Exegetical study of I Corinthians 15:3-11 and its implications for the doctrine of the resurrection of Christ

Abstract

The doctrine of the resurrection of Christ is of the prime importance in the Christian faith. All followers of Christ acknowledge the centrality of this event and its importance in one's faith and promise of the future. This study was undertaken with the aim of of elucidating the historical and theological factors related to this event.

The writer presents this material systematically. He was helped by research in different books, magazines, pamphlets and periodicals dealing with St. Paul’s teachings on the resurrection of Christ, especially from I Corinthians 15:3-11. The research revealed that the death and resurrection of Christ were factual because of the evidence of the burial and the appearances after the resurrection. This therefore proves the genuineness of the believers' death and resurrection. The resurrection of Christ also proves his deity and this gives a solid foundation of the salvation of the believers. It is also a force which moves Christians to attempt greater tasks and to continue steadfastly in the faith.

This topic has two parts. the first part is the exegesis of I Corinthians 15:3-11; the second part is the contribution of the data in I Corinthians 15:3-11 to the discussion of some of the problems connected with the ressurrection. In dealing with the text Greek is referred to give more light on words which have different shades of meaning. Theories about the resurrection and ideas opposed to it are also presented.

This study is designed to help Christian believers in their faith, and to show unbelievers the factual basis of the Christian's claim, that they also my believe.