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Topical Study
RESURRECTION
(See CHRIST, resurrection of)

The term resurrection means to rise again from death to life. It is used in Scripture (1) of those restored from physical death to life in natural form (e.g., John 11:43-44) or in glorified form (Philippians 3:21), and (2) of those who have risen from spiritual death to spiritual life through faith in Christ (Ephesians 2:5-6) (see also REGENERATION). The biblical idea of the resurrection of the body is clearly distinct from the Greek idea of life after death. The Greeks believed in the immortality of the soul but ridiculed the Christian doctrine of bodily resurrection. They believed that the body was a prison house of the soul and thereby would restrict the soul in the afterlife (cf. Acts 17:18, 32; 1 Corinthians 15:12-20). The bodily resurrection for believers involves a changed body conformed to Christ's risen and glorified humanity (Philippians 3:21; cf. Romans 8:23; Ephesians 1:14) (see also GLORIFICATION, of the redeemed). There remains a continuity as well as certain contrasts between the buried natural body and the resurrected, glorified body (John 20:25-29; 1 Corinthians 15:36-38, 49-57 (cf. Matthew 22:30).

general affirmation of
universality of
importance of
types of:
from physical death to natural life (i.e., resuscitation)
♦   in the OT
in the NT
♦   Jesus' ministry
♦   the apostles' ministry
♦   the tribulation period
♦   from spiritual death to eternal spiritual life
from physical death to glorification (i.e., a "resurrection of life" or "the first resurrection")
♦   in the OT
•   Job 14:14-15; 19:25-27; Psalms 16:10 (cf. Acts 2:31-32); 49:14-15; Isaiah 25:8 (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:54); 26:19; Daniel 12:2, 13; Hosea 13:14 (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:55)
in the NT
♦   Jesus
•   Matthew 28:6-7; Acts 1:3; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, 20; Revelation 1:5, 18
♦   believers
•   Luke 14:14; 20:35-36; John 5:28-29; 6:39, 40, 44, 54; Acts 24:15; Romans 6:5; 8:11; 1 Corinthians 6:14; 15:20, 23, 49-57; 2 Corinthians 4:14; Philippians 3:11; I Thessalonians 4:14-17; 1 John 3:2; Revelation 20:4-6. (cf. 2 Corinthians 5:4)
♦   from physical death to condemnation (i.e., a "resurrection of judgment" or the second resurrection)
•   John 5:29 (cf. Daniel 12:2; Acts 24:15; Revelation 20:5, 12-15)
♦ symbolical (i.e., of Israel's revival and restoration)
•   Ezekiel 37:1-14
♦ denial of
•   Matthew 22:23-33; Acts 23:8
♦ error concerning
•   2 Timothy 2:17-18

 

This topic is from the Lockman Foundation.

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