Resurrection of the Body | Part 9 - Laying the Foundation | Derek Prince

Main Ideas and Lessons

• Purpose of the session

  • The speaker teaches foundational doctrine focused on readiness for the Lord’s coming, specifically emphasizing the resurrection of the dead (with eternal judgment reserved for a later session).
  • Key Scripture proclamation (adapted personally from 1 Thessalonians 5:23–24):
    • God sanctifies believers completely.
    • Their whole spirit, soul, and body are preserved blameless at Christ’s coming.
    • God “is faithful” to do it.

• Meaning of “resurrection” (Greek)

  • The word means “to stand up out of.”
  • Resurrection is standing up out of death and the grave—specifically the resurrection of the body.

• What happens after death (and why it matters to resurrection)

  • The speaker argues the Bible clearly outlines what happens after death, and that this universal question shapes how resurrection is understood.
  • Luke 16:19–26 (rich man and Lazarus) is used as the central picture (described as not a parable).
  • The story is presented to show that after death there is:
    1. Persistence of personality (no loss of identity)
    2. Recognition of persons
    3. Recollection of earthly life
    4. Conscious awareness of one’s condition
    5. A fixed separation between righteous and unrighteous (no crossing)

• Hades/Sheol before Jesus

  • Before Jesus’ death and resurrection, departed souls went to Hades (Greek) / Sheol (Hebrew)—the unseen realm.
  • Everyone entered Hades/Sheol, but with two distinct areas: righteous vs. unrighteous.
  • There is no “in-between”; people end up in one category.

• What changed when Jesus died and rose

  • Jesus’ person includes spirit, soul, and body, and the speaker explains how each relates to death and the after-death realm:
    • Spirit commended to the Father (Luke 23:46)
    • Soul went to Hades (citing Acts 2 and Psalm 16; also 1 Peter 3:18–19)
    • Body laid in the tomb (citing John 19)
  • Jesus is described as making a proclamation in Hades, interpreted as a declaration of authority and accountability.
  • Resurrection is described as decisive for the universe and as changing the destiny of souls.

• New destiny for believers after Jesus’ resurrection

  • Since Jesus’ resurrection:
    • The righteous do not go to Hades.
    • Believers’ spirits go directly to Jesus at death (examples: Stephen in Acts 7 and Paul’s confidence in Philippians 1:23).
  • Departed righteous souls were said to be released from captivity after Jesus’ work, referencing Ephesians 4 (with Psalm 68 imagery).

• Resurrection as Christian doctrine and salvation

  • The speaker strongly argues that physical resurrection is essential:
    • If Christ is not raised, preaching/faith are vain, and people remain in sins (1 Corinthians 15:14, 17).
    • Denying physical resurrection means losing the basis for salvation.
  • Resurrection is tied to:
    • Justification (Romans 4:25)
    • Salvation confession/faith (Romans 10:9–10)
    • Christ’s power to save (Hebrews 7:25)
    • Completion of redemption: spirit may go to heaven, but bodily redemption awaits resurrection (Philippians 3, Romans 8:23)

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Resurrection-Related “Methodology” / Practical Instructions (as Presented)

• Make readiness and hope real (not verbal only)

  • The speaker insists that genuine hope produces life change:
    • 1 John 3:2–3: “Everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself just as He is pure.”
  • Claim: If someone says they hope for resurrection but shows no pursuit of purity/holiness, they are likely self-deceived.

• Interpretation of “passport” and waiting

  • Believers are described as heaven’s citizens and should “eagerly wait” for Christ (Philippians 3:20).
  • This waiting is presented as a mark of true Christians.

• Repentance as a decision plus action

  • The speaker gives a direct call to respond:
    • If you’re not living in readiness, repent.
  • Repentance is described as a decision followed by action.
  • People are invited to respond when they sense the Holy Spirit prompting them.

• Response invitation (altar call)

  • The speaker asks attendees who are not ready to:
    • Get out of their seat
    • Come forward and kneel
    • Pray personally to God from the heart (words not provided)
  • He asks pastors present to come join him for prayer.
  • Prayer is offered for individuals and for New Zealand, described as currently leading a “careless, self-indulgent” life.

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Detailed: What Happens in Resurrection (Body Changes)

• Resurrection body: continuity + change (seed analogy)

  • Burial is likened to sowing a seed.
  • What comes up:
    • Has continuity (the same “self”/same body in identity terms)
    • But has tremendous transformation (like seed-to-plant—nature changes while identity continues)

• Resurrection of Jesus as a pattern

  • Jesus’ risen body is presented as the same body, transformed.
  • He shows hands and side (Luke 24; John 20; Thomas’s demand is referenced).
  • The speaker concludes believers’ resurrection bodies will similarly be “flexible,” based on how Jesus appears in closed spaces and to different individuals.

• Five specific changes to believers’ resurrection bodies (1 Corinthians 15)

  1. Corruptible → incorruptible (no longer able to decay)
  2. Mortal → immortal (no longer able to die)
  3. Dishonor → glory
  4. Weakness → power
  5. Soulish → spiritual
     • The speaker emphasizes that the “natural/soulish” framing can obscure the Bible’s spirit/soul distinction.
     • Analogy: in the current body, the soul influences the body; in resurrection, the spirit will control directly.

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Phases of Resurrection (Timing / Order)

The resurrection is described as occurring in three phases:

1. Christ as firstfruits
2. Those who belong to Christ at His coming
3. The final resurrection of the remaining dead

• Jesus is portrayed as coming only for those who belong to Him (not “taking” others).

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Evidence / Attestation for Jesus’ Bodily Resurrection (as Presented)

• Scripture-centered evidence

  • The speaker states primary evidence is Scripture, not merely eyewitnesses.

• Old Testament predictions (examples used)

  • Psalm 22: Messiah suffering described in first-person, argued to be predictive.
  • Isaiah 50: Messiah suffering in first-person.
  • Psalm 16 (quoted in Acts 2) to show:
    • Soul not left in Sheol/Hades
    • Holy One not seeing corruption
    • Path of life / fullness of joy
  • Psalm 71:20–21: revival/raising theme applied uniquely to Jesus.
  • Hosea 6:1–2:
    • “After two days… on the third day…” raised.
    • Noted as expressed in plural (“us/our”) and applied to believers in Ephesians 2 (made alive/raised/enthroned with Christ).

• New Testament eyewitness list (secondary but included)

  • From 1 Corinthians 15:5–8, including:
    • Cephas (Peter), the twelve, 500+, James, all the apostles, Paul (“born out of due time”).
  • The speaker notes many witnesses remained alive when Paul wrote (some “have fallen asleep,” but “greater part” were still living).

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Speakers / Sources Featured

Speaker

• Derek Prince

Biblical Sources Quoted / Referenced

• 1 Thessalonians 5:23–24
• 1 Thessalonians 4:17
• 1 Corinthians 15 (incl. 14, 17, 35–38, 42–44, 52–53)
• Luke 16:19–26
• Luke 23:46
• Acts 2 (Psalm 16 quotation)
• Psalm 16
• 1 Peter 3:18–19
• John 19:40–42
• John 20 (hands/side; Thomas)
• Luke 24:38–39
• Acts 7:57+ (Stephen)
• Philippians 1:23
• Ephesians 4 (Psalm 68 quotation)
• Psalm 68
• Colossians 1:18
• Philippians 3:20–21
• 1 John 3:2–3
• 1 Corinthians 2 (soulish/spiritual distinction discussed)
• Romans 1:3–4
• Romans 4:25–26
• Romans 10:9–10
• Hebrews 7:25
• Philippians 3:10+
• Romans 8:22–23
• 1 Corinthians 15:22 (three phases/order)
• Leviticus 23 (firstfruits sheaf ceremony)
• Matthew 27 (earthquake/tombs opened; righteous dead mentioned)
• 1 Peter 1:10–12
• Psalm 22:16
• Isaiah 50:6
• Psalm 71:20–21
• Hosea 6:1–2
• Ephesians 2:4+
• 1 Corinthians 15:5–8
• General reference: “Moses and the prophets” (from Luke 16)

Individuals Mentioned (Not as Speakers)

• Jesus
• Paul
• Abraham
• Lazarus
• The rich man
• Stephen
• Saul (Paul before conversion)
• Cephas/Peter
• James
• Thomas
• “over five hundred brethren” (1 Cor 15)
• Ruth (mentioned in the appeal context)