WORDS
WACHCR, Y O ü t e TH E F I R S T ON £ TO C O M fc T H IS F A R 7/
from the
WORD by Charles L. Feinberg, Th.D ., Ph.D., Director, Talbot Theological Seminary
R e su r re c tion
T he words in the New Testament to express the truth of resurrection are ccnastasis (from anistemi, to stand up) and egeiro (to raise). In John 5:21 and elsewhere we have the word zoopoiein used, with the mean ing of giving life. We must be care ful to distinguish between a revival of physical life or a resuscitation, and an actual raising of a physically dead body to life. It is the latter concept with which we are now dealing. There is no specific term in the Old Testament for resurrection, but in Isaiah 26:19 we find hayah (live), qum (rise), and qits (awake). The resurrection doctrine is seen in the Old Testament only in its in itial stages. Certain intimations of a resurrection are seen in the fol lowing passages. Psalm 16:11: “ Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” Psalm 49:15: “ But God will redeem my soul from the power of Sheol; For he will receive me.” Psalm 73:24: “Thou wilt guide me with thy counsel, And afterward re ceive me to glory.” Job 19:25-29: “ But as for me I know that my Redeemer liveth, And at last he will stand up upon the earth: And after my skin, even this body, is destroyed, Then without my flesh shall I see God.” Perhaps the two most important passages on this theme in the Old Testament are to be found in Isaiah 26:19 and Daniel 12:2. The former passage occurs in a song of deliver ance for Israel. The prophet has shown (verse 14) that the oppressors of God’s people are dead; they will not arise. But God’s believing ones will arise, they will live in their bodies, and the earth will not per manently retain them. In the Daniel portion the prophet is foretelling the time of great tribulation for Israel. After that some who sleep in the dust of the earth will arise to ever lasting life, while others will arise to shame and everlasting contempt. This passage adds the truth of a double resurrection, one for the redeemed and one for the wicked. When we come to the New Testa ment revelation, we find that the Sadducean party denied outright the
immaterial. See Matthew 22:23 and Acts 23:8. The Pharisees, however, maintained staunchly the truth of the resurrection. Our Lord Jesus Christ left no room for doubt when He spoke of the resurrection. Then came the glorious event of the resurrection of Christ Himself. As Easton has stated, “ Christ’s victory over death took the resurrection doctrine out of the realm of speculative eschatology. Henceforth it is a fact of experience, basic for Christianity.” This pillar of Christian faith and doctrine is sub stantiated by ample evidence to which we turn for a moment. First, the Gospel records of the post resurrection appearances of Christ leave no room for unbelief. They are clear accounts, sober, and written by eyewitnesses. Secondly, the empty, tomb speaks with an eloquence that cannot be gainsaid. The Greek word ing of John 20:6, 7 is explicable only on the ground that He sovereignly left the grave. If the body were still available, it could have been pro duced and would have silenced the preaching of the apostles permanent ly. Thirdly, the changed disciples is a stubborn fact that yields to but one explanation. Discouraged and without hope at the first, they are found after the resurrection vibrant with expectation and fearlessly preaching the event that transformed them. Fifthly, the existence of - the early church is an unsolved enigma without the resurrection of Christ. • The doctrine of the resurrection is absolutely foundational for an under standing of New Testament Christol- ogy. No one can comprehend the truth of Scripture concerning the Person and work of Christ, unless he build on the fact of the resurrection. Furthermore, the resurrection of Christ is basic to all Christian life and experience. By virtue of our union with Christ every benefit ac cruing from the work of the Cross is assured us. Sanctification is made possible and glorification is guaran teed (1 John 3:2). The resurrection of Christ from the dead is a source of joy to the believer, but a terror to the unbeliever who will be judged by the risen Christ. Acts 17:30, 31. Christ is risen, indeed. Hallelujah! END.
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