By Daniel Brown
The Resurrection of Christ
A Letter Defending the Bodily Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:28
Part Four
G. Question #4: We find a further confimration of the spirit body resurrection in 1 Peter 3:18, “For Christ died once for all time for sins, a righteous person for unrighteous ones, in order to lead you to God. He was put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit.” (NWT)
As you already know, I do not believe the New World Translation to be a trustworthy translation of the Bible. The majority of Christian theologians in the world would also agree to this. This passage is yet one more reason why we find the NWT to be unreliable. The passage should read.
For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:1 Peter 3:18
The words, “in” (NWT) and “by” (KJV) make a great impact on the meaning of the passage. The NWT has the phrase “in the spirit” because the Watchtower Organization wishes to support its belief in the Spirit-body resurrection of Jesus Christ. This passage is, in reality a supporting passage for the Holy Spirit’s involvement in the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Jesus was resurrected from the grave by the Holy Spirit of God. Romans 8:11 agrees:
But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
Romans 8:11
Now I would like to ask you a few questions. I would appreciate receiving an answer to these questions as well as the others I have posed.
There are many factors of the resurrection of Jesus Christ which we should consider. Already mentioned are the Prophecy Factor and the Pneuma Factor. The prophecies of Jesus’ resurrection (from both Jesus himself and from Old Testament prophets) declare a physical resurrection. The Pneuma Factor explains the difference between Spirit and Spiritual.
We have not yet considered the Persecution Factor. The persecution of Christians since the time of Jesus Christ was based upon one main reason, namely, the claim that Jesus Christ was physically resurrected.
In my study of 1 Corinthians, I also read verses 30-32:
And why stand we in jeopardy every hour? I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die.
I would like to ask you the questions which the Apostle Paul asked:
• Why stand we in jeopardy every hour?
• What advantageth it me, if the dead rise not?
Christians have suffered under persecution since the time of the New Testament. Among other horrific forms of persecution, they have been stoned, crucified, burned at the stake, drowned, and shot to death. According to history, Peter, Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Thaddeus, and Simon the Zelot were crucified. James, the son of Alphaus was stoned. John was exiled to the island of Patmos. According to the historian Josephus, the Apostle Paul was decapitated.
Every Apostle of Jesus Christ was persecuted because of the gospel. The gospel they preached, according to 1 Corinthians 15, was the substitutionary sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross, his burial, and his resurrection.
Paul claimed that the reason he was in jeopardy every hour was because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
G., do you really believe that these 12 men, along with a multitude of other unnamed followers of Jesus Christ, were persecuted to the death for believing in the resurrection of Jesus Christ in a spirit-body? Does this make sense to you?
A spirit-body resurrection is not a miracle. Muslims could say that Muhammed resurrected in a spirit-body. Buddhists could claim that Buddha resurrected in a spirit-body. Every false religion could make such claims and have no need to verify their claims. This is the reason why Jesus Christ gave infallible proof of his physical resurrection.
If Jesus Christ rose from the dead in a spirit-body, there is no reason for the persecution of hundreds of thousands of Christians throughout history. However, if Jesus Christ rose physically from the dead, his resurrection is truly a miracle. Such a miracle would confirm the exclusivity of Jesus Christ as the only true God and Saviour.
I would like to consider one more factor: The Priest Factor, or The High Priest Factor. Please read 1 Timothy 2:5-6
For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
The New World Translation reads as follows:
For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, a man, Christ Jesus, who gave himself a corresponding ransom for all—this is what is to be witnessed to in its own due time.
This passage begs the question, "Is Jesus Christ (the mediator of believers) a man, in this present time (as it is translated in the NTW), or not? “
I would like to refer once again to your statement, “The Bible is enough for me.” If the Bible says that Jesus Christ is presently “man”, and at the same time called “God” and “Lord”, what should we believe?
Jesus Christ’s ministry as Mediator necessitates that He would be a man. If He were not a man, He would not be a reliable High Priest. Jesus is still the “God-man”. He is 100% man and 100% God at the same time.
The following passage gives us the details of the High Priestly ministry:
Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 4:14-16
According to this passage, Jesus Christ is a great high priest because he can be touched with the feeling of our infirmities. This describes his earthly life. From His birth to His death on the cross, Jesus experienced everything that a man experiences without one time committing sin. For this reason, we can approach the throne of grace with boldness. We have comfort and boldness before God because we know that Jesus understands us.
We also see in Hebrews 5, that the High Priestly ministry of Jesus Christ began as he was on earth.
As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and
supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;
Hebrews 5:6-7
Please read the entire chapter of Hebrews 7, in which Jesus is compared with Melchisedec. Please consider the likenesses between Jesus and Melchisedec.
• Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually. (v. 3)
• Could you please explain, neither beginning of days, nor end of life;?
• ... abideth a priest continually... - My understanding of this phrase is, what he began on earth he continued in heaven. How can he be a “Priest” in heaven if He is not a man?
And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest, Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life. For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof. For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.
Hebrews 7:15-19
• Thou art a priest for ever - The Lord Jesus Christ is still a priest, and will be a priest forever.
• An angel cannot be a priest, especially the High Priest. This is yet another clarification of the fact, that Jesus Christ is the same today as He will be throughout all eternity. He does not change. He was never an angel, nor will he be an angel.
And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death: But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;Hebrews 7:23-26
The Lord Jesus Christ has an unchangeable priesthood because he continueth ever. He is just as much a High Priest today as he was in Gethsemane. He does not change.
Because He is eternal, and our eternal High Priest, he is able to save sinners to the uttermost.
For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.Hebrews 2:16-17
• If Jesus was already an “angel” in the past, why does the Scripture say, he took not on him the nature of angels ?
• If an angel cannot be a merciful and faithful high priest, how can Jesus be the eternal High Priest?
There are a multitude of passages that declare the deity and eternality of Jesus Christ. There are also a plethora of passages which present a physical resurrection. As you know, it has been months since I have promised you an answer to your questions. I could send much more time with this subject, but if you choose to reject the many verses I have offered you in order to support your own belief system, I fear there is nothing else I can do for you. I will continue to pray for you.
Dearest G. I care very much for your soul. I believe God led me to present the true gospel of Jesus Christ to you.
Jesus is the true God. He took upon Himself the form of a servant, so He could pay for your personal sin debt. He resurrected from the dead physically and ascended into Heaven. He is still alive today! He desires to save you from your sin. Call out to Him! Trust in Him! Repent! Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved!
Missed Part 3? Find it here: http://baptistwriters.com/blog/2019/3/29/the-resurrection-of-christ-part-3