“Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead…”

-Hebrews 6:1-2a.

Notes:

The fifth foundational principle in the passage above is the resurrection of the dead. 

In order for something to be resurrected, it first must be completely dead.  The Bible teaches us of two types of resurrections:

1. Spiritual- There are many in this world that look alive, who have a heartbeat, breath in their lungs, and cognitive functions, but are still dead. Their spirit is dead, but their bodies are alive.  When we repent of our sins and believe the gospel, God’s resurrection power comes inside us and quickens our spirit back to life. We are then ‘raised up’ from a spiritual death to a spiritual life.  
2. Physical- The other type of resurrection (listed above) is the physical quickening of our bodies from the grave.  When Christ returns, He will return for His church, the Body. The church is called the Body of Christ because it is a living organism, but also because it is composed of all those that will be raised, as His ‘body’ was raised also. This process is described in 1 Thessalonians 4:14-16:

“For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:”  

Some in the Corinthian Church had believed that this had passed already, and Paul had to correct their way of thinking.  We are to comfort those that have recently lost loved ones with this wonderful truth lest sorrow fills their hearts. 

Willing to Take the Challenge?

Are you a christian but still feel spiritually dead?  Don’t worry; God’s resurrection power through His Spirit is available to give you life again! God desires to bring life in every part of your life where there is death: In your marriage, your relationships, your work, and even your faith.  

Are you sorrowing over a loved one that has recently fallen asleep? Stand strong and be of good courage, knowing that their spirit is with the Lord, and that their bodies shall rise from the dust. 

Oh, how great and marvelous is our God!