Is belief in the resurrection Necessary?

Read 1 Corinthians 15.

In the beginning of this letter, Paul said that the preaching of a crucified Christ seemed foolish to the thinking of the Greeks.  It was a foolish teaching and hindered some from believing in Jesus (1:23).  Now, at the end of the letter, Paul answered the disbelief of some in a resurrected Christ (15:12).  This is masterful presentation and pulls together a number of pertinent issues.

The resurrection of Jesus is not an optional doctrine.  It is core to the entire Bible.  This chapter answers a series of questions the Corinthians posed and that apply to every human being.

What is the Gospel? (vv.1-4)
The gospel, or good news, of Jesus Christ is to be at the heart of all Christian communications and belief.  The Holy Spirit left no uncertainty concerning the definition.  It is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.  Nothing more.  Nothing less.  Nothing else.  There is no other Gospel.  Some have tried to substitute acts of human kindnesses for the Christian message.  Woe to those who try to add or detract from what God has made plain.

How reliable is this message? (vv.5-11)
First, the payment and proof of our sins was all in accordance with the prophecies of Scripture.  Genesis 3 and Isaiah 53 are two good examples.  The crucifixion and resurrection of Messiah should have been no surprise.  Next, Jesus showed Himself alive to hundreds of different people in various locations over a forty day period.  Dr. Luke called these appearances "many infallible proofs" (Acts 1:3, KJV).  Then, quite some time later, Jesus personally appeared to Saul of Tarsus (Paul) (Acts 9).  In a court of law, two or three witnesses would have been sufficient.  In verse 20, Paul calls the resurrection of Jesus a "fact."

Exhibit "A" as to the veracity and the power of the Gospel is the Apostle Paul.  In verses 9-11, he shared part of his own story.  He persecuted believers in Jesus, arresting, punishing, and even oversaw the execution of some.  Yet, on that day when he experienced a personal encounter with Jesus, it changed his life forever.  His salvation was by the grace of God, not as the result of anything Paul was or did.  "....his grace toward me was not in vain."

What has this got to do with me? (vv.12-19)
It is by personal belief in this message that one receives forgiveness of sin, escapes the eternal punishment for sin, enjoys acceptance into the family of God, and has eternal life.  However, if the resurrection is not true, Christians believe "in vain" (v.2), preaching is "in vain" (v.14a), our faith is "in vain" (v.14b), and all work done in the name of Jesus is "in vain" (v.58).  Emptiness.  Going through the motions of religiosity.  Of no real value.

 And, we have no hope of the future.  "If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied." (v.19)  The remainder of this chapter teaches how the resurrection of Jesus (and us) is the basis of our hope in the future: the second coming of Christ (v.23), the establishment of His kingdom (v.24), His reign on earth (v.25), the end of death itself (v.26), and our immortality (v.53).

In the meantime:
1."Wake up!" (v.34)  Why?  "For some do not have the knowledge of God.  I say this to your shame."  It is to the shame of every believer that there are those who do not know the truth and many in the world who have never heard the good news.  Accountability.
2. Go to work! (v.58)  Find a place where God can use you to have a part in spreading this knowledge of the Gospel of Jesus.  Responsibility.