ee again of this
matter." Acts 17:18, 32.

Paul's Defense Of The Doctrine.

"Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among
you that there is no resurrection of the dead?" 1 Cor. 15:12. "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. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.
Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise
not at all?... and why stand ye in jeopardy every hour?" 1 Cor. 15:13-18,
29, 30.

Death To Reign Until The Resurrection.

"The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death." 1 Cor. 15:26.

The Resurrection Of Christ Ensures That Of His Followers.

"If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most
miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the
first-fruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came
also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in
Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the
first-fruits: afterward they that are Christ's at his coming." 1 Cor.
15:19-23.

Christ's Promise To Raise His Followers.

"And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he
hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the
last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which
seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will
raise him up at the last day." John 6:39, 40.

The Order Of The Resurrection.

1. The dead will first be raised. "But I would not have you to be
ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not,
even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and
rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with
him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are
alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which
are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout,
and with the voice of the archangel,