Why the Resurrection of Jesus Matters (1 Corinthians 15:1–20)
Have you ever wondered why Christians talk so much about Jesus rising from the dead? In 1 Corinthians 15, the apostle Paul explains why the resurrection is the heart of the Christian message. Without it, Paul says, our faith would have no foundation.
Let’s explore what this powerful chapter says in plain and simple terms.
The Most Important Message
Paul begins by reminding the church about the Good News he first shared with them:
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Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said He would.
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He was buried.
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And then, He rose from the dead on the third day, just like God promised.
Paul says this message isn’t just a nice story—it’s the core of our faith. If we believe it and hold on to it, it’s the message that saves us.
Simple takeaway:
Jesus died for us and rose again. That’s the heart of the Christian faith.
Eyewitnesses to the Resurrection
Some people might have doubted whether Jesus really came back to life, but Paul points out that many people saw Jesus alive after He rose from the dead:
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He appeared to Peter.
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Then to the twelve disciples.
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Then to more than 500 people at once!
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Later, He appeared to James and all the apostles.
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And last of all, Paul himself saw Jesus too—though Paul humbly admits he didn’t feel worthy because of his past.
Simple takeaway:
The resurrection isn’t just a belief—it was witnessed by real people.
God’s Grace Changes Us
Paul shares a little of his own story. He used to persecute Christians, but after meeting Jesus, everything changed. He became one of the biggest messengers of the Good News.
He says:
“It was only because of God’s grace that I am who I am.”
Paul didn’t earn this role—God forgave him and gave him a new purpose.
Simple takeaway:
No matter your past, God’s grace can transform your life.
The Resurrection Is Essential
Some people in the Corinthian church were saying that there’s no resurrection from the dead—that people just die and that’s it.
Paul strongly disagrees. He says:
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If there’s no resurrection, then Jesus didn’t rise either.
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And if Jesus didn’t rise, then our faith is useless.
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Our sins wouldn’t be forgiven.
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Those who’ve died believing in Jesus would be lost forever.
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And Christians would be the most pitied people of all—because they’re placing all their hope in something that isn’t true.
Simple takeaway:
If Jesus didn’t rise, Christianity wouldn’t mean anything. But He did rise!
Jesus Is Alive—and That Changes Everything
Paul ends this section with powerful hope:
“But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead…”
— 1 Corinthians 15:20 (NIV)
Jesus is the first to rise, but He won’t be the last. His resurrection is like the first sign of a big harvest—because those who believe in Him will also be raised to new life.
Simple takeaway:
Jesus’ resurrection gives us real hope—not just for today, but forever.
Final Thoughts
1 Corinthians 15:1–20 reminds us that the resurrection of Jesus isn’t just a part of the Christian message—it’s the whole message. Without it, there’s no victory, no hope, and no future.
But because Jesus is alive, we have:
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Forgiveness for our sins
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New life right now
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Eternal life after death
1 Corinthians 15:1-20 (WEB)
15:1 Now I declare to you, brothers, the Good News which I preached to you, which also you received, in which you also stand, 2 by which also you are saved, if you hold firmly the word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.3 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to over five hundred brothers at once, most of whom remain until now, but some have also fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, 8 and last of all, as to the child born at the wrong time, he appeared to me also. 9 For I am the least of the apostles, who is not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the assembly of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am. His grace which was given to me was not futile, but I worked more than all of them; yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. 11 Whether then it is I or they, so we preach, and so you believed.12 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? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, neither has Christ been raised. 14 If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith also is in vain. 15 Yes, we are also found false witnesses of God, because we testified about God that he raised up Christ, whom he didn’t raise up if it is true that the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead aren’t raised, neither has Christ been raised. 17 If Christ has not been raised, your faith is vain; you are still in your sins. 18 Then they also who are fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If we have only hoped in Christ in this life, we are of all men most pitiable.20 But now Christ has been raised from the dead. He became the first fruit of those who are asleep.