Paul and Resurrection
More confusion exists over the viewpoint of the Apostle Paul in the sacred infallible scriptures over what he believed and taught on a variety of topics. The goal of this Learning Activity is to examine some of the scripture that speaks to the topic of resurrection with the intention of clarifying Paul’s understanding which should also be our understanding as Christians.
1. Acts 23: 6
2. In the verse above, the charges against Paul are stated. Why was Paul arrested?
3. Acts 24: 15
NOTE: In this verse the Greek word “mello” appears. The KJV translation translates mello as “shall,” but this is incorrect. The phrase should read “there is about to be” or “will be” a resurrection.”
4. In this verse Paul’s view of resurrection is stated. What is Paul’s belief?
We need to discover the basis for Paul’s resurrection belief. To begin with let’s go back one verse from the Acts 24: 15 verse.
5. Acts 24: 14
6. Where does Paul state he basis his beliefs?
To discover additional details of Paul’s resurrection beliefs we will need to see what the prophets said about this event. From my Bible investigation only the prophet Daniel speaks to this issue in a revealing way.
7. Daniel 12: 2
8. What is Daniel describing in the verse above?
9. Daniel 12: 7
10. What other facts does Daniel tell us about this resurrection of the just and the unjust?
11. What is the specific time that Daniel said the resurrection would occur?
The revelation that Daniel had been given consisted of a three and one-half year period of trouble (tribulation) during which time the power of the holy people (the Jews) would be completely shattered. All of these things would be fulfilled.
12. Daniel 12: 1
13. What eschatological event is being described in this verse?
14. Daniel 12: 4
15. What event is being described in this verse?
Given the above as truth, we must now ask ourselves what event that lasted three and one-half years and completely shattered Israel? Also, when did the Old Covenant come to an end and be replaced by the New Covenant?
An honest search of the historical literature reveals that only one event fits this description and that was the destruction of Jerusalem and its religious system circa AD 70! But does this prove that Paul expected that he and others would participate in a physical resurrection?
16. Romans 8: 23
17. What is Paul saying in this verse?
18. Romans 8: 10
19. What does Paul say in this verse?
20. Combining the scripture in # 1 and # 18 above, it appears that Paul said that he and the other believers had dead bodies while at the same time they were alive on planet Earth! The question for you to answer is, How can this be?
CONCLUSION: Paul was not teaching nor was he waiting for a physical resurrection. Paul’s resurrection was a spiritual resurrection from sin-death. When we read and study the Scriptures we must keep this at the forefront when studying resurrection passages.
The word “dust” used in the above graphic refers to the physical body!
Click on Self-Check below to check your answers.