The Bodily Resurrection

 

The Gospel is the death, burial, and literal resurrection of Christ through which repentant sinners are justified (declared righteous) through faith in the person and work of Jesus Christ. (John 3:13-15; Acts 4:15-19; I Corinthians 15:1-4) The Bible clearly teaches the physical resurrection of Christ and all dead. (Job 19:25, 27; Isaiah 26:19; John 5:28-29; Acts 24:15; I Corinthians 15:42-49; Philippians 3:21; Revelation 20:12-13) The resurrection was central to the preaching of the Apostles. (Acts 3:15; 4:1-2; 10:39-41; 17:18; 24:15) Jesus said that His body would be resurrected, and after the resurrection He verified this. (John 2:19-21; Luke 24:36-43) The redeemed will have a body like that of Christ; the body will be changed. (I Corinthians 15:51-52; II Corinthians 5:4; Philippians 3:20-21; I Thessalonians 5:23) Denial of the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ is calling Him accursed, for this would mean that He died under judgment of sin and is still under that judgment. (I Corinthians 12:3)

There are many nonessential matters about which we can disagree, especially conscientious differences of opinion, but you cannot be saved without the bodily resurrection. (Romans 10:9-10; I Corinthians 15:13-18) There is no hope of eternal salvation without the bodily resurrection of Christ. (Romans 5:8-10; 10:8-9) Without the bodily resurrection of Christ there is no blood atonement, and there is no salvation without the blood atonement. (Leviticus 17:11; Isaiah 53:5-6; Romans 5:8-11; II Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 9:14; 10:12-14; I Peter 1:18-21; 2:24)

One argument used by cults and liberal theologians goes like this: What if a dead human body was eaten by animals or insects that were in turn eaten by animals or insects so that the molecules of the body were scattered about and even became part or other creatures, or what if a dead man was cremated and his ashes were scattered over the ocean? Here are just three reasons this is not a valid argument:

· God is omnipresent and omniscient and knows where those molecules are located.

· The exact disposition of every molecule of the body is not the issue as material particles in this mortal body change constantly with no loss of personal identity.

· The resurrection is a miracle and if we could completely understand the resurrection it would not be a miracle.

The Jehovah’s Witnesses (so-called) use two accounts about Christ not being recognized by those who knew Him as proof that He was resurrected in a different form. Watchtower publications claim that the disciples on the road to Emmaus did not recognize Christ because He was in a different form than when He was crucified. But this interpretation ignores the context. The disciples did not recognize Christ because He did not will it so. (Luke 24:16) After their faith was tested He opened their eyes and they recognized Him. (Luke 24:31) Watchtower publications claim that Christ appeared to Mary as the gardener. But the context makes it clear that it was Mary who made the mistake of thinking Christ was the gardener. (John 20:15-16)

The Jehovah’s Witnesses also use I Peter 3:18 to discredit the bodily resurrection. The proposition is set forth that Christ was raised from the dead as a spirit. If JWs give you this interpretation of I Peter 3:18, then show them Romans 8:8-13, Galatians 5:24-25, Ephesians 6:18, and I Peter 4:6.

            Another argument is that I Corinthians 15:44-50 means a nonphysical resurrection. Let’s take a closer look at this. “It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.” (I Corinthians 15:44) The same Greek work rendered “spiritual” in I Corinthians 15:44 is rendered “spiritual” (or “supernatural” in some translations) in I Corinthians 10:4 in reference to a physical rock. The context of I Corinthians 2:15 makes it clear that the word “spiritual” does not there refer to an invisible man or an immaterial or nonphysical body. Likewise, in I Corinthians 15:44 the word “spiritual” refers to a Spirit-dominated and supernatural physical body. I Corinthians 15:50, which says "flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God," is not a denial of the bodily resurrection. The term "flesh and blood" occurs only five times in the New Testament, and in each case the reference is to mankind in their fallen state (unregenerate). (Matthew 16:17; I Corinthians 15:50; Galatians 1:16; Ephesians 6:12; Hebrews 2:14) “Flesh and blood” in I Corinthians 15:50 is a reference to natural man, that is, man in his sinful state; natural man “must be born again.” (John 3:3-8; Romans 8:1, 9-11) The Bible does not say that people must stop being human or give up their physical bodies to enter heaven. “For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.” (I Corinthians 15:53) The words “put on” in I Corinthians 15:53 indicate adding something (incorruption & immortality) rather than taking away something (materiality or the physical body). Context and the use of words and grammar make it clear that I Corinthians 15:41-44 deals with the QUALITY of resurrected bodies and I Corinthians 15 deals with PHYSICAL resurrection.

 

 Further reading:

WITNESSING TO JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES