King James Bible Study – [And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. – Mark 8:34]
Date: Thursday, December 04, 2025
Chapters: I Corinthians 15-16
Message: I Corinthians: Victory Through Christ
Hello My Friend,
As we come to the end of the reading of I Corinthians we learn the importance of believing in the resurrection of Christ, [1 Corinthians 15:13-14 But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: 14 And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.]
We also learn of the incredible day in which all who received Christ as their Saviour will become immortal. Everyone talks about immortality, and let me tell you, sadly, there are more people who fear death than there are who fear hell. This is why the biggest scams on the market are youth serums, plastic surgery, and supplements aimed at trying to slow down the aging process. The fear of death will literally bring people to do the most ridiculous things, but to those who know Christ as their Saviour there is no fear of death because we are just in the shell of our body right now awaiting our journey to heaven and incredibly true immortality, [1 Corinthians 15:55-57 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.]
Paul, has been reminding the church at Corinth why it was necessary to keep false doctrine and immorality out of the church while maintaining proper order in it. However, it also appears that there were some questioning the resurrection of Christ and how it was possible. Paul, finalizes his letter with the reminder that Christ did raise three days later and there were plenty of witnesses to prove it.
[1 Corinthians 15:1-6 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: 5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: 6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.]
Think about it, any of the evangelists ministering the Gospel to the people went through the Old Testament Scriptures to show them that Jesus is the Christ they all have been waiting for. The New Testament writings were not used in the churches until 95 AD because they had not been written yet. In fact, it did not actually become a part of the Bible until 367 AD. The incredible thing is that they had the same message that we have today, even in regards to the tribulation and return of Christ written in Revelation. This is why it is important that we have the entire Bible, while it does not all pertain to us today, it really is necessary for our edifying, [2 Timothy 3:16-17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.]
The Gospel of Christ is the foundation to life after the death of our flesh, this may seem like something that is repetitively mentioned, but as you can see is something that God wants to ingrain in our heads. Sadly, there are many religions out there still today that preach a false gospel in that they do not believe He resurrected. Paul, goes on to tell of his own testimony and wonders how it is possible that they even believe such a lie.
[1 Corinthians 15:8-12 And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. 9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. 11 Therefore whether it were I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed. 12 Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?]
Paul, is referring to the time that Jesus spoke to him when he was on his way to Damascus to capture professing Christians Paul, is referring to the time that Jesus spoke to him when he was on his way to Damascus to capture professing Christians, [Acts 9:1-2,15-16 And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, 2 And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. 15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: 16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.]
It was probable that Paul did cross paths with Jesus before His passion as he was a Pharisee, but during that time he did not even come close to being a believer let alone an apostle. I love this phrase, “but the grace of God which was with me.” I know I have not labored more than the apostles, but that does not mean that I do not have the potential, [John 14:12-13 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. 13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.]
That is all I want to do right now, but I feel like I am at a standstill. I am making these plans to center my work, marriage and life around Christ, but the execution seems to be a bit slow. Of course, I know that everything is in God’s time and He may need to prepare me for what is to come. Let me tell you, it is a sad day for those who accepted that Christ died for them, but did not raise from the dead for them. That is not believing the Gospel! In fact, is a one way ticket to hell as we must believe in the Gospel in its entirety if we expect to get past those pearly gates. Paul, goes on to stress the importance of believing in the resurrection.
[1 Corinthians 15:15-20 Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. 16 For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: 17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. 18 Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. 19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. 20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.]
It not only makes us look bad if we are preaching a false gospel, it makes Christ look bad as well. The first fruits is referring to the crops and what sprung out of the earth first, they were the first to ripen, the first to be reaped and the first to be gathered in. In the same sense, Christ is the first to rasie from the dead after His passion.
[1 Corinthians 15:21-26 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming. 24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. 25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.]
In other words, Christ, being the first fruit to rise from the dead presented Himself to God, the Father. taking with Him believers who also arose with Him but ascended up to heaven, [Matthew 27:51-53 And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; 52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, 53 And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.]
Thanks to the curse of death that was passed down to all of us, we all die once, that is unless Jesus returns. That means everyone who has come and gone on this earth apart from Jesus, and those whom have yet to be born are appointed once to die. However, those who come to the knowledge of the entire Gospel of Christ, then receive Him as their Saviour are passed from death to life. That means not only does the second death not come, but death itself will be destroyed. Praise God!
Christ, as the first fruits has entered into the fullness of life, in His human nature He assumed immortality, and an incorruptible body. By Christ lying in the grave He took redemption further by burying sin all together, raising out of it three days later. By His resurrection He sanctified His people forever, [John 17:19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.]
This is how we know that we can enjoy the same benefit as Jesus. This is actually the idea behind believer’s baptism, which is a living picture of the Gospel. When we step into the water upon receiving Christ as our Saviour, we are identifying with the likeness of His death. As we are immersed beneath the water, we share in the likeness of His burial. And when we rise again from the water, we proclaim the likeness of His resurrection, testifying that we now walk in newness of life. If we go through all this if none of it happened, then what is the point? This is the question that Paul has for them.
[1 Corinthians 15:29-33 Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead? 30 And why stand we in jeopardy every hour? 31 I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. 32 If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die. 33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.]
Even though Jesus is God in the flesh, God, the Father has kept some things from Him until death is destroyed, in particular the day He returns to earth, [Matthew 24:35-37 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. 36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. 37 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.]
Think about it, if we really have no faith in the Gospel, then why are we living the way we live? Jesus gave His life so that we would no longer be bound to the Law, and to illustrate this, Paul compares our salvation to corn, which gets its life from dying first.
[1 Corinthians 15:35-40 But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come? 36 Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die: 37 And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain: 38 But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body. 39 All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds. 40 There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another.]
Jesus, said it this way, [John 12:24-25 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. 25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.]
In order for us to receive eternal life we must first die to ourselves, meaning stop trying to use our own works of righteousness to save our soul and start looking to Jesus, [Romans 10:9-11 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.]
I have been thinking about this a lot since my mother passed away, not in the sense that I question it to be true, but in the sense that it just seems too good to be true. Why would God do all this for a people who are quite frankly ingrates? I know I am. I give God far less credit than He deserves for what He has done in my life. And for the life of me I cannot understand why He is so merciful to Him. Of course, I know that is just the devil putting those thoughts in my head. God’s most valuable creation is man and He actually created the earth and everything on it for us to live here forever, but man messed it up with one sin and now we are cursed with death.
[1 Corinthians 15:42-45,48-49 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: 43 It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: 44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. 45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening Spirit. 48 As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. 49 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.]
In other words, when we are born we bear the image of Adam, but as soon as we receive the Holy Spirit into out soul we bear the image of Christ. By His one time sinless sacrifice He took death head on and one day it too will be destroyed forever along with everything else that corrupted mankind.
[1 Corinthians 15:51-54,58 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.]
Referring to this passage, [Isaiah 25:8 He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it.] Death, Satan, the Antichrist, false prophets, doubters, unbelievers, and anyone who has not called on Christ to save them will be cast into the lake of fire, [Revelation 21:7-8 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. 8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.]
We are who we are only by the grace of God, all the good we do, all the blessings received, these are all by the grace of God. When we are going through things that is when all sorts of doubts come crashing to our heads, some even doubting their faith. We cannot do whatever it is that Jesus has called us to do by ourselves, if we try to then, we will get weary and burn out, and this is what happens to me.
[1 Corinthians 16:1-3,10-11 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. 2 Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come. 3 And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem. 10 Now if Timotheus come, see that he may be with you without fear: for he worketh the work of the Lord, as I also do. 11 Let no man therefore despise him: but conduct him forth in peace, that he may come unto me: for I look for him with the brethren.]
We need godly men and women in our lives that can encourage and be there for us when we need them. Be steadfast in the Gospel, and remember, we do not know the hour in which Christ will return, but we are one second closer, our victory is not what we will get in this life that we cannot take with us, but what we will get when we see Jesus. Paul, encourages the Corinthians to accept the help given to them so that they can get refreshed and rested.
[1 Corinthians 16:13-14,20-24 Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. 14 Let all your things be done with charity. 20 All the brethren greet you. Greet ye one another with an holy kiss. 21 The salutation of me Paul with mine own hand. 22 If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha. 23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. 24 My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.]
[Anathema; accursed to damnation (hell), Maranatha; our Lord is coming.] What Paul is saying is that, Our Lord is coming, and He will judge those who have rejected Him, and they are the ones who will die that second death, [Revelation 21:7-8 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. 8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.]
Today’s Prayer: God, It is truly amazing that with all the trials and tribulations I have brought upon myself You use all of them for me to serve a purpose for You. Thank You for Your mercy, grace, and love, and for giving me the spiritual gifts that You have given me, may I know how to use them all for Your glory. Lord, lead me and guide me, help me to learn to yield to the Holy Spirit as He teaches me to serve You with all my heart, soul, and might. Give me a heart that loves as Jesus does, and let all my work be a godly influence on those around me. I ask these things in Your name, Jesus, Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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