Book of Common Prayer

¹² If Christ is preached, that he rose from the dead, how is it that some of you say there is no resurrection of the dead? ¹³ If there is no rising again of the dead, then Christ is not risen. ¹⁴ If Christ is not risen, then our preaching is in vain, and your faith is also in vain. ¹⁵ Yea, and we are found to be false witnesses of God, for we have testified of God that he raised up Christ, whom he did not raise up if it be so that the dead rise not again. ¹⁶ For if the dead do not rise again, then Christ is not risen again. ¹⁷ And if it be so that Christ did not rise, then your faith is in vain, and you are still in your sins. ¹⁸ And, moreover, those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. ¹⁹ If it is in this life only that we believe on Christ, then we are of all men the most miserable.

²⁰ But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the first fruits of those who sleep. ²¹ For by a man came death, and by a man came the resurrection of the dead. ²² For as through Adam all die, even so through Christ shall all be made alive, ²³ and each one in his own order. The first is Christ, then those who are Christ’s at his coming. ²⁴ Then comes the end, when he has delivered up the kingdom to God the Father, when he has put down all rule, authority, and power. ²⁵ For he must reign till he has put all his enemies under his feet. ²⁶ The last enemy that will be destroyed is death. ²⁷ For he has put all things under his feet. But when he says all things are put under him, it is evident that he who put all things under him is excepted. ²⁸ When all things are subdued to him, then shall the Son also himself be subject to him who put things under him, so that God may be all in all things.

²⁹ Or else what are the people who are baptized over the dead doing, if the dead do not rise at all? Why are they then baptized over the dead?

⁷ And as they departed, Jesus began to speak to the people about John: What did you go out into the wilderness to see? Did you go to see a reed shaken with the wind? ⁸ Or what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings' houses. ⁹ But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet. ¹⁰ For this is he of whom it is written: Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who shall prepare your way before you.

¹¹ Truly I say to you, among the children of women none greater than John the Baptist has arisen. Notwithstanding, he who is less in the kingdom of heaven, is greater than he.

¹² From the time of John the Baptist to now, the kingdom of heaven is sorely pressed, and those who go to it with effort seize it for themselves. ¹³ For all the prophets and the law prophesied with a view to the time of John. ¹⁴ And also, if you will receive it, this is Elijah who was to come. ¹⁵ He who has ears to hear, let him hear.