Why is the resurrection of Christ necessary for our salvation?
The resurrection is necessary because salvation's power reaches its crescendo there; it is the power of Christ's resurrection that makes salvation possible. Without it, Scripture says, we are yet dead in our sins. Christ our Passover Lamb was sacrificed for us, and God's power in resurrection brings about the redemption we cannot accomplish ourselves.
Les explains that 1 Corinthians 5:7 calls Christ our Passover Lamb, sacrificed for us, and that our sin problem has been removed by forgiveness and salvation. Turning to Exodus, he shows Israel could not cross the Red Sea by their own effort—no pontoon bridge or ships—but had to wait on God's power. Likewise, he teaches, the power of our salvation is epitomized and brought to its crescendo at the resurrection. It is the power of the resurrection of Christ that makes our salvation possible; otherwise, Scripture says, we are yet dead in our sins.
And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.