RESURRECTION IN CONTEXT #5
/by Oscar M. Baker
Continuing Mr. Baker’s study on resurrection.
20. Acts 1:24,25. Shew whether of these two Thou hast chosen, that he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place. The conclusion made from this is wrong. Greek being an inflected language, can take most any order of the words in a sentence. It should read, that he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, that he might go to his own place, from which Judas by transgression fell. Judas had gone to his own place weeks before when he committed suicide. He had gone to death, and was returning to the dust.
21. Acts 3:23. And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that Prophet, shall be destroyed from among the People. This is utterly destroyed. And it is a soul that is to be utterly destroyed. Those who claim to believe in the immortality of the soul are going to find this verse a hard nut to crack. Nothing here about resurrection, in fact this destruction is simply death.
22. Romans 1:18. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness. There is nothing here about death and resurrection. That is just in the imagination of men. Wrath does not mean death.
23. Romans 1:32. Who knowing the judgement of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. No resurrection here, either to reward or loss. It is just a simple declaration of fact about those who do these things mentioned in verse 29 and 31.
24. Romans 2:2-11.But we are sure that the judgement of God is according to the truth against them which commit such things. And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgement of God? Or despisestthoutherichesof His goodness and forbearance and long-suffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgement of God; Who will render to every man according to his deeds: To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life: But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doth evil, of the Jew first, and also to the Gentile; But glory, honour and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first and also to the Gentile; For there is no respect of persons with God. You will see that there is no death or resurrection in this context, but a waiting for the Lord to come and judge the living, both Jewish and Gentile believers, giving rewards to some.
25. Romans 2:12. For as many as have sinned without law: shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law. Again we go back to the judgement of previous verses. Some wicked believers will perish at that judgement. But that does not mean hope is lost for them. We must remember that Ananias and Sapphira were believers, but were judged and died. So Gentile believers who have sinned without the law will be in the same condemnation as Jewish believers who sinned in the law. No difference.
