1 Corinthians 15:12-34 - Concerning The Resurrection Of The Dead
12 Now if we preach that the Messiah has been raised from the dead, how can some of you keep claiming there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 If there is no resurrection of the dead, then the Messiah has not been raised, 14 and if the Messiah has not been raised, then our message means nothing and your faith means nothing. 15 In addition, we are found to be false witnesses about God because we testified on God's behalf that he raised the Messiah whom he did not raise if in fact it is true that the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, then the Messiah has not been raised, 17 and if the Messiah has not been raised, your faith is worthless and you are still imprisoned by your sins. 18 Yes, even those who have died believing in the Messiah are lost. 19 If we have set our hopes on the Messiah in this life only, we deserve more pity than any other people.
20 But at this moment the Messiah stands risen from the dead, the first one offered in the harvest of those who have died. 21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead also came through a man. 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in the Messiah will all be made alive. 23 However, this will happen to each person in the proper order: first the Messiah, then those who belong to the Messiah when he comes. 24 Then the end will come, when after he has done away with every ruler and every authority and power, the Messiah hands over the kingdom to God the Father. 25 For he must rule until God puts all the Messiah's enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be done away with is death, 27 for "God has put everything under his feet." Now when he says, "Everything has been put under him," this clearly excludes the one who put everything under him. 28 But when everything has been put under him, then the Son himself will also become subject to the one who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all.
29 Otherwise, what will those people do who are being baptized because of those who have died? If the dead are not raised at all, why are they being baptized because of them? 30 And why in fact are we being endangered every hour? 31 I face death every day! That is as certain, brothers, as it is that I am proud of you in the Messiah, Jesus our Lord. 32 If I have fought with wild animals in Ephesus from merely human motives, what do I get out of it? If the dead are not raised, "Let's eat and drink, for tomorrow we die." 33 Stop being deceived: "Wicked friends lead to evil ends." 34 Come back to your senses as you should, and stop sinning! For some of you I say this to your shame don't fully know God.