The Amazing Resurrection of the DeadНамуна

The Amazing Resurrection of the Dead

What is the resurrection of the dead? When will it happen? How will it happen? How long will it take? Who will be involved? What will we look like? How will we feel? How will we relate to each other? What will we do? Will we still eat and drink and make music? Why won’t anyone get married? Will there still be things to learn?

Although teaching about the resurrection of the dead seems to have drifted off the main screen these days, it has been a central part of Christian belief from the outset. In plain terms, the Bible says it is a matter ‘of first importance’ (1 Corinthians 15:3). It is one of the foundational truths of our faith (Hebrews 6:1-3).

It is also included in the Apostles Creed. Many churches don’t use the Apostles Creed these days, but if you belong to a church where it is a regular part of the liturgy, you will know that resurrection from the dead is listed there. Tradition has it that the Creed was composed by the Apostles themselves as part of a formula to be repeated at baptism. It certainly existed in the early third century, and by the Middle Ages, it was almost universal in Christian communities.

It was a succinct way of teaching essential Christian truths to people who did not have a Bible of their own or could not read it, even if they did—which was almost everybody. Christian hymns like Philippians 2:5-11 and 1 Timothy 3:16 were also used for this purpose, just like some contemporary songs today.

After affirming in plain, clear language the central tenets of the Christian faith, the Creed concludes:

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy universal Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.

Later faith confessions, such as the fourth-century Nicene Creed, worded this part slightly differently: I look for the resurrection. This made it more personal—an expression of faith and hope, focusing not just on the doctrine but also on the experience.

Over the next few days, as far as we can in the time and space available, we will attempt to address these questions and several others as well. Above all, I hope your faith, anticipation, and expectancy will be built up just as it was for those early Nicene believers, and that you, too, will be keenly looking forward to the day when you are raised to the amazing heavenly future that God has prepared for you.

Note: Unless otherwise stated, Scripture quotations in this Bible Plan are from the English Standard Version of the Bible.

What next?

Try to recall at least three songs that focus on (a) the resurrection of Christ and/or (b) your resurrection when Jesus comes again. You may find it easier to find songs in category (a) than in category (b). Which are your favourites?

Read: 1 Corinthians 15:51-52. Write the verse out on a slip of paper or copy it onto your phone and keep going over it throughout the day. Maybe you could memorise it. Test yourself as you go. In other words, read (aloud), record, repeat, recall.