by Gene Burgett

Okay, I confess. I like the History Channel. I know, I know, many look upon it as the Geek channel. I still like it.

There is, however, at least one thing about the History Channel I do not like. Most of their shows that address the Bible are horrible. Regarding miracles they invariably reject the possibility of such happenings and either dismiss them as legends and myths, or explain them away as natural phenomena. Very seldom do they bring on a theologian with a conservative viewpoint to get his take on the situation being addressed

However, it was because of their rather dim view of the Bible that a recent show I watched grabbed my attention. The episode was discussing mysteries of the oceans. Much of what was covered dealt with ships found in complete order with the exception of a missing crew. Although I found those stories interesting they really aren’t the ones that grabbed my attention. Apparently in the 1800’s and early 1900’s many claimed to have seen a giant sea monster off the coast of Massachusetts. It was this vignette that got me thinking about the resurrection.

About now I suspect some of you are wondering what alleged sea monster sightings have to do with the resurrection. One of the experts on this subject ventured the thought that it was impossible to dismiss the sea monster sightings off hand because so many different people claimed to have seen the oceanic nightmare. One sighting was considered to be especially significant because over one hundred people claimed to have seen the monster at one time, which, the expert claimed, meant it could not be dismissed as a hoax or hallucination.

I know nothing about the expert in question, but his statement made me wonder how he felt about another unusual event witnessed by many. Note the following statement written by the apostle Paul concerning the resurrection of Jesus:

3 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, 5and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. 6 After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. 7 After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. 8 Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time. (1 Cor. 15:3-8)

It seems to me that if an event witnessed by a little over one hundred people deserves credibility on the basis of the sheer number of witnesses, then the resurrection of Jesus must also be given the same measure of credibility for the same reason. Paul lists several individuals who all claimed to have seen the resurrected Jesus, and in verse six he asserts that on one occasion over five hundred people claimed they, too, saw Jesus alive and well after the Roman government declared him dead via crucifixion. He even invites any skeptical readers to feel free to question the witnesses, as most of them were still alive when he wrote.

And, so, to my beloved History Channel I ask the following question: why is the existence of a sea monster more credible than the resurrection of Jesus from the dead?

by Brian Kenyon

The questions in the title above were sarcastically asked in the apostle Paul’s day as they are in ours. Many scoff at the idea of a bodily resurrection at the end of time. However, as Paul taught the Corinthians, to deny the bodily resurrection is to deny the resurrection of Christ (1 Cor. 15:13, 16), and to deny the resurrection of Christ is to deny the very Gospel itself (1 Cor. 15:1-4)! We can and must know the truth about the resurrection of the body, lest we stray from the truth and/or “overthrow the faith of some” (2 Tim. 2:17-18).

The Principle Is Obvious

In answering these anticipated questions, Paul begins with an emphatic,“Thou fool” (1 Cor. 15:36), because the principle of new life springing from a dead body is as obvious as a seed planted in the ground! A seed sown does not result in life unless it first dies. Jesus used this same analogy in referring to His resurrection (Jn. 12:23-24). A dead seed that is sown does not come back as the same seed, but rather gives way to a new and better life. Paul says, “that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be...but God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him...” (1 Cor. 15:37-38). God determined in creation what every seed would produce, and the principle is true no matter the kind of seed (Gen. 1:11 cf. Mt. 7:16-19). Thus, the body being dead and springing forth into new life is not a far fetched idea—we see it every day with seeds and plants!

All Bodies Are Not The Same

In answering the question, “With what bodies will the resurrected have?,” Paul states, “All flesh is not the same flesh” (1 Cor. 15:39). By stating that “there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds,” Paul shows that each earth dweller has a body fit for the environment and purpose God had in creating it. The same is true with “celestial bodies” and “bodies terrestrial” —“the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. 41 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars...” (1 Cor. 15:40-41).

From the observable fact in nature that all bodies are not the same, Paul shows that bodies in the afterlife will not be the same as those that inhabited this earth. In the resurrection, the physical body will be raised and changed to a spiritual body! As we read these next verses, pay special attention to two words. First, note the word “it.” The context shows that “it” refers to the physical body. Thus, the same physical body in which we lived, and from which our spirit departed (Jas. 2:26), will rise from the grave and be fitted for eternity (1 Thes. 4:13-18). Second, note the word “sown.” This word does not simply mean buried. It carries the idea of being planted for a purpose (cf. 1 Cor. 15:38; Jn. 12:23-24; Rom. 6:5).

Keeping the significance of these two words in mind, note the change of which Paul speaks: “So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: 43 It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: 44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body” (1 Cor. 15:42-44). The change in body will be necessary because there will be a change in environment and purpose!

Physical Then Spiritual

To show the reason why we must have a physical body first, Paul appeals to Scripture, “And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul” (cf. Gen. 2:7), and “the last Adam was made a quickening [life-giving, NKJ] spirit” (1 Cor. 15:45). According to God’s purpose, the physical body came first, then the spiritual. As Adam came before Christ, we must first live physical lives, then our physical bodies will be changed. “As we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly” indicates that as we have continuously bore the physical body we received from Adam while on this earth, we will bear the heavenly body we receive from Christ in heaven (1 Cor. 15:48-49 cf. 1 Jn. 3:2).

Our Eternity

All will rise from the grave (Jn. 5:25-29)! Since the saved will be fitted for eternity with the Lord (1 Thes. 4:16-17), and the lost for eternal separation (2 Thes. 1:8-9), the question should not be “How are the dead raised up? And with what body do they come?,” but “When I am raised, will my body be fitted for an eternity with God or with the devil and his angels?”

2008 Lectureship Memories

Thoughts On Our 2008 FSOP Lectureship

by Gene Burgett

The 2008 installment of the FSOP Lectures rose to the high standard established by its predecessors. Three components are essential to produce a successful lectureship. First, there must be a great theme. Do You Understand theBiblical View of Man? is a timeless theme. Second, the theme must be developed with topics that produce understanding and application in the lives of God’s people. Finally, the topics must be assigned to individuals qualified to do them justice. A studied and experienced mind is required to bring all of these ingredients together and Jackie Stearsman has once again done a superb job as lectureship director.

The book, Do You Understand the Biblical View of Man?, which serves as a written record of thelectureship, makes a wonderful companion volume to the 2007 lectureship book, Do You Understand The Biblical View Of God? Brian Kenyon, with the aid of several volunteer proof readers, is to be commended for the good work he did in editing the book. All of the lessons that make up the 2008 FSOP lectureship are available in the following formats by contacting the school office: audio CD, mp3, DVD, and book.

In addition to the knowledge obtained at the lectureship, there is also the joy of seeing old friends and making new ones. With so much to be gained, why don’t you plan to attend the 2009 FSOP lectureship, Do You Understand Restoring the Erring?

Are We Laying Up Our Treasures As Treasures In Heaven?

by Brian R. Kenyon

In the parable of the foolish farmer, God said to the rich man, “Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?” (Lk. 12:20). Most of us know the tragedy of this parable: the rich man was blessed with abundant crops; he hoarded what he had to the point of building bigger barns; he thought he was set for “many years” of enjoyment; but he failed to prepare for eternity (Lk. 12:16-21). Obviously, we are not as foolish as him! Or are we?

We do not have to be covetous like the farmer in this parable in order to be foolish with our material possessions. All it takes is lack of planning. At a dinner on Monday, January 21, the first night of our lectureship, brother Greg Littleton, who serves as a deacon in the church at Auburndale as well as on the school’s board of directors, introduced us to estate planning experts who informed those attending about financial planning. Financially, we all go through three phases in life. First, we acquire income. This is usually the longest phase in our financial life, when we are in the work force, making a living and supporting our family. Second, we preserve income. This is the time when we have to preserve what we have earned in order to retire. Third, we distribute income. This is when we make arrangements as to how our estate will be distributed when we depart this life.

There is a need for planning in each phase of our financial lives. If we fail to plan in our acquiring phase, we will have little to preserve. If we fail to plan in our preserving phase, we will have little to distribute. If we fail to plan in our distributing phase, our loved ones and the good works that need our support will not benefit. Simply put, if we fail to plan financially, we are foolish!

The Florida School of Preaching is one such work that needs financial support. We depend on the generosity of those who love the truth and appreciate the work we do in preparing souls to serve the Lord. If you would like to learn more about supporting the school, contact the office or Gene Burgett (email: burgett@windstream.net, or 352-229-3195). If you would like to know more about estate planning and how the school can benefit, call the office and we can put you in touch with those who are trustworthy and experienced in the field.