458                  A. M. E. REVIEW.

have, the nature of the resurrected body. Suffice it to say,
that this is only another providential mystery that awaits
the resurrection morn for more definite or complete unfold-
ing. What light we enjoy upon this very difficult phase of
the subject, is principally furnished by divine revelation,
from the writings of St. Paul in his letters to Phil., I Thess.,
and I Cor.
  Permit me to say that Paul's conception of the resurrec-
tion is very nearly the concensus of Christendom. There is
to be found a few inklings of opposition in some of the so-
called, "Higher Criticism." His idea was one of a real
arising of the identical body that fell asleep in death. And
how the resurrection can be else and have an intelligent
meaning is beyond rational or spiritual comprehension.
The very import of the word implies, "Arising again or re-
arising," etc. If it applied, and it did in Christ's resurrec-
tion, then it must, with equal force, apply in the resurrec-
tion of all men. He is the assurance of ours, and His real
and identical body arose.  A few Jews denied it, but the
Roman soldiers, apostles, disciples, and five hundred breth-
ren, who saw Him at one time, affirmed that He arose.
  Paul affirms the same of all men. With other important
views, there are two conceptions of Paul on the subject that
stand out preeminently: (a) That there will be a general
resurrection; (b) That the resurrection will be the arising
of the identical bodies that fell asleep in death.
  II. A General Resurrection.
  That there will be a general resurrection and that the
bodies of the saints will be fashioned like the body of Christ,
we learn from his letter to the Phil. 3:20, 21, "For our con-
versation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the
Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. 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."  In I Thess. 4:14-17, he infers that
the resurrection of the righteous shall precede that of the




			

OHS/National Afro-American Museum & Cultural Center Serial Collection

African Methodist Episcopal Church Review, Vol. 28, Num. 1

Volume:  28
Issue Number:  01
Date:  07/1911