Page 242 - Bible Writers Theology Original

226 ♦ Bible Waters' Theology/ Chapter Eight
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• Baptismisameetingplaceforthebelieverwiththeworkoftheres urrection of Christ, which is the supreme expression of the power of God unto salvation (I Peter 3:18-21; Ezekiel 36:25-27; Micah 7:18-19; John 3:3-6; Titus 3:3-5), As Paul declared it, Christ's death reconciled us to God and His resurrection perfected our salvation (Romans 5:8- 10). God predestinated us to be conformed to the image of His Son that He might be the first bom among many brethren. He was raised from the dead to become the beginning; that in all things that He might have preeminence (Romans 8:29; Colossians 1:18).
The Nature of Christ's Resurrection
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Gospel was revealed by the risen.Christ himself (Galatians 1:11-12), speaks about the effect of the resurrection on the life of the believer, "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; cf. Romans 4:24; 6:4,9; 7:4; 10:9; I Corinthisms 6:14; 15:4; 11 Corinthians 4:14; Galatians 1:1; Ephesizms 1:20; Colossisins 2:12; 1 Thessalonians 1:10; n Hmothy 2:8).
The fundamental aspect of the resurrection is also noted in other New Testament epistles. Peter said, "according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead" (I Peter 1:3).
It has the most important part in the application of salvation. The Great Commission according to Luke declares, "...thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem" (Luke 24:46-47; Acts 5:30- 32). The Apostle Peter reveals that our second birth from the incor ruptible se^ is the result of the resurrection of the body of Christ (1 Peter1:3,4;1:23-25). Moreprecisely,thebelievertakesholdbyfaith of the resurrected body of Christ, while being buried with Him in baptism to put off the old man with all its sins, and rises up with Chnst unto everlasting life by partaking of His resurrected body (Colossians 2:11-14; Ephesians 5:30; Ephesians 4:24; Galatians 3:26-28).
The body of Christ, before and after His death, was a heavenly body (I Corinthians 15:40-50). John declared that the word became flesh (John 1:14). Therefore, the body of Christ could not suffer decay (Psalm 16:10; Acts 2:31), for the word endures forever (1 Peter 1:23-25). His body is resurrection and life (Isaiah 26:19; John 11:25; 6:30-57). God in Isaiah 26:19 said assuredly; "thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise.