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Elementary Principles - Part 6 “Resurrection of the Dead”
Elementary Principles - Part 6
“Resurrection of the Dead”
By Derek Long
As the Hebrew writer identifies certain “elementary
principles of Christ,” he reminds his readers of the fact “the resurrection of the dead” is part of the elementary principles of Christ (Hebrews 6:1-2). The world may mock and ridicule the idea of the resurrection of the dead (Acts 17:32). This is one area where at times the wisdom of God may seem foolish to the world. However, for the child of God, the resurrection of the dead is a very important topic to be familiar with.
Jesus is the first person to rise from the dead never to die again. 1 Corinthians 15:20-23 says, “But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming.” Christ’s resurrection serves as part of the proof and assurance we have for a general resurrection of all the dead. Paul had built an impressive argument for the resurrection of all the dead based upon the resurrection of Christ in 1 Corinthians 15:12-19. He says, “Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, who He did not raise up - if in fact the dead do not rise. For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.” Our living hope is based upon the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead (1 Peter 1:3). It is essential for the child of God to understand Jesus was raised from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:1-4; Romans 10:9-10) and to understand this serves as the basis for our hope in a general resurrection of all the dead.
The Bible teaches there will come a time when all the dead will be raised at one time. Jesus said, “Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth - those who have done good, to the resurrection of live, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation” (John 5:28-29). Jesus places the resurrection of the righteous and wicked as occurring at the same time. Paul said, “I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust” (Acts 24:15). Paul did not believe there would be multiple resurrections - one for the righteous and another for the wicked, etc. Rather, Paul taught and believed there was only going to be one bodily resurrection which would include both the righteous and the wicked. Many
who have embraced the theory of Premillennialism believe the righteous will be raised and several years later the wicked will be raised. Such an idea is completely foreign to what we read about in the Bible.
The Bible teaches that at the resurrection we will receive an immortal, incorruptible body. We do not have much information about the nature of the resurrected body (1 John 3:2) and so it is best not to speculate too much. We know it will be suited to enable the righteous to spend eternity in service to God.
The Bible says the resurrection should give us motivation and encouragement to labor abundantly for the Lord. 1 Corinthians 15:58 says, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” The resurrection assures us there is a reward at the end for the righteous. The resurrection helps give us motivation to continue on even though at the present our efforts may not seem to be rewarded very much.
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How is your knowledge of the resurrection of the dead? We have not said everything the Bible teaches about this important topic in this article. Let’s make sure we have a grasp of this elementary principle so we will be able to go on to perfection!
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