Westminster Larger Catechism (1647), Westminster Assembly

Question 87

What are we to believe concerning the resurrection?

We are to believe, that at the last day there shall be a general resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust:a when they that are then found alive shall in a moment be changed; and the selfsame bodies of the dead which were laid in the grave, being then again united to their souls forever, shall be raised up by the power of Christ.b The bodies of the just, by the Spirit of Christ, and by virtue of his resurrection as their head, shall be raised in power, spiritual, incorruptible, and made like to his glorious body;c and the bodies of the wicked shall be raised up in dishonor by him, as an offended judge.d

What are we to believe concerning the resurrection?

We are to believe, that at the last day there shall be a general resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust:a when they that are then found alive shall in a moment be changed; and the selfsame bodies of the dead which were laid in the grave, being then again united to their souls forever, shall be raised up by the power of Christ.b The bodies of the just, by the Spirit of Christ, and by virtue of his resurrection as their head, shall be raised in power, spiritual, incorruptible, and made like to his glorious body;c and the bodies of the wicked shall be raised up in dishonor by him, as an offended judge.d

  1. a. Acts 24:15

    Acts 24:15

    24:15 And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.

    24:15 and I have the same hope in God that they themselves cherish, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked.

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

  2. b. 1 Corinthians 15:51–53; 1 Thessalonians 4:15–17; John 5:28–29

    1 Corinthians 15:51–53

    15:51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 15:53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

    15:51 Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed- 15:52 in an instant, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 15:53 For the perishable must be clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality.

    1 Thessalonians 4:15–17

    4:15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

    4:15 By the word of the Lord, we declare to you that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who have fallen asleep. 4:16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will be the first to rise. 4:17 After that, we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will always be with the Lord.

    John 5:28–29

    5:28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 5:29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

    5:28 Do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming when all who are in their graves will hear His voice 5:29 and come out-those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

  3. c. 1 Corinthians 15:21–23, 42–44; Philippians 3:21

    1 Corinthians 15:21–23; 1 Corinthians 15:42–44

    15:21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 15:23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming. 15:42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: 15:43 It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: 15:44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.

    15:21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. 15:22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. 15:23 But each in his own turn: Christ the firstfruits; then at His coming, those who belong to Him. 15:42 So will it be with the resurrection of the dead: What is sown is perishable; it is raised imperishable. 15:43 It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. 15:44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.

    Philippians 3:21

    3:21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

    3:21 who, by the power that enables Him to subject all things to Himself, will transform our lowly bodies to be like His glorious body.

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

  4. d. John 5:27–29; Matthew 25:33

    John 5:27–29

    5:27 And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. 5:28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 5:29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

    5:27 And He has given Him authority to execute judgment, because He is the Son of Man. 5:28 Do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming when all who are in their graves will hear His voice 5:29 and come out-those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.

    Matthew 25:33

    25:33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.

    25:33 He will place the sheep on His right and the goats on His left.

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

Related (2)

The Baptist Catechism (1695), parallel to this question

Question 41

What benefits do believers receive from Christ at the resurrection?

At the resurrection believers, being raised up in glory, shall be openly acknowledged, and acquitted in the day of judgment, and made perfectly blessed, both in soul and body, in the full enjoyment of God to all eternity.

Westminster Shorter Catechism (1647), parallel to this question

Question 38

What benefits do believers receive from Christ at the resurrection?

At the resurrection, believers being raised up in glory shall be openly acknowledged and acquitted in the day of judgment and made perfectly blessed in the full enjoying of God to all eternity.

Commentaries (9)