“In Defense Of The Resurrection!”

“In Defense Of The Resurrection!”(I Cor.15:1-11).
Christian Apologetics exist in every generation within space and time. Their presence is of great importance because every generation have two groups of people who are a nuisance to genuine believers.
The first group who oppose the gospel totally kick against the gospel and possibly do not see any reason for the Christian Church.
The second group is seemingly milder, but pose a greater danger to the faith than the first group. This group constitutes “the enemy in the house.” They are gospelers, but they are exaggeratedly eclectic in their acceptance of the gospel message.
These are Christians who doubt the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
We know that two prominent religious groups during the time of Jesus were the Pharisees and Sadducees. These two disagreed about the resurrection. Even though the Pharisees were the leading opposition to Jesus Christ, they at least were at par with Jesus concerning the resurrection. One would have expected the Sadducees to be the leading opposition to Jesus because they did not believe in the resurrection.
In the fifteenth chapter of Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians he presents himself as an apologist of the resurrection.
Our faith stands or fall by the resurrection. And there is no resurrection without a certified death and a confirmed burial.
In my message to my physical congregations on Easter Sunday I told them that believers do not have to treat so-called unbelievers poorly. Those who are against the gospel today may tomorrow become great defenders of the faith.
Paul is a glaring example of a persecutor turned apologist. In his own words he says, “I am the least of the apostles and do not deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the Church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect.”
Even though Paul was addressing Corinthian believers, his message is relevant to us as well. There is the tradition of passing on to others what has been received from others.
Paul was not an eye witness. He only received it from others, but he passed it on to us as of “first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to…” Paul goes on to list six resurrection appearances, even though there are more according to the gospels. Last, but not the least, Christ appeared to Paul himself, but that was at a later period.
This is the Gospel which Paul preached, which we have received and on which we have taken a stand.
By this gospel we are saved, if we hold on to what we have received. Otherwise we would have believed in vain
There risen Christ has conquered the grave, thus humiliating death which no longer has the final say to human existence.
My friend, as you have received and taken your stand on this gospel, you are saved. Hallelujah! Let no teaching derail you from the message of your salvation.
Easter Monday prayer: Holy Spirit help me to hold tight to the message of salvation on which I have taken a firm stand. Amen!
Welcome to a new day and week! Have a blessed day and week! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.