An Apologetic of  the
Resurrection of Jesus Christ

Meaning: A verbal defense. It was used by the Greeks in a legal sense, as a demand or appeal. 

Title: Christ resurrection is essential to faith and forgiveness of sins. 

Text: I Corinthians 15:12-17  “Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?  But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen:  And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.  Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not.  For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised:  And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.”

            Paul makes a profound argument to the believers at Corinth as to the relationship a nd importance of the resurrection to faith and forgiveness of sins.  In essence Paul is arguing to an audience that may have had pagan unbelievers, worshipers of the sate (the Roman Empire), religious idolaters (worshipers of Diana), maybe some form of New Age Karma, and of course carnal believers.  Paul boils it all down to the most important elements of life, a clear conscience, mortality, and an indwelling need for purpose of life. 

             The resurrection brings with it a built in argument, both by culture and by logic. The culture and its ethics would not tolerate a person lying or impersonating the Messiah.  The penalty for these offences was death by stoning.  And logically if Christ was not who He says He is and did not raise from the grave then why would anyone follow Him.  So if you can prove that Christ is not the Deity.  If you can disprove He rose from the Grave, and undo all the evidence you should look for another way to heaven.  But if you cannot disprove His authenticity you must believe in Christ and His resurrection.