As Christians celebrate the resurrection of our Savior around the world, we reflect on God’s grace and mercy, and the gift of new life that we have through Jesus. 1 Peter 1:3-4 says, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you. . . ” Our living hope comes through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The resurrection is essential to our faith. Paul said, “But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain” (1 Cor. 15:13-14). Paul continued, “For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are stil in your sins” (vs. 16-17).
Paul links the resurrection directly to baptism. In Romans 6:4 he says, “We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.” When we are baptized, we are baptized into both his death and resurrection and upon emerging from the water we are given the gift of a new life.