TFTW – Answers for a Friend – The Resurrection
March 23, 2003
Dear Friends,
One of my friend’s last questions is “What is necessary to be guaranteed a resurrection? What belief must be held? What action must be taken?”
This is an interesting question in the way that it is phrased. It is as if resurrection from the dead is the ultimate goal of a believer. The question might be based on the knowledge that there is a degree of dissension among Christadelphians as to what is the basis of resurrection.
Resurrection is a vital part of the process of the believer’s goal, but it is resurrection and then being accounted worthy at the Judgment that is the ultimate goal. The Bible is very clear that there will be some who will be resurrected but not receive the reward of life everlasting. Luke 13:23-28 is one of many passages we could turn up. “Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them, Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are: Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets. But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out.” We can see clearly that simply being raised is not the primary issue, but passing the Judgment is the real issue. No one would want to have the former without the latter.
Assuming then that the real question is “what is necessary to pass the Judgment?”, we will proceed with the simplest answer – faith. This is what the Bible says on the subject. Faith saves you. However, far too many people read no further and come away with a false impression of what Bible faith is. Bible faith is a belief in the Gospel (i.e. the belief that MUST be held) that manifests itself in action. “Faith without works is dead” (i.e. not Bible faith) (James 2:20). Bible faith has certain components to it as indicated by such verses as Heb. 11:6 “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Notice it is impossible to please God without belief in Him and that He has a reward awaiting. The Apostle Peter tells us that Bible faith must compel us to be baptized also. “The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 3:21) Faith “saves us”, but so does baptism as an act of faith. Notice the connection again in Mark 16:16 – “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.”
We could go on with both doctrine and behavior that comes with Bible faith, but the point is made. If you want the full details, I would suggest going to the following website (www.bbie.org/) and ordering a free copy of Bible Basics.
Bible faith saves us. Bible faith, however, is not the following: believing anything you want to, living your life anyway that you want to, just “being a good person”, simply asking Jesus to be your personal Savior. Faith may be used in these ways in society, but it is never used this way in the Bible. Bible faith is a specific faith called the “faith of Abraham.” Whatever it was that Abraham had, we need to have too. Bible faith is knowing what God wants you to know and has revealed to man in the Scriptures, being convicted on these things and putting them into action in your life. Anything less is simply not faith and will not, according to the Bible, put you in the “way of salvation.” (Acts 16:17)
Have a great week!
