The Third Sunday of Easter (NTA)

1 Corinthians 15:12-34
12 Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. 15 We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.
20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. 24 Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 27 For “God has put all things in subjection under his feet.” But when it says, “all things are put in subjection,” it is plain that he is excepted who put all things in subjection under him. 28 When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him, that God may be all in all.
29 Otherwise, what do people mean by being baptized on behalf of the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized on their behalf? 30 Why are we in danger every hour? 31 I protest, brothers, by my pride in you, which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die every day! 32 What do I gain if, humanly speaking, I fought with beasts at Ephesus? If the dead are not raised, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” 33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” 34 Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning. For some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame.
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. 2001 (1 Co 15:12–34). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

"Bad company ruins good morals" should stand along side Jesus' words to watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees. There are some among the Corinthians and for that matter Christians today who do not believe in the Resurrection of the Dead. St Paul equates this belief to the lack of faith in Christ's own Resurrection.

So I put the question to you, If I don't believe all the dead will rise on the Last Day, then does that automatically mean I don't believe Jesus Christ was raised from the dead? Truth be told, I believe that is what St Paul is saying. Because why wouldn't Christ raise the dead on the last day? This goes to a very key question which faces most Christians and for that matter the whole of the society; Is Death Natural?

If you believe in Evolution then the old must die so the young could be raised up to take their place. Therefore, Death is the natural way of things. But if God created human beings to love and care for them, why would he allow them to Die? Jesus Christ healed people and even raised three people from the dead prior to his Death. The Bible also says that the wages of sin is death. Thus, Death is not the natural way of things.

In Genesis Death is given as a gracious gift so that humanity would not live as dead in sin. But Christ has died for the sins off all mankind. He has provided forgiveness of sins. He has paid our wages for sin. Christ was raised as the Firstfruits of our Resurrection. Christ's resurrection is one connected with the resurrection of all the dead. Thus, St Paul is correct when he says that one must believe in the Resurrection on the Last Day and Christ's Resurrection. But even further, one must believe that Death is not natural and God desires you to have life.