THE RESURRECTION OF THE BODY

(Lord’s Day 22, Question 57)

Psalters 232 • 415:4-7 • 203 • 29

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:35-58. Canons of Dort, 5, 11

  1. A comforting thought before death
  2. A comforting thought after the death of God’s children
  • Thelast two articles of the Apostolic Creed concern the benefits received after this present life: the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting.
  • It is a rich and undeserved blessing to be a child of God.
  • God’s children are heirs of eternal life.
  • We all have to die.
  • What are our expectations for eternity?
  • God’s child finds comfort concerning his death: immediately after death his soul shall be taken up to Christ its Head.
  • But it is not a complete deliverance: the body is laid in the earth, to rest until the resurrection.
  • Those who have not confessed the Lord Jesus as their Savior do not partake in this benefit.
  • The unconverted will be in hell; the wrath of God abides on them.
  • It is certain that after the death of the body, the soul continues to exist.
  • God’s children have a sure conviction in their heart of eternal life
  • They may not always derive comfort from this knowledge.Here there is often a hungering and thirsting, but in heaven there will be a full satisfaction of joy.
  • Christ saves not only the souls of His people; also the body.
  • Sin is committed not only with the soul, but with the body too.
  • The indwelling of the Holy Spirit takes place in both body and soul.
  • The physical body will arise from the dust.
  • God’s children shall be with Christ and serve and worship Him with body and soul.
  • They shall be delivered from all the power of sin.

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION AND REFLECTION

  1. LD 22, answer 57 deals with the resurrection from the dead. Why would it mention the Name of Christ so many times?
  2. Do you wonder sometimes whether the resurrection of the dead is actually possible? After all, the bodies of many people have already completely disappeared, haven’t they? How should we consider this?
  3. Why would we actually need a resurrection? All that matters is that our soul is saved and may go to heaven, isn’t it?
  4. The Bible speaks about two kinds of resurrection. What does Daniel 12:2 say about this? What is the meaning of this serious text? On which side do you stand?
  5. The Westminster ShorterCatechism contains two questions regarding the dying and resurrection of believers. When you compare this with Q/A 57 of LD22 of the HC, can you learn something new from the WSC? Are there aspects that speak to you?

Q. 37. What benefits do believers receive from Christ at death?

A. The souls of believers are at their death made perfect in holiness, and do immediately pass into glory; and their bodies, being still united to Christ, do rest in their graves till the resurrection.

Q. 38. What benefits do believers receive from Christ at the resurrection?

A. At the resurrection, believers being raised up in glory, shall be openly acknowledged and acquitted in the Day of Judgment, and made perfectly blessed in the full enjoying of God to all eternity.