The Resurrection of Christ and Believers in Scripture

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is a foundational doctrine of the Christian faith, serving as the historical bedrock upon which the entire New Testament revelation rests ^[3]. Without Christ's resurrection, Christian faith is considered "vain" ^[3]. This event was not only foretold by prophets in the Old Testament, such as in Psalm 16:10, Isaiah 26:19, and Hosea 13:14, but also by Jesus himself ^{[2, 4]}. For instance, Jesus explicitly intimated his resurrection in passages like Matthew 20:19, Mark 9:9, and John 2:19-22 ^{[3, 4]}. The disciples later remembered these words and believed the Scripture after he had risen ^[5].

The New Testament presents the resurrection of Christ as a necessary event for several reasons. It was essential for the fulfillment of Scripture, as highlighted in Luke 24:45-46 ^[4]. Furthermore, it is intrinsically linked to the forgiveness of sins; if Christ had not been raised, believers would still be in their sins (1 Corinthians 15:17) ^{[4, 13]}. The resurrection is also crucial for justification (Romans 4:25; 8:34), the hope of believers (1 Corinthians 15:19), and the efficacy of both preaching and faith (1 Corinthians 15:14, 17) ^[4]. It stands as a primary proof of Jesus's divine sonship (Romans 1:4) ^[4]. The power behind Christ's resurrection is attributed to God the Father (Acts 2:24; Romans 8:11) and also to Jesus's own power (John 2:19; 10:18) ^[4].

The apostles consistently preached the resurrection of Jesus, as seen in Acts 4:33 ^[2]. Peter, on the day of Pentecost, argued for the necessity of Christ's resurrection by referencing Psalm 16 (Acts 2:24-28) ^[3]. The resurrection serves as God's "assurance" or pledge that His revelation is true and worthy of acceptance (Acts 17:31) ^[1]. This historical fact is corroborated by the circumstantial accounts provided by the evangelists ^[3].

The resurrection of Christ also serves as the basis for the future resurrection of believers. Paul makes a strong case for this future resurrection in 1 Corinthians 15, addressing doubts some believers in Corinth had about the bodily resurrection of the dead ^{[9, 12]}. These doubts may have stemmed from a preference for the Greek notion of the immortality of the soul over the Jewish concept of bodily resurrection ^[9]. Paul emphasizes that Christ's resurrection confirms the reality of a future resurrection ^[9]. The "Good News" that Paul preached centrally includes the resurrection of Christ ^[12].

The Old Testament contains indications of a future resurrection, with passages like Job 19:26, Psalm 16:10, Isaiah 26:19, and Daniel 12:2 pointing to this doctrine ^[2]. The expectation of resurrection was present among Jews, as Martha's statement in John 11:24 ("I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day") illustrates ^[2]. However, the Sadducees denied the resurrection (Matthew 22:23; Luke 20:27; Acts 23:8), while false teachers attempted to explain it away (2 Timothy 2:18) ^[2]. Jesus himself affirmed and proved the resurrection in his teachings (Matthew 22:29-32; John 5:28-29) ^[2].

The resurrection of believers is described as a future event that will be simultaneous for both the righteous and the unrighteous (Daniel 12:2; John 5:28-29) ^[6]. The qualities of the resurrection body will differ from the earthly body, being spiritual and adapted for a glorified state, yet its identity will be preserved (1 Corinthians 15:42-44, 53-54; Philippians 3:21) ^[6]. This spiritual body is not to be understood as non-physical, but rather as a body adapted to the soul in its glorified state and to the conditions of heaven ^[6]. Believers will be transformed to be like Christ, the "heavenly man," experiencing the Kingdom of God in resurrection bodies (Romans 6:4-14; 1 Corinthians 15:49) ^[10].

The hope for future resurrection is known by faith, with Jesus's own resurrection and the presence of the Holy Spirit serving as evidence of what is to come (1 Corinthians 15:1-9; Ephesians 1:14; Hebrews 11:1, 3, 27) ^[11]. Through union with Christ Jesus, believers share in God's glory and blessings, experiencing resurrection both in the present spiritual sense and in the future bodily sense (Romans 6:4-14; Colossians 2:12-13; 3:1-4) ^[15]. The resurrection is a "first principle of the gospel" (Hebrews 6:1-2) ^[2].

Paul suggests that not all believers will die before the resurrection, indicating a belief that some might be alive at Christ's return (1 Corinthians 15:51-52; 1 Thessalonians 4:15, 17) ^[14]. The resurrection of Christ is the ultimate assurance for believers, enabling their faith and hope to be in God (1 Peter 1:21) ^[7]. Following his resurrection, Christ ascended to supreme power and dignity, as foretold in Psalms 24:7 and 68:18, and described in Acts 1:9 ^[8]. This ascension, forty days after his resurrection, was triumphant and positioned him as the forerunner of his people, interceding for them and sending the Holy Spirit ^[8].

Sources

Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Assurance — The resurrection of Jesus (Acts 17:31) is the "assurance" (Gr. pistis, generally rendered "faith") or pledge God has given that his revelation is true and worthy of acceptance. The "full assurance [Gr. plerophoria, full bearing'] of faith" (Heb. 10:22) is a fulness of faith in God which leaves no room for doubt. The "full assurance of understanding" (Col. 2:2) is an entire unwavering conviction of the truth of the declarations of Scripture, a joyful steadfastness on the part of any one of conviction that he has grasped the very truth. The "full assurance ”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Resurrection, The — A doctrine of the Old Testament -- Job 19:26; Ps 16:10; 49:15; Isa 26:19; Da 12:2; Ho 13:14. A first principle of the gospel -- 1Co 15:13,14; Heb 6:1,2. Expected by the Jews -- Joh 11:24; Heb 11:35. Denied by the Sadducees -- Mt 22:23; Lu 20:27; Ac 23:8. Explained away by false teachers -- 2Ti 2:18. Called in question by some in the church -- 1Co 15:12. Is not incredible -- Mr 12:24; Ac 26:8. Is not contrary to reason -- Joh 12:24; 1Co 15:35-49. Assumed and proved by our Lord -- Mt 22:29-32; Lu 14:14; Joh 5:28,29. Preached by the Apostles -- Ac 4:”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Resurrection of Christ — One of the cardinal facts and doctrines of the gospel. If Christ be not risen, our faith is vain (1 Cor. 15:14). The whole of the New Testament revelation rests on this as an historical fact. On the day of Pentecost Peter argued the necessity of Christ's resurrection from the prediction in Ps. 16 (Acts 2:24-28). In his own discourses, also, our Lord clearly intimates his resurrection (Matt. 20:19; Mark 9:9; 14:28; Luke 18:33; John 2:19-22). The evangelists give circumstantial accounts of the facts connected with that event, and the apostles, ”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Resurrection of Christ, The — Foretold by the prophets -- Ps 16:10; Ac 13:34,35; Isa 26:19. Foretold by Himself -- Mt 20:19; Mr 9:9; 14:28; Joh 2:19-22. Was necessary to The fulfilment of Scripture. -- Lu 24:45,46. Forgiveness of sins. -- 1Co 15:17. Justification. -- Ro 4:25; 8:34. Hope. -- 1Co 15:19. The efficacy of preaching. -- 1Co 15:14. The efficacy of faith. -- 1Co 15:14,17. A proof of his being the Son of God -- Ps 2:7; Ac 13:33; Ro 1:4. Effected by The power of God. -- Ac 2:24; 3:15; Ro 8:11; Eph 1:20; Col 2:12. His own power. -- Joh 2:19; 10:18. The power of”
John “John 2:22 (Geneva1599) — Assoone therefore as he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembred that hee thus sayde vnto them: and they beleeued the Scripture, and the worde which Iesus had saide.”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Resurrection of the dead — Will be simultaneous both of the just and the unjust (Dan. 12:2; John 5:28, 29; Rom. 2:6-16; 2 Thess. 1:6-10). The qualities of the resurrection body will be different from those of the body laid in the grave (1 Cor. 15:53, 54; Phil. 3:21); but its identity will nevertheless be preserved. It will still be the same body (1 Cor. 15:42-44) which rises again. As to the nature of the resurrection body, (1) it will be spiritual (1 Cor. 15:44), i.e., a body adapted to the use of the soul in its glorified state, and to all the conditions of the hea”
I Peter “I Peter 1:21 (LITV) — the ones believing in God through Him, He raising Him from the dead, and giving glory to Him so that your faith and hope may be in God.”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Ascension of Christ, The — Prophecies respecting -- Ps 24:7; 68:18; Eph 4:7,8. Foretold by himself -- Joh 6:62; 7:33; 14:28; 16:5; 20:17. Forty days after his resurrection -- Ac 1:3. Described -- Ac 1:9. From Mount Olivet -- Lu 24:50; Mr 11:1; Ac 1:12. While blessing his disciples -- Lu 24:50. When he had atoned for sin -- Heb 9:12; 10:12. Was triumphant -- Ps 68:18. Was to supreme power and dignity -- Lu 24:26; Eph 1:20,21; 1Pe 3:22. As the forerunner of his people -- Heb 6:20. To intercede -- Ro 8:34; Heb 9:24. To send the Holy Spirit -- Joh 16:7; Ac 2:33. To recei”
1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 15:12: 15:12-34 Paul now makes the case for a future resurrection. 15:12-20 Christ’s resurrection confirms the reality of the future resurrection. 15:12 Some believers in Corinth apparently had a difficult time accepting the Jewish notion of a bodily resurrection of the dead, preferring instead the Greek notion of the immortality of the soul (cp. Acts 17:18, 32).”
1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 15:49: 15:49 Like the earthly man, Adam, we have physical bodies in this life. But we will someday be like Christ, the heavenly man, experiencing the Kingdom of God in resurrection bodies (cp. Rom 6:4-14).”
2 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Corinthians 5:7: 5:7 Our hope for future resurrection can only be known by faith (see Heb 11:1, 3, 27), yet we do have Jesus’ own resurrection and the presence of the Holy Spirit as evidence of what is to come (1 Cor 15:1-9; Eph 1:14).”
1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 15:1: 15:1-58 Some people in the church had doubts about a future resurrection of the dead. Paul reassures them and, perhaps in response to their skeptical questions, discusses the nature of a resurrection body. 15:1-11 Paul summarizes the Good News that he preached. 15:1 At the heart of the Good News stands the message of the atoning death and resurrection of Christ (see 15:3-4; Rom 5:8-10; 6:5-11).”
1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 15:17: vain--Ye are, by the very fact (supposing the case to be as the skeptics maintained), frustrated of all which "your faith" appropriates: Ye are still under the everlasting condemnation of your sins (even in the disembodied state which is here referred to), from which Christ's resurrection is our justification (Rom 4:25): "saved by his life" (Rom 5:10).”
1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 15:51: 15:51 The Good News reveals the previously unknown secret of resurrection. • We will not all die: Paul might have expected the future resurrection in his own lifetime (cp. 15:52; 1 Thes 4:15, 17).”
Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 2:6: 2:6 united with Christ Jesus: Because of this union, believers share God’s glory and blessings, and experience resurrection both now and in the future (see Rom 6:4-14; Col 2:12-13; 3:1-4).”

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