The Resurrection: The Foundation of Our Hope

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is not just a historical event—it is the foundation of our faith and the guarantee of our future hope. In 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, Paul presents the resurrection as the central truth upon which Christianity stands. Without the resurrection, our faith is meaningless, and our hope is empty. However, because Christ has risen, everything changes.

In the early church, some Corinthians had begun questioning whether believers would experience a future resurrection. Paul responds forcefully: “If there’s no resurrection for us, then Christ hasn’t been raised either. And if Christ hasn’t been raised, everything we believe collapses.” (1 Corinthians 15:13-14, paraphrased). The resurrection is not just another doctrine among many; it is the doctrine that determines the validity of our faith. If Christ did not rise, Christianity is false, sin still reigns over us, and death is the ultimate victor. But if He did rise, then sin has been defeated, death has lost its sting, and we have eternal hope.

The Resurrection is the Foundation of Our Faith
Paul begins by reminding the Corinthians of the gospel they received: “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). These truths are not philosophical ideas or theological concepts—they are historical realities. The gospel rests on three essential claims:

1. Christ died for our sins. His death was not accidental; it was the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan. Jesus’ crucifixion was a substitutionary atonement—He bore the penalty we deserved, satisfying both the justice and the love of God.
2. He was buried. This confirms the reality of His death. Jesus did not merely faint or appear dead—He was placed in a tomb, and His followers mourned Him as lost.
3. He was raised on the third day. The resurrection was the ultimate validation of Christ’s divinity and mission. Without it, His death would have been meaningless.

Paul provides eyewitness testimony to the resurrection, citing individuals who saw the risen Christ. He appeared to Peter, then to the Twelve, then to over five hundred people at once—most of whom were still alive when Paul wrote this letter (1 Corinthians 15:5-6). In Jewish law, two or three witnesses were required to confirm the truth; Paul presents hundreds. The resurrection was not a private vision or hallucination—it was a well-attested event in history.

The transformation of Jesus’ disciples further proves the resurrection’s power. Before the resurrection, they were fearful and scattered. But after encountering the risen Christ, they became bold preachers of the gospel. Many suffered persecution and martyrdom, yet none recanted. Something extraordinary had happened—something that convinced them that Jesus was truly alive.

The Resurrection is a Fulfillment of Prophecy
Paul repeatedly states that Jesus’ death and resurrection happened “according to the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). The Old Testament pointed forward to the resurrection long before it occurred. Psalm 16:10 declares, “For you will not abandon me to Sheol; you will not allow your faithful one to see decay.” Isaiah 53:10 prophesies, “Yet the Lord was pleased to crush him severely... He will see his seed, he will prolong his days.” These verses, along with others, foreshadowed Christ’s victory over death.

Even Jesus Himself predicted His resurrection. In Matthew 12:40, He compared His coming resurrection to Jonah’s three days in the belly of the great fish. In Matthew 16:21, He told His disciples plainly that He would suffer, die, and rise again. His resurrection was not an unexpected twist—it was the culmination of God’s eternal plan.

The Resurrection Proves Christ’s Divine Nature and Victory Over Death
Paul writes in Romans 1:4, “[Jesus] was appointed to be the powerful Son of God according to the Spirit of holiness by the resurrection of the dead.” The resurrection is God’s vindication of Jesus’ identity. He was not merely a great teacher or a prophet—He was the Son of God, and His resurrection proved it.

Furthermore, the resurrection is not just a miracle—it is a cosmic victory over sin and death. Hebrews 2:14-15 tells us, “Through his death he might destroy the one holding the power of death—that is, the devil—and free those who were held in slavery all their lives by the fear of death.” Death has been humanity’s greatest enemy since the fall, but Christ has conquered it. His resurrection is the down payment on our own future resurrection.

N.T. Wright once said, “Resurrection is never a redescription of death, but always its overthrow and reversal.” Jesus did not merely return to life—He triumphed over the grave, paving the way for our eternal life with Him.

The Resurrection is the Source of Our Hope
Paul’s own life is a testimony to the resurrection’s transformative power. Once a persecutor of the church, he became one of its greatest advocates. He acknowledges his unworthiness in 1 Corinthians 15:9-10, stating, “For I am the least of the apostles, not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain.” Paul’s radical transformation was fueled by his encounter with the risen Christ.

The resurrection assures us that our past is forgiven. No matter our history, Christ’s victory over sin secures our redemption. Paul, a former persecutor, was made new. The same grace that transformed him is available to all who trust in Christ.

The resurrection also gives our present life purpose. Because Christ is alive, we are not merely waiting for heaven—we are called to live in the power of the resurrection today. Romans 8:11 declares, “And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, then he who raised Christ from the dead will also bring your mortal bodies to life through his Spirit who lives in you.” The same power that raised Jesus is at work in us, enabling us to live holy and bold lives for Him.

Finally, the resurrection secures our future. Paul calls Jesus the “firstfruits” of resurrection, meaning there is more to follow (1 Corinthians 15:20). Just as Christ was raised, so too will we be raised with glorified bodies (1 Corinthians 15:42-44). Death is no longer the final chapter—it is the doorway to eternal life.

Three Ways to Live in Light of the Resurrection

1. Place Your Trust Fully in the Risen Christ. Faith in Jesus is not wishful thinking—it is stepping onto a bridge that has already held the weight of countless believers. If Christ is truly risen, then He is worthy of your full devotion.
2. Live Boldly with Resurrection Power. The worst that can happen—death—has already been defeated. This means we can live courageously, knowing that our hope is secure.
3. Share the Hope of the Resurrection with Others. The world is desperate for hope. The resurrection is the greatest news in history—don’t keep it to yourself.

Chuck Colson, a former political operative involved in the Watergate scandal, became a devout Christian after encountering Christ. He once said: "I know the resurrection is a fact, and Watergate proved it to me. How? Because twelve men testified they had seen Jesus raised from the dead, then they proclaimed that truth for 40 years, never once denying it. Every one was beaten, tortured, stoned, and put in prison. They would not have endured that if it weren’t true. Watergate embroiled twelve of the most powerful men in the world, and we couldn’t keep a lie for three weeks. You’re telling me twelve apostles could keep a lie for forty years? Absolutely impossible."

If Jesus is alive, then everything changes. You can be forgiven. You can have power to live differently today. You can have confidence that death is not the end.

Jesus is risen. Live in that victory.