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Spring 2012
about... New Beginnings
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A contemplative piece you might not want to miss this holiday,
if even a bit dated. It's a GREENSide favorite |
Second, if there is a 'resurrection of the dead' then there's truly a reality that's beyond the ordinary; a supernatural reality that lends itself toward an exciting & hopeful future from the daily 'dog-eat-dog' grind that's leaving so many in modern society utterly depleted, battered and abused, strained, weary and despairing of life. Isn't there a need for a hope in something better?
And finally, and quite possibly the most important of all... there's been at least one man in history who staked everything he had, and knew, on his one belief in the 'resurrection of the dead', a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. His name was Paul of Tarsus, known by many as the Great Apostle (i.e. one sent with a message) to the Gentiles (i.e. all non-Jewish peoples). Paul was continually treated harshly, as well as tried and convicted on numerous occasions for his belief in the 'resurrection of the dead' (cf. Acts of the Apostles in The BIBLE, chapters 17,23 & 24). His conclusion was that this single belief in the 'resurrection of the dead' as genuinely attained and confirmed by Jesus of Nazareth (in his mind the One true Messiah for all mankind, in part supported by his resurrection from the dead) had to be one of the essential beliefs for any follower of Jesus. On one occasion he stated it this way,
And finally, and quite possibly the most important of all... there's been at least one man in history who staked everything he had, and knew, on his one belief in the 'resurrection of the dead', a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. His name was Paul of Tarsus, known by many as the Great Apostle (i.e. one sent with a message) to the Gentiles (i.e. all non-Jewish peoples). Paul was continually treated harshly, as well as tried and convicted on numerous occasions for his belief in the 'resurrection of the dead' (cf. Acts of the Apostles in The BIBLE, chapters 17,23 & 24). His conclusion was that this single belief in the 'resurrection of the dead' as genuinely attained and confirmed by Jesus of Nazareth (in his mind the One true Messiah for all mankind, in part supported by his resurrection from the dead) had to be one of the essential beliefs for any follower of Jesus. On one occasion he stated it this way,
But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead,
how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?
If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised.
And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.
More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God,
for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead.
But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised.
For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either.
And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.
Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost.
Paul's 1st letter to the Corinthians 15:12-18
how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?
If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised.
And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.
More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God,
for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead.
But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised.
For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either.
And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.
Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost.
Paul's 1st letter to the Corinthians 15:12-18
For Paul a belief in the certainty of a 'resurrection of the dead' was one of the essential beliefs that separated those with a future of abundant life from those with nothing but eternal death. Frightening for some; exciting prospect for others.
Another contemporary, the Apostle Peter also concurred, with an added flair,
Another contemporary, the Apostle Peter also concurred, with an added flair,
...and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also —
not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God.
It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ,...
Peter's 1st epistle, 3:21
not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God.
It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ,...
Peter's 1st epistle, 3:21
Are you looking for a New Beginning this Easter holiday? You might want to consider giving some serious thought to what you believe about new beginnings.
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Personal account #: 004527
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