Disciples Digital Library

Christ’s Death and Resurrection are foundational and indispensable to the teachings of Jesus and the Apostles . The Apostle Paul discusses the future resurrection of believers in his second letter to Timothy in response to denials of this “ sound teaching .” Faith in the future resurrection is central to the doctrine of salvation proclaimed by Jesus and his Apostles. This teaching is utterly reliable since it is based on the historical Death and Resurrection of Jesus, and the eyewitness testimony of the Apostles – (Acts 1:21-22, 2 Timothy 1:13).

Foundational to our future hope is bodily resurrection when Jesus arrives in glory to gather and meet his saints . Paul’s description of the “ arrival ” or ‘ Parousia ’ of Jesus in his first letter to the Thessalonians was written to comfort believers over the fate of their compatriots who die before Christ’s return. We need not sorrow “ like the others ” since   the righteous dead will be resurrected when the Lord “ arrives ” from Heaven. This hope is based on the sure foundation of Christ’s past Death and Resurrection.

Central to the hope of the Apostolic Faith is the bodily resurrection of the dead. This will occur when Jesus appears at the end of the age . The biblical faith is forward-looking. Foundational to the doctrine of salvation is the resurrection of the righteous dead. That event will also mark the arrival of the New Creation. The New Testament links the resurrection of the saints to two events. The past Resurrection of Jesus, and his arrival at the end of the age. Our salvation will remain incomplete until Christ raises us from the dead.

Salvation includes the resurrection of the saints and the New Creation. Both events will occur when Jesus arrives from Heaven . Redemption is part of God’s salvation. He will not abandon what He created and called “ very good! ” Redemption points to the recovery of what has been lost. The Universe is enslaved by sin and condemned to decay and death. All living creatures die. However, in the redemptive plans of the Creator, the end state of the things redeemed by Him will be vastly superior to their original condition, and this principle is epitomized in the bodily resurrection of men and women saved by Jesus Christ.

The Last Days, the time of fulfillment, began with the Death, Resurrection, and the Enthronement of Jesus Christ . When we hear the term “ Last Days ” we assume it refers to the final few years of history just before Christ’s return. Nevertheless, the New Testament presents this period as the era of fulfillment that began following the Death and Resurrection of Jesus, and the outpouring of the Spirit on Pentecost. In Christ, the “ ends of the ages ” have come upon the Church, the people of God – (1 Corinthians 10:11).

In the opening thanksgiving of his Letter to the Philippians , Paul prepares his readers for one of its key themes: Going on to perfection in Jesus . The bodily resurrection of the believer is necessary for the consummation of this process, and its goal. It is an integral part of the salvation that believers will receive when Jesus appears, and a glorious hope as the past resurrection of Jesus demonstrates.

Paul began his Letter to the Romans with a lengthy introduction in which he identified himself and his mission. In doing so, he makes several declarations about the identity and victory of Jesus, more specifically, that he was “ marked out as God’s Son ” by the “ spirit of holiness ” that characterized his life, and by his resurrection “ from among the dead .” By raising him, God validated all that the Nazarene had said and done.

In the first half of  Romans , Paul presents the “ Gospel .” It is the “ power of God for salvation to Jews and Greeks ” alike. He provides salvation through the “ faith of Jesus Christ ” to everyone who responds with repentance and faith. Death passed from Adam to all men, both to those “ within the Law ” and those “ apart from the Law ” because “ all sinned .” Now, however, “ apart from the Law ,” the “ righteousness of God ” is being revealed for “ all men who believe, for there is no distinction .”

In his Letter to the Galatians , Paul claims that the source of his apostleship is the same “ God and Father ” who raised His Son, “ Jesus Christ ,” from the dead. And this same Messiah died to “ deliver us from this evil age .” Paul employs this language because his letter is in response to men from Jerusalem who are operating in the church as if the old era was still in effect. Moreover, they were challenging Paul’s apostolic authority and credentials.

In his letter to the “ messenger ” of Laodicea, the Risen “ Son of Man ” is called the “ Beginning of the Creation of God ,” and the “ Amen, the faithful and true witness .” In the Death and Resurrection of Jesus, the long-promised “ New Heavens and New Earth ” commenced. He was declared previously to be the “ faithful witness ” in the Book’s opening paragraph, a reference to his faithfulness in death on the Roman cross.

In his  Letter to the Colossians , Paul stresses the exaltation of Jesus following his resurrection. Some members of the congregation were confused about his authority over the spiritual powers that remained hostile to God and His people; therefore, Paul reminded the Assembly of just how highly God has exalted the one who became the “ Firstborn of the Dead .”

Paul claimed that the source of his apostleship was the same God who raised His Son from “ among dead ones ” (literal rendering). This same Messiah died and was raised from the dead to “ deliver us from this evil age .” In  Galatians , The Apostle was responding to certain “ men from Jerusalem ” who were operating in the Assembly as if the old era was still in effect, insisting that Gentiles must be circumcised and keep the Jewish calendar, and challenging Paul’s Apostolic authority and credentials.

The vision of the “ Son of Man ” in the  Book of Revelation  is preceded by “ greetings ” from the “ One who is, who was, and who is coming ,” the “ Seven Spirits before His Throne ,” and from Jesus Christ, the “ Faithful Witness ” and the “ Firstborn of the Dead .” In his death, he gave faithful testimony, and God vindicated his sacrifice by raising him from the dead.  Moreover, his resurrection is the precedent for the future resurrection of his followers, therefore, he is the “ Firstborn of the Dead ,” the first of many over whom the “ Second Death has no power . ”

Paul links the start of the “ Last Days ” with the death and resurrection of Jesus. The time of fulfillment arrived, and all God’s promises now find their “ Yea and Amen ” in the risen Savior. Similarly, the  Letter to the Hebrews  declares that “ in these last days ,” God has “ spoken ” His definitive “ Word ” in His Son who now sits at the “ right hand of the Majesty on High .” History reached its pivotal point in the life, death, and resurrection of the Son of God.