We have covered I Corinthians 15 before, so if you want to do so again it is at the end of this exam.In the mean time, you should have no trouble acing this test.
I Corinthians Review and Final Exam
1. The theme of I Corinthians is: a) Rules to live by; b) Unity in the church; c) homosexuality as a mortal sin; d) a study of body parts
2. Paul received a letter from the members of the church at Corinth and concluded from it that: a) there was lots of sin going on; b) the church was in a building program; c) there was disunity in the church; d) the church of Corinth was close to being perfect
3. In chapter 2, Paul asserts that knowing nothing but Christ and him crucified leads to: a) a simple minded approach to church matters; b) unity in the church; c) anti-intellectualism; d) utter frustration
4. Chapter 3 finds Paul concerned about: a) spiritual immaturity causing divisions in the church; b) being wise Christians; c) keeping a list of who did what to whom; d) holding to the right philosophy of life.
5. Chapter 3 also encourages us to: a) follow the theologian with the best Biblical knowledge; b) follow Christ and Christ only; c) watch plenty of Christian TV so you can see lots of different worship forms; d) sing many different types of songs in worship
6. Paul’s admonition in chapter 4 to “imitate him” is: a) his ego hanging out; b) his attempt to control the congregation; c) his belief that following Christ only, as he does, is the best way to achieve unity; d) a pathway to stardom on America’s Got Talent
7. Paul tells us in chapter 5 that allowing immoral people to infiltrate the church is a good way to: a) give people variety in their acquaintances; b) makes for many points of view in deacons’ meetings; c) gives us a chance to witness to lost people; d) invites disunity in the church
8. Chapter 6 emphasizes that fighting and lawsuits among the brethren: a) invites disunity; b) helps poor lawyers, who need clients; c) gives people release from boredom; d) provides fodder for the mainstream media to castigate the church
9. In chapter 7, Paul uses the picture of God ordained marriage to illustrate a) how men and women differ; b) unity in the church; c) how to have a knock-down drag-out fight with your spouse; d) the importance of a church wedding
10. Freedom in Christ is emphasized in chapter 8. Paul says freedom: a) means we can do what we want, when we want; b) includes following the teachings of other religions; c) should never be exercised if it is going to cause disunity; d) is absolute in all circumstances
11. In chapter 9, Paul emphasizes the rights we have in Christ, but reminds us that we must never claim our rights if they cause: a) traffic problems on the Damascus Road; b) lawsuits among the brethren; c) issues with authorities; d) disunity in the Body of Christ
12. Chapter 11 exhorts us to worship: a) any way we please; b) with great enthusiasm; c) in an orderly way for the sake of unity; d) by clapping and raising our hands
13. The purpose of spiritual gifts is to help us: a) show off; b) be ecstatic in our utterances; c) draw attention to the church for those outside; d) achieve unity
14. According to chapter 13, if we treat each other with “agape” love: a) we will maintain unity in the church; b) struggle to keep quiet; c) be successful in life
15. Chapter 14 reminds us that God is a God of: a) confusion; b) extremes; c) peace and unity; d) unknowability
Answers: 1-b; 2-c; 3-b; 4-a; 5-b; 6-c; 7-d; 8-a; 9-b; 10-c; 11-d; 12-c; 13-d; 14-a; 15-c
I Corinthians 15
I Corinthians 15 is a pivotal chapter in the New Testament. It addresses one of the early heresies of the church: that there is no bodily resurrection.
The fact is, the resurrection of Christ is the most important part of the gospel, for as we will see, if there is no resurrection, there is no salvation.
The word resurrection is from the Greek: ανάστασις (anastosis) the standing up of a corpse. The resurrection is always referring to the physical, not the spiritual.
There were three prevailing philosophies: Stoicism (the soul merges into deity at death); Epicureanism (totally materialistic); Platonism (immortality and transmigration of the soul).
The Verses
Verses 12-19 Paul presents a series of seven “ifs.” (Seven is the number of completion and/or perfection) Paul is using logic here to present both a physical and a spiritual truth. (Remember how logical he was in Romans?)
Verses 20-28 Christ is the “firstfruits.” Firstfruits was a Jewish feast held in the early spring at the beginning of the grain harvest. It was observed on Nissan 16, which was the third day after Passover and the second day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Firstfruits was a time of thanksgiving for God’s provision. Remember Romans 5:12-14? Death is the final enemy we face on this earth. And that has been conquered by Christ’s resurrection. Verse 28 tells us that Christ will return to his place in the Godhead after the millennial reign.
Verses29-34 The whole of I Corinthians 15 concerns the resurrection from the dead. Paul cites the example of those who were baptized as a proof of the resurrection. Their actions symbolized their hope that they would live again. The resurrection is the hope of the dead. Baptism illustrates the hope of the resurrection. One who is baptized rises out of a watery grave, symbolic of the resurrection. Paul is thus saying, "What good is it to be baptized if we do not rise in a resurrection from the dead?” Why then should one be baptized for a hope that would never come true?" However, Paul affirms that, because Christ died and rose again, we have this true hope, the resurrection, to look forward to.
Verses 35-42 Think of yourself as a seed. You have all of the requisites for life…indeed, in a sense, you are alive but you are not what you will be. A seed must “die” and be buried to become the plant it is to be. If we do not die, we cannot become what Christ has willed us to become. If you sow wheat, wheat comes up, not corn. If Christ sows you as saved, you are saved to the uttermost.
Verses 43-49 We perish, our resurrected body won’t. We are weak, but we will be strong. Verse 44 contrasts the natural with the supernatural. We’ll have a totally different kind of body…one we cannot imagine.
Verses 50-52 We cannot inherit God’s kingdom if we do not first give up our present form. The “mystery” mentioned here is that which is now revealed. In the Old Testament it was unrevealed. In the New Testament it is revealed. A twinkling of the eye is faster than a blink. A twinkle is the reflection of a light ray, and travels at 186,000 miles per second! That’s fast.
Verses 53-58 We’re going to be changed! If we are not changed, we cannot be in Heaven with God. But we do not need to fear death! The grave would like to win, but it will not! Christ has already walked the waters of death for you and me. He’ll bring us into eternity! In Christ, we are victors!
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