The Physical Resurrection

 

  I. The Theological Significance of the Physical Resurrection

1. The Physical Resurrection of Christ as the Foundation of Salvation

2. Paul’s emphasis in 1Cor 15: “If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised… our preaching is useless and so is your faith... we are found to be false witness… your faith is futile, you are still in sins… we are pitied more than all men.”(12-19)

3. The Relationship Between the Resurrection of Christ and Believers: First Fruit(ap-arche, 1Cor 15.20, 23) and First Born(proto-tokos, Col 1.18, Rev 1.5).

  II. The Concept of Resurrection

1. Raising from the Dead, anastasis, egersis

2. Transforming, metaschematizo

3. First and Second Resurrection (Rev 20.4-6)

4. General Resurrection: Resurrection for Life and resurrection for condemnation (Jn 5.28-29), Resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked(Ac 24.15)

  III. The Nature of Resurrection Body

1. Five Characteristics of Resurrection Body (1Cor 15.42-44, 51-53,  Phil 3.20-21)

2. Angelic Life without sexual relationship (Mt 22.23-33)

3. Abolition of Life based on nutrition and digestion (1Cor 6.13-14)

4. Heavenly Life: “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the older things has passed away.”(Rev 21.4)

  IV. The Resurrection Body of Christ (Murray Harris, Raised Immortal: Resurrection and Immortality in the New Testament)

1. He was no longer bound by material or spatial limitations

2. His essential state was one of invisibility and therefore immateriality

3. He had the ability to materialize and therefore be localized at will

  V. Conclusive Understanding of the Resurrection Body

1. Imperishability: no corruption, disintegration, weakening, aging, and death

2. Perfection: restoration of body lost, disabled, weakened, or disintegrated.

3. Change of physical structure by the loss of material and sexual appetites.

4. Strength: not tired or stressed, no disease and sickness, no sleep or rest, no night.

5. Sinlessness: Joy and peace instead of pain and sorrow due to the sinful nature.

6. Recognition: Individual identity remains in spite of physical change, spiritual and genuine fellowship instead of secular discrimination