PAUL'S CONCEPTION OF THE RESURRECTION            463

 This grand old truth has ever stood as the foundation of
all true gospel preaching. The Apostle says, in the 13th
and 14th verses of chapter above mentioned "If there be no
resurrection  of  the  dead,  then  is  Christ  not risen:
And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching
vain, and your faith is also vain." Hundreds, thou-
sands, aye, millions, have hazarded their lives, suffered
destitution, affliction, and cruel mockings, because of their
"respect unto the recompense of the reward." The Apostle
affirms in the 19th verse, that, "If in this life only we have
hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable."
  Fortified and comforted by this doctrine, five hundred mil-
lion souls to-day are marching to the music of angelic choirs,
with the Gospel banner of Jesus Christ unfurled, urged and
inspired by the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit, and
with hope and holy aspiration for a "better inheritance;"
are not "counting their own lives dear unto them;" but with
undaunted courage, they are facing the, so called, scientific
criticism of a frowning world and pressing the battle of
Christian faith to the gate; believing in the end they shall
follow in the footsteps of their resurrected Saviour and be
able to shout, "O death! where is thy sting? O grave!
where is thy victory?"
               Glorified Body of the Saints.
  While this resurrection to a spiritual state will be a uni-
versal one, the resurrected body of the saints shall resemble
the glorified body of our Lord. Doubtless, with him, "flesh
and blood (have) not inherited the kingdom of God."
  The Apostle, though, inspired, has not been able to give
to us any definite information as to the time of the general
resurrection. Christ has told us in Matt. 24:36, that, "Of
that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of
heaven, but my Father only." He, the Apostle, declares
however, that following the resurrection and general judg-
ment, "Then cometh the end." That is, the end of Christ's
mediatorial kingdom, "When he shall have delivered up the




			

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

Paul's Conception of the Resurrection

M.

Volume:  28
Issue Number:  01
Page Number:  456
Date:  07/1911