The Necessity and Implications of the Resurrection
1 Corinthians 15:12-34
12If then Christ is preached that he has been raised from the dead, how can some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?13If there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised.14If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is empty and your faith is empty.15We are then found to be false witnesses of God, because we testified against God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise, if in fact the dead are not raised.16For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised.17If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.18Then those who have fallen asleep in Christ have also perished.19If in this life we have hoped in Christ only, we are of all people most to be pitied.20But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.21For since death came through a human, resurrection of the dead also came through a human.22For just as all die in Adam, so also all will be made alive in Christ.23But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then those who belong to Christ at his coming.24Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when he has abolished all rule and all authority and power.25For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.26The last enemy to be abolished is death.27For he has subjected all things under his feet. But when it says that all things have been subjected, it is clear that this does not include the one who subjected all things to him.28When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to the one who subjected all things to him, so that God may be all in all.29Otherwise, what will those do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized for them?30And why are we in danger every hour?31I die every day—by my pride in you, which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord.32If according to a human I fought wild beasts in Ephesus, what does it profit me? If the dead are not raised, let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.33Do not be deceived: bad company corrupts good morals.34Wake up rightly and do not sin, for some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame.