TOMS: I Corinthians 15, Part 3

For an introduction to this series, click here.

August 12, 2007

Well, yesterday was kind of short, and now I have a lot of ground to cover to finish up this chapter. This is one of the greatest chapters in the Bible though. 

Remember that the second half (actually it is more than half of the text but bear with me) of I Corinthians is a response to a series of questions the church wrote back to Paul. He had some pressing issues, like divisiveness, he had to get out of the way first, and then he answered their questions. Apparently there was a controversy in the church what the resurrection body would be like. Paul gives them an answer, but I think if you read it, you can read between the lines that Paul is thinking, "Why are you asking me this? God is going to do things right. What does it matter?"
"But someone will ask, 'How are the dead raised? With what kind of body do they come?' You foolish person! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies. And what you sow is not the body that is to be, but a bare kernel, perhaps of wheat or of some other grain. But God gives it a body as he has chosen, and to each kind of seed its own body. For not all flesh is the same, but there is one kind for humans, another for animals, another for birds, and another for fish. There are heavenly bodies and earthly bodies, but the glory of the heavenly is of one kind, and the glory of the earthly is of another. There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for star differs from star in glory. So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. Thus it is written, 'The first man Adam became a living being'; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit. But it is not the spiritual that is first but the natural, and then the spiritual. The first man was from the earth, a man of dust; the second man is from heaven. As was the man of dust, so also are those who are of the dust, and as is the man of heaven, so also are those who are of heaven. Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven." (15:35-49)

But there is a spiritual lesson to be learned here. I'm pretty sure Paul is the only epistle writer to refer to Jesus as the "last Adam." Christ is engendering a new race of people, one linked not by blood but by faith.

Finally Paul wraps up his argument with a glorious anthem of praise:
"I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: 'Death is swallowed up in victory.' 'O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?' The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain." (15:50-58, ESV)

I have heard supposedly learned people say that the rapture is not taught anywhere but one passage in I Thessalonians. They have never read this passage in I Corinthians, which clearly teaches the rapture. A lot of people, especially those of the more sensitive and educated sort, view the doctrine of the rapture as kind of backward and silly, for whatever reason, I don't know. It is true that the church in large part ignored the rapture for more than 1,000 years. Some of them were more interested in building an earthly kingdom, certainly, but others you wonder why they never address the topic. But despite what some people might like, the rapture is coming, and I am looking forward to it. I hope I get to see it. I know I will be a part of it either way, but I kind of hope I can see it happen with these eyes that I am looking at the computer screen with right now. 

TOMS: I Corinthians 15, Part 2

For an introduction to this series, click here.

August 11, 2007

Paul continues his  discussion of the importance of the resurrection. 
"But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. For 'God has put all things in subjection under his feet.' But when it says, 'all things are put in subjection,' it is plain that he is excepted who put all things in subjection under him. When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him, that God may be all in all." (15:20-28)

This section doesn't really need comment. It's pretty self-explanatory, as opposed to the next section: 
"Otherwise, what do people mean by being baptized on behalf of the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized on their behalf? Why are we in danger every hour? I protest, brothers, by my pride in you, which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die every day! What do I gain if, humanly speaking, I fought with beasts at Ephesus? If the dead are not raised, 'Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.'" (15:29-32)

Now I try not to shy away from difficult scriptures, but that first one in that section is a doozy. It's clear that baptism does not save even the person who is baptized, so what does it mean being baptized for the dead? MacArthur suggests that this means that people who were saved and baptized because of the testimony of those who have already passed on, perhaps because of persecution. I don't know. Maybe the Corinthian church had some sort of weird ritual that was not Biblical, and Paul was just using the ritual as a point to prove that even their ill-conceived ritual showed they believed in a resurrection. That doesn't seem right as I write it, but I don't know.

Paul also continues his discussion of the meaning of life. He says that if there is no resurrection, then he might as well give up what he is doing and go out and live a life of ease. Why put yourself out? If this is all there is, then you better enjoy it while you can. No point in making life difficult if there is no resurrection. People get the idea that the Christian life is just a breeze and that God wants to solve all our problems. God isn't as concerned about our physical comforts and what we want as we think He is, or as some preachers paint Him out to be. Paul certainly was living proof that God is more concerned about using us in His service, no matter the physical cost, than He is about making us happy.

TOMS: I Corinthians 15, Part 1

For an introduction to this series, click here.

August 10, 2007

I know I am not going to be able to cover this whole chapter in one sitting. It might take three.

First of all Paul defines the Gospel and explains his role in the church and how he became an apostle: 
"For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy 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 toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed." (15:3-11)

Paul was always troubled by his past, or at least it seems to me. It seems he always brought up the fact that he persecuted the church when describing himself. It's good to know that he was human just like we are. 

Apparently there were some in the Corinthian church who questioned the resurrection of the dead. Paul is very insistent that you cannot be a Christian if you do not believe in the resurrection: 
"Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied." (15:13-19, ESV)

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the central fact of the Christian faith. If Jesus did rise rise from the dead, then Christianity is meaningless. God would be a liar. 

Not only that, but I want to spend some time on that last verse. Paul said that if Christianity was just a nice thing that people do, then it is worthless, and there is no point in messing with it. That is not the mindset of most people now. Most Christians believe the exact opposite today. They think that Christianity enhances their lives now, and heaven is just a bonus. That is not the attitude Paul had. Paul said my life is miserable here: I get thrown in jail, beaten, traveling by foot all over the Near East and Eastern Europe (you try walking from Jerusalem to Corinth), and for what? The hope of eternal life with the Lord Jesus. Paul was not sidetracked by seeking "his best life now," with apologies to Joel Osteen.  He saw that the most important thing was seeking to be rewarded in heaven. 

I think I will divide this in three. I had a bad night last night and I am trying to catch up.

TOMS: John 20

For an introduction to this series, click here.

May 19, 2007

This chapter tells the story of the Resurrection. John repeats a certain phrase, which must have struck him as being very important: "So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb. Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus' head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead." (20:3-9)

This passage gives us the best insight as to how the Resurrection actually happened. Jesus' did not have to unwrap Himself, the cloth was still there, intact. And the cloth was not gone, as it would have been if someone had stolen the body. Jesus apparently just passed through the cloth as if it were nothing.

You should notice what John says about himself and the other disciples. They did not understand what was happening. They had no clue Jesus was going to rise from the dead. Also notice another reason I say John was probably a teenager. He outran Peter, who we know was already married, to the tomb.

I think you know the basic story, but Thomas is always intriguing. Thomas was not there when the disciples saw Jesus, probably on Sunday night after the Resurrection. John is the only one who mentions this story, by the way. Jesus does not criticize Thomas. He tells him, "Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe." (20:27) Thomas does not need to feel. He has seen enough. He says, "My Lord and my God!" (20:28) Of course, Jesus pronounces a blessing on all who follow: "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." (20:29) Of course Jesus is talking about us, those who follow in the footsteps of the disciples.

Finally, John gives us the purpose of his book: "Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name." (20:30-21, ESV) John is never shy about telling people they need to believe. That's why I say John has the most editorial content of the Gospels. John is writing this book with a specific purpose in mind: these people saw Jesus say and do these things, and they believed; you need to believe, too.

TOMS: Luke 24

For an introduction to this series, click here.

April 8, 2007

No, I'm not smart enough to coincidentally write about Luke 24 on Easter, it just worked out that way.

Luke's record of the Resurrection is different in that he doesn't give us any immediate confirmation. The only indication we have that Jesus is alive is the statement by the angels to the women who came to the tomb. Luke's account builds slowly. Here's a typical selection: "Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles, but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home marveling at what had happened." (24:10-12)

Instead Luke launches immediately into a story found nowhere else: the story of the disciples on the road to Emmaus. The only name we have is Cleopas. We know that they lived in the same house (or at least we assume so, they could have been just happening to stay at one house) so it is possible that the other disciple was Cleopas' wife or brother. 

Anyway, the resurrected Lord Jesus comes walking with these two disciples, and they don't realize who it is. They are disappointed because Jesus was dead, and they think it is all over. All their dreams, their hopes for the glorious future, were gone. Jesus didn't coddle them. He says: "O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?" (24:25-26) Of course, Luke does tell us "their eyes were kept from recognizing him." (24:16, ESV) But still, Jesus explains to them the scriptures about Himself as they were walking. I wish Luke had recorded what Jesus said. That would make a lot of sense - bridging the gaps between the Old and New Testaments. But of course God knows what is best.

Anyway, it was getting dark, and Jesus is going to go on, but the disciples compel Him to stay with them. Of course, hospitality was an important part of the Jewish tradition. But as soon as they sat down to dinner, Jesus breaks bread and suddenly they saw - it was Jesus! Just as soon, Jesus was gone. They ran back into Jerusalem to tell the disciples there what had happened. This time they were running as fast as they could go. They made it back to Jerusalem in no time. 

Luke doesn't give us a whole lot of details beyond the first night after Jesus rose, but he is the only Gospel writer to mention the Ascencion.