The resurrection of believers is the guaranteed, orderly rising of all who are in Christ, secured by Christ's own resurrection as the firstfruits.
In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul shows that resurrection is necessary because death came through Adam and resurrection comes through Christ. He then reveals that believers rise in a divine order — Christ first, then those who are Christ's at His coming. Les Feldick teaches that this chapter deals with the resurrection of the just and that God will reconstruct a new body for every believer.
1 Corinthians 15:20-23 — Paul states that Christ rose as the firstfruits of those who died and that every person will be raised in his own order — Christ first, then those who are His at His coming.
1 Corinthians 15:21-22 — Paul explains that just as death entered through Adam, resurrection from death comes through Christ, and all who are in Christ will be made alive.
In 1 Corinthians 15:20, Paul writes, "But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept." Christ's resurrection is the beginning and guarantee of the resurrection of those who have died. Verse 21 gives the reason: "For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead." Because Adam brought death into the human race, resurrection must also come through a man — Christ. Verse 22 promises, "For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive." Then verse 23 shows the order: "But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming."
Les Feldick treats 1 Corinthians 15 as the great resurrection chapter and says the doctrine of the resurrection is basic to the Christian faith. He points out that at verse 20 Paul shifts gears to explain how resurrections will take place — not all at one event. The firstfruits, Les says, are plural: they include Christ and the Jewish believers who came out of their graves in Matthew 27. Then, in verse 23, "every man in his own order" follows — first Christ, then those who are Christ's at His coming, which Les identifies as believers of the church age. Les also explains Paul's Adam–Christ parallel: as Adam was the federal head of the human race, Christ is the last Adam who makes it possible for mankind to come out of death. He emphasizes that 1 Corinthians 15 is about the resurrection of the just, though the lost will also one day be resurrected, as John 5 implies. Finally, Les stresses that God knows where even the smallest particles of the original body are and will reconstruct a new resurrected body for believers.
No. Les Feldick says that Paul is making the point that not everyone is going to be resurrected at the same moment. Instead, Paul shows an order: Christ the firstfruits, then those who are Christ's at His coming. Les also notes that the chapter focuses on the resurrection of the just, while the lost will be resurrected in a separate event, as Jesus indicated in John 5.
In 1 Corinthians 15:23, Paul says "every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming." Les Feldick explains that the firstfruits are plural and include Christ along with the Jewish believers who came out of the graves in Matthew 27, and the next order is made up of church-age believers at Christ's coming.
Les teaches that Paul always presents Adam as the federal head of the human race and Christ as the last Adam. Just as death came through Adam in the Garden of Eden, so the resurrection of the dead comes through Christ. This is why verse 21 says, "by man came also the resurrection of the dead."
Les Feldick says 1 Corinthians 15 is a total chapter dealing with resurrection. He explains that even if a body has returned to dust, been cremated, or burned at the stake, God knows where the smallest particles of the original body are and will reconstruct a new resurrected body from them.
What Does "First Resurrection" Really Mean? Bible Study
Hello and welcome to Through the Bible with Les Feldick. An Oklahoma rancher and farmer, Les Feldick has been teaching homestyle Bible classes for 20 years in Iowa, Oklahoma, and Texas. Les Feldick's unique style of Bible teaching has made the books of the Bible come to life. When Les is teaching, it's so interesting that people say time just seems to fly by. And now, here is Les Feldick.
Resurrection is basic and orderly
Les teaches that the resurrection is foundational to the Christian faith and that 1 Corinthians 15 reveals resurrections do not all happen at one event. The firstfruits included Christ and the Jewish believers raised in Matthew 27, and the next order is believers of the church age at His coming.
Christ as the last Adam
Les explains that Paul compares Adam and Christ: as Adam was the federal head of the human race, Christ is the last Adam who makes it possible for mankind to come out of death.
Resurrection in order, not all at once
Les stresses that Paul is showing not everyone will be resurrected at the same moment. All are made alive in Christ, and even the lost will be resurrected according to John 5.
Resurrection is necessary
Les shows that since by man came death, resurrection is necessary to fulfill God's promises; all — including the lost — will be resurrected.
Resurrection of the just
Les connects 1 Corinthians 15 to the resurrection of the just, rooted in the fact that death came through Adam and resurrection comes through Christ.
Firstfruits is plural
Les highlights that Paul says "firstfruits" — plural — not just Christ alone, pointing to a group of firstfruits in the resurrection order.
God reconstructs the resurrected body
Les teaches that 1 Corinthians 15 is about the resurrection of the just, and God knows where even the smallest particles of the original body are and will reconstruct a new resurrected body.
1 Corinthians 15:20: But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.
This verse anchors the believer's resurrection in Christ's own resurrection as the firstfruits.
1 Corinthians 15:21: For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.
Paul explains that as death entered through Adam, resurrection comes through Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:22: For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
This is the core guarantee that all who are in Christ will be resurrected.
1 Corinthians 15:23: But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.
This verse shows that the resurrection of believers follows God's appointed order beginning with Christ.
According to Les Feldick's teaching from 1 Corinthians 15, no. Paul shows an order: Christ the firstfruits, then those who are Christ's at His coming. Les also notes that the lost will be resurrected as well, but the passage focuses on the resurrection of the just.
Les Feldick teaches that Paul uses "firstfruits" as a plural term. It includes Christ and the Jewish believers raised out of their graves in Matthew 27. The next group in the resurrection order is believers of the church age at Christ's coming.
Because death came through Adam, resurrection must come through Christ. Christ rose as the firstfruits of those who slept, guaranteeing that those in Christ will be made alive. Les Feldick calls the doctrine of the resurrection basic to the Christian faith.
Watch the Teaching: What Does "First Resurrection" Really Mean? Bible Study