the opposite of being ‘in Christ’.
- When we are ‘in Christ’, we get what Christ can do for us, namely, eternal life.
- When we are ‘in our sins’, we get what sins can do for us, namely, eternal condemnation and death (HYPERLINK ""Rom HYPERLINK ""6:20-23).
According to biblical teaching/doctrine:
If Christ has not been raised, then Sin killed (conquered, overpowered) him and held him in death.
Then Jesus did not conquer sin; he did not conquer the power of sin and death, nor can he save us from the power of sin and death.
If Sin overpowered Jesus, then there is no forgiveness of sin; no justification; no salvation.
- We are still in our sins; under the power of sin and death (Jn 8:21)
- We are dead in our transgressions and sins (Eph 2:1)
Therefore, if Christ has not been raised, there is no forgiveness of sin and we are still in our sins.
According to the sacrificial system:
If Christ has not been raised from the dead, then he failed to prove that he is the Son of God (Rom 1:4)
- If Christ is not the Son of God, he is not God.
- If Christ is not God, he is not perfect.
- If Christ is not perfect, he did not offer a complete sacrifice for sins.
- If Christ is not a complete sacrifice for sins, our sins are not fully paid for.
- If our sins are not fully paid, then we are still in our sins.
Why are “we” to be pitied more than all men? (19)
ANSWER:
1Co 15:19 If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men.
Because, if Christ has not been raised, this life on earth is all there is and, hence, a life of sacrifice for Jesus is a pitiful joke!
The word “we” probably refers to the apostles (11, 15). Among the apostles, Paul, who “worked harder than all of them” (10) and who said “I die every day” (31) was to be pitied the most for having suffered so much for nothing.
This word “we” can be thought to refer to us insofar as we participate in the sufferings for Christ in this life (Ro 8:17; Col 1:24; 1Pe 1:6).
We are invited to join in the sufferings for Jesus and his gospel by the power of God (2Ti 1:8; Acts 1:8). So, this is perfectly compatible with Jesus’ promise of life to the full and of a life that is fruitful and glorious (Jn 10:10, 15:8)!
If Christ has not been raised, all the suffering for Christ means nothing:
- We all waste our time, energies and lives for nothing. All our sufferings become in vain (Ecc 1:2-3)
- Fighting against temptation, struggling with sin, serving Christ
- Seeking to please Christ, obeying the Scripture, having Bible studies,
- Working hard to serve others, suffering for the mission, trying to witness,
All these are nothing but waste. We waste our lives. What a waste. What a pitiful bunch we are!
Examples:
Consider Abraham, Moses, David, Samuel, Elijah, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and all those people in the 11th chapter of Hebrews.
- Those people who were tortured and faced jeers and floggings, being chained, putting in prison.
- Those who were stoned and sawed in two, slain of the sword, wandered in sheepskins.
- Those who were destitute, persecuted and mistreated, afflicted and tormented
- Those of whom the world wasn't worthy and who wandered in deserts and mountains and dens.
All of those people who believed in God were stupid. Their faith was useless. They were damned. They were lost. They are to be pitied. If Christ has not been raised, all believers are a bunch of really dumb people.
3. Read verse 20-23.
ANSWER:
1Co 15:20-23 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. 22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. 23 But each in his own turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him.
What indeed happened to Jesus after his death? (20, Mk 16:6)
ANSWER:
1Co 15:20 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
Mar 16:6 "Don't be alarmed," he said. "You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him.
He was raised from the dead.
- The resurrection of Christ proves that there is a resurrection of the dead.
- The resurrection of Christ totally destroys the false teachings regarding the resurrection of the dead.
- The resurrection of Christ proves that the Corinthian’s belief was wrong.
The 6 consequences of the resurrection of Christ:
Our preaching is not useless. Rather...
Our preaching is useful. Our preaching is powerful. Our preaching is nothing but true.
Our preaching will save the dying souls.
Our faith is not useless. Rather...
Our faith is real, our faith is true. Our faith will save us.
We are not liars. Rather...
We are speaking the truth. We are speaking the historical fact. We are speaking the word of God.
We are not in our sins anymore. Rather....
We are forgiven. All our sins are forgiven. There is no condemnation in Christ.
Those who fell asleep in Christ are not lost. Rather...
They are all saved. They are all forgiven. They are all safe in heaven.
We are not to be pitied. Rather...
We are the most blessed people here on earth and in the world to come.
Why is Jesus’ resurrection described as the “firstfruits”?
ANSWER:
The ‘first fruits’ were a sign or symbol of the coming harvest.
‘First fruits’ are the first pickings of the harvest which is offered to God (Lev 23:9-14)
To the Jews, the ‘first fruits’ represent and anticipate the rest of the harvest.
Jesus, in fact, was raised on the same day as the feast of firstfruits which is observed on the day after the Sabbath during the Passover (Lev 23:11).
The resurrection of Christ was a sign or a symbol of the coming resurrection of believers.
His resurrection is the first fruits of a whole harvest of resurrection yet to come.
The resurrection of Christ signifies the certainty of our resurrection (Rom 8:11)
How does the resurrection of Christ guarantee the resurrection of the dead? (21-22, Rom 5:12, 17, 19)
ANSWER:
1Co 15:21-22 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. 22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.
Rom 5:12 Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned --
Rom 5:17 For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.
Rom 5:19 For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.
Because Christ is the representative head of all those who are in him. By the representative principle:
Adam (a man) is one “head” of the human race.
All mankind was brought under death by Adam.
Jesus (a man) is the other head of the human race.
Jesus brings resurrection to all who are “under” his headship.
Main Contents of representative principle (Adam and Christ)
Representative #1: Adam:
In Adam, we all die.
When Adam sinned against God, we “all sinned” in Adam (Rom 5:12)
When Adam died, we all died.
Representative #2: Christ:
In Christ, we all will be made alive.
When Christ died for our sin, the price for our sins was fully paid (Rom 4:25; Heb 9:15,28, 10:10)
When Christ rose from the dead, his righteousness becomes ours (Rom 4:25, 5:17,19)
When Christ rose from the dead, his obedience becomes our obedience to God (Rom 5:19)
Since Christ rose, we will also rise again (Rom 8:11)
Details of the representative principle:
Similar factors:
One man did one thing and we all died. Another man does one other thing and we all live.
By one man, all died. By one man, all will be made alive.
In Adam, we all who are physical descended from Adam will die (physically).
In Christ, we all who are spiritual descended from Christ will live (physically).
Different factors:
The first ‘all’ includes all who are in Adam by the physical birth and by common factor of sin.
The second ‘all’ includes all who are in Christ by spiritual birth and by common factor of faith.
All who are in Adam die. All who are in Christ live.
But if you are not in Christ, then you are still in Adam, you are still in sin and you will die.
Collective emphasis of these verses:
When Adam sinned, we not only die physically, but also die spiritually.
And when Christ lives, we not only live spiritually, but also live physically in a glorified body.
Physical bodies (will) die because of Adam's sin (death).
Physical bodies (will) live because of Christ's resurrection (righteousness).
When will this bodily resurrection of the dead happen? (23)
ANSWER:
1Co 15:23 But each in his own turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him.
When Jesus comes back (at the second coming of Jesus), the resurrection of the dead will take place.
Jesus received resurrection first as the ‘firstfruits’ and then we will receive it at his second coming.
4. Read verse 24-28.
ANSWER:
1Co 15:24-28 Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 27 For he "has put everything under his feet." Now when it says that "everything" has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ. 28 When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all.
What will the Risen Christ do before he hands over the kingdom to God the Father? (24-25)
ANSWER:
1Co 15:24-25 Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.
Christ will destroy all dominion, authority and power (including Satan and his angels)
Christ will reign.
Christ has always reigned over the world in one sense (Col 1:17; Heb 1:3; Php 3:21).
Not everyone obeys Christ but, at that time, all people on earth will obey him.
Not every part of us obeys Christ now but we will obey him then with all our heart, mind and strength.
Every knee will bow down before him and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord (Php 2:10-11)
Christ will put all his enemies under his feet (total conquest).
Then, in the end, he will hand over the kingdom to God the Father.
What is the last enemy to be destroyed? (26, Rev 20:14)
ANSWER:
1Co 15:26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death.
Rev 20:14 Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death.
In the past, Jesus has already destroyed the power of death on the Cross and by his resurrection.
The destruction of death was shown at the resurrection of Jesus.
The destruction of death was also shown when the graves were opened and many holy people who had died were raised to life and appeared to many people (Mat 27:52-53).
In the present, the power of death is being destroyed in the lives of believers more and more by Christ.
In the Future, he will destroy the power of death completely at his second coming. There will be no more death (Rev 21:4)
What is the purpose of Jesus’ submission to God the Father? (28, Rom 11:36)
ANSWER:
1Co 15:28 When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all.
Rom 11:36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.
So that God the Father may be all in all.
The original purpose of creation is that God may be glorified by all creation including us.
God the Son’s desire is to glorify God the Father through all eternity.
Children of God are supposed to live to glorify God just like Jesus did (Gen 1:31; 1Co 10:31)
All things are from God, through God and to God. To him be the glory forever (Rom 11:36).
Regarding Jesus’ submission to the Father:
God the Son, Jesus, is not inferior to God the Father. He is equal with God the Father (Phil 2:6).
From eternity, God the Son is officially subordinate to God the Father (1Co 11:3).
5. Read verse 29-34.
ANSWER:
1Co 15:29-34 Now if there is no resurrection, what will those do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized for them? 30 And as for us, why do we endanger ourselves every hour? 31 I die every day -- I mean that, brothers -- just as surely as I glory over you in Christ Jesus our Lord. 32 If I fought wild beasts in Ephesus for merely human reasons, what have I gained? If the dead are not raised, "Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die." 33 Do not be misled: "Bad company corrupts good character." 34 Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; for there are some who are ignorant of God -- I say this to your shame.
Regarding baptism for the dead:
There are many different interpretations of this; it is one of the most difficult verses in the Bible. Here are two possible interpretations:
It was a pagan custom of vicarious baptism for the dead.
- Some people were being baptized on behalf of those who have died.
- Paul’s point was, ‘If there is no resurrection, why are they doing this? If even pagans by this custom are shown to have resurrection faith, how is it that you so-called Christians in Corinth do not believe the resurrection of the dead!’
It was a Christian baptism:
- Some people were coming to Christ after they experienced the death of their loved one who was a faithful believer.
- They received baptism because they wanted to be with their loved one in heaven.
- They received baptism in order to be with the dead. In that sense, they were baptized for the dead.
- Paul’s point is ‘If there is no resurrection, why are they being baptized?’
Paul does not say, “We baptize for the dead”
- Paul does not approve of this pagan custom but uses it to emphasize that there is a resurrection from the dead.
- The Bible clearly teaches that once we die, we face judgment (Heb 9:27)
- There is no second chance after death. Therefore, ‘now’ is the time to believe in Jesus Christ.
How did Paul and his company live with resurrection faith? (30-32, Luk 9:23)
ANSWER:
1Co 15:30-32 And as for us, why do we endanger ourselves every hour? 31 I die every day -- I mean that, brothers -- just as surely as I glory over you in Christ Jesus our Lord. 32 If I fought wild beasts in Ephesus for merely human reasons, what have I gained? If the dead are not raised, "Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die."
Luk 9:23 Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.
He said, “...we endanger ourselves every hour. I die everyday.”
Paul and his company placed their lives in jeopardy for the gospel all the time.
Why? because...
They believed the resurrection of the dead (1Co 15:22)
They knew the glory and worth of the resurrection (Rom 8:18)
They knew that suffering and hardship here on earth is norm to believers (Jn 16:33)
They knew that suffering/ hardship is absolutely necessary to enter the heaven (Acts 14:22)
What does "I die every day" mean? (Luk 9:23)
To live one’s life in constant, imminent danger.
- Life as a believer involves following Jesus who physically suffered and died for us.
- We should be ready to physically suffer and die for Christ.
To struggle spiritually on a daily basis to put the flesh to death and live for God (Rom 6:11).
He said, “...I fought wild beasts in Ephesus”
Paul was referring to the violent and rough crowd he struggled against at Ephesus in Acts 19:23-41.
Suffering is a very powerful testimony:
To unbelievers.
Paul and his companions lived unthinkably dangerous lives for the gospel. Outsiders are held in slavery by their fear of death (Heb 2:15) and, thus, find such resurrection faith to be amazing.
To believers.
- Other believer’s suffering convicts us so that we repent of our comfortable lifestyles.
- Other believer’s suffering inspires us to commit ourselves to participate in the suffering of Jesus.
- Other believer’s suffering gives us a paradoxical comfort because such sufferings prove God’s love for us/them.
What would be our philosophy and lifestyle if we didn’t have resurrection faith? (32b)
ANSWER:
1Co 15:32b If the dead are not raised, "Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die."
Our philosophy and lifestyle would be hedonistic according to the motto, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” (Isa 22:13).
- Without resurrection faith, this earthly life is all there is and we are compelled to live accordingly. That’s why so many people are hedonists.
- Even Christians are influenced by this demonic philosophy.
- ‘Enjoy the moment present as much as we can’ ‘Do whatever you want to do’
How can we apply Paul’s warning in our own generation? (33-34)
ANSWER:
1Co 15:33-34 Do not be misled: "Bad company corrupts good character." 34 Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; for there are some who are ignorant of God -- I say this to your shame.
We should be on our guard against:
Deception because it is so easy to be misled
- Many false teachers will deceive people (Mk 13:6; 2Co 11:13)
- Satan is a liar (Jn 8:44; 2Co 11:14)
- We must be alert in order to not be deceived (1Pe 5:8)
Bad company. “Bad company corrupts good character” – this is a quote from the poet Menander from Athens which was near Corinth.
Bad company consists of associating with an individual who practices and teaches what is false and evil (Psa 26:4-5; 2Co 6:14, 17; 1Co 5:9).
- Hanging around evil people whose mouths proclaim evil messages will lead to evil morals.
- Teaching without resurrection, teaching without judgment, leads to corrupt living.
- Bad teaching corrupts good morals.
- The influence of sin is powerful.
- Do not think you will be fine even though you associate with bad people (Jas 4:4-5).
We need to have good company.
- Good company will help become mature and strong (Pro 27:17)
- The importance of having good company in our lives cannot be overemphasized.
Sin.
- Sin was once our master and we were slaves to sin (Rom 6:20)
- Although we died to sin (Rom 6:2) we still have sinful nature (Rom 7:18)
- We need to count ourselves dead to sin (Rom 6:11)
- We have to fight against our sin even to the point of shedding blood (Heb 12:4)
- We must remember that all our sins were forgiven through Jesus’ blood.
People (not just people in the world but even in the church) who teach false doctrines and are ignorant of God (Php 3:18):
- Some people are ignorant of God.
- Some people think they know something when they don’t know anything. This is the ignorance of ignorance.
- Some people who teach false doctrines don’t know God and are ignorant of God.
We can know God rather than be “ignorant of God” by:
Meditating on the Bible day and night with a prayerful mind (Psa 1:2).
- The Word of God is true (Jn 17:17).
- The Word of God is perfect (Psa 19:7).
Praying for God tos guide us into all truth:
- God teaches us (Jn 6:45; Isa 54:13; Jer 31:34).
- The Holy Spirit will guide us into all truth (Jn 16:13).
Practicing (obeying) his commands in our daily life (1Jn 2:3).
In Conclusion, the resurrection of Jesus Christ is the essence of the Gospel. Jesus rose from the dead and we will also rise from the dead with a glorious body like his. The resurrection of Christ is an absolute historical fact. Our bodily resurrection is guaranteed. Because of this resurrection faith, we hope for the future glory. Because of this resurrection hope, we willingly endanger ourselves for Christ and the Gospel. May God teach us through the Holy Spirit so that we can have confidence and faith in the resurrection!
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