ABOUT FIRST RESURRECTION (3)

0. Introduction

a) What is the FIRST resurrection of the dead taught in the Bible? When does it occur? Who is in it? What did Jesus teach about it? What is the order in which the dead are resurrected? In Hebrews 6 we find one the foundational doctrines of Christianity - the resurrection. 

i) "Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment." (Hebrews 6:1-2). 

b) In this we will examine what happens, in God's great plan, to those who die faithful to God.

1. Paul's explanation

a) If any section of the Bible provides us with the greatest information on the subject at hand it is 1 Corinthians 15. This chapter is known as the "resurrection chapter." By studying 1Corinthians 15, we will learn several very important facts.

b) One of the things we learn is that if Jesus had not risen from the dead, then no one else would ever rise from the dead.

i) Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. (1Corinthians 15)

c) Jesus is the first-fruit of the grave.

i) But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep. " (1Corinthians 15:20) 

d) Jesus as the first person in history to be resurrected from the dead into eternal life and is the "first-fruits" of many more to come. The apostle Paul expresses the same idea in Acts 26:23. Jesus is the first individual resurrected with a spiritual body.