1 Cor 15: Jesus’ Death, Burial, and Resurrection Provides a Chance to Get in Line With His Reign

Many people who quote the Bible often, even many people with a PHD next to their name, can be in serious error in interpreting the Bible. Here are three major and common ways in which this often happens.

They do not interpret Bible passages according to the full context in which they are stated. They do not interpret Bible passages in line with the totality of the book where the passage is found in. They do not consider everything else in the totality of the Bible as they interpret it and arrive at the conclusions which they come to.

One key outcome of such shoddy Biblical interpretation is that many have a lying definition of the Gospel of Christ itself stemming from these errors being committed in understanding the first four verses of 1 Corinthians chapter 15.

1 Corinthians 15:1-4: “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:”

Many stop at verse 4 and set aside how the rest of the chapter proves that Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection provides a chance to get in line with His reign. These events save no one who does not actually respond in accordance with this opportunity. Yet many errantly say that these four verses alone are actually a full summary, in and of themselves, of the Gospel of Christ. Often, they will conclude that people just need to “trust Jesus” as their Savior as a one time transaction in order to be saved. And by the way: Note also that the first four verses of 1 Corinthians 15 don’t say anything about just needing to trust Christ as your Savior as a one-time transaction.

It is evident that 1 Corinthians chapter 15 as a whole is rebuking the lie that there is no resurrection of the dead. This lie had obviously had some influence among the Church at Corinth. Though there are no chapter breaks in the original text, in this case the chapter breaks around what we know as 1 Corinthians chapter 15 reflect how the things therein are taken up with dealing specifically with rebuking this lie.

1 Corinthians 15:12: “Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?”

The topic has still not changed as you come to 1 Corinthians 15:19-23: “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept (i.e. those who have died). For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.”

Paul is dealing with the righteous dead at this point who have died in Christ. He is connecting a proper hope in the resurrection as essential for having a faithful Christian walk. Regarding those who die in their sins, he is going to allude to them as this chapter continues.

Continuing in 1 Corinthians 15:24: “Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.”

The main train of thought in 1 Corinthians chapter 15 has been leading up to Christ the King coming back and ruling a kingdom based on His righteous principles. Since Jesus Christ is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, and since He loves righteousness and hates lawlessness (see Hebrews 1:8-9), this implies that all who continue in sin and oppose His righteous reign will be damned when He fully assumes His divine power over mankind. On the other hand, those who obey His Gospel by turning from sin and coming under His righteous authority, and enduring in subjection to Him as His true disciples, will reign with Him then. The death, burial, and resurrection of Christ are the means whereby we can submit to the authority of Christ and be accepted since we must be reconciled to God by His shed blood and His High Priesthood in heaven. The death, burial, and resurrection of Christ were accomplished to make people compatible with, and worthy of, His kingdom. You cannot rightfully separate the call of His Gospel from this intention and end-goal. Consider how different this is from the common “Just trust in Jesus, it won’t take more than 5 minutes- there, it’s over and done now” gospel which is preached everywhere.

Revelation 14:6-7: “And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.”

This is in no way inconsistent with the Gospel set forth in 1 Corinthians chapter 15.

We could continue through 1 Corinthians 15 verse by verse (it’s a 58 verse chapter), but I will forbear since I think the point has been made and proven- especially with the latter of these last two considerations concerning 1 Corinthians 15.

The reference to being baptized for the dead in verse 29 is a controversial passage. In keeping with the context of the chapter, I believe it is most likely a reference to Christ, as if Paul is saying “Why identify in baptism with a man who has died unless that man has been raised from the dead? What hope is expressed by Christian baptism if you never hope to be raised from the dead like the One whom you profess to believe and follow through your baptism?” See Romans 6:1-4 here as well.

Also, look at the direct exhortations which the things spoken of in this chapter lead to.

1 Corinthians 15:33-34: “ Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.”

1 Corinthians 15:58: “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”

1 Corinthians had also already warned by the examples of the disobedient Israelites in the Old Testament that Christians who turn back to sin become God’s enemies again and fall from His grace (1 Corinthians 10:1-14). This very book itself had also already established that those who live unrighteously will not inherit the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 6:9-10).