In the providence of God, the recurring challenge of heretical ideas infecting the understanding of the early church set the stage for outlining nonnegotiable Christian teaching.  When Paul addresses the doctrine of resurrection in this chapter, he is providing another example of gospel teaching essential to salvation provided the Corinthians, along with the church of all ages, would hold fast to this truth (1-2).  Paul’s own call to ministry hinged on this very reality.  It was the resurrected Christ Jesus Himself who confronted him personally & powerfully in (Acts 9:1-5). Paul was persecuting the first generation of Christians commissioned by Jesus. Now he speaks as one of them having encountered the glory and authority of Jesus Christ exalted & enthroned, Not only did Paul know the resurrection of Jesus Christ to be absolutely true, but he also understood and proclaimed it to be absolutely essential.