The Foundation of Christianity

Christianity stands or falls on whether Christ was really raised bodily from the dead. This isn’t an optional doctrine. Those who would demote Christ’s resurrection to being merely “spiritual” give up the whole thing. Christ himself pointed to his resurrection as the proof of his authority to teach and do what he did (John 2:19), and Paul made an extended discussion of the importance of the resurrection in 1Corinthians 15:

“If Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. ... And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied” (v14-19).

If Christ has not been raised, preaching is useless, faith is futile, we have lied about God, we’re still guilty of our sins, and the dead are truly gone. “We are of all people most to be pitied.“ If Christ has not been raised, Christianity is a joke, a silly game we play every week. We’re more than ridiculous; we’re pitiful. We should pack this thing up and go home.

“But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep” (1Cor 15:20). This turns everything on its head.

Because Christ has been raised, preaching it is valuable, and faith is fruitful. We have honestly proclaimed the glorious work of God. Faith is effective, and so our sins are forgiven.

Because Christ has been raised, those who have fallen asleep in Christ are merely on deposit; they will be returned to us. Jesus said, “Because I live, you also will live” (John 14:19). Christ has conquered death, and one day it will be put under his feet. Then "when the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, ... the saying that is written will come true: ‘Death has been swallowed up in victory.’

'Where, O death, is your victory?
   Where, O death, is your sting?'" (1Cor 15:54-55).

Then we will see that, because Christ has been raised, we are of all people most blessed.

Jesus lives, and so shall I.
Death! thy sting is gone forever!
He who deigned for me to die,
lives, the bands of death to sever.
He shall raise me from the dust:
Jesus is my hope and trust.¹

1 “Jesus Lives, and So Shall I”, Christian Gellert

See also:
The Resurrection: A Story No One Would Make Up

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