Read 1 Corinthians 15:20 (NRSV) in light of Deuteronomy 26:1-11. In what sense did Paul refer to the risen Christ as “the first fruits of those who have died”?

The offering of “the first fruits” was an ancient Israelite agricultural practice with deep religious significance. It was a sacred recognition of God as the gracious Provider, who had entrusted His stewards with the land where the crops grew and were ready to be harvested (see Exodus 23:19, Exodus 34:26, Leviticus 2:11-16, Deuteronomy 26:1-11). The first fruits indicated that the harvest was not only starting but also revealing the quality of its products.

Image © Review & Herald Publishing at Goodsalt.com

According to Wayne Grudem, “in calling Christ ‘the first fruits’ (Gr. aparchē), Paul uses a metaphor from agriculture to indicate that we will be like Christ. Just as the ‘first fruits’ or the first taste of the ripening crop show what the rest of the harvest will be like for that crop, so Christ as the ‘first fruits’ shows what our resurrection bodies will be like when, in God’s final ‘harvest,’ he raises us from the dead and brings us into his presence.” — Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1994), p. 615.

It is worth remembering that Jesus came out of the grave with a glorified human body, but He was still carrying the marks of His crucifixion (John 20:20, John 20:27). Does this mean that the risen children of God will likewise bear the physical marks of their own sufferings? In the case of the apostle Paul, will he still carry in his glorified body the “thorn in the flesh” (2 Corinthians 12:7, NKJV) and “the marks of the Lord Jesus” (Galatians 6:17, NKJV)?

Until his death, Paul “was ever to carry about with him in the body the marks of Christ’s glory, in his eyes, which had been blinded by the heavenly light [see Acts 9:1-9].” — Ellen G. White, The Story of Redemption, p. 275. But this does not mean that he or any other of the glorified redeemed will be raised with the marks of their own sufferings (compare with 1 Corinthians 15:50-54). In the case of Christ, “the marks of this cruelty He will ever bear. Every print of the nails will tell the story of man’s wonderful redemption and the dear price by which it was purchased.” — Ellen G. White, Early Writings, p. 179. His marks are what guarantees us that all of ours will be forever gone.

<–Wednesday Friday–>

Amen!(0)

The post Thursday: The First Fruits of Those Who Have Died first appeared on Sabbath School Net.

The post Thursday: The First Fruits of Those Who Have Died appeared first on Sabbath School Net.

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/thursday-first-fruits-of-those-who-have-died/

Read John 20:11-29 and 1 Corinthians 15:5-8. How did the disciples react when they first met the risen Christ?

The two angels at the empty tomb told Mary Magdalene and some other women that Jesus had risen (Matthew 28:1, Matthew 28:5-7; Mark 16:1-7; Luke 24:1-11). But soon Jesus Himself appeared to them, and they worshiped Him (Matthew 28:1, Matthew 28:9-10; John 20:14-18).

Image © The Classic Bible Art Collection – Formerly Standard Publishing at Goodsalt.com

He appeared also to Peter (Luke 24:34, 1 Corinthians 15:5) and to the two disciples on their way to Emmaus, whose hearts were burning while He was speaking to them (Mark 16:12, Luke 24:13-35). When Jesus came into the Upper Room, the disciples were initially terrified and frightened but then filled with joy and marveled at what happened (Luke 24:33-49, John 20:19-23). A week later Jesus came again into the same room without opening the doors, and then even Thomas believed in His resurrection (John 20:24-29).

During the forty days between His resurrection and His ascension, Jesus “was seen by over five hundred brethren at once” (1 Corinthians 15:6, NKJV) and by James (1 Corinthians 15:7). Jesus joined some disciples at the shore of the Sea of Galilee and had breakfast with them, followed by a talk with Peter (John 21:1-23). There might have been other appearances of Jesus (Acts 1:3) before His final one at His ascension (Luke 24:50-53, Acts 1:1-11). Paul considered himself also an eyewitness to the risen Christ, who appeared to him on the road to Damascus (1 Corinthians 15:8; compare with Acts 9:1-9).

When the other disciples first told the absent Thomas that they had seen the risen Lord, he reacted, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe” (John 20:25, NKJV). A week later, when Jesus reappeared to the disciples, now with Thomas among them, Jesus said to him, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing” (John 20:27, NKJV).

Then Thomas confessed, “My Lord and my God!”

And Jesus added, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29, NKJV).

<–Tuesday Thursday–>

Amen!(0)

The post Wednesday: Witnesses of the Risen Christ first appeared on Sabbath School Net.

The post Wednesday: Witnesses of the Risen Christ appeared first on Sabbath School Net.

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/wednesday-witnesses-of-risen-christ/

Lesson 7, Christ’s Victory Over Death, is arguably the most critical topic of the quarter. Join the discussion to learn why. 

Amen!(0)

The post Christ’s Victory Over Death – Hit the Mark first appeared on Sabbath School Net.

The post Christ’s Victory Over Death – Hit the Mark appeared first on Sabbath School Net.

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/christs-victory-over-death-hit-the-mark/

You can view an in-depth discussion of Christ’s Victory Over Death in the Hope Sabbath School class led by Pastor Derek Morris. Click on the image to view: [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6lga2nY_QE&w=560&h=315]

With thanks to

Hope Channel – Television that will change your life.

Amen!(0)

The post 7: Christ’s Victory Over Death – HopeSS Video Discussion first appeared on Sabbath School Net.

The post 7: Christ’s Victory Over Death – HopeSS Video Discussion appeared first on Sabbath School Net.

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/7-christs-victory-over-death-hopess-video-discussion/

“Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many” (Matthew 27:51-53, NKJV).

What does this incredible account teach us about the resurrection of Jesus and what it accomplished?

Image © Lars Justinen from GoodSalt.com

An earthquake marked the death of Jesus (Matthew 27:50-51), and another one marked His resurrection (Matthew 28:2). At the moment Jesus died, “the earth shook, the rocks split and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people” (Matthew 27:51-53, NIV). These saints were raised glorified as witnesses of Christ’s own resurrection and as prototypes of those who will be raised at the final resurrection. Thus, right after the resurrection of Jesus, many of the Jewish people were given powerful evidence to believe in His resurrection and thus to accept Him as their Savior, which many did, including many priests (see Acts 6:7).

“During His ministry, Jesus had raised the dead to life. He had raised the son of the widow of Nain, and the ruler’s daughter and Lazarus. But these were not clothed with immortality. After they were raised, they were still subject to death. But those who came forth from the grave at Christ’s resurrection were raised to everlasting life. They ascended with Him as trophies of His victory over death and the grave. … These went into the city, and appeared unto many, declaring, Christ has risen from the dead, and we be risen with Him. Thus was immortalized the sacred truth of the resurrection.” — Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 786.

Humanly speaking, the chief priests and elders had great advantages. They held the religious power of the nation and were even able to convince the Roman authorities and the crowds to help them with their schemes. But they forgot that “the Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind and bestows it on whomever He wishes” (Daniel 4:32, NASB). Their lies were contradicted and invalidated by the existence of those resurrected saints.

<–Monday Wednesday–>

Amen!(1)

The post Tuesday: Many Arose With Him first appeared on Sabbath School Net.

The post Tuesday: Many Arose With Him appeared first on Sabbath School Net.

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/tuesday-many-arose-with-him/