Introduction
Resurrection of Jesus is one of the most important doctrines of the Bible. It is a fundamental doctrine of the Christian faith. Biblical scholars have strongly proposed that resurrection should not be regarded as a historical event which affected the Jewish community and it has nothing to do with the modern world. Resurrection was not simply the coming back from the dead as has been experienced by others before e.g. Lazarus, but it is a pinnacle of the universal redemptive work of Jesus Christ. Throughout theological trends, some theologians have dethroned the resurrection of Jesus and its significance. As partial fulfillment of the course, the paper is an investigation of the aspect of the resurrection of Jesus as it relates to the Christological doctrine as discussed in class. To narrow the topic, the paper precisely discusses the doctrinal significance of Jesus’ resurrection according to Pauline Theology in I Corinthians 15:1-20. The paper explores the significances from this particular scripture and how different it makes in the life of the local people, church especially in the African context.
THE DOCRTINAL SIGNIFICANCE OF CHRIST’S RESURRECTION ACCORDING TO PAULINE THEOLOGY IN 1 CORINTHIANS 15:1-20
In the opening verses of this chapter, the Apostle Paul reminds us that the doctrine of Christ's resurrection from the dead is a vital and foundational doctrine. In fact, he tells us that it is an essential component of the Gospel of grace, v. 3-4. With that in mind, he proceeds to offer proof that Jesus did indeed raise from the dead, v. 5-8. Thompson suggested that apparently, there were some members of the church in Corinth who doubted the truth of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus from the dead”[1]. In this chapter, Paul is writing to remind them that the resurrection is essential to salvation and to any hope of Heaven. In an effort to awaken the Corinthian believers to the significance of resurrection, he paints a dismal picture of what life would be like if there had been no resurrection. No wonder most sentences in this text are presented in the ‘if’ condition.
Essential for the Christcentric of the Gospel
In his opening of this chapter to the Corinthians, Paul said; “Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand... by this you are saved” (15:1). Carson pointed out that Paul here put forth the idea that the gospel is Christological; it is Christ-centered. The gospel is irrevocably Christ-centered. By his death and resurrection he becomes the mediatorial monarch who insists that all authority in heaven and earth is his alone[2]. Paul talks the gospel of Jesus Christ which he preached and brought salvation to many. The gospel itself could have been of no use if it was centered to the one who was not raised from the dead. “When the church values the resurrection of Jesus, the scripture becomes true revelation of God and transforms the hearts of people. Christian churches preach the gospel which is Christ centered”[3]. It is only the Christ centered sermons which vindicate churches’ identity and brings life to the world. The church or person, who ignores Christ’s resurrection, ignores also the Christ centric of the gospel
Necessitate our Preaching as Christians
In verse 12 Paul tells us that if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless. Then all the preachers have wasted their words and time proclaiming the message of the resurrection. “Form the first witness, Mary Magdalene - John 20:2, to the several hundred mentioned in verses 5-8 of our text, to great men in history like Spurgeon, Wesley, Sunday, Jones, Graham, Edwards, Talmadge, Moody, Phoebe, Criswell, Evans, Carroll, and millions of others have been fools, if Jesus did not raise from the dead”[4] Christ’s resurrection become the foundation stone of early church’s preaching. Frank Moore suggested that the apostles publicly proclaimed the gospel message to everyone on the streets of Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost. This day became the birthday of the church. The power point of their preaching centered on the resurrection of Christ Jesus[5] Through out the history, the art of preaching has been an effective mechanism in extending and increasing the dimensions of Christianity.
Preaching has been the center of Christianity since the day of Pentecost. The most effective method that has been used so far in winning the lost souls to Christ by most local churches in Africa is through preaching the gospel. Most people today respond to God’s call to become preachers because they believe that their preaching is not in vain because Jesus resurrected from the dead. Dunning argued that Jesus resurrected and went to the father, and it remained for his followers to proclaim the message that the Crucified One was the source of salvation[6] Kenneth Grider quoted C.S. Lewis that to preach Christianity in the New Testament times is to preach resurrection[7]
The faith of the believers becomes genuine
“Faith is real and our witness is true. Jesus lives and we stand vindicated in our faith and in our claims concerning Him”[8]. It is not a waste of time to trust Jesus. It is not an exercise in vanity to believe in the one called Jesus. He lives and because He lives our faith lives also. Paul said if our Christ has not been risen then our preaching is dead so as also our faith.(v:14). Paul tells us that if Jesus is still dead, then we are wasting our time serving Him and worshiping Him. Richard Watson commented that if Jesus is really still dead, then we would be just as well worshiping a rock, a tree or an image of some type. If Jesus is still in the grave, then everything we do is false, phoney and foolish[9]
If Jesus did not rise from the dead, then all the preaching we have listened to over the years is a lie, all our prayers, serving, witnessing, and church attendance have all been a waste of your time. If Jesus did not rise from the dead then we are the victim of the cruelest hoax ever played on humanity and the Christian faith is the greatest joke of all time. The resurrection of Christ is vital because it is a necessary element of a saving faith. In both the Old and the New Testaments, a saving faith was a faith in God who could raise men from the dead. Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me shall live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”(John 11:25-26) “Personal faith in the resurrection of Christ is therefore necessary because it is a vital element that leads to salvation”[10] The faith we have in Jesus Christ brings regeneration. When we confess about the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ we get a new being through our faith. The apostle Paul wrote… “If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved” (Rom. 10:9).
This means that one cannot be a Christian unless he or she believes in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. “This should tell us that even if some people are in churches, but if they reject the resurrection of Jesus Christ, they are not Christians”[11]. Paul Copan suggested that the performance of the church is not dependent upon itself but as the result of the direct ministration and intercession of the unchanging Christ who has risen from the dead to make salvation effectual[12]. The church therefore is not completely autonomous adjusting its theology and policies but depend on the risen Lord. “The faith that the church should have because of the resurrection propels her members to seek for a heavenly reward and set mind on things of heaven not on earth”[13]
Paul talks in verse 15 that, “for we have testified about God that He raised Christ from the dead”. Oscar Cullmann argued that Jesus was not raised in order to become God. Jesus was already God, and had for an eternity, existed as God. The resurrection vindicated His claims to Deity.[14] The resurrection proves that Jesus Christ is God. That is exactly what God the Father wanted to communicate to us, as we read in Romans 1:4 “and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord” The Jews crucified Jesus Christ because, to them, he was blaspheming when he said that he was the Son of God, equal to the Father.
Tenney suggested that the resurrection of Jesus Christ demonstrates the truth that he is who he said he was. In the resurrection of Jesus Christ we see the clear demonstration of the power of the true God[15]. Ephesians 1:19-21 tells us that, “it is the power of our heavenly Father that raised Jesus Christ from the dead”. It is the inevitable reaction of God’s eternal nature brought into contact with the decadence of time, rather than single miraculous act performed to meet crisis. “The resurrection is the flash of eternity in the darkness of time that illuminates, if only briefly, the real outline of God’s personality”[16]. Byrie suggested that it is the proof of God’s omnipotence, for it demonstrates that his powerful nature. Our knowledge of the fatherhood of God is enriched by the resurrection[17] Grider supported the idea that resurrection supports Christ’s deity. The resurrection of Jesus is the exceedingly important in relation to Christ’s identity. Not that it makes him divine, he has been divine eternally. But without resurrection we would not have believed Christ deity[18]
Assures our witness as believers
Paul tells us that those who spread the Christian message of salvation through the crucified and resurrected Jesus are liars if Jesus did not in fact rise from the dead. “Every time we open our mouths to sing, to witness, to testify, to preach, or whatever we do in His name, then we are liars if He did not rise from the dead”[19]. Paul was a man of wealth, social standing, influence and great education. Yet, he was willing to throw all of that away for the cause of Jesus. He was beaten, imprisoned, assaulted, stoned and left for dead, all for the name of Jesus. Paul strongly urged believer that “…we are then found to be false witnesses about God”, (v: 15). Through the resurrection of Jesus the church witnesses the risen Lord. Mary Magdalene could be the best and first witness about the true resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Copan contented that, “Since our witness is assured because of the resurrection of Jesus, the church should boldly witness the death and resurrection of Jesus without being ashamed”[20]. Paul again challenges the believers in Rome to take the responsibility of witnessing. “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?” (10:14). The Apostle witnessed to resurrection as a fact, not a theory, Peter in the first sermon ever preached, said God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are witness of that fact. (Acts 2:32) It is the challenge today for believers or the church to witness the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Brings Hope to the Church and to the Believers
The other doctrinal significance of the resurrection of Jesus is that, it’s where the hope of the church rest. Christians have faith and hope for the second coming of Jesus because we believe that Christ was raised from the dead. Paul talks, “If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men”. Our hope in Jesus Christ makes us not to be pitted because we trust the Lord who is living. The church therefore should be walking in Absolute Hope. Looking around at the world today, we might say that there is no much room for hope. “Wars, crime, sin, depravity, and the rest of the horrors of this modern life can leave us feeling as if there is no hope for the future”[21]
This lack of hope can stifle church’s desire to serve the Lord. “Hope in Christ’s resurrection reminds us that we are to be rooted and grounded in what we believe and hold true. We are to be “seated firmly” in our personal convictions”[22]. Again Tenney pointed out that the church has always looking forward to the establishment of a new creation from which sin and death will be forever outlawed. The church should take resurrection of Jesus as consummation hope and the completion of redemption. The resurrection foreshadows the destiny of believers; it exhibits the delight of God in the effectiveness of His salvation and reflects His personal interest in the development of individuals and in the growth of the church as a whole”[23] All who believe in Christ have hope in him, as a Redeemer; hope for redemption and salvation by him; but if there is no resurrection, or future recompence, their hope in him can only be as to this life. In relating to the concept of hope, Stormie Omartian pointed out that life for a Christian is not an escape but conquest. Resurrection is the consummation of hope and the completion of redemptive work[24]. The church should always abound in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord her labor is not in vain because Christ lives. Everything that the church should do should bring people into the Kingdom and build them up. This will indeed have eternal significance because we hope that we shall be raised on the when Christ returns, and we shall live with him forever. As Dunning suggests, the future life should be a real hope involved in the full redemption of the body via the resurrection from the dead[25]. The resurrection of Jesus as Grider quoted Jurgen Moltmann is a real event in history which gives Christians this enveloping and buoyant hope[26]
Resurrection brings our salvation
Paul in the same chapter gives an idea of salvation of the believers. If Christ did not rise from the dead then we are still sinners and lost. “Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost” (15:18). However, resurrection assures the community of believers that their sins have been forgiven and they have been adopted in the family of the Living God. Paul speaks also the same message to the Thessalonians, ‘We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him’ (4:14). “We are made new because of our faith in the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. The resurrection makes the new birth possible. Death cannot give life”[27]. “The cross secured atonement, but it takes a living Savior to apply salvation” [28] “We have been born anew to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1st Peter 1:3 RSV). Jesus himself insisted that His death had more than exemplary significance, it was redemptive. “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many”. (Mark. 10:45). Apostle Paul emphasized the theological significance of Christ death, stating that, “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God”(2Co 5:21).
As Richardson suggested, the resurrection thus unites the sacrifice and the priest into the church whose constant ministration assures the perpetuity of forgiveness of sin and of deliverance from death[29]. The resurrection is the basic to the salvation of the entire body of believers. Grudem pointed out that by the time when Christ was raised from the dead, it was God’s declaration of approval of Christ’ work as completed, and that no penalty left to pay for sin no more wrath of God to bear, no guilt remained[30]. Paul again talks to the Romans that “Jesus was put to death for our trespasses and raised for our justification” (4:25) Dunning agrees that it was the resurrection that was God’s validation of his plan of salvation. The resurrection was more than isolated event in which an individual overcome death; it was the death of the old aeon and birth of the new aeon[31] Grider again said; “crucifixion without resurrection would not have accomplished redemptive. If Christ would not have been raised, He would have been a martyr, not a savior”[32]
The resurrection makes our own resurrection possible.
The last doctrinal significant of the Jesus resurrection that Paul conveys to the church is assuring the believers about their own resurrection. “But now Christ is risen from the dead, and he has become the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead” (1st Corinthians 15:20-21). “Our own resurrection depends completely on the resurrection of Jesus”[33]. First fruits refer to the first part of the harvest to come in. It represents the rest of the harvest yet to come. Watson gives this analogy, “When an automobile manufacturer designs a new car they will, before going into mass production, first come out with the prototype. Christ is the prototype, the first fruits, of the resurrection”[34]. He is the first of many to follow. All those who are His, will be raised like Him.
As the first fruit he claims to be the right judge. The resurrection of Jesus Christ means that he will raise up everyone who ever lived--some to eternal life and some to eternal damnation--and Jesus Christ will be the judge of all people. Moore pointed that Christ’s resurrection is an example and the guarantee of ours. Jesus himself told his disciples, “Because I live you also will live” (John14:19) All who have trusted in their fallen reason and rejected the claims of Jesus Christ will be raised up from the dead by Jesus Christ himself. He will judge and damn them[35]. Jesus is our guarantee. For Paul, the resurrection of Christ has inaugurated the end time. Christ is the first fruits of all those that will follow. “In calling Christ the “first fruit” (aparche- Greek), Paul uses a metaphor from agriculture to indicate that we will be like Christ. So Christ as the first fruit shows that our resurrection bodies will be like, when in God’s final harvest, he raises us from the dead and brings us into his presence”[36]
Conclusion
As we have seen, resurrection is so essential in Christianity. When Christians meet together, therefore and bear the gospel of Christ preached, the resurrection should be proclaimed for more than on Easter Sunday. The message of resurrection should always be at least implied in Christian preaching. No wonder our members do not really understand the doctrinal significance of this topic. I propose that the concept of Easter should be an everyday cerebration, every time we pray to the father in the name of the risen Lord. Time has come for the local pastors (including me) in local churches to start articulating sermons that talk about the benefits of resurrection. The church’s existence is based on the idea that Christ rose and he is alive. Not only this but also the church anticipate the second coming of Christ and the final judgment. This gives hope and message to the church. It is the basis for our ramified hope as Christians.
References
Boice, James Montgomery: Foundations of the Christian Faith: England: Intervarsity Press, 1986
Byrie, Charles Caldwell: Basic Theology: A popular Systematic Guide to Understanding Biblical Truth: Chicago: Moody Press, 1999
Carson D. A: (2008) The Spurgeon Fellowship Journal Feature: Resurrection of Christ: Vol II. Retrieved from http://www.informaworld.com on 13th March, 2010
Cullmann, Oscar: Immortality of the Soul or Resurrection of the dead: New York: The Macmillan Company: 1987
Charlesworth, James. H. Resurrection, the origin and the future of a Biblical doctrine: New York: T &T Clark International Press, 2006
Dunning, Ray H: Grace, Faith and Holiness: A Wesleyan Systematic Theology: Kansas City, Missouri: Beacon Hill Press of Kansas City 1988
Grider, J. Kenneth: A Wesleyan- Holiness Theology: Kansas City, Missouri: Beacon Hill Press, 1994.
Grudem, Wayne: Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine: England: Intervarsity Press, 1994
Moore, Frank. Coffee Shop Theology: Kansas City, Missouri: Beacon Hill Press of Kansas City: 1998, p. 34
Outler, Albert: Article: The place of Wesley in Christian Tradition, 2ed, Scarecrow Press, 1981
Omartian, Stormie (1994) Article: Resurrection in Modern history retrieved from http://thechurchtheword.blogspot.com on 17th March 21, 2010
Paul, Copan: Jesus’ Resurrection facts or Figment? England: Intervarsity Press, 2000
Richardson, Alan (2005) Electronic Journal: The significance of Resurrection: Retrieved from http://www.ebscohost.com on 15th March 2010
Tenney, Merrill C. The Reality of the Resurrection: London: Herper and Row, Publishers. 1989, p 147-48, 153, 154
Thompson, W. Ralph: “Facing Objections Raised Against Biblical Inerrancy.” Wesleyan Theological Journal Vol 3, No 1 (Spring 1968)
Watson, Richard: Article: Reflection on Resurrection: retrieved from http://www.christnotes.org on 11th March 2010
[1] Thompson, W. Ralph: “Facing Objections Raised Against Biblical Inerrancy.” Wesleyan Theological Journal Vol 3, No 1 (Spring 1968) p. 123
[2]Carson D. A: (2008) The Spurgeon Fellowship Journal Feature: Resurrection of Christ: Vol II. Retrieved from http:www.informaworld.com. on 13th March, 2010, p. 105
[3] Ibid, p. 106
[4] Carson, p.108
[5] Moore, Frank. Coffee Shop Theology: Kansas City, Missouri: Beacon Hill Press of Kansas City: 1998, p. 34
[6] Dunning, Ray H: Grace, Faith and Holiness: A Wesleyan Systematic Theology: Kansas City, Missouri: Beacon Hill Press of Kansas City 1988, p. 434
[7] Grider, J. Kenneth: A Wesleyan- Holiness Theology: Kansas City, Missouri: Beacon Hill Press, 1994. p. 342
[8] Outler, Albert: Article: The place of Wesley in Christian Tradition, 2ed, Scarecrow Press, 1981, p. 59
[9] Ibid, p. 61
[10] Ibid, p. 64
[11] Thompson, W. Ralph: “Facing Objections Raised Against Biblical Inerrancy.” Wesleyan Theological Journal Vol 3, No 1 (Spring 1968), p. 27
[12] Ibid, 29
[13] Ibid, 30
[14] Cullmann, Oscar: Immortality of the Soul or Resurrection of the dead: New York: The Macmillan Company: 1987,p. 24
[15] Tenney, Merrill C. The Reality of the Resurrection: London: Herper and Row, Publishers. 1989, p 147-48
[16] Ibid, p. 154
[17] Byrie, Charles Caldwell: Basic Theology: A popular Systematic Guide to Understanding Biblical Truth: Chicago: Moody Press, 1999,p. 250
[18] Grider, p. 344
[19] Copan: Jesus’ Resurrection facts or Figment? England: Intervarsity Press, 2000 p.68
[21] Boice, James Montgomery: Foundations of the Christian Faith: England: Intervarsity Press, 1986, p.291
[22] Ibid, p 301
[24] Omartian, Stormie (1994) Article: Resurrection in Modern history retrieved from http://thechurchtheword.blogspot.com on 17th March 21, 2010
[25] Dunning, p. 476
[27] Charlesworth, James. H. Resurrection, the origin and the future of a Biblical doctrine: New York: T &T Clark International Press, 2006, p. 195
[28] Ibid, p. 198
[29] Richardson, Alan (2005) Electronic Journal: The significance of Resurrection: Retrieved from http://www.ebscohost.com on 15th March 2010, p. 13
[30] Grudem, Wayne: Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine: England: Intervarsity Press, 1994, p. 674
[33]Watson, Richard: Article: Reflection on Resurrection: retrieved from http://www.christnotes.org on 11th March 2010, p. 3
[34] Ibid, p. 4
[36] Grudem, p. 675
