The Epistle of First Corinthians

Outline of 1 Corinthians SECTION ONE: Dealing with reported problems (1:1—6:20) A. Unity based on God’s wisdom (1:10—4:21) Greeting, thanksgiving, and exhortation to unity (1:1-17) God’s wisdom & power vs. human pride (1:18-31) Paul’s Example – relying on God’s wisdom and power (2:1-16) God’s foundation and building (3:1-23) The quality of Paul’s apostleship (4:1-21) B. Dealing with sin in the church (5-6) Dealing with the immoral (5:1-13) Dealing with those filing lawsuits (6:1-11) Flee Sexual Immorality (6:12-20)

Outline of 1 Corinthians SECTION TWO: Dealing with questions and concerns of the Corinthians (7:1--16:9) C. Their Concerns (7-9) Marriage problems & issues for singles (7:1-16) Live as you are called (7:17-40) Things offered to idols (8:1-13) The rights and responsibilities of preachers (9:1-27) D. Common Concerns (10-11) Old Testament warnings about temptation (10:1-13) Flee idolatry (10:14-33) Respecting headship when praying or prophesying (11:1-16) The Lord’s Supper (11:17-34)

Outline of 1 Corinthians SECTION TWO: Dealing with questions and concerns of the Corinthians (7:1--16:9) E. Spiritual Gifts (12-14) Gifts of Spirit (12:1-31) The superiority of love (13:1-13) Keeping tongues in perspective (14:1-22) Order and decorum in the assembly (14:23-40) F. The Gospel of the Resurrection (15) The Gospel and the FACT of the resurrection (15:1-20) The Character of Resurrection (15:21-58) G. Closing Words (16) Concerning the collection and Paul’s future plans (16:1-24)

The Gospel and the FACT of the Resurrection (15:1-20) Jesus’ Resurrection: An historical fact (15:1-11) Jesus’ resurrection was a key part of the saving gospel that Paul preached (15:1-2; Acts 13:29-39) The Corinthians had received that gospel and were saved by it (provided they “hold fast” to the word). Note the possibility of apostacy! (Philippians 2:16) Paul had delivered to the Corinthians the facts of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus (15:3-4) These facts had been “received” by Paul through revelation (Galatians 1:11-12; Acts 26:16) The resurrection of Christ was “according to the Scriptures” (Psalm 16:9-11) Philippians 2:16  holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain. Galatians 1:11-12  But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man.  12  For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ. Acts 26:16  But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you. Psalms 16:9-11  Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will rest in hope.  10  For You will not leave my soul in Sheol, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.  11  You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

The Gospel and the FACT of the Resurrection (15:1-20) Jesus’ Resurrection: An historical fact (15:1-11) The resurrection of Jesus is supported by the testimony of many credible witnesses (15:5-10) Cephas and the twelve (Luke 24:34, 36) 500 brethren at once (most of whom were still alive) James and all the apostles (Matthew 28:10) Paul (last of all, Acts 26:16) Paul recognized his unworthiness to be called as an apostle because he had persecuted the church (1 Timothy 1:12-15) He was humbled by the grace that had been shown him to see Jesus – it motivated him to work harder! All of these witnesses had the same testimony, and the Corinthians had believed it! (15:11) Matthew 28:10  Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me."

The Gospel and the FACT of the Resurrection (15:1-20) Our Resurrection is tied to Christ’s (15:12-20) Since the resurrection of Christ was preached to and accepted by the Corinthians, how could some claim that there is no resurrection? (15:12) Logical consequences if there is no resurrection: If there is no resurrection, Christ is not raised (15:13) If Christ was not raised, both preaching and believing are empty! (15:14) If Christ was not raised, all the witnesses were liars! (15:15) (Gr. “pseudomartur,” compare Revelation 2:13) Revelation 2:13  "I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan's throne is. And you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. (NOTE: The ESV has “Antipas my faithful witness”, the Greek is “pistos martus”)

The Gospel and the FACT of the Resurrection (15:1-20) Our Resurrection is tied to Christ’s (15:12-19) Dire consequences IF the dead do not rise and Christ is not risen (15:16-19) “Your faith is futile” “ You are still in your sins” Cleansing from sin requires a living High Priest to intercede for us with His blood (Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25) “Those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished” (are fully destroyed) Our hope is false “and we are of all men most pitiable” Romans 8:34  Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. Hebrews 7:25  Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.

The Gospel and the FACT of the Resurrection (15:1-20) Christ is the Firstfruits (15:20) “Firstfruits” has a dual connotation: (1) That which is “first,” the beginning, or that which has the priority of time; and, (2) That which is a part and portion of the whole which is to follow, and which is the earnest or pledge of that; as the “first” sheaf of ripe grain was not only the first in order of time, but was the earnest or pledge of the entire harvest which was soon to succeed. (Barnes) (see 15:23; 1 Corinthians 6:14; 2 Corinthians 4:14; 1 Peter 1:3) 1 Corinthians 6:14  And God both raised up the Lord and will also raise us up by His power. 2 Corinthians 4:14  knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you. 1 Peter 1:3  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

Lesson Schedule for our study of First Corinthians Eastside Auditorium Fall Quarter 2017