(a) Describe how Paul dealt with the problem of... | WAEC SSCE - Christian Religious Studies - 1995 (Essay)

Question 1 Report

(a) Describe how Paul dealt with the problem of the Corinthian Christians who did not believe in ressurection.

(b) What is the significance of the ressurection of Christ to Christians?

Answer

(a) How Paul dealt with the Corinthians who did not believe in the resurrection (1 Corinthians 15)

Some members of the Corinthian church were saying that there is no resurrection of the dead. Paul answered them with a careful argument.

He first reminded them of the gospel he had preached, that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day according to the Scriptures.
He listed the eyewitnesses of the risen Christ: Cephas, then the twelve, then more than five hundred brethren at once, then James, then all the apostles, and last of all himself.
He argued that if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, their preaching is useless, their faith is worthless, they are still in their sins, and those who have died in Christ have perished. If our hope in Christ is only for this life, then Christians are of all people most to be pitied.
He then declared triumphantly that Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. As death came through Adam, so resurrection comes through Christ.
To answer their question about how the dead are raised and with what body, he used the picture of a seed which must die before it grows into a new plant. The body sown is perishable, but it is raised imperishable; sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.
He concluded that at the last trumpet the dead will be raised imperishable and the living will be changed. Death will be swallowed up in victory, and he gave thanks to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

(b) Significance of the resurrection of Christ to Christians

It is the foundation and proof of the Christian faith; without it preaching and faith would be in vain.
It assures believers of the forgiveness of sins and that they are no longer under condemnation.
It guarantees the future resurrection of all who die in Christ and gives hope of eternal life.
It shows Christ's victory over sin, death and the grave, so believers need not fear death.
It gives meaning and reward to Christian labour, so that their work in the Lord is never in vain.

Answer Details

(a) How Paul dealt with the Corinthians who did not believe in the resurrection (1 Corinthians 15)

Some members of the Corinthian church were saying that there is no resurrection of the dead. Paul answered them with a careful argument.

He first reminded them of the gospel he had preached, that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day according to the Scriptures.
He listed the eyewitnesses of the risen Christ: Cephas, then the twelve, then more than five hundred brethren at once, then James, then all the apostles, and last of all himself.
He argued that if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, their preaching is useless, their faith is worthless, they are still in their sins, and those who have died in Christ have perished. If our hope in Christ is only for this life, then Christians are of all people most to be pitied.
He then declared triumphantly that Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. As death came through Adam, so resurrection comes through Christ.
To answer their question about how the dead are raised and with what body, he used the picture of a seed which must die before it grows into a new plant. The body sown is perishable, but it is raised imperishable; sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.
He concluded that at the last trumpet the dead will be raised imperishable and the living will be changed. Death will be swallowed up in victory, and he gave thanks to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

(b) Significance of the resurrection of Christ to Christians

It is the foundation and proof of the Christian faith; without it preaching and faith would be in vain.
It assures believers of the forgiveness of sins and that they are no longer under condemnation.
It guarantees the future resurrection of all who die in Christ and gives hope of eternal life.
It shows Christ's victory over sin, death and the grave, so believers need not fear death.
It gives meaning and reward to Christian labour, so that their work in the Lord is never in vain.

(a) Describe how Paul dealt with the problem of the Corinthian Christians who did not believe in ressurection. (b) What is the significance of the ressurect...