Besides the 4 Gospels, we find the word “resurrection” mentioned in the Epistles, Acts, & the Apocalypse of John. There are 4 historical theories/views presented here for our consideration:
1). The historical view:
This one (1) is believed by the Christian Church of every denomination & sect. The apostle Peter gives testimony of Jesus’ resurrection (“R”) when he said: “But you (men of Israel) denied the Holy one… and killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead…”– Acts 3:14,15. Peter, beforehand, made this statement: “… you (men of Israel) have crucified & put to death; whom God raised up, having loosed (literally abolished,) the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it.” – Acts 2:23,24.
The “R” was/is an actual miraculous event. Jesus’ body died but was Resurrected by the power of God. The rising of body & soul from the grave to a new life in the spirit-world is a wonder indeed. If Jesus had not died (physically) & if He had not resurrected from the dead, we sinners would never find eternal life – for we (all human beings) were born dying! We were born with a “sin” nature. Paul explains this in his epistle to the Ephesians. Please read chapter two, vss.1-22. Repenting of our sins & asking Christ Jesus to live in our hearts (Eph. 3:17) are steps we take in order to experience our spiritual “R”: “Even when we were DEAD (spiritually) in trespasses, He made us ALIVE together with Christ… & raised us up together, & made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” (Eph. 2:5,6). The best comment on vs.5 is found in Rom. 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
DEATH & RESURRECTION were a present, not past event. The New Ekklesia was a “New World Order” – the true & original! – a “R” society, cross, death, resurrection. This spiritual transformation is available for every human via repentance (see Mt. 3:2; 4:17; Acts 2:38 et al). The NKJV has 3 verbs found in verses 5 & 6:
1 – “made us alive;”
2 – “raised us up;”
3 – “made us sit;”
“Repent therefore & be converted, that your sins may be blotted out.” – Acts 3:19 – all are compounded with the preposition σύν (“with,” “together with”), to bring out the thought that these are shared experiences, shared both with Christ & with all other born-again Christians (some are “Christian” in name only). Jesus, as a resurrected being, had His same body but in a supernatural state – a body bearing the wound-prints (see Jn. 20:20.25,27).
Not only the above (Jesus’ marks) but He could appear & disappear thru closed doors. Paul the apostle, surely no imbecile or credulous enthusiast, vouches, both for the REALITY of the appearances, & also for the FACT that the vision by which by which he was himself converted came, at a long interval after the rest, to him as to the ‘late-born’ of the apostolic family (see 1 Cor. 15:4-8).
Prof. Westcott, with his usual profundity & insight, points out the differences of purpose in the narrative of the 4 Evangelists; St. Mark, both in the original part & in the addition (Mk. 16:9-20), insists upon it as a fact; St. Luke, as a spiritual necessity; St. John, as a touchstone of character. But St. Matthew was the first of the 4 to dwell chiefly on the majesty & glory of the Resurrection. [note: I have read many writings from many authors (ancient & contemporary) on the Resurrection much was in Greek, which I cannot read, but I can look up Gk. Scriptures (The Greek N.T. 1966 first ed.; 1968 2nd ed.; 1975 3rd ed.; 4th ed. 1993).
The Christophanies resemble in some respects the theophanies of the O.T. Prof. Philip Schoff – who wrote about the history of the N.T. Christian Church stated that at all events the fact of the Resurrection furnishes the only key for the solution of the psychological problem of the sudden, radical, & permanent change in the mind & conduct of the disciples; it is the necessary link in the chain which connects their history before & after that event. He says that their faith in the Resurrection was too clear, too strong, too steady, too effective to be explained in any other way. I agree. They showed the strength & boldness of their conviction by soon returning to Jerusalem, the post & center of persecution & danger… in the very face of the HOSTIILE Sanhedrin.
2). The Fraud-Theory:
This view states that the apostles stole Jesus’ body, thus, the world is deceived about the Resurrection.
“Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the first born from the dead.” – Rev. 1:5; (Clement of Rome, A.D. 96); “For I know that after His resurrection also, He was still possessed of flesh. And I believe that He is so now” (Ignatius, 105 A.D.);
“… Psalms makes it clear that Christ knew His Father would grant to Him all things that He asked & that His Father would raise Him from the dead.” (Justin Martyr, 160 A.D.)
The infamous lie that the apostles stole Jesus body & hid it will be proved, by Scripture, to be FALSE! I love what one Bible scholar/author said: “For if the Roman soldiers who watched the tomb at the express request of the priests & Pharisees, were asleep, they could not see the thieves, nor would they have proclaimed their military crime; if they, or only some of them, were awake, they would have prevented the theft.” (see Mt. 27:50-66). Mt. 28:4 mentions the guards shaking in fear at the sight of the Resurrected Christ – some saw Him! But vss.11-15 tell us that the FRAUD theory was hatched “… Tell them, ‘His disciples came at night & stole Him away while we slept… and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.” (vss.13,15)
“You will also allow that it was in the flesh that Christ was raised from the dead. For the very same body that fell in death, & which lay in the sepulcher, did rise again.” (Tertullian, 197 A.D.)
Again, in 210 A.D., Tertullian wrote: “We profess our belief that [the flesh of Christ] is sitting at the right hand of the Father in heaven. And we further declare that it will come again from there in all the grandeur of the Father’s glory. It is therefore, just as impossible for us to say that [His flesh] was abolished, as it is for us to maintain that it was sinful.
Jesus is still sitting there at the right hand of the Father – man, yet God. He is the last Adam; yet, He is also the original word [Logos]. He is flesh & blood, yet His body is purer than ours.”
[note: Adam the first = man of sin; Adam the second = man of sinlessness. see 1 Cor. 15:22,45].
The Fraud Theory was invented by the Jewish priests who MURDERED Jesus. [see Mt. 27:62-66; 28:12-15]. Salvador, a French Jew, revived & modified it by assuming (according to Hase, Geshichte Jesu, p.132) that Jesus was justly crucified, & was saved by the wife of Pilate through Joseph of Arimathea or some Galilean woman; that He returned among the Essenes & appeared secretly to a few of His disciples. (see his Jesus Christ et sa doctrine, Par.1838). This disgraceful theory of FRAUD has been proclaimed generation-after-generation. Many antichrists call the Resurrection a world-historical humbug!
“The whole theory,” states true-blue Bible scholars /theologians /historians, “is a wicked ABSURDITY, an INSULT to the common sense & honor of humankind.” Origen wrote this back in A.D. 248: “His Resurrection is more miraculous than that of the others in this one respect: The others had been raised by the prophets Elijah & Elisha. However, He was raised by none of the prophets, but by His Father… After His resurrection, Christ existed in an intermediate body, as it were. For it was somewhere between the physicalness of the body He had before… & the appearance of a soul uncovered by such a body. It was for this reason that when His disciples were together & Thomas was with them, Jesus came & stood in their midst… And in the Gospel of Luke also, while Simon & Cleopas were conversing with each other… Jesus drew near & went with them… And when their eyes were opened & they knew Him, then the Scripture says, in express words, ‘And He vanished out of their sight.’”
Cyprian added this: “On the third day, He freely rose again from the dead. He appeared to His disciples as He had been… However, He tarried for 40 days, so that they might be instructed by Him in the precept of life & so that they might learn what they were to teach. Then, in a cloud spread around Him, He was lifted up into heaven – so that as a conqueror, He might bring man to the Father. For Christ loved man, He became man, & He shielded man from death.” (A.D. 250)
The Bible states, “For there is one God & one Mediator between God & men, that Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all…” – 1 Tim. 2:5,6. God wants ALL men (humanity) to be SAVED (see 2 Pet. 3:9; 1 Tim. 2:4). Hebrews 8:6 tells us that Christ “is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises.” Heb. 12:24 tells us that “Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant…”
Anatolius wrote, “The allegation that they sometimes make against us… we cannot celebrate the beginning of the Paschal feast… which coincide with the day on which the Lord rose from the dead.” (A.D. 270)
In the Apostolic Constitutions (compiled A.D. 390) we read: “When He was risen from the dead, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene & Mary the mother of James. He then appeared to Cleopas on the way. After that, He appeared to His disciples.”
Josh McDowell writes: “After more than 700 hours of studying this subject, & thoroughly investigating its foundation, I have come to the conclusion that the Resurrection of Jesus Christ is one of the most wicked, vicious, heartless hoaxes ever foisted upon the minds of men…” WOW!
Thank God McDowell went on to state, “… or it is the most fantastic FACT of history.” Amen! (cited in his book Evidence that Demands A Verdict, p.179).
Prof. A.T. Robertson, Prof. A.B. Bruce, Prof. H.S. Maine, Prof. Henry Alford, Prof. D.D Whedon, et al. writes about the “Seal” (Mt. 27:66). This was done to prevent theft or vandalizing a sepulcher.
In one writing of a 4th century Archbishop – John Chrysostom – he had this to say concerning the “Seal”: “… After 3 days I will arise. Command therefore that the sepulchre be sealed, (He was therefore buried, lest His disciples come & steal Him away. So that if the sepulchre be sealed, there will be no unfair dealing. For there could not be. So then, the proof of His (Jesus’) resurrection has become incontrovertible by what ye have put forward. For because it was sealed, there was no unfair dealing. But if there was no unfair dealing, & the sepulchre was found empty, it is manifest that He is RISEN, plainly & incontrovertibly. Seest thou, how even against their will they contend for the proof of the truth?” [found in a Select Library of the Nicene/Post-Nicene Fathers].
3). The Swoon-Theory: I have written on this one in my Islam writings. But, beside Islam, the Swoon Theory goes like this: Jesus’ Physical life was not extinct, but only exhausted, & was restored by His disciples & by His own medical skill; & after a time He quietly died a natural death. [note: Prof. Schoff puts forth a note about this “theory.” He cites the Scheintod-Hypothese (German) in which Paulus of Heidelberg (1800 A.D.) advocated it, & modified by Gförer (1838 A.D.), who later became a Roman Catholic.
Those who believe that Christ did not rise from the dead, but merely swooned, must prove their theory. But to us believers, Jesus’ Resurrection is a FACT! It is the most solid & most irrefutable certainty. Jesus’ Resurrection got Saul (later Paul) saved! [one may want to read from Dr. Baur (of Tübingen d.1860), the master-critic among skeptical Church historians, who stated “nothing but the miracle of the Resurrection could disperse the doubts which threatened to drive faith into the eternal night of death.” He, among many others early writers, said that the nature of the Resurrection itself lies outside of historical investigation.
Dr. Ewald, of Göttingen (d.1874), the great historian of Israel discusses the Resurrection in his History of the Apostolic Age, vol.6. He states that “nothing is historically more certain than that Christ ROSE from the dead…”
Dr. Keim, of Zürich (d.1879), wrote about the Life of Christ (book). On p.601 we read: “… it was the crucified & living Christ who, not as the risen One, but rather as the divinely glorified One, gave visions to His disciples & revealed Himself to His society.”
Dr. Schenkel, or Heidlberg had adopted the vision-theory in its higher form as a purely spiritual, though real manifestation from heaven, confesses in his work, Das Christusbild der Apostel (1879, p.18), his inability to solve the problem of the Resurrection. (see also his Charakterbild Jesu (3rd ed. 1864, pp.231).
Dr. Strouss strikingly & conclusively refutes the silly “swoon-theory” in his Leben Jesu (1864, p.298).
There are dozens & dozens of scholars, from many countries, that can be researched. In their works we can find the pros & cons of the Resurrection of Christ, the historical, the fraud, the swoon, & the vision.
4). The Vision-Theory: This one states that Christ merely rose from the dead in the imagination of His disciples & friends, “who mistook a subjective vision or dream for actual reality, & were thereby encouraged to proclaim their faith in the resurrection at the risk of death” (P. Schoff). Prof. Schoff goes on to state that “Their wish was father to the belief, their belief was father to the fact, & the belief, once started, spread with the power of a religious epidemic from person to person & from place to place. The Christian society wrought the miracle by its intense love for Christ.” (ibid, History of the Christian Church, vol.1, pg.179).
In short, this theory is merely the embodiment of their reviving faith. It is believed that the Vision Theory was invented by a heathen adversary in the 2nd century – arising with new strength & life in the 19th century.
This vision-hypothesis is written about by Keim, III.577 & in a more respectful form by the Jewish philosopher Spinoza, & carried out by Strauss & Renan (Ernest Renan was an Orientalist & member of the French Academy who wrote on the Life of Christ & Christianity’s Beginnings -1861 – 5 volumes). Strauss traces the Resurrection dream to the apostles in Galilee. Renan (after Celsus) to Mary Magdalene, saying, in his book Life of Jesus, that “the passion of a hallucinated woman gave to the world a risen God!” He blasphemously accuses Mary Magdalene of being on drugs (LSD?). On his work, the Apostles, Prof. Renan writes again about the Vision Theory.
In 1 Cor. 15, Paul wrote about the Gospel “… you are saved (vs.2) … Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures (see Ps. 22:15; Isa. 53:5-12), that He was buried, & that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures (see Ps. 16:9-11; 68:18; 110:1; Isa. 53:10; Hos. 6:2: Jon. 1:17 & 2:10), & that He was seen by Cephas, then by the Twelve. After that He was seen by over 500 brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to present, but some have fallen asleep (died). After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. Then last of all He was seen by me (Paul) also…” (vss.3-8, NKJV). Were all those people just having a “vision” or “hallucinating,” or was the Resurrection of Christ a REALITY?
What are we to make of the “visions” of Francis of Assisi, the Maid of Orleans, St. Theresa (who believed that she had seen Jesus in person with the eyes of the soul more distinctly than she could have seen Him with the eyes of the body. My wife Deborah has had visions for years (see our many “visions” publications.), seeing things with her spiritual eyes or, as said “eyes of the soul.” [note: Paul writes about “the eyes of your understanding being enlightened” (Eph. 1:18).
There is such a thing as spiritual eyes whereby one can see into the spirit world. At Salvation, we had our eyes opened (fig.), “… in order to turn them from darkness to light, & from the power of Satan to God…” (Acts 26:18). “Visions” are real – they can come from Satan or from God. [note: the word “vision” is found 78 times in the Bible/O.T. & N.T. together; the word “visions” is found 24 times: some are used in a fig. & lit. way]. But the resurrected Jesus was no vision; the resurrected, ascended, & glorified Jesus is no vision, but a real Living, Divine Person in which He can appear in visions & in dreams. Some claim He has personally appeared to them – both saints & sinners.
While I believe 100 percent in dreams/visions, I also believe Satan & demons can imitate the Divine. Just as Jesus was “transfigured” before Peter, James, & John his brother (see Mt. 17:1-9), so can Satan /demons transfigure /transform themselves. Jesus in vs.9 says to them: “Tell the vision to no one until the Son of Man is risen from the dead.” The “vision” & the “resurrection” are written about in verse 9. Let’s break this down. Mt. 17:2 tells us that Jesus (flesh & blood) “was transfigured before them.” The Greek word is metamorphoō, which means “to transform (lit. or fig. “metamorphose”), change, transfigure;” taken from “metaschēmatozō,” meaning “to disguise (fig. to apply by accommodation), to change:” transfigured/μετεμορφώθη is found in Rom. 12:12 & 2 Cor. 3:18. Paul uses a related noun in Phil. 2:6,7, when he says the Christ, who originally existed in the nature/form (μορφή) of God, took upon Himself the nature of a slave. [see also Ex. 34:29-35 where Moses’ face also “shone:” Philo (Moses II. 51,288) explained Moses’ vision as a preparation for immortality]. Here in Mt. 17, we find Moses & Elias talking with Jesus. Was this scene merely a “vision” or was it a “spirit-reality”?
The “transfiguration” story is believed by all true born-again Christians.
Please allow me to quote from the Gk. N.T. (1966): Matthew 17:9/KATA MAOOAION: “Καὶ καταβαινόντων αὐτῶν ἐκ τοῦ ὄρους ἐνετείλατο αὐτοῖς ὁ Ἰησοῦς λέγων Μηδενὶ εἴπητε τὸ ὅραμα ἕως οὗ ὁ Υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἐκ νεκρῶν ἐγερθῇ.”
The earliest Christian doctrine was that Jesus was “raised up” by God (Acts 2:24) not that He “arose.” We may wonder why Jesus twice used the words “tell no man” (Mt. 17:9) & “tell no man” (16:20)? One can look up these verses in the Ethiopic, Arabic, Armenian, Bohemian, Coptic, Gothic, Italian, Persian, Sahidic, Saxon or Anglo-Saxon, Slavonic or Russian, Syriac, & the Vulgate, et al. [note: 54 MSS omit the name “Jesus” (Mt. 16:20)].
Mt. 17:9 deals with a “vision” & the “resurrection;” here Jesus speaks of “rising” from the dead. The whole of this emblematic transaction was intended to prove, first, the REALITY of the world of spirits, & the immortality of the soul; Secondly, the resurrection of the body, & the doctrine of future rewards/punishments (see Mt. 16:27); Thirdly, the abolition of the Mosaic institutions, & the fulfillment of the predictions of the prophets relative to the person, nature, sufferings, death, & Resurrection of Christ, & the glory that was to follow; Fourthly, the establishment of His light, love, & life to lost humanity; Fifthly, that the old Jewish covenant & Mediatorship had ENDED! Jesus was bringing in a “New World Order,” the ONLY availing offering for sin & sinners, & the great Mediator between God & man (see 1 Tim. 2:5, Heb. 8:6, 12:24).
Mark 8:30 repeats the words, “tell no man” as well as 9:9.
The “Vision-Theory,” according to most scholars /theologians /historians, is fatal even to the highest form of the vision hypothesis, which admits a spiritual manifestation of Christ from heaven, but denies the resurrection of His body.
The visions of the resurrection were the product of an excited imagination or were they real? Let’s face it, the Resurrection happened! It was a grand miracle. Those who believe otherwise are UNwise!
Dr. Baur, of Tübingen, was the master critic among skeptical church historians, & the corypheus of the Tübingen school, came at last to the conclusion (shortly before his death in 1860) that “nothing but the miracle of the Resurrection could disperse the doubts which threatened to drive faith itself in to the eternal night of death” (Geschichte der Christlichen Kirche, I.39).
One can research scholars/historians et al. that wrote lengthy articles/books etc. on the Resurrection. There is no real evidence of any religious founder /leader /teacher who was resurrected after death. Claims have been made but no PROOF! … none but Jesus Christ the Lord. Hundreds have seen visions of Him, seen Him in dreams. We hear even today where Jesus (in spirit) is appearing to Muslims, Hindus, unbelievers in general.
The “empty tomb” of Christ has been the cradle of the N.T. Ekklesia. One Prof. has written, “If the Resurrection is not historic fact, then the power of death remains unbroken, & with it the effect of sin; & the significance of Christ’s death remains uncertified, & accordingly believers are yet in their sins…” (W.J. Sparrow-Simpson). (see other scholars/theologians/historians like Dr. W.M. Smith, Prof. Chiders, T. Harnack, Prof. W. Milligan, H.P. Liddon, W.R. Nicall, R. Micheyne, P.F Strauss, E. Kevan, M. Green. J. Locke, P. Schoff, B. Ramm, J.R.W. Stott. et al. Most of all, see Jesus’ statements, His claims about His “R”: Mt. 12:38-40; 16:21; 17:9; 17:22,23; 20:18,19; 26:322; 27:63; Mk. 8:31-9:1; 9:10,31; 10:32-34; 14:28,58; Lk. 9:22-27; Jn. 2:18-22; 12:34 (see chps.14-16).
Church father Ignatius wrote: “He (Christ) was crucified & died under Pontius Pilate. He really, & not merely in appearance, was crucified, & died, in the sight of beings in heaven, & on earth, & under the earth.” I have beforehand cited his words about Jesus’ Resurrection (A.D. 105, 1:87, 2 years before his death. See his “Epistles”).
John 20:3-9 is the narrative about the grave cloths (see comments from Prof. J.N.D. Anderson, Prof. E.H. Day, John R.W. Stott, Henry Lathom (Prof.) et al. They say, basically, all that was left in the tomb was grave-clothes, spices, & a napkin, all belonging to the earthly realm.
FIN
G.B. Hardy, in his book Countdown (1970), writes:
Confucius’ tomb – occupied
Buddha’s tomb – occupied
Mohammed’s tomb – occupied
Jesus’ tomb – EMPTY!
Resurrection of Christ: 4 Theories – Part 2
In part 2, I want to quote from Clement of Rome, Polycarp, Second Clement, Justin Martyr, Tatian, Athenagoras, Theophilus, Irenaeus, Commodianus, Methodius, Polycrates, Clement of Alexandria, Tertullian, Mark M. Felix, Hippolytus, Origen, Novatian, Victorinus, Lactantius, Apostolic Constitutions.
Part one was about the resurrection of Jesus. (Scriptures, quoted); Part two I quote: John 5:28,29: “Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice & come forth – those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, & those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.”
Vss.25-29 realize futuristic eschatology: “The hour is coming and now is – the spiritually dead – those who live the unreal/unseen life of “the world,” which “is in the power of the evil one” (see 1 Jn. 5:19),” resurrection of eternal life in Christ; resurrection of eternal death/damnation, “There will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just & the unjust.” – Acts 24:15 [note: For the conjunction of the ideas of “hope” & “resurrection” -see Acts 23:6 where Paul was alluding to the “Messianic hope” / “resurrection.” Similarly in 24:15 he speaks of “having a hope…that there will be a resurrection.”]
Paul pitted the Pharisees against the Sadducees, for the latter did not believe in the resurrection (Acts 23:8). Daniel 12:2 speaks of an eschatological “R.” Rev. 20:4-15 speaks of 2 resurrections.
In 1 Cor. 15:51-53, again Paul speaks of the Resurrection: “We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed – in a moment… the dead will be raised incorruptible, & we shall be changed; For this corruptible must put on incorruption, & this mortal must put on immortality.” “Sleep” is a euphemism for “die” (see 11:30; 15:66,18,20; 1 Thes. 4:13-15). The “mystery” (1 Cor. 15:51) or “revelation” is colored by vivid apocalyptic imagery/apocalyptic expectations of a return of Christ Jesus. We all await this. Some on the internet right now are saying His return is in a matter of days. (see my other articles on this subject, e.g. is there a pre-trib rapture? et al.).
The famous Scriptures used to promote the “Rapture” are:
“The Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, & with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.” (1 Thes. 4:16) & “Then we who are alive & remain shall be caught up (i.e. “raptured”) together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus, we shall aways be with the Lord.” (1 Thes. 4:17) (see our front page index: Attention! “Ruptured Rapture” Articles!! – aggressivechristianity.Net).
“They lived & reigned with Christ for a thousand years. But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.” (Rev. 20:4,5).
There are 2 resurrections; the second is the general Resurrection; the first is the restoration of the martyrs to life. (note: the 5th beatitude affirms that “he who shares in the first resurrection is blessed & holy. The second will be the eternal punishment, the wicked will be raised in order to be sentenced to the fiery lake!
“I saw the dead, small & great, standing before God, & books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books,” (Rev. 20:12; read vss.13-15 also).
Let it be said here & now, one’s character will decide one’s destiny! You remain unsaved, you go to damnation; you receive Christ as your Savior AND walk/live in Him all your days, you will live in eternal bliss. Dante’s Divine Comedy pretty much explains this. Our evil deeds will judge us in the end. It is rightly said, man is the master of his/her fate. So, under grace. God is the captain of our soul.
Clement of Rome
He was Bishop of the church at Rome (30-100) & it is believed a disciple of Peter & Paul (Phil. 4:3?). I put forth one short statement here: “There will be future resurrection” (96 A.D., 1:11).
Second Clement
“Let none of you say that this very flesh will not be judged, nor rise again… For just as you were called in the flesh, you will also come to be judged in the flesh.” (150 A.D., 7:519)
Clement of Alexandria
“In the resurrection, the soul returns to the body.” (195 A.D., 2:571) It is said that Origen was one of his students. His largest writing was Miscellanies.
Polycarp
“If we please Him in this present world, we will also inherit the future world. For He promised to us that He will raise us again from the dead.” (135 A.D., 1:34) Polycarp was Bishop of the church at Smyrna, a friend of Ignatius. He was burned to death in 156 A.D. for his faith. He finished with, “I give you thanks… that I can have a part… in the resurrection of eternal life, both of soul & body.” (1:42).
Justin Martyr
I will quote from Justin Martyr, all from 160 A.D.“We expect to receive again our own bodies.” (1:169);
“Even if anyone is laboring under a defect of body, yet if he is an observer of the doctrines delivered by Christ, He will raise him up at His second advent perfectly sound. He will make him immortal, incorruptible, & free from grief.” (1:233);
“Those who believed in our Christ will dwell 1,000 years… after that, the… resurrection & judgment of all men will likewise take place.” (1240);
“He will raise all men from the dead. He will appoint some to be incorruptible, immortal, & free from sorrow in the everlasting & imperishable kingdom… He will send others away to the everlasting punishment of fire.” (1:257);
“Those who maintain the wrong opinion say that there is no resurrection of the flesh.” (1:294);
“In truth, Christ has ever called the flesh to the resurrection. He promises everlasting life to it… Why did He rise in the flesh in which He suffered, unless it was to demonstrate the resurrection of the flesh?” (1:297).
Tatian
He was a 2nd century disciple of Justin Martyr & Christian apologist. He wrote the powerful work Diatessaron. It is reported that after Justin Martyr died, he fell into heresy (Encratite sect).
“We believe that there will be a resurrection of bodies after the consummation of all things.” (160 A.D., 2:67);
“Having been born, I will exist again. Death will exist no longer… even though fire may destroy all traces of my flesh, the earth still receives the vaporized matter… I am laid up in the storehouses of a wealthy Lord.” (2:67).
Lactantius
Roman teacher of rhetoric who converted to the Faith (b.250, d.325 A.D.).
“He is not of sound mind who – without having any greater hope – prefers labors, torments, & miseries to those good things that others enjoy in life.”
The “hope” he speaks of is the “R.” He penned this in one of his writings (304-313 A.D., 7:172);
“The (faithful dead) will rise again & be clothed by God with bodies. They will remember their former life & all of its actions. Being placed in the possession of heavenly goods & enjoying the pleasure of innumerable resources, they will give thanks to God in His immediate presence.” (7:218).
Victorinus
He was Bishop of Poetovio in Syria & was murdered for his faith. He wrote many commentaries on the various books of the Bible, the lone survivor is the one on Revelation.
“There are two resurrections. The first resurrection takes place now. It is of the souls that are in the faith. For this faith does not permit men to pass over to the second death. Of this resurrection, the apostle says, ‘If you have risen with Christ, seek those things that are above.’” (280 A.D., 7:359). He quotes from Paul’s epistle to the Colossians, 3:1. Here Paul speaks of a spiritual resurrection (vs.1), vs.3 he writes about dying to the “old” life of sin & living in one’s “new” life in Christ.
Methodius
He was bishop of Lycia & the author of several writings on theology & morality. He died in 311 A.D.
“It is patently absurd to think that the body will not co-exist with the soul in the eternal state.” (290 A.D., 6:364); “It is the body that dies; the soul is immortal. So, then, if the soul is immortal, & the body is the corpse, then those who say that there is not a resurrection of the flesh deny any resurrection at all.” (290 A.D., 6:367)
Commodianus
In A.D. 240 he wrote these two quotes:
“Believe in the one God, so that when you are dead, you may live & may rise in His Kingdom, when there will be the resurrection of the just.” (4:209);
“Christ descends to His elect, who have been darkened from our view for so long a time.” (4:211)
Novatian
Novatian died in 257 A.D. He had been a Roman presbyter. This guy believed that for any believer who denied Christ under persecution, he should not pronounce forgiveness to them; only Christ had this right.
“A law of resurrection is established in that Christ was raised up in the substance of the body as an example for the rest.” (235 A.D., 5:620)
Origen
He was a pupil of Clement of Alexandria. As said beforehand he wrote over 2,000 works, a tireless & most prolific writer of the pre-Nicene Church. Since there are many quotes – some long, some short, I will shorten the longer ones:
“The apostolic teaching is… that there is to be a time of the resurrection from the dead, when this body… will rise in incorruption…” (225 A.D., 4:240);
“It will appear to be a necessary consequence that if bodily nature is annihilated, it must also be restored… (225 A.D., 4:272);
“If [the heretics] also admit that there is a resurrection… let them answer us this: what is it that died? Was is not the body? It is of the body, then, that there will be a resurrection.” (225 A.D., 4:293);
“We now turn our attention to some of our own [believers] who… adopt a very low & abject view of the resurrection… a body which arises in glory… has become spiritual… the body (cannot) again be entangled with the lusts of flesh… we will all be changed. This transformation certainly is to be looked for.” (225, 4:294);
“Certain persons… adopt a superficial view of the letter of the love… the opinion that the fulfillment of the promises of the future are to be looked for in bodily pleasure… they desire after the resurrection to have again such bodies… performing all of the functions…” (225, 4:297);
“Ignorant men & unbelievers suppose that our flesh is destroyed after death… However, we who believe in its resurrection understand that only a change has been produced by death… the glory of a spiritual body… This will be when all things will be re-established into a state of unity…” (225, 4:346,347);
“When it has cast away the infirmities… this same body will be changed into a condition of glory… spiritual… of honor & an abode of blessedness… will abide forever…” (225, 4:347);
“Neither we, nor the Holy Scriptures, assert that those who were long dead will arise from the earth & will live again with the same bodies – without any change to a higher condition.” (248 A.D., 4:551);
“… we do not maintain that the body that has undergone corruption will resume its original nature. For the grain of wheat that has decayed does not return to its former condition – a certain power is implanted in the body, which is not destroyed, & from which the body is raised up in incorruption.” (248, 4:553);
“We do not assert… that God will raise men from the dead with the same flesh & blood… For we do not maintain that the natural body, which is sown in corruption, dishonor, & weakness, will rise again just as it was sown.” (248, 4:586).
[note: while Origen was a learned teacher/writer, sadly, it is known that he also taught/wrote strained or unsound theological speculations].
Tertullian
Since I have many quotes from his writings, I’ll shorten some of the longer ones. He was considered an “On Fire” Christian writer (from Carthage, N. Africa). His numerous apologies are widely read. He was born in 160 A.D. & died in 230 A.D.:
“Every man must come forth in the resurrection… to receive at God’s hands a judgment… good or opposite. And, therefore, the body too will appear. For the soul is not capable of suffering without the [flesh]…” (197 A.D, 3:53);
“We maintain that after life has passed, you remain in existence & anticipate a Day of Judgment…. For if you were not endowed again with that sensitive bodily organization, you could feel neither good nor evil…” (197, 3:177);
“If the flesh is to be repaired after its dissolution, much more will it be restored after some violent injury… if the death of the whole person is rescinded by its resurrection, what must we say of the death of a part of him?… for a dead man to be raised again… his being restored to his entire condition… God is quite capable of remaking what He once made.” (197, 3:589,590);
“Isaiah says, ‘Everlasting joy will be upon their heads’… there is nothing eternal until after the resurrection… death itself attack us from the afflictions both of soul & body, how will they be removed?… where will you find adversities in the presence of God?… what plague awaits the redeemed from death, after their eternal pardon? What wrath is there for the reconciled, after grace?” (197, 3:590);
“As respects their body & soul, there will be no difference of condition between the people who believe & those who do not believe.” (197, 3:591);
“They ask, ‘[In the resurrection,] what will be the use of the cavity of our mouth, & its rows of teeth?… For there will no longer be any need for eating & drinking… what purpose will be served by loins?’… they ask what will be the purpose of [resurrecting] the entire body… In this we have then already settled the principle that the dispensation of the future state should not be compared with that of the present world… The sole question, therefore… is it His will that the self-same flesh will be renewed?… For in the presence of God, there will be no idleness.” (197, 3:592);
“No restoration of marriage is promised in the day of the resurrection, for they will be transformed into the condition & sanctity of angels.” (205, 4:39);
“Addressing the resurrection of the dead, let us first inquire how some persons denied it back then [i.e., Paul’s day]. No doubt, they denied it in the same way… since the resurrection of the flesh has always had men who denied it… The word ‘dead’ expresses simply what has lost the vital principle, …. the body loses life… only to the body, then, is the term ‘dead’ suitable.” (207, 3:447);
“The resurrection is first, & afterwards the Kingdom, we say, therefore, that the flesh rises again… when it has changed, it obtains the Kingdom,” (Tertullian then quotes 1 Cor. 15:52);
“Having then become something else by its change, the body will obtain the Kingdom of God… Rightly then does the apostle declare, “Flesh & blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God.” For he ascribes this to the changed condition that follows the resurrection.” (207, 3:452);
He starts this quote by writing [the Gnostics ask:] “Since Christ’s flesh has both risen & returned to heaven, why is not ours also taken up at once? For it is like His, is it not? Or, on the other hand, they ask, why did His flesh (if it is like ours) not return in like manner to the ground & suffer dissolution?” (210, 3:535);
“If the resurrection of the flesh is denied, a prime article of the faith is shaken… He, therefore, will not be a Christian who will deny this doctrine. For it is confessed by Christians.” (210, 3:547);
“Day dies into night & is buried in darkness… yet, it again revives… the same as ever… I would say that all creation is instinct with renewal… The whole, therefore, of this revolving order of things bears witness to the resurrection of the dead.” (210, 3:553);
“God would be unjust if He were to exclude from reward the flesh that is associated in good works. God would be idle if He were to exempt it from punishment – when it has been an accomplice in evil deeds.” (210, 3:555);
“… we must turn our attention also to those Scriptures that prevent our believing in such a resurrection as is held by your [heretics]… For [the heretical resurrection] is either assumed to be taking place now or else to be accomplished immediately after their departure from this life.” (210, 3:560);
“The flesh that has been committed to the ground is able, in like manner, to rise again by the will of the same God… because, when fallen, we rise again,” (210, 3:571);
“… in their risen life they are equal to the angels. They are not to marry because they are not to die… they are destined to pass into the angelic state by putting on the garment of incorruption, with a change in the substance that is restored to life.” (210, 3:571);
“Before we put off the garment of the flesh, we wish to be clothed with the celestial glory of immortality… (which is accomplished by a sudden change) to become qualified to join the rising saints. It is as he writes to the Thessalonians.” (210, 3:575);
“He who has already traveled through Hades is destined also to obtain the change after the resurrection… we definitively declare that the flesh will by all means rise again. Because of the change that is to come over it, it will assume the condition of angels.” (210, 3:575);
Here is his last quote:
“The very same flesh that was once sown death will bear fruit in the resurrection life. It will be the same in essence, only it will not be another body, … it will receive in itself the grace & adornment that God desires to spread over it, according to its merits.” (210, 3:585)
Mark Minucius Felix
He was a Roman lawyer (2nd or 3rd cent.) who converted to Christianity. It is reported that he wrote one of the grandest apologies of early Christianity:
“Do you think that when anything is withdrawn from our feeble eyes, it perishes to God? Every body is withdrawn from us, but it is reserved for God in the custody of the elements. This is so regardless of whether it is dried up into dust, dissolved into water, compressed into ashes, or is vaporized into smoke.” (200 A.D., 4:194);
“For our consolation, all nature suggests a future resurrection. The sun sinks down & arises, the stars pass away & return, the flowers die & revive again.” (200, 4:194)
Hippolytus
He was born in 170 A.D. & died in 236; a leading presbyter at Rome. His greatest work is Refutation of All Heresies. He wrote commentaries on Song of Songs & Daniel. It is reported he died a martyr:
“We therefore believe that the body also is raised. For even if it decays, it is not in the least bit destroyed… Thereafter, they spring up & bloom (seeds)… the body is not raised the same thing as it is now. Rather, it becomes pure & no longer corruptible. And to every body, its own proper soul will be given again… But the unrighteous will receive their bodies unchanged. They will not be freed from suffering… they will be unglorified, with all the ills in which they died.” (205, A.D., 5:222) This is a DREADFUL thought. Not only a thought, but a DREADFUL REALITY!!! Hell is a REAL place (I have DVDs on Hell/Hades if interested).
Athenagoras
A 2nd century Christian apologist who once was a Greek philosopher:
“That same power can reunite what is dissolved. It can raise… restore the dead to life again… the same Being, & the same power & skill…” (175 A.D., 2:150);
“The whole nature of men in general is composed of an immortal soul & a body… This proves that a resurrection will follow of those dead & dissolved bodies… man, therefore, who consists of the two parts, must continue forever… the conclusion is unavoidable… the eternal duration of the soul, there will be a perpetual continuance of the body according to its proper nature.” (175, 2:157);
“It is impossible for the same men to be reconstituted unless the same bodies are restored to the same souls.” (175, 2:162)
Theophilus
He was a 2nd cent. Bishop at Antioch & Christian apologist. It is said that the word “Triad” was first used by him, meaning Father-Son-Holy Spirit:
“God will raise your flesh immortal with your soul; & then, having become immortal, you will see the Immortal, if you now believe on Him.” (180 A.D., 2:91).
Irenaeus
I will quote from Irenaeus (130-200 A.D.), who was bishop of the church at Lyons. Some will also be shortened:
“… all those who have enrolled for life will rise again. They will have their own bodies, their own souls, & their own spirits… those who deserve punishment will go away into it, they too having their own souls & bodies…” (180 A.D., 1:411);
“The Father did not exercise His providence only for the men who are now alive… have earnestly desired to see Christ & to hear His voice. For this reason, at His second coming, He will first rouse from their sleep (death) all persons… And He will raise them up & give them a place in His Kingdom.” (180, 1:494);
“But vain in every respect are they [Gnostics] who despise the entire dispensation of God, & disallow the salvation of the flesh… the regeneration… maintaining that is not capable of incorruption.” (180, 1:528);
“Our bodies… will rise at their appointed time. For the Word of God will grant them resurrection to the glory of God… who freely gives immortality to this which is mortal.” (80, 1:528); “Surely it was much more difficult & incredible [to have originally created man out of nothing] …than to reintegrate again that which had been created & then afterwards decomposed into earth, …having thus passed into those elements from which man…was formed.” (180, 1:529);
“’Flesh & blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God.’ This is put forward by all the heretics in support of their folly [i.e., their denial of the resurrection of the body] … by ‘flesh & blood,’ Paul refers to all of those… who do not have that [Spirit] which saves & forms us into life… For that reason, men of this mold are spoken of by the Lord as ‘dead.’ For He says, ‘Let the dead bury their dead.’” (180, 1:534, 535);
“Although the body is dissolved at the appointed time… it is placed, as it were, in the crucible of the earth, to be re-cast again… it will not be as this corruptible body… it will be pure, & no longer subject to decay. To each body, its own soul will be restored.” (180, 1:570)
I will end part two with one quote from the Apostolic Constitutions, compiled in 390 A.D.: “The Almighty God Himself will… grant us a resurrection with all those who have slept (died) from the beginning of the world. And we will then be such as we are now in this present form, but without any defect or corruption. For we will rise incorruptible.” (7:439)
If one desires to extend this study, look up the intermediate state of the dead – the state of the dead refers to the condition of the dead between the time of death & the resurrection from the dead. (see Lk. 16:22,23; Lk. 23:43; Acts 2:22-27; 1 Pet. 5:4 et al. I have studies already on this subject. The Church fathers had much to say on “death,” “intermediate state of the dead” – both believers & non-believers, “descent into Hell/Hades.”
All human beings will live again! Some in eternal life in Christ Jesus, most in eternal death with the devil, fallen angels & all the wicked rebels. All will be resurrected (if dead). The ones living will be judged and sent to their eternal abode.