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The Resurrection Of The Body

      The Bible is clear in teaching that there will be a resurrection of the body. The question of some is, “How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come?” God answers these question clearly. In 1 Corinthians 15:36-58 Paul gave God’s inspired answer to both of those questions, “How are the dead raised up and with what kind of body do they come forth from the grave?” Romans 8:23 says we are waiting for “the redemption of the body.” “And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.” Our souls were redeemed by the precious blood of Jesus. “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.” (1 Peter 1:18-19) Those who repent of sins and are baptized into Christ avail themselves of the spiritual redemption that is in Christ. If you are a Christian you have been redeemed spiritually, but you await the redemption of the body. The body that is raised up will not be identical to our present, physical body.

     Can you prove from scripture that there will be a resurrection of the body? Yes! There is strong scriptural proof that there will be a resurrection of the body. Paul wrote by inspiration about the resurrection of the body. If there is no bodily resurrection he said we would be found naked. “For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.” (2 Corinthians 5:4) Our soul needs a spiritual body or heavenly body in which to dwell. John made it undeniably clear that there would be a resurrection of those who were in the grave. Both the good and the bad will be raised in the same hour. “Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.” (John 5:28-29) John was teaching us that there will be a resurrection of the body of all that are in the grave. At the tomb of Lazarus we are provided with more proof concerning the resurrection of the body. “Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee. Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.” (John 11:21-25) Martha had already learned, that at the last day, there would be a resurrection of the body.

     Will our body be raised and how are the dead raised up? 1 Corinthians 15 provides a detailed description of the resurrection of the body. Paul shows that some did not believe in the resurrection of the body. In fact, they thought it was ridiculous to believe that the physical body would be raised. “And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter.” (Acts 17:32) Paul reasoned that if there is no resurrection from the dead then Christ could not have been raised and gospel preaching would be in vain. “But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not.” (1 Corinthians 15:13-15) Paul had already proven that Christ was raised by sighting many eyewitnesses. (1 Corinthians 15:3-8) Jesus Christ was raised from the dead bodily. We will be raised in the same manner. Is there a resurrection from the dead? Paul affirmed that Christ was raised bodily from the grave. “But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.” (1 Corinthians 15:20-21) There will be a resurrection of the body!

     But, how are the dead raised up? Our body, this tent or tabernacle that our soul has lived in will be raised from the grave. It will be raised a spiritual body. “It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.” (1 Corinthians 15:44) The term “natural body” refers to our body of flesh. It is our body of flesh that is buried in the ground. The term “spiritual body” refers to that body after the resurrection. John wrote, “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.” (1 John 3:2) That spiritual body will be a body like the body of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. God has the power to raise the physical bodies no matter where they may be. There can be no doubt that there will be a resurrection of the body. “So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.” (1 Corinthians 15:42-44) As faithful children of God we look for our Lord Jesus to return from heaven. Paul wrote of that day saying, “For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.” (Philippians 3:20-21)

     Possibly the same question that Paul asked Agrippa should be asked today, “Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead?” (Acts 26:8) At the end of this earthly life our body returns to the earth from which it came. However, by the power of God that body will be brought back as a spiritual body and reunited with your soul. This glorified body will not suffer with pain, or illness in any way. It will not be subject to death or corruption. We do not rejoice in a dead, putrefied body; but we rejoice in a resurrected Savior who will also raise us from the dead. Are you ready for that day to come? To become a Christian you must hear the gospel (Romans 10:17), believe in Jesus as the Christ (Mark 16:16), repent of all sins (Acts 17:30), confess Christ as Lord (Romans 10:9-10) and be baptized for remission of sins. (Acts 2:38) After baptism remain faithful to God. (Revelation 2:10) Christians look for the resurrection of the body and our eternity in heaven with God!

---- Charles Box

News & Notes

1. Prayer List: Stabler Hospital: Nelson Daughtry. In Need of Prayer: Shane Arrowood, Bryson Box, Douglas Butts, Terry Claunch, Camren Coleman, Lisa Cook, Bonnie Croley, Tim Croley, Trina Croley, John Curry, Nell Daughtry, Jimmy Gardner, Mary Goodwin, Richard Harrell, Michael Hartin, Devin Hawkins, Austin Herring, Bobo Hill, James Holmes, Sue Hunt, Charlie Jones, Felice Kendrick, Dot Killingsworth, Peggy Lassiter, Josey McCeary, Gwen Myers,  Barley Newton, Ruby Norman, Alice Padgett, Rebekah Pierce, Bill  Perry, William Pierce, Terry Reaves, Linda Reynolds, Brenda Richburg, Johnny Sims, Evelyn Smith, Andy Taylor, Bobby Taylor, Mary Lou Terrell, Leroy Waller, Barbara Woods, and Betty & Wayne Young. Crowne Health Care: Dorothy Buck, Hilda Cauthen, Jewel Cauthen, Gladys Childs, Arlene Coletrane, Ruth Davis, Betty Findley, Davis & Ruth Hester, Kathy Johnson, Sarah Knight, and Annie Ruth Tetter. Pine Needle: Lydia Ann Raybon and Elizabeth Perdue.

2. Sympathy Expressed: Our love and sympathy is expressed to Annie Webb in the death of her aunt, Alice Thompson.

3. Anniversaries: Celebrating an anniversary this week: May 31^st Bill and Agnes Hammonds and Tete and Eleanor Stabler.

4. Birthdays: Celebrating a birthday this week: May 25^th Agnes Hammonds, May 26^th Lisa Garlock, and May 29^th Tiffany Till.

5. Graduation Invitations: As Seniors, we all have our own ambitions, our own dreams to pursue; but wherever our separate pathways take us, we’ll always be the Class of 2014 from Summit High School. We will celebrate an ending and a new beginning at our Commencement Exercises Thursday, May 22^nd, at 7:00 p.m. Summit High School Football Field. Lacey Paige Barr

 6. Bridal Shower: The Wednesday Night Ladies Bible Class is hosting a bridal shower for Brittany Olive on Sunday, June 1^st in the multipurpose room at 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. All ladies are invited.

 7. Graduation Party: There will be a graduation party after evening service on Sunday, June 1^st to honor our graduating seniors, Alaina Bagents, Hunter Owens, and Terry Reynolds. Please bring finger foods. Everyone is invited. The Dessert Committee will have clean-up.

 8. Baby Shower: There will be a baby shower after the evening service on Sunday, June 8^th for Memory Bush. Please bring finger foods. Everyone is invited. The Beverage & Bread Committee will have clean-up.

 9. Wedding Invitation: God has led two lives to take one path. Brittany Renay Olive and Bryan Matthew Brown together with their parents invite you to witness their vows as they begin their joyful journey on Friday, the twentieth of June two thousand and fourteen at six o’clock in the evening, the Grand on Foster 170 North Foster Street in Dothan.

 10. Vacation Bible School: Vacation Bible School – Walnut Street Church of Christ – June 22^nd – 26^th – 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. “Happily Ever After…The Salvation Story” is the theme for this year’s VBS. See Darrell Powell to learn what you can do to help.

 11. Sixth Session Backwoods Christian Camp: July 6^th – 14^th is sixth sessions at Backwood Christian Camp. I hope many of our children from Walnut Street will attend during that session. Young people from everywhere are invited. Campers fees are $130. All Walnut Street campers fees are paid from our Carl Sessions Camp Fund. Please attend and grow spiritually.

12.  Guyana Churches: Please continue to pray for the churches of Christ in Guyana. Much has been done, but there is still much to do. We extend a special thank you to Bobby Terrell for his recent work in Guyana and thank you to all who prayed for this trip.

Youth Ministry - June, 2014

     The summer time is always an active time for young people and their families. Our prayer is that the down time between school years will be both a time of bonding and enjoyment for our youth and their families, and a time of spiritual growth and fellowship. 

     June 1st after the evening services we will honor the graduating seniors who are involved with the Walnut St. church of Christ: Alaina Bagents, Hunter Owens, and Terry Reynolds. Seniors are asked to decorate their table after 4PM, which is when the wedding shower will conclude. Everyone please bring finger foods.

     June 5th will be our weekly youth activity. During the summer, the time for these activities will be around 4PM. All teens are encouraged to attend these devos, which are intended to promote Christian fellowship and healthy priorities. 

     June 7th-13th is Teen Week at Backwoods Christian Camp. Our theme this year is "Get Real With God," and our goal is to concentrate on putting our relationship with God in its proper perspective. Adults and teens are encouraged to be a part of this good work. Please see Darrell if you're interested in going. 

     June 15th begins the preparation week for VBS. Any time you have available this week to help get ready, please contact Darrell and he will put you to work. Our goal is to be done with decorations and physical preparations early enough in the week so that we can get out into the community to invite our neighbors.

     June 22nd-26th is our annual Vacation Bible School. So many of you are instrumental in making this effort a success. VBS ends up being fun for the children (and even some adults), but ultimately our main goal is to teach and reinforce the Bible stories and spiritual applications that we teach.

----Darrell Powell