Topical Encyclopedia
The concept of the resurrection of the dead is a central tenet in Christian theology, rooted deeply in both the Old and New Testaments. It refers to the belief that the dead will be raised to life at the end of times, a doctrine that underscores the Christian hope in eternal life and the ultimate victory over death through Jesus Christ.
Old Testament FoundationsThe idea of resurrection is hinted at in the Old Testament, though not as explicitly as in the New Testament. One of the earliest references is found in the book of Job, where Job expresses hope in a future vindication: "Even after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God" (
Job 19:26). The prophet Isaiah also speaks of resurrection, proclaiming, "Your dead will live; their bodies will rise. Awake and sing, you who dwell in the dust!" (
Isaiah 26:19). Daniel provides a more explicit reference, foretelling a time when "many who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to everlasting life, but others to shame and everlasting contempt" (
Daniel 12:2).
New Testament FulfillmentThe New Testament provides a fuller revelation of the resurrection, primarily through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The resurrection of Jesus is the cornerstone of Christian faith, as Paul emphasizes in
1 Corinthians 15:14, "And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is worthless, and so is your faith" . Jesus Himself speaks of the resurrection, declaring, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me will live, even though he dies" (
John 11:25).
The Gospels recount Jesus' resurrection as a historical event, witnessed by His disciples and others. This event is not only a demonstration of His divine power but also a promise of the future resurrection of all believers. Paul elaborates on this in
1 Corinthians 15, explaining that Christ's resurrection is the "firstfruits" of those who have fallen asleep, indicating that believers will follow in a similar resurrection (
1 Corinthians 15:20).
Theological ImplicationsThe resurrection of the dead is intricately linked to the Christian understanding of salvation and eschatology. It affirms the belief in bodily resurrection, as opposed to a purely spiritual afterlife. Paul addresses this in
1 Corinthians 15, where he contrasts the perishable, natural body with the imperishable, spiritual body that believers will receive (
1 Corinthians 15:42-44).
The resurrection also signifies the final defeat of death, as Paul triumphantly declares, "Death has been swallowed up in victory" (
1 Corinthians 15:54). This victory is made possible through Jesus Christ, who has conquered death and offers eternal life to all who believe in Him.
Eschatological HopeThe resurrection of the dead is closely tied to the Second Coming of Christ and the final judgment. In
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, Paul describes the sequence of events: "For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will be the first to rise" . This passage provides comfort and hope to believers, assuring them of their future resurrection and eternal union with the Lord.
Revelation 20:12-13 further depicts the resurrection in the context of the final judgment, where the dead are raised and judged according to their deeds. This underscores the moral and ethical dimensions of the resurrection, emphasizing accountability and the ultimate justice of God.
ConclusionThe resurrection of the dead is a profound and essential doctrine within Christianity, offering hope and assurance of eternal life through Jesus Christ. It is a promise of transformation and renewal, affirming the ultimate triumph of God's redemptive plan for humanity.
ATS Bible Dictionary
Resurrection of the DeadIt is the peculiar glory of the New Testament that it makes a full revelation of this great doctrine, which was questioned or derided by the wisest of the heathen,Acts 17:32. In the Old Testament also we find, though less frequently, the doctrine asserted; as for example,Isaiah 26:19Daniel 12:2. When our Saviour appeared in Judea, the doctrine of the resurrection of the dead was received as a principal article of religion by the whole Jewish nation except the Sadducees. Their denial of it rested on the assumption that at death the whole man, soul and body, perishes. "The Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit,"Acts 23:8. Hence the refutation of this unscriptural assumption was a complete overthrow of the ground on which their denial of a future resurrection rested; for if the soul can survive the body, it is plain that God can give it another body. In this way our Lord met and effectually refuted them,Matthew 22:31,32Mark 12:26,27.
The resurrection of Christ is everywhere represented in the New Testament as a pledge and an earnest of the resurrection of all the just, who are united to him by faith,11 Corinthians 15:491 Thessalonians 3:13, in virtue of their union with him as their Head. He is "the resurrection and the life,"John 11:25; they "sleep in Jesus," and shall be brought to glory "with him,"1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 5:10; their "life is hid with Christ in God,"Colossians 3:3; and because he lives, they shall live also,John 14:19. The Scriptures also teach that there will be a resurrection of the unjust. But they shall be raised, not to be glorified with Christ, but to be judged by him, and sentenced to eternal punishment,Daniel 12:2John 5:28,29 compared withMatthew 28:20Acts 24:15.
To cavillers against this doctrine in his own day, Christ replied, "Ye do err, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God." The work is miraculous; and He who is omniscient and omnipotent will permit nothing to frustrate his designs. He has not revealed to us the precise nature of the spiritual body, nor in what its identity with the earthly body consists; but it will be incorruptible, fashioned like Christ's glorious body, Php 3...21, and a meet companion of the soul made perfect in his likeness.
Greek
386. anastasis -- a standing up, ie aresurrection, a raising up...... by implication, (its author)), or (figuratively) a (moral) recovery (of spiritual
truth) -- raised to life again,
resurrection, rise from the
dead, that should
...Library
The Treatise on theResurrection of theDead
The Treatise on theResurrection of theDead. <. The Treatise on the
Resurrection of theDead Athenagoras. Table of Contents. Title Page....
TheResurrection of theDead
... TheResurrection of theDead. A Sermon (No.66).... "There shall be aresurrection
of thedead, both the of the just and unjust.""Acts 24:15....
On theResurrection of theDead
... Fifth Series Sermon 137 On theResurrection of theDead. "But some man will say,
how are thedead raised up? and with what body do they come?" 1:Cor.15:35....
TheResurrection of theDead, and Eternal Judgment:
... THERESURRECTION OF THEDEAD, AND ETERNAL JUDGMENT. OR, THE TRUTH... Amen.
JOHN BUNYAN. OF THERESURRECTION OF THEDEAD. "BUT THIS I...
Demonstration viii. --Of theResurrection of theDead.
... Demonstration VIII."Of theResurrection of theDead.... the woman was wife of them all;
in theResurrection of thedead, to which of them shall she be wife?...
Sundry Passages in the Great ChapterOf theResurrection of the...
... Chapter XLVIII."Sundry Passages in the Great Chapter of theResurrection
of theDead Explained in Defence of Our Doctrine. But...
The Sophistical Sense Put by Heretics on the Phrase "Resurrection...
... Chapter XIX."The Sophistical Sense Put by Heretics on the Phrase "Resurrection
of theDead," As If It Meant the Moral Change of a New Life....
Scripture Phrases and Passages Clearly Assert "TheResurrection of...
... Chapter XVIII."Scripture Phrases and Passages Clearly Assert "TheResurrection of
theDead." The Force of This Very Phrase Explained as Indicating the...
What the Same Apostle Taught in the First Epistle to the...
... Book XX. Chapter 20."What the Same Apostle Taught in the First Epistle to
the Thessalonians Regarding theResurrection of theDead....
This vision Interpreted by Tertullian of theResurrection of the...
... And what will there be after death? Noresurrection from thedead, of course,
since there is nothing of the sort here revealed to Ezekiel....
Resources
Why is the truth of the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ so important? | GotQuestions.orgWhy is the resurrection of Jesus Christ important? | GotQuestions.orgWhen will the Resurrection take place? | GotQuestions.orgResurrection: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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