The Two Resurrections 1 Corinthians 15

This post concerns the two resurrections found in 1 Corinthians 15, Jesus first, then Christians.

In 1 Corinthians 15, the Apostle Paul starts the discussion of the two resurrections by first affirming the resurrection of Jesus, 1 Corinthians 15:3-6: “…I delivered to you… Christ died for our sins… he was buried… he was raised on the third day… he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time…” The Apostle cites the two-fold proof of Jesus’ resurrection—the open tomb and the visual appearances.

Note Jesus retained the same visual features and voice as in earlier life. For example, Jesus showed Thomas the marks of the crucifixion on His resurrected body. Also, as Deity, He still retained miraculous powers, John 20:26-27, “Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them.”  Through locked doors, Jesus came and stood among them. He said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side…”

Paul needed to counteract the teaching that a bodily resurrection would not occur. He explained that such teaching also meant that Jesus was still in the grave. Further, such teaching robs Christianity of its power. Then he affirmed the resurrection.

1 Corinthians 15:20, “But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, ”

Next, he describes the resurrection of Christians, 1 Corinthians 15:35, “But someone will ask, “How are the dead raised? With what kind of body do they come?”

To clarify, the Apostle used an analysis of a seed. The seed splits open or dies and then produces a new plant with a new body unlike the seed. The human body placed in the grave as perishable emerges as a new, imperishable body, 1 Corinthians 15:42-44, “So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What … sown … perishable; what… raised … imperishable.”

Even those remaining alive when Jesus comes will receive an imperishable body.

1 Corinthians 15:51: “We shall not all sleep, but …  all … changed.”

In summary, the Apostle describes Jesus’ resurrection and secondly, that of the saved.

We learn two lessons:

1.At the resurrection, the new human body will be like Jesus’—imperishable.

2.The imperishable body of the saved will be unlike the old, buried body.

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