I Corinthians 15-16;
Acts 19:23-20:1
For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.
I Corinthians 15:3-5
Be honest. Do you believe all that? Is that truly a Reality for you? Or is it for you just a fantasy, a nice metaphorical story inspiring us to overcome difficulties? Is this all just a myth, invented by Peter, Paul, and Mary with no more basis in fact than “Puff the Magic Dragon”?
These are not idle questions. The bodily Resurrection of Jesus is the fundamental tenet of Christianity. Everything hinges on it:
If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that He raised Christ… If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.
I Corinthians 15:14-15,17
Without the Resurrection of Jesus, we have nothing. We especially have no hope, certainly no hope for life beyond the grave.
Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.
I Corinthians 15:18-19
Without the Resurrection, why in the world would Paul and the other Apostles endure beatings and prison time? Why in the world would Paul persist in preaching after being pelted with rocks and left for dead? Why in the world would he trade a life of honor and respectability to be hounded, persecuted, reviled, and abused? If there is no Resurrection, it is simply not worth it!
But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
I Corinthians 15:20
See also: