1 Corinthians Answers - Chapter 15

1 Corinthians 15

1. What was the Gospel that Paul had preached to the Corinthians?  Name 4 aspects of the Gospel message that was preached from vs.3-8. 
   
   
   • Jesus died for our sins
   • Jesus was buried
   • Jesus was raised from death on the third day
   • Jesus presented Himself alive to many
   
   
2. Who did Jesus appear to after His resurrection?
   
   
   • vs. 5 - Cephas (Peter)
   • vs. 5 - The Twelve
   • vs. 6 - More than 500 brethren at one time
   • vs. 7 - James
   • vs. 7 - All the Apostles
   • vs. 8 - Paul
     
     
3. Why did Paul say that he was the least of all the apostles?
   vs. 9
   
   Because he persecuted the church of God.  Having spent all those early years trying his best to stamp God's church right out of existence.
   
   
4. How was Paul able to handle his past and be able to be used of God? vs. 10
   
   But by the grace of God; he worked harder.  I like how the Message Bible says it, "But because God was so gracious, so very generous, here I am. And I’m not about to let his grace go to waste. Haven’t I worked hard trying to do more than any of the others? Even then, my work didn’t amount to all that much. It was God giving me the work to do, God giving me the energy to do it."
   
   
5. How important to our faith is the Lord's resurrection from the dead? vs.12-20
   
   The Christian faith rests solely on Christ’s resurrection. If that resurrection didn’t happen, then we would still be in the grip of sin and death.
   
   
6. If Christ was not raised from the dead, what 4 things would be true about your faith? vs.17-19   
   
   
   • Our faith would be worthless
   • We would still be in our sins
   • We would perish at death
   • We would be pitied the most
   
   
7. Christ HAS been raised from the dead (hallelujah) .. and He is the first fruits of those who are asleep.  What happened to all of mankind because of Adam's sin? vs.20-22
   
   Adam disobeyed God and brought sin and death into the world.  Sin then reigned over mankind.
   
   
8. What has happened to those who have believed in Jesus?
   vs. 20-22
   
   They will be resurrected from the dead and made alive in Christ.  Just as Adam’s sin brought death into the world, Christ’s resurrection brings everlasting life (Romans 5:12–21).
   
   
9. The resurrection will be each in its own order.  Name the order given in vs.23-28.
   
   
   • vs. 23 - Christ is the first
     
   • vs. 23 - then those with Him at His Coming
     
   • vs. 24 - then comes the end.
     
   • vs. 24 - Christ hands over the kingdom to God the Father
     
   • vs. 24 - having subdued all.
     
   • vs. 25, 26 - Christ will reign as the sovereign Lord of heaven and earth until all is subject to him. 
     
   • vs. 27, 28 - Then Christ will bow the knee to God the Father so that God may be all in all.
     
     28 When everything and everyone is finally under God’s rule, the Son will step down, taking his place with everyone else, showing that God’s rule is absolutely comprehensive—a perfect ending! [MSG]
   
   
10. What did Paul do "daily" and what do you think he means by this? vs.31-32
    
    He died daily. 
    
    I die daily does not refer to “dying to self,” as in Romans 6, but to the physical dangers Paul faced as a servant of Christ (2 Cor. 4:8–5:10; 11:23–28 ). He was in constant jeopardy from his enemies and on more than one occasion had been close to death.
    
    Wiersbe, W. W. (1996, c1989). The Bible exposition commentary. "An exposition of the New Testament comprising the entire 'BE' series"--Jkt. (1 Co 15:29). Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books.
    
    I die daily (καθ̓ ἡμεραν ἀποθνησκω [kath‚ hēmeran apothnēskō]). I am in daily peril of death (II Cor. 4:11; 11:23; Rom. 8:36).
    
    Robertson, A. (1997). Word Pictures in the New Testament. Vol.V c1932, Vol.VI c1933 by Sunday School Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. (1 Co 15:31). Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems.
    
    
11. What are we not to be "deceived" by? vs. 33-34
    
    
    • Bad company.
    • Drunkenness.
    • Sin.
    
    
12. Paul addresses what kind of body we will have in the resurrection.  He explains that a seed must die before it comes to life.  The seed is sown in one form, but it is raised in another form.  God gives the body as He wishes it to be.  There are different types of flesh of people, animals, birds, and fish.  There are degrees of glory for the sun, the moon, and stars one from another. (vs.35-41)  Paul states that it is the same with the resurrection of our bodies.  Our bodies are sown as perishable.  How are they raised? vs. 42
    
    It is raised an imperishable (incorrupt) body.
    
    
13. They are sown in dishonor.  How are they raised? vs. 43
    
    It is raised in glory.
    
    
14. They are sown in weakness.  How are they raised? vs. 43
    
    It is raised in power.
    
    
15. They are sown a natural body.  How are they raised? vs. 44
    
    It is raised a spiritual body.
    
    
16. The first Adam became a living soul.  What did the last Adam (Jesus) become? vs. 45
    
    The last Adam (Jesus) became a life-giving spirit.
    
    
17. Just as we have borne the earthy image of Adam, what image will we bear in the life to come? vs. 46-50
    
    Just as we have borne the image of the earthy, we will also bear the image of the heavenly.
    
    
18. What is the mystery that Paul wants the church to know about?  vs.51
    
    We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed.
    
    The mystery which Paul now explains is the revelation that not all believers will face death. Prior to the events of the Great Tribulation, Christ will come. The dead in Christ will be raised and glorified. Those who are still living will be caught up in the air and instantaneously changed into the permanent, undecaying, glorified body which is like the Lord’s resurrected body (cf. 1 Thess. 4:14–17).
    
    Believer's Study Bible. 1997, c1995. C1991 Criswell Center for Biblical Studies. (electronic ed.) (1 Co 15:51). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
    
    
19. What is going to happen in the twinkling of the eye at the sound of the last trumpet? vs. 52-55
    
    
    • The dead will be raised imperishable.
    • We will be changed.
    • The perishable will put on the imperishable.
    • The mortal will put on immortality.
    • Death will be swallowed up in victory.
    
    
20. What is the sting of death? vs. 56
    
    The sting of death is sin.
    
    
21. What is the power of sin? vs. 56
    
    The power of sin is the law.
    
    
22. How do we get victory over death and sin? vs. 57
    
    God gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
    
    
23. Because all of this is true, how should we always view our work in the Lord? vs. 58
    
    Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.
    
    Throw yourself into the work of the Lord, confident that nothing you do for Him is a waste of time or effort. [MSG]
    
    
24. Reflect and Pray.  Do you believe the Lord has resurrected from the dead?  Do you believe you will be resurrected from the dead?  How will this chapter effect the way you live out your life each day? 
    
    WE HAVE A LIVING LORD (1–19). Jesus is alive, and the gospel message is true! Witnesses who saw Him have passed along their testimony to us.  When you trust Him, you receive resurrection life, eternal life (John 5:24); death can hold you no more.
    
    WE HAVE A LIVING HOPE (20–49). Jesus Christ will come again, and the dead in Christ will be raised. We will have glorified bodies like Christ’s body (1 John 3:1–3).
    
    WE HAVE A LIVING DYNAMIC (50–58 ). We have no reason to give up because Jesus has conquered sin and death!  If you really believe in the resurrection and return of Jesus, verse 58 will characterize your life. The best is yet to come, so let us give Him our best now.
    
    Wiersbe, W. W. (1997, c1991). With the word Bible commentary (1 Co 15). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.