177 – Death of Believers

DEATH OF BELIEVERS

  §177. Though the temporal death of believers is also a consequence of sin,1 it is no longer a punishment of sin,2 but rather the cessation from sinning,3 and a transition from a spiritual life of faith and hope 4 into an eternal life of perfect bliss with God.5

 1. Though the temporal death of believers is also a consequence of sin, …

  Romans 5:12, 15 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned. (15) But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one Man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.

  II Corinthians 5:4 For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.

  Romans 8:10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

2. …it is no longer a punishment of sin,

  Isaiah 53:5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed.

  I Peter 2, 24: Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

  Philippians 1:21, 23 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. (23) For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better.

  II Corinthians 5:4 For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.

  Luke 2:29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to Thy Word.

3. …but rather the cessation from sinning,

  Romans 7:23–24 But I see another law in my members, warring against the Law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?

4. …and a transition from a spiritual life of faith and hope

  Romans 8:24–25 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

  II Corinthians 5:7 For we walk by faith, not by sight.

5. …into an eternal life of perfect bliss with God

  Revelation 14:13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them.

  Luke 23:43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with Me in paradise.

  II Corinthians 5:2, 8 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven. (8) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

  Philippians 1:23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better.

  Acts 7:59 And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.

  Ecclesiastes 12:7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.