First Fruits of the Resurrection

Belief in an afterlife is not unique and therefore has no power to persuade non-Christians. It does not really do much for self-proclaimed Christians either. To such persons, life after death is an unreal, ethereal existence that happens in a mystical paradise, or is so unimaginable that it is not worth thinking about.  As Paul argues, the implications of the physical resurrection are staggering. It means that we will be as we are now, but better. It means that everything else Jesus said is worthy of our respect.