Let's Examine the Scriptures Every Day 2022
Thursday, April 14, 2022
In the Christ all will receive life (1 Cor. 15:22).
The apostle Paul addressed his letter to the Christians in Corinth, who were anointed and would therefore be resurrected in heaven. They had been "sanctified in union with Christ Jesus" and "called to be saints." Paul also mentioned "those who have fallen asleep in death in union with Christ" (1 Cor. 1:2; 15:18; 2 Cor. 5:17). And, in another of the letters he wrote by inspiration, he said: “If we are united with him [Jesus] in a death like his, we will also be united with him in a resurrection like his” (Rom. 6:3- 5). Jesus was resurrected as a spirit being and went to heaven. The same thing awaits all who are "in union with Christ," that is, all the anointed. Paul wrote that Christ was raised “as the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep in death” (1 Cor. 15:20). Jesus was the first to be resurrected as a spirit being and received eternal life. w20.12 6 paras. 15, 16
What convinces us that Jesus was resurrected?
To have faith in the resurrection we first need to be convinced that Jesus was resurrected. Why can we be sure that Jehovah brought him back to life?
There were many people who saw the risen Jesus (1 Cor. 15:5-7). The first one mentioned by Paul was Cephas, that is, the apostle Peter. A group of disciples also claimed that Peter had seen the risen Jesus (Luke 24:33, 34). In addition, “the Twelve” saw it, that is, the apostles. Then "he appeared to more than 500 brothers at once," perhaps in the happy encounter in Galilee recounted in Matthew 28:16-20. He also "appeared to James", surely his half-brother, who until then had not believed that Jesus was the Messiah (John 7: 5). But, after seeing him risen, he was convinced. Interestingly, by the time Paul wrote this letter—around the year 55—many of those who had seen the risen Jesus were still alive. So those who had doubts could talk to them.
According to Acts 9:3-5, what other proof could Paul give for the resurrection of Jesus?
Later, Jesus appeared to Paul himself (1 Cor. 15:8). Paul, also called Saul, was on his way to Damascus when he heard the voice of the risen Jesus and saw him in a vision in heaven (read Acts 9:3-5). That experience was further proof of Jesus' resurrection (Acts 26:12-15).
What was Paul willing to do when he became convinced that Jesus had risen?
Some people would find Paul's testimony very interesting because in the past he had persecuted Christians. When he became convinced that Jesus had risen, he went out of his way to convince others of it. As he carried the message that Jesus had come back to life, he endured beatings, was imprisoned, and suffered shipwrecks (1 Cor. 15:9-11; 2 Cor. 11:23-27). He was so sure that Jesus had risen that he was willing to die to defend what he believed. Isn't it true that these proofs also convince us today that Jesus came back to life? And do they not strengthen our belief in the resurrection?
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