If Christ has been raised then we will be raised

Good morning everyone,
In Judaism of Jesus' and Paul's time there was significant controversy over the resurrection of the dead. The Pharisees believed that the dead would rise from the dead at the last judgment while the Sadducees believed that the dead stayed dead. Paul was a Pharisee, so he believed strongly in the resurrection of the dead. When he was persecuted by Jewish leaders he sometimes described the dispute in terms of this ongoing Jewish controversy over the resurrection. It seems that this was also a discussion in the church.

Here Paul makes an important turn in his argument about the resurrection. Yesterday he reminded the congregation that he and others proclaimed that Christ had died for them and been raised from the dead. Having reminded them of this important foundation of their faith he continues by arguing that it doesn't make sense that some of them don't believe that the dead are raised since they believe that Christ was raised from the dead. For Paul Jesus' resurrection is not a one time event just for Christ. Instead Christ's resurrection is the "first fruits" of the general resurrection of all the dead.

Paul describes this happening in three stages: first Christ, then when Christ returns "those who belong to Christ" will rise; finally the end comes and everyone rises for the final judgment. God brings history to completion by defeating every force that opposes God's will. The last enemy to be destroyed is death; for that defeat to be complete all the dead must rise again. It's a challenging doctrine and I'm interested to hear what you think of Paul here.

Blessings,
Sam

1 Corinthians 15:12-28

12Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say there is no resurrection of the dead? 13If there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised; 14and if Christ has not been raised, then our proclamation has been in vain and your faith has been in vain. 15We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified of God that he raised Christ—whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. 16For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised. 17If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. 18Then those also who have died in Christ have perished. 19If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.

20But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have died. 21For since death came through a human being, the resurrection of the dead has also come through a human being; 22for as all die in Adam, so all will be made alive in Christ. 23But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. 24Then comes the end, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father, after he has destroyed every ruler and every authority and power. 25For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26The last enemy to be destroyed is death.

27For “God has put all things in subjection under his feet.” But when it says, “All things are put in subjection,” it is plain that this does not include the one who put all things in subjection under him. 28When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to the one who put all things in subjection under him, so that God may be all in all.