Since we have no physical proof of the resurrection of Christ except the empty tomb, our affirmation must rest on belief or faith. But what is faith?
For some faith is ignoring the supposed facts or the absence of facts. For others faith is credulity, by which they mean simple-mindedness, not being able to think through the propositions or the problems. For still others, faith is evidence of low intelligence. They believe education will replace the need for faith. The more you know, the less you need to believe.
Many a university professor of biology no doubt on the first day of class may take delight in telling his freshman students something like this: “Here in my classroom, you will soon learn that what you may have been told in church is just so much garbage. I base all my propositions on the assured results of scientific research.” Then on day two, he may say what the Encyclopedia Britannica says, “In the evolution of horses during 60,000,000 years, the average rate per genus was 7,500,00 years.” And he expects his students to accept what he says as proven facts because he said, “I base my conclusion and propositions on scientific research.” To me, that is an example of amazing ignorance or arrogance. There is no way scientific research can make such a statement. Scientific research deals with what is observable, and, of course, 60,000,000 years are not observable.
I am unashamed to tell you my understanding of the resurrection of Jesus Christ is based on my faith in the Holy Bible as the revelation from God. I believe the records in the New Testament are true and without error.
So I come to I Corinthians 15 with confidence that the apostle Paul wrote the truth, not only as he understood it, but as it was revealed to him from God by the Holy Spirit. Every serious-minded person must consider the reality of the resurrection of Christ. There is no escape from this. I have based my message on I Corinthians 15:20-28 and have called it BELIEVING THE INESCAPABLE.
20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, [and] become the firstfruits of them that slept.
21 For since by man [came] death, by man [came] also the resurrection of the dead.
22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming
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.
25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.
26 The last enemy [that] shall be destroyed [is] death.
27 For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under [him, it is] manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him.
28 And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.
From Paul’s words, I have collected several convincing PRONOUNCEMENTS that lead us to believe in the inescapable fact of the resurrection of Christ.
The first pronouncement is:
20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, [and] become the firstfruits of them that slept.
21 For since by man [came] death, by man [came] also the resurrection of the dead.
22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made ali...
