Craig A. Brittingham, Pastor
Hillside Baptist Church
June 14, 2026
“Awake to Righteousness!” – 1 Corinthians 15:29-34
1A. If the dead do not rise, why are people baptized for the dead?
1b. This is one of the most difficult verses in the New Testament.
2b. It may mean that people were baptized for other believers who died before they had the opportunity to be baptized themselves.
3b. Perhaps, it means that people were baptized after having trusted Christ as Saviour because of the testimony of a believer who had died.
2A. If the dead do not rise, why do Christians risk their lives in service to the Lord?
1b. Paul asked, “And why do we stand in jeopardy every hour?” (vs. 30)
1c. In essence, why should a believer live for Christ and preach His gospel risking persecution and even death if the dead do not rise?
1d. There would be no reward!
2d. There would be no glory after suffering!
3d. There would be no advantage!
2c. It would seem more logical to live it up!
2b. Rather, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!”
1c. Paul warned them not to be deceived by this philosophy of life which results from denying the resurrection.
2c. They need to wake up, come to their senses and stop sinning!
Questions…
1. What does it mean to be baptized for the dead?
2. What did Paul mean that he stood in jeopardy every day?
3. Why was this no advantage to him if the dead do not rise?
4. What did he mean that he fought wild beasts at Ephesus?
5. What belief undergirds the way of life characterized by the saying, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!”?
6. By what did Paul want them not to be deceived?
7. Paul urged them not to sin. Did he mean a person could obtain to sinless perfection? If not, what did he mean?