Episode 29: The Resurrection of the Body pt. 2 | We Believe: A Study of the Apostles Creed
Living Today in Light of the Resurrection
One of the most powerful affirmations in the entire statement of faith: “the resurrection of the body.” This isn’t just a theological idea tucked away at the end—it’s a declaration that changes how we live, parent, pastor, suffer, and hope. Together, let’s explore why this belief is not only future-oriented but deeply transformative for our lives today.
When we say we believe in the resurrection of the body, we’re not just talking about something symbolic. We’re talking about a future, physical resurrection that mirrors Christ’s own bodily resurrection. And because of that, how we live now matters.
Jesus was the firstfruits—His resurrection is the prototype of what’s coming for us. The Apostle Paul unpacks this in 1 Corinthians 15, where he shows us that Christ’s rising from the dead isn’t just historical—it’s personal. If we’re in Christ, our future is one of bodily resurrection, eternal life, and being with Him forever.
That reality has implications for every corner of our lives. It shifts our perspective from fear to freedom. We can live courageously, sacrificially, and with joy, because the worst the world can do—take our lives—is not the end. For believers around the world facing persecution, this is not just encouraging—it’s essential. Their faith isn’t based on wishful thinking, but on the truth that death does not have the final word.
Knowing our bodies matter eternally shapes how we treat them today. They’re not disposable. They’re temples of the Holy Spirit. That changes our language around health, food, fitness, and rest. It’s not about vanity or guilt. It’s about stewardship, worship, and honoring God.
We tell our kids, “We take care of our bodies because we’re honoring the Lord with them.” That reframe matters. We work out not to chase a number or image but to glorify God. We sleep, eat, and even watch content with the awareness that our bodies are a gift—both now and forever.
And it doesn’t just change what we do—it changes how we feel. When we remember eternity, the small things stay small. We’re less rattled by anxiety and fear, because we’re grounded in something so much bigger. We’re walking not by flesh but by the Spirit, and the Spirit helps us hold onto what’s eternal.
From Now to Eternity: Already and Not Yet
As followers of Jesus, we live in what theologians call the “already but not yet.” We’ve experienced a spiritual resurrection already—we were dead in sin, but alive now in Christ (see Ephesians 2, Romans 6). But the full resurrection—the physical one—is still ahead.
Scripture speaks of two resurrections. The first is our spiritual resurrection when we come to faith. The second is the physical resurrection at Christ’s return. When Jesus comes back, He will separate the sheep from the goats (Matthew 25). Those in Christ will be raised to eternal life in the new heavens and new earth. Those who rejected Him will face eternal separation.
And yet, we don’t wait in limbo after death. Jesus told the thief on the cross, “Today you will be with me in paradise.” There’s no purgatory, no holding cell. When we die in Christ, we are immediately with Him. Like waking from surgery, it may feel like a blink—suddenly we’re in the presence of the Lord.
Eventually, our soul and body will be reunited, transformed, and glorified. And that’s not just beautiful theology—it’s our ultimate hope. It’s why we endure, why we pray, why we preach, and why we point others to Jesus.
The resurrection of the body is not a fringe doctrine—it’s the heartbeat of our hope. It roots us, emboldens us, and aligns us with God’s eternal purposes. As we live in this “already but not yet” tension, we do so knowing that the best is yet to come. And until that day, we live all out for the Lord, with bodies that matter, hearts that hope, and eyes fixed on eternity.
We believe in the resurrection of the body. And because we do, we live differently.
