July 19
THOSE WHO DO NOT BELIEVE IN THE RESURRECTION, OR SAY IT IS ALREADY PAST / PART 2
-There are those who say that the first resurrection is already past. Some believe that it has already taken
place, and use Matthew 27:50-54 to justify their teaching. Others spiritualize the idea of resurrection, using passages of
scripture such as Ephesians 2:6, claiming that resurrection is a spiritual thing only. There are even some who believe the
first resurrection took place in 70 A.D. at the destruction of Jerusalem. As well, some believe it took place before World
War I. The apostle Paul had to deal with this issue even in his day. He is recorded as having denounced certain teachers who
said that the resurrection was already past.
-2nd Timothy 2:17,18 states, … And their word will eat as does a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus
and Philetus; Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of
some … It is not possible that they were referring to the resurrection of Christ, for Paul would have agreed with that.
They were obviously referring to the first resurrection, the resurrection of the righteous ( just ), to which Paul did not
agree. Paul clearly stated that he had not attained to the resurrection yet in Philippians 3:11,12.
According to Dr. Stephen Jones:
-"Some Christians spiritualize the first resurrection. This is accomplished by redefining resurrection
in terms of justification by faith. Once spiritualized, it is an easy transition into a total denial of the bodily resurrection
of the dead. The scriptures do tell us that through faith we move from death into life. However, the actual word “resurrection”
(Gr. anastasis) is never used to describe the process by which one becomes a Christian. Every passage clearly speaks
of resurrection in a literal sense, where those who have died rise to stand upon the earth." ( The Purpose Of Resurrection,
Dr. Stephen Jones )
-DON’T LET YOUR FAITH BE OVERTHROWN!-
