Who does 1 Corinthians 15:21 say brought death and resurrection—Adam and Christ?
First Corinthians 15:21 states that death came by man, and by man came also the resurrection of the dead. The context identifies the first man as Adam and the second man as Christ, the Lord from heaven. Adam brought death; Christ brought resurrection.
Les explains that in 1 Corinthians 15:21, the phrase 'by man came death' refers to Adam, the first man, who is of the earth, earthy (verse 47). The second man is the Lord from heaven, Christ. By this second man, or second Adam, came also the resurrection of the dead. Les further notes that resurrection as Christianity understands it is unique among religions; they may speak of a life hereafter, but not resurrection. He illustrates this by saying that when Elijah raised the widow's son, that was not resurrection—the lad was merely brought back to life and died again. Likewise, when Lazarus died, Jesus called him forth from the grave, but he was not resurrected; he was merely brought back to life.
But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.
For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.
The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.