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What are the basic doctrines of the Christian faith and is a ‘doctrine’ anyway. A doctrine is a collection of teachings on a certain subject, and the basic doctrines of the Christian faith are the teachings of Jesus Christ recorded in the Bible. These doctrines are listed in the Bible in the book of Hebrews: Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And God permitting, we will do so. (Hebrews 6:1-3) |
Two spiritual objectives are set forth in this verse: The first objective is that of building your spiritual life on the right foundation. This foundation is the doctrine of Jesus Christ. The second objective is to go on to perfection. Perfection means spiritual maturity.
There are two reasons for failure to live a victorious Christian life. The first reason is that some who are trying to live like Christians have never been born again. They do not understand the basic doctrines of Jesus Christ. Because of this lack of understanding they have failed to make a proper response to God. The second reason for failure is not going on to spiritual maturity.
The first purpose of this series of articles is to present the basic doctrines of the Christian faith necessary for a proper spiritual foundation. The six foundational doctrines of Hebrews 6:1-3 will be discussed: Repentance from dead works, faith toward God, doctrine of baptisms, laying on of hands, resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment. After establishing this foundation, the second purpose of this series is to take you on to perfection [spiritual maturity].
There are two reasons for failure to live a victorious Christian life. The first reason is that some who are trying to live like Christians have never been born again. They do not understand the basic doctrines of Jesus Christ. Because of this lack of understanding they have failed to make a proper response to God. The second reason for failure is not going on to spiritual maturity.
The first purpose of this series of articles is to present the basic doctrines of the Christian faith necessary for a proper spiritual foundation. The six foundational doctrines of Hebrews 6:1-3 will be discussed: Repentance from dead works, faith toward God, doctrine of baptisms, laying on of hands, resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment. After establishing this foundation, the second purpose of this series is to take you on to perfection [spiritual maturity].
Resurrection of the Dead
Part One
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26)
There are two other foundational doctrines of the Christian faith, the resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment. In the study of these two remaining doctrines, the Bible takes us by revelation beyond the present time into the future of eternity.
By the act of creation, God brought the present world into being with the order of time including the past, present, and future (Genesis 1). Someday God will bring this present world to an end and time, as we now know it, will cease to be.
The Bible reveals that for the world as a whole, the end of time will come at a special moment ordained by God. There are many events which will happen in the world at this end of time. Only God knows the exact timing of these events. As individuals, however, a moment awaits each of us when "time shall be no longer.”
This is when we come to the end of our earthly lifetime and step from time into eternity. For each person, the end of physical life is the end of time.
There are some mysteries surrounding the end of time and eternity which the Bible does not explain. But the doctrine of the "resurrection of the dead" provides some knowledge of the end of time and eternity which follows.
This article introduces the doctrine of the resurrection of the dead. The past, present, and future resurrections spoken of in the New Testament are defined and the past and present resurrections discussed. The future resurrection of the dead is discussed in next week's article.
DEFINITION
The meaning of the word "resurrection" is a raising or rising up. It means to cause to rise or raise up from the dead. There are three resurrections identified in the New Testament:
Past: The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
Present: The spiritual resurrection of believers in Jesus Christ.
Future: The future resurrection of all that are in the graves.
THE RESURRECTOR
Jesus Christ was raised from the dead by the power of God. More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. (I Corinthians 15:15) Through Jesus the believer experiences present spiritual resurrection, and through Him the future resurrection of the dead from the graves will happen. The Bible confirms that Jesus is the resurrector, the one who will resurrect the dead. Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.” (John 11:25) So it is written: “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam, a life-giving spirit. (I Corinthians 15:45) But it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. (II Timothy 1:10)
PAST: RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST
The Old Testament foretold the birth of Jesus Christ, His death for the sins of all mankind, and His resurrection. David mentioned the resurrection of Jesus, Being therefore a prophet [David] and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins he would set one upon his throne; He foreseeing this speaks of the resurrection of the Christ... (Acts 2:30-31, American Standard Version) and many verses in the Bible confirm the resurrection of Jesus from the dead on the third day after His burial. But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. ( I Corinthians 15:20) After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.” (Matthew 28:1, 5-7)
To further study the accounts of Jesus Christ’s resurrection, I have included a list of Scriptures at the end of this article confirming the resurrection.
Jesus was seen by many people after His resurrection. After His suffering He showed himself alive to them in many convincing ways and appeared to them repeatedly over a period of forty days talking to them about the affairs of the Kingdom of God. (Acts 1:3, Phillips Translation) …and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born. (I Corinthians 15:5-8)
After His resurrection, Jesus was careful to provide evidence that He had a real body and He was the same person that had been crucified. The evidence of this was His hands, feet, and side which still had the marks of the nails and the spear.
In other ways His body had experienced important changes. It no longer was subject to the limitations of a mortal body. He could now appear or disappear at will. He could enter a closed room and He could pass between earth and Heaven (John 20:19). Prior to His death and resurrection, during a conversation with religious leaders of Israel Jesus talked about His death. Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.” They replied, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?” But the temple he had spoken of was his body. (John 2:19-21)
Jesus was not talking about the temple in Jerusalem. He was referring to His own body as a temple. After the death and burial of Jesus, when the women entered the tomb to anoint His body, they "found not the body of the Lord Jesus" (Luke 23:55-24:3). When Jesus appeared to His disciples He let them touch the nail prints and the scar from the spear to prove His identity. While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. (Luke 24:36-40) Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:27-28)
Why is the doctrine of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead so important to the Christian faith?
If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. (I Corinthians 15:13-14) Believing in the resurrection of Jesus Christ is necessary to become a true believer. If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. (Romans 10:9)
Paul presents the resurrection of Jesus as a part of the message of the Gospel. Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, (I Corinthians 15:1-4) Paul stresses how important the resurrection is for several reasons:
Because the resurrection confirms Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And [as to His divine nature] according to the Spirit of holiness, was openly designated the Son of God in power [in a striking, triumphant and miraculous manner] by His resurrection from the dead, even Jesus Christ our Lord, the Messiah, the anointed one. (Romans 1:4, The Amplified Bible)
The resurrection confirms Jesus is supreme over all created beings. That power is the same divine energy which was demonstrated in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and gave Him the place of supreme honor in Heaven-a place that is infinitely superior to any conceivable command, authority, power or control, and which carries with it a name far beyond any name that could ever be used in this world or in the world to come. God has placed everything under the power of Christ and has set Him up as the head of everything for the Church. (Ephesians 1:20-23, The Amplified Bible)
The resurrection confirms that believers are justified. He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification. (Romans 4:25)
The resurrection means death is defeated. Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil. (Hebrews 2:14)
And because of the resurrection of Jesus, believers will also be resurrected and have new bodies. Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. (I Corinthians 15:51-52) Who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. (Philippians 3:21)
We will look into more about this resurrection from the dead in the following article next week.
Through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, there is a new life source for believers. Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, (I Peter 1:3)
PRESENT: RESURRECTION OF BELIEVERS
The Bible speaks of the present resurrection of believers. This means those who were once spiritually dead in sin are now made alive spiritually through Jesus Christ. As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. (Ephesians 2:1, 5) When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, (Colossians 2:13) Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! (II Corinthians 5:17)
Baptism in water is an outward sign of death to the old life of sin and the spiritual resurrection of the believer in Jesus Christ. But it is not only water baptism that confirms the spiritual resurrection of the believer, it is the new life which he lives. We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. (Romans 6:4-5)
Jesus provided many evidences of His resurrection. These included the empty tomb, the message of the angels, and His visible appearances after His resurrection. There are also evidences which confirm the spiritual resurrection of believers. Spiritual resurrection results in death to sin. The believer does not live like he used to live. He is dead to the evil things of the world and alive in Jesus. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. (Romans 6:11) Spiritual resurrection makes Jesus the master of your life. Instead of living for yourself, you live to serve Him. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. (II Corinthians 5:15) A new life purpose results from spiritual resurrection. Instead of concern about temporal things of the world such as material gain, ambition, etc., the attention of believers is focused on eternal things. Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. (Colossians 3:1-2)
The past resurrection of Jesus and the present spiritual resurrection of believers are two of the three resurrections mentioned in the New Testament. The other one is the future resurrection of all the dead from the graves. This will be discussed in next weeks article.
The four main accounts of the resurrection of Jesus Christ are given in: Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24 and John 20.
The following verses also provide additional information on the resurrection of Jesus:
Acts 1:22; 2:24, 32; 3:15, 26; 4:10, 33; 5:30; 10:40, 41; 13:30-33, 34, 37; 17:18, 32
Romans 1:4; 4:24; 6:5; 8:11, 34
I Corinthians 6:14; 15:12-58
II Corinthians 4:14
Galatians 1:1
Philippians 3:10
Ephesians 1:20
I Thessalonians 1:10
II Timothy 2:8
I Peter 1:3
There are two other foundational doctrines of the Christian faith, the resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment. In the study of these two remaining doctrines, the Bible takes us by revelation beyond the present time into the future of eternity.
By the act of creation, God brought the present world into being with the order of time including the past, present, and future (Genesis 1). Someday God will bring this present world to an end and time, as we now know it, will cease to be.
The Bible reveals that for the world as a whole, the end of time will come at a special moment ordained by God. There are many events which will happen in the world at this end of time. Only God knows the exact timing of these events. As individuals, however, a moment awaits each of us when "time shall be no longer.”
This is when we come to the end of our earthly lifetime and step from time into eternity. For each person, the end of physical life is the end of time.
There are some mysteries surrounding the end of time and eternity which the Bible does not explain. But the doctrine of the "resurrection of the dead" provides some knowledge of the end of time and eternity which follows.
This article introduces the doctrine of the resurrection of the dead. The past, present, and future resurrections spoken of in the New Testament are defined and the past and present resurrections discussed. The future resurrection of the dead is discussed in next week's article.
DEFINITION
The meaning of the word "resurrection" is a raising or rising up. It means to cause to rise or raise up from the dead. There are three resurrections identified in the New Testament:
Past: The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
Present: The spiritual resurrection of believers in Jesus Christ.
Future: The future resurrection of all that are in the graves.
THE RESURRECTOR
Jesus Christ was raised from the dead by the power of God. More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. (I Corinthians 15:15) Through Jesus the believer experiences present spiritual resurrection, and through Him the future resurrection of the dead from the graves will happen. The Bible confirms that Jesus is the resurrector, the one who will resurrect the dead. Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.” (John 11:25) So it is written: “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam, a life-giving spirit. (I Corinthians 15:45) But it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. (II Timothy 1:10)
PAST: RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST
The Old Testament foretold the birth of Jesus Christ, His death for the sins of all mankind, and His resurrection. David mentioned the resurrection of Jesus, Being therefore a prophet [David] and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins he would set one upon his throne; He foreseeing this speaks of the resurrection of the Christ... (Acts 2:30-31, American Standard Version) and many verses in the Bible confirm the resurrection of Jesus from the dead on the third day after His burial. But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. ( I Corinthians 15:20) After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.” (Matthew 28:1, 5-7)
To further study the accounts of Jesus Christ’s resurrection, I have included a list of Scriptures at the end of this article confirming the resurrection.
Jesus was seen by many people after His resurrection. After His suffering He showed himself alive to them in many convincing ways and appeared to them repeatedly over a period of forty days talking to them about the affairs of the Kingdom of God. (Acts 1:3, Phillips Translation) …and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born. (I Corinthians 15:5-8)
After His resurrection, Jesus was careful to provide evidence that He had a real body and He was the same person that had been crucified. The evidence of this was His hands, feet, and side which still had the marks of the nails and the spear.
In other ways His body had experienced important changes. It no longer was subject to the limitations of a mortal body. He could now appear or disappear at will. He could enter a closed room and He could pass between earth and Heaven (John 20:19). Prior to His death and resurrection, during a conversation with religious leaders of Israel Jesus talked about His death. Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.” They replied, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?” But the temple he had spoken of was his body. (John 2:19-21)
Jesus was not talking about the temple in Jerusalem. He was referring to His own body as a temple. After the death and burial of Jesus, when the women entered the tomb to anoint His body, they "found not the body of the Lord Jesus" (Luke 23:55-24:3). When Jesus appeared to His disciples He let them touch the nail prints and the scar from the spear to prove His identity. While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. (Luke 24:36-40) Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:27-28)
Why is the doctrine of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead so important to the Christian faith?
If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. (I Corinthians 15:13-14) Believing in the resurrection of Jesus Christ is necessary to become a true believer. If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. (Romans 10:9)
Paul presents the resurrection of Jesus as a part of the message of the Gospel. Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, (I Corinthians 15:1-4) Paul stresses how important the resurrection is for several reasons:
Because the resurrection confirms Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And [as to His divine nature] according to the Spirit of holiness, was openly designated the Son of God in power [in a striking, triumphant and miraculous manner] by His resurrection from the dead, even Jesus Christ our Lord, the Messiah, the anointed one. (Romans 1:4, The Amplified Bible)
The resurrection confirms Jesus is supreme over all created beings. That power is the same divine energy which was demonstrated in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and gave Him the place of supreme honor in Heaven-a place that is infinitely superior to any conceivable command, authority, power or control, and which carries with it a name far beyond any name that could ever be used in this world or in the world to come. God has placed everything under the power of Christ and has set Him up as the head of everything for the Church. (Ephesians 1:20-23, The Amplified Bible)
The resurrection confirms that believers are justified. He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification. (Romans 4:25)
The resurrection means death is defeated. Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil. (Hebrews 2:14)
And because of the resurrection of Jesus, believers will also be resurrected and have new bodies. Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. (I Corinthians 15:51-52) Who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. (Philippians 3:21)
We will look into more about this resurrection from the dead in the following article next week.
Through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, there is a new life source for believers. Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, (I Peter 1:3)
PRESENT: RESURRECTION OF BELIEVERS
The Bible speaks of the present resurrection of believers. This means those who were once spiritually dead in sin are now made alive spiritually through Jesus Christ. As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. (Ephesians 2:1, 5) When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, (Colossians 2:13) Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! (II Corinthians 5:17)
Baptism in water is an outward sign of death to the old life of sin and the spiritual resurrection of the believer in Jesus Christ. But it is not only water baptism that confirms the spiritual resurrection of the believer, it is the new life which he lives. We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. (Romans 6:4-5)
Jesus provided many evidences of His resurrection. These included the empty tomb, the message of the angels, and His visible appearances after His resurrection. There are also evidences which confirm the spiritual resurrection of believers. Spiritual resurrection results in death to sin. The believer does not live like he used to live. He is dead to the evil things of the world and alive in Jesus. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. (Romans 6:11) Spiritual resurrection makes Jesus the master of your life. Instead of living for yourself, you live to serve Him. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. (II Corinthians 5:15) A new life purpose results from spiritual resurrection. Instead of concern about temporal things of the world such as material gain, ambition, etc., the attention of believers is focused on eternal things. Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. (Colossians 3:1-2)
The past resurrection of Jesus and the present spiritual resurrection of believers are two of the three resurrections mentioned in the New Testament. The other one is the future resurrection of all the dead from the graves. This will be discussed in next weeks article.
The four main accounts of the resurrection of Jesus Christ are given in: Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24 and John 20.
The following verses also provide additional information on the resurrection of Jesus:
Acts 1:22; 2:24, 32; 3:15, 26; 4:10, 33; 5:30; 10:40, 41; 13:30-33, 34, 37; 17:18, 32
Romans 1:4; 4:24; 6:5; 8:11, 34
I Corinthians 6:14; 15:12-58
II Corinthians 4:14
Galatians 1:1
Philippians 3:10
Ephesians 1:20
I Thessalonians 1:10
II Timothy 2:8
I Peter 1:3
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