DAILY TEXT, Today Monday May 23, 2022, Christ died for our sins, according to the Scriptures, and was resurrected (1 Cor. 15:3, 4).

DAILY TEXT, Today Monday May 23, 2022

Let's Examine the Scriptures Every Day 2022

Monday, May 23, 2022

Christ died for our sins, according to the Scriptures, and was resurrected (1 Cor. 15:3, 4).

Why can we be sure that Jehovah brought him back to life? There were many people who saw the risen Jesus (1 Cor. 15:5-7). The first one mentioned by the apostle Paul was Cephas, that is, the apostle Peter. A group of disciples also claimed that Peter had seen the risen Jesus (Luke 24:33, 34). In addition, “the Twelve” saw it, that is, the apostles. Then "he appeared to more than 500 brothers at once," perhaps in the happy encounter in Galilee recounted in Matthew 28:16-20. He also "appeared to James", surely his half-brother, who until then had not believed that Jesus was the Messiah (John 7: 5). But, after seeing him risen, he was convinced. Interestingly, by the time Paul wrote this letter—around the year 55—many of those who had seen the risen Jesus were still alive. So those who had doubts could talk to them. w20.12 3 paras. 5, 7, 8

Why did some Corinthian Christians have wrong beliefs about the resurrection?

In the Greek city of Corinth, some Christians had mistaken beliefs about the resurrection, to the point of denying this teaching (1 Cor. 15:12). Why? In the neighboring city of Athens, there were philosophers who scoffed at the idea that Jesus had been resurrected, and that way of thinking may have rubbed off on some Christians in Corinth (Acts 17:18, 31, 32). Others may have seen the resurrection as symbolic. They thought that, before being Christians, being sinners was as if they were dead; but, by becoming Christians, they received the forgiveness of sins and it was as if they came back to life. For one thing or another, if they did not believe in the resurrection, their faith was worthless. If God had not raised Jesus, the ransom had not been paid and their sins had not been forgiven.

According to 1 Peter 3:18, 22, what was the difference between the resurrection of Jesus and the previous ones?

Paul had seen for himself that Christ had been "raised from the dead." His resurrection was better than that of those who rose before him, for they died again. Paul also called Jesus "the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep in death." In what sense was Jesus the firstfruits or firstfruits? He was the first human to be resurrected as a spirit being and the first to go to heaven (1 Cor. 15:20; Acts 26:23; read 1 Peter 3:18, 22).

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