Resurrection

When Christians use the term “resurrection” it is important that our listeners understand the meaning of the term.

It comes from the Greek word ANASTASIS which is a combination of the Greek ANA meaning “up” and HISTEMI meaning “to cause to stand.” Thus, the word literally means “to cause to stand up.”

When the Bible speaks of “resurrection” it is usually referring to being raised up from the dead. Yet, “resurrection” can be both spiritual and physical.

For example, when Jesus physically expired on the cross God “caused” him “to stand up.” He physically lived after being dead for three days proving He was the Son of God (Acts 2:32).

Yet, when the Bible speaks of the “first resurrection” it is a reference to a spiritual resurrection (Rev. 20:5,6). In other words, we were “dead in sins” but God “made us alive...with Christ” (Eph. 2:1-7).

Those who have been saved can have hope that they will be physically raised up from the dead when Christ comes again (John 5:29). Christ’s past resurrection guarantees our own!

More Words in the Word