基督的复活乃是福音的活力。地上有许多哲学和宗教，但是这些哲学、宗教，没有一个是有活力的。相反的，每一个都缺少生命。在哲学或宗教里，可能有许多教训和道理，却没有生命。宗教全然没有生命；没有一个宗教是有活力的。但主的福音却包含生命，就是复活的生命。
复活的生命乃是胜过死亡的生命，这生命曾进入死亡，留在死里一段时间，又从死里出来。因此，这生命乃是胜过死并征服死的生命。因此，这生命称为复活的生命。
基督的福音不仅有生命，也有生命的大能，能彀征服死，胜过死，并废掉死。这个征服、胜过、并废除死的生命，就是复活。你知道甚么是复活的生命？复活乃是胜过死的生命。
基督─睡了之人初熟的果子
在二十节保罗宣告说，“但如今基督，就是睡了之人初熟的果子，已经从死人中复活。”本节至二十八节是插进的话，宣告基督是复活的初熟果子，以证实复活的真理。基督是第一位从死人中复活的，是复活的初熟果子。这是利未记二十三章十至十一节，在安息日的次日，就是复活之日（太二八1），献给神的初熟果子所豫表的（一捆初熟的果子，包括基督和一些死了的旧约圣徒，在主复活时起来─太二七52-53）。基督这复活的初熟果子，乃是从死人中复活的首生者，成了祂身体的头（西一18，弗一20-23）。基督─身体的头─既已复活，我们─身体─也必复活。
每日一问：为什么说基督的复活不是一种道理，而是一种“有能力胜过死的生命”？
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The Resurrection of Christ (1) – 1 Cor. 15:20
The resurrection of Christ is the vitality of the gospel. There are many philosophies and religions on earth, but none of them are vital. On the contrary, each one lacks life. In philosophy or religion, there may be many teachings and doctrines, but there is no life. Religion is totally void of life; no religion is vital. But the Lord’s gospel contains life, which is the life of resurrection.
The life of resurrection is the life that has overcome death. This life entered into death, remained in death for a period of time, and then came out of death. Therefore, this life is the life that has overcome and conquered death. Thus, this life is called the life of resurrection.
The gospel of Christ not only has life but also has the power of life, which can conquer, overcome and nullify death. This life that conquers, overcomes and nullifies death is resurrection. Do you know what the life of resurrection is? Resurrection is the life that overcomes death.
Christ—the First Fruits of Those Who Have Fallen Asleep
In verse 20, Paul declares, “But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have are asleep.” Verses 20 through 28 are an inserted word, declaring Christ as the first fruits of resurrection to verify the truth of resurrection. Christ is the first One to be raised from the dead; He is the first fruits of resurrection. This is typified by the first fruits offered to God on the day after the Sabbath, which is the day of resurrection (Matt. 28:1), as mentioned in Leviticus 23:10-11 (a sheaf of first fruits, including Christ and some Old Testament saints who died and rose at the time of the Lord’s resurrection—Matt. 27:52-53). Christ, as this first fruits of resurrection, is the Firstborn from the dead, who became the Head of His Body (Col. 1:18; Eph. 1:20-23). Since Christ—the Head of the Body—has been resurrected, we—the Body—will also be resurrected.
Daily Question: Why is it said that the resurrection of Christ is not a doctrine, but a “life that has the power to overcome death”?