Are the Dead Raised? (15:1–19)It is important to note that the believers at Corinth did believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ; so Paul started his argument with that fundamental truth. He presented three proofs to assure his readers that Jesus Christ indeed had been raised from the dead.Proof #1—their salvation (vv. 1–2). Paul had come to Corinth and preached the message of the gospel, and their faith had transformed their lives. But an integral part of the gospel message was the fact of Christ’s resurrection. After all, a dead Savior cannot save anybody. Paul’s readers had received the Word, trusted Christ, been saved, and were now standing on that Word as the assurance of their salvation. The fact that they were standing firm was proof that their faith was genuine and not empty.Proof #2—the Old Testament Scriptures (vv. 3–4). First of all means “of first importance.” The gospel is the most important message that the church ever proclaims. While it is good to be involved in social action and the betterment of mankind, there is no rea- son why these ministries should preempt the gospel. “Christ died ... He was buried ... He rose again ... He was seen” are the basic historical facts on which the gospel stands (1 Cor. 15:3–5). “Christ died for our sins” (author’s italics) is the theological explanation of the historical facts. Many people were crucified by the Romans, but only one “victim” ever died for the sins of the world.