1 Corinthians 15:12-20

The Resurrection of the Dead

¹² Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, _z how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? ¹³ But if there is no resurrection of the dead, _a then not even Christ has been raised. ¹⁴ And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. ¹⁵ We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that _b he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. ¹⁶ For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. ¹⁷ And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and _c you are still in your sins. ¹⁸ Then those also who _d have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. ¹⁹ If in Christ we have hope ₁ in this life only, _e we are of all people most to be pitied.

²⁰ But in fact _f Christ has been raised from the dead, _g the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.

1. Cross References
   Acts 23:8
   For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all.
   2 Timothy 2:18
   Who have swerved from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already happened. They are upsetting the faith of some.
   
2. Cross References
   1 Thessalonians 4:14
   For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.
   
3. Cross References
   Acts 2:24
   God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it.
   
4. Cross References
   Romans 4:25
   Who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.
   
5. Cross References
   1 Thessalonians 4:16
   For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.
   Revelation 14:13
   And I heard a voice from heaven saying, "Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on." "Blessed indeed," says the Spirit, "that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!
   
6. Cross References
   1 Corinthians 4:9
   For I think that God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death, because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men.
   2 Timothy 3:12
   Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
   
7. Cross References
   2 Timothy 2:8
   Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel.
   1 Peter 1:3
   Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
   
8. Cross References
   1 Corinthians 15:23
   But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ.
   Acts 26:23
   That the Christ must suffer and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles.