Comments on: The Resurrection According to the Scriptures

By: Ephrem Hagos

Ephrem Hagos — Mon, 18 May 2009 16:58:41 +0000

First referred to by Jesus Christ and very gradually understood by the Apostles as defining the very hard to understand meaning of the “Resurrection”, the phrase “according to the Scriptures” strongly suggests a pattern of God’s self-revelation developed in the Books of Moses and the writings of all the prophets (Luke 24:25-27; John 20:9; Acts 2: 23-28; 1 Cor. 15: 3-4). Accordingly, one can trace the thread of bipolar functions between, on the one hand, the live and quickening Spirit; and, on the other hand, extinct matter (man’s power or flesh), defining the First Law of Life (John 6: 62-63) in the following incidents/passages: in the “tree of life” (Gen. 2:9); the “bush on fire but not burning” (Ex. 3: 1-15); the “lifting of the bronze snake on a pole in the desert” (Num. 21: 4-9); the terms and seal of the “new covenant” (Jer. 31: 31-34; Matt. 26: 26-29 ff); and the baptism in the Holy Spirit by Jesus Christ in his diacritical death of self-revelation, i.e., resurrection (John 3: 1-21; 7: 37-39; 8: 21-28; 12: 23-33; 14: 1-21; 16: 5: 33; 17: 1-5; 19: 30-37). Is it any wonder that the time of observance for the Resurrection by the early better-knowing Jewish Christians was determined by the date of the Hebrew Passover festival? (International Standard bible Encyclopedia, Vol. II, page 6)

By: Jonathan Perreault

Jonathan Perreault — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 00:27:20 +0000

Bryan,

From the research that I’ve done on this question, the “according to the Scriptures” phrase in 1 Cor. 15:3,4 has reference to the Old Testament Scriptures as a whole, not necessarily one particular Scripture.

By: Bryan

Bryan — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 15:04:25 +0000

Brian

I take it that Paul is utilizing a theme, particularly the theme of events that occur with the mentioning of 3 days. Certainly, the Servant Songs, as read through the NT, point to Christ being Israel himself, while also ministering “to” Israel. I think it’s this that is in view.

Wright points, correctly I think, to Hosea 6:1ef, which says:
“After two days he will revive us;
on the third day he will restore us
that we may live in his presence.”

Originally national in scope, he links it to Jesus’ identity as Israel, in that in his “restoration” on the third day there is fulfillment, but there is also fulfillment in that the mission to the Gentiles starts after the national restoration, and that is what we see in the early church in Acts.

By: Brian LePort

Brian LePort — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 08:52:03 +0000

I haven’t read Wright’s answer, but I am wondering if Paul understood fulfilling the Scriptures as meaning a particular quotation, or a theme seen through the Christ-event (like Matthew re-reading Israel’s history through the life of Christ)?

By: Bryan

Bryan — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 10:23:26 +0000

Damian-

I agree. I was hoping for some good discussion
I’ll wait to see if anyone else jumps in before I give my answer, which, if you know Jim Hamilton’s answer and (as far as I can tell) Christopher Wright’s answer, then you know mine. I’ll give it a day or two.

By: Damian

Damian — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 09:25:27 +0000

It’s unfortunate nobody’s commented here, Bryan – I was looking forward to the discussion. I assume that Paul was referring the the OT, and I’ve heard about the death and resurrection being according to scripture, but I’m not aware of the verses myself. I assume they’re in the latter prophets.