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baptism into death" (Romans 6:4). "Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead" (Colossians 2:12). Christ, in His death was the life giving seed which went to the ground to cause the quickening of the sons of God who will be manifested as incorruptible seeds, by means of regeneration. Hisburialactsasaspiritualwomb,givingbirthtothesonsof God; a place of reconciliation and condemnation of sin (Ephesians 4:8-10;
John 3:5-6).
VII - The Resurrection of Christ
The resurrection of Christ is of the greatest importance for the Church for several reasons:
• ItisthefundamentaldoctrineofChristianity(Acts17:31).Theapostle Paul has shown that every thing stands or falls with Chrisfs bodily resurrection. "Now if Christ be preached that he rose ftom^e dead, how say some among you that there is no resunectionof thedead? But if there be no resurrection of the dead, dien is Christ not risen: And Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. Yea, and we are found false witnesses ofGod; because we ^ ve testified of God that he raised up Christ whom he raised not up, if «> be that the dead rise not. For if the dead rise not, then is not Chnst raised: AndifChristbenotraised,yourfaithisvain;yeareyetinyour sins. ThentheyalsowhicharefallenasleepinChristareperished.I in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miser able" (I Corinthians 15:12-19; Colossians 2:11-14).
• ItisemphasizedintheapostolicpreachingoftheBookofActs,start ingatPentecost. "ThisJesushathGodraisedup,whereofweallare
witnesses...Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have cmcified, both Lord
andChrist"(Acts2:32,36). WereadinActs4:33,"Andwithgreaj power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. Paul preaching in Athens said, "^.whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead" (Acts 17:31; Acts 3:15,26; 4:10; 10:40;13:30-37).
• InthePaulineEpistles,theChristianfaithispresentedasdrawingits
authenticity and power from the resurrection of Jesus Christ. In his epistle to the Romans Paul writes, "... Jesus Christ our
Lord,...decIared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name" (Romans 1:3,5). Paul to whom the
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