Four Different Ways “Resurrection” Is Used In Scripture

Wayne Galloway
01/09/13 - N/A

Series: Resurrection

Introduction:

1.  In our previous study we defined resurrection in the Bible as the divine miracle of restoring a dead person to life. 2.  We observed that in N.T. days the Pharisees believed in resurrection, but the Sadducees did not.  Jesus sided with the Pharisees on this question reasoning that God was the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and He was not the God of the dead but of the living. 3.  We also noted that Scripture places God in control of life and death; that of the O.T. texts that speak of resurrection many of them are from the later period of Israel’s history and look forward to the days of the Messianic kingdom. 4.  We then noted that the theme of “new creation” in the O.T. included the idea of resurrection. 5.  The two key points from the previous lesson were:  The idea of resurrection is rooted in the power of God and it is revealed in the Scriptures. 6.  In order to help us in our discussion of resurrection it is important that we realize that there are four different ways “resurrection” may be considered in Scripture.

Discussion:

I.  Sometimes it refers to resurrection in the Messianic Kingdom.

A.  A clear indication of this is found in Ezek. 37.

1.  Israel perceives of itself as dead—“dry bones.”

2.  Through the power of God the dry bones are brought to life.  Thus, symbolizing God’s intent to resurrect Israel.

3.  If this is interpreted in light of Assyrian and Babylonian captivity God’s bringing Israel back into the promised land is symbolically presented as a resurrection.

4.  And while this may be part of the consideration the text goes beyond this to look to the coming Messianic Kingdom (24-28).

B.  The prophecies of the new creation in Isaiah (considered in previous lesson) seem to include the idea of the resurrection in the Messianic age (43:18-22; 65:17; 66:22).

C.  Thus not all biblical references are to the divine miracle of restoring a dead person to life, but in this instance to the restoring of a dead kingdom to life.

II.  Sometimes resurrection refers to an actual physical restoration of a dead person to life as in the case of the resurrection of Jesus.

A.  Cases in the O.T.

1.  The widow’s son at Zeraphath raised by Elijah (1 Kings 17:17ff).

2.  The son of the Shunammite raised by Elisha (2 Kings 4:32ff).

3.  The man whose body was cast into Elisha’s grave (2 Kings 13:21).

B.  Cases in the N.T.

1.  Some by Jesus himself.

a.  Jairus’ daughter (Mk. 5:35ff).

b.  The widow’s son (Lk. 7:11ff).

c.  Lazarus (Jn. 11:11ff).

2.  When Jesus died people were raised (Matt. 27:52-53).

3.  Peter raised Dorcas (Acts 9:36ff).

4.  Paul raised Eutychus (Acts 20:9ff).

C.  Jesus’ resurrection is portrayed in Scripture as of this variety.

1.  The tomb was empty (Matt. 28:1-7).

2.  He went before them into Galilee (Matt. 28:7-10).

3.  Was touchable (Jn. 20:24-29).

4.  Ate fish with them (Jn. 21:9-14).

5.  Further evidence in 1 Cor. 15:3-11.

D.  In Heb. 11:19 the faith of Abraham is marked by his belief that God was able to raise men from the dead.

III.  Another sense in which resurrection is addressed in Scripture is of individuals resurrected in baptism.

A.  There are several of these texts.

1.  Rom. 6:1-11 in which baptism is identified as a point from which one is to not let sin reign over them any longer because they have been united with Christ in death, burial and resurrection, thus they are dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

2.  Col. 2:12-13 refers to those who have been buried with Him in baptism as raised up with Him, by faith in the working of God who raised Him from the dead.

3.  1 Pet. 3:20-21 associates Noah’s salvation through the flood, baptism, and salvation through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

4.  All these passages indicate a connection between the resurrection of Jesus and one’s personal spiritual resurrection in baptism.

B.  An interesting text is found in Jn. 3 that refers to being “born again” of water and the Spirit.”  This idea of being born again is likely tied to the O.T. concept of resurrection.

1.  Ezek. 36:25-27 is the only O.T. text prophesying that in the end time water and Spirit would be used to create anew.

2.  Thus there is a connection between the Messianic kingdom and individuals being “born again” or resurrected through water and the Spirit.

IV.  Yet another sense is of the final resurrection.

A.  Paul speaks of such in 1 Thess. 4:16.

B.  And Jesus in Jn. 5:25-29.

Conclusion:

1.  As we continue our study on the concept of resurrection I hope these distinctions will be helpful to you in your considerations. 2.  To understand these distinctions helps me to categorize various considerations. 3.  In addition it raises the question of the relationship that exists between these various uses.

a.  What is the relationship, if there is one, between the idea of resurrection of God’s kingdom and physical resurrection itself?

b.  There seems to be a relationship between the resurrection of God’s kingdom and people’s personal resurrection in baptism as if the spiritual life they receive is part of the life associated with the kingdom.

c.  And is it these that have this life that are the ones who in the final resurrection are resurrected to the “resurrection of life” in contrasted to those raised to “a resurrection of judgment?”

4.  These are powerful questions, critical to our personal spiritual life and our participation in the final resurrection.