The Apostles' Creed - Lesson 13: The resurrection of the body

The Apostles' Creed

Lesson 13: The resurrection of the body

I believe in God, the Father, Almighty, maker of heaven and earth;

And in Jesus Christ, his only son, our lord;

Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,

Born of the virgin Mary,

Suffered under Pontius Pilate,

Was crucified, dead and buried.

He descended into hell,

And on the third day he rose again;

He ascended into heaven,

Where he is now seated at the right hand of God, the Father, Almighty,

Whence he shall come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,

The holy, catholic church,

The communion of saints,

The forgiveness of sins,

The resurrection of the body,

And the life everlasting.

Amen.

John 5:28-29 [28] Don’t marvel at this, for the hour comes, in which all that are in the tombs will hear his voice, [29] and will come out; those who have done good, to the resurrection of life; and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of judgment.

1 Corinthians 15:19 If we have only hoped in Christ in this life, we are of all men most pitiable.

RESURRECTION

A rising again; chiefly, the revival of the dead of the human race, or their return from the grave, particularly at the general judgment. By the resurrection of Christ we have assurance of the future resurrection of men. 1Peter 1.

In the resurrection, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage. Matt. 22.

"resurrection." Noah Webster's 1828 American Dictionary of the English Language. 2015. http://1828.mshaffer.com/d/word/resurrection (14 March 2015).

The Main Points for This Lesson:

The purpose of this series of lessons is, using the Apostles' Creed, to teach the essential teachings of the Christian faith and what it means to believe them. To state it simply, the goal is to teach what we believe and what it means to believe it.

The Apostles' Creed has three main sections. The third section begins with the Holy Spirit. In this lesson we will learn about the fourth part of this third section: “...The resurrection of the body.”

Death. When sin entered the world, death came with it. All men die. If death is the final end of existence for men, then it is most reasonable to live for this life only. If the grave is the end, then, as it has been written, let us eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow we die (1 Corinthians 15:32).

Resurrection. God spoke through his Son, and through his apostles and prophets, and has told us of the resurrection of the dead. One day, the last day, all men will rise again. Death is not the end of existence. It is the hope of the resurrection that gives us reason to look beyond this life as we live today. It gives us reason to make choices and goals based on a hope of eternal reward.

All will be raised. Daniel wrote of the resurrection: “Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt” (Daniel 12:2). Jesus said simply that all men will rise, “those who have done good, to the resurrection of life; and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of judgment” (John 5:29). For those who have done good, the resurrection is a wonderful hope and joy, for such will rise again to eternal life. For those who have done evil, the resurrection is a terror and most undesirable thing, for they will rise again to judgment and eternal condemnation. If we want to have a reasonable hope of rising unto life, we must be those who have done good.

Jesus is the resurrection and the life. Speaking to Martha, Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will still live, even if he dies” (John 11:25). If we want to rise again unto life, we must believe in Jesus. Believing in Jesus and doing good are not two separate or opposing things. They go hand in hand. We can never say, I do good, so I don't need Jesus. Neither can we say, I believe in Jesus, so I don't need to do good. The apostle Paul wrote that we (God's children) are his workmanship, created for good works in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:10). May our believing in Jesus be a living faith that loves and obeys the one we call Lord. Binding together believing in Jesus and doing good, it was written, “For if we die with him, we shall also reign with him” (2 Timothy 2:11).

What does it mean to believe this? To believe in the resurrection of the body is to believe that there is an eternity to be gained or lost in this life. Believing in the resurrection of the body we will evaluate our life in this world and the things of this world in light of the next life. We will not fear death for ourselves, knowing that death leads to resurrection. We will not mourn for God's children who have died as the world mourns for their dead, for we know by faith that they will be raised again unto life. If we believe in the resurrection, we will turn from sin, fearing the judgment of him who tells us that those who do evil will rise again unto everlasting contempt. Finally, believing this, we will pursue righteousness and good works in faith in Christ Jesus our Lord, in hope that we may attain to the resurrection of the dead unto life eternal.

Suggestions:

Open each lesson with prayer for the teacher and the students and this class time.

Remind the children that we are using the Apostles' Creed to teach the essential teachings of the Christian faith, that is, what we believe and what it means to believe it. Read through the Apostles' Creed with the children.

For the purpose of these lessons, we have broken the creed into twelve parts. Let the children know that today we will talk about the eleventh part: ...The resurrection of the body.

Ask the children if they can tell you what resurrection means. Help them to understand as they need help.

Remind them that the resurrection came up before in the Apostles’ Creed. See if they know the difference between this and the earlier time it was mentioned. (The resurrection of the body refers to the resurrection of all men. The earlier time it was mentioned was related specifically to Jesus rising again on the third day.)

Ask the children in they can name all the stories in the Bible about someone rising from the dead. As they name them, write them in two categories (see below under “More Stories and Examples”). Have them give you some of the details from each story.

See if they can figure out the difference between the two categories of resurrections (The first rise in this life to die again. The second rise never to die again.) What resurrection is this section of the Apostles' Creed talking about? Will only some people rise again? If all will rise, will all rise to the same thing? To whom is promised the resurrection unto life? (Those who do good, those who believe in Jesus.) To whom is promised the resurrection unto judgment? (Those who do evil.) During this section, it would be good to help the children out by reading some verses from the Gospel of John: 5:28-29; 11:23-27. If we want to attain to the resurrection unto life, what should we do?

If time and attention span permits, ask the children how believing in the resurrection of the body affects our thoughts about death.

Close the lesson with prayer related to the subject and the students. Pray the Lord's Prayer together.

Stories:

John 11:1-44 – The story of Lazarus

More Stories and Examples:

RAISED BACK TO THIS LIFE

In God's word, we read several stories of those who were raised from the dead back to this life. That is, they were dead. They were raised. However, we expect that they will eventually die again in this life.

1 Kings 17:17-24

Elijah raised widow's son

2 Kings 4:18-37

Elisha raises Shunnamite's son

2 Kings 13:20-21

Dead man touches Elisha's bones and comes to life again.

Luke 7:11-17

Jesus raises widow's son

Matthew 9:18-26; Mark 5:22-43; Luke 8:40-56

Jesus raises Jairus' daughter

Acts 9:36-41

Dorcas raised by Peter

Acts 20:7-12

Eutychus is raised by Paul.

THE RESURRECTION OF THE BODY

Jesus died. He rose again. His resurrection is different from all others who were raised. He rose never to die again. Death no more has dominion over him (Romans 6:9). It is such a resurrection this is promised to all those who follow Jesus to the end with an obedient faith.

Matthew 28; Mark 16; Luke 24; John 20 – Jesus rose from the dead on the third day.

Matthew 27:50-53 – At the death of Jesus, many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised.

I include this story of resurrection in this section, though I am uncertain. While I am inclined to think that those who were raised at this time did not die again, but ascended to heaven after appearing to many in Jerusalem, I am not sure, and we are not told.

Other Verses:

Just as 1 Corinthians 13 is THE chapter about love, 1 Corinthians 15 is THE chapter about the resurrection of the body. It is long, but I place it first and in its entirety for those who desire to read the words inspired by the Holy Spirit on this subject.

1 Corinthians 15:1-58 [1] Now I declare to you, brothers, the Good News which I preached to you, which also you received, in which you also stand, [2] by which also you are saved, if you hold firmly the word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. [3] For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, [4] that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, [5] and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. [6] Then he appeared to over five hundred brothers at once, most of whom remain until now, but some have also fallen asleep. [7] Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, [8] and last of all, as to the child born at the wrong time, he appeared to me also. [9] For I am the least of the apostles, who is not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the assembly of God. [10] But by the grace of God I am what I am. His grace which was bestowed on me was not futile, but I worked more than all of them; yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. [11] Whether then it is I or they, so we preach, and so you believed. [12] Now if Christ is preached, that he has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? [13] But if there is no resurrection of the dead, neither has Christ been raised. [14] If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain, and your faith also is in vain. [15] Yes, we are found false witnesses of God, because we testified about God that he raised up Christ, whom he didn’t raise up, if it is so that the dead are not raised. [16] For if the dead aren’t raised, neither has Christ been raised. [17] If Christ has not been raised, your faith is vain; you are still in your sins. [18] Then they also who are fallen asleep in Christ have perished. [19] If we have only hoped in Christ in this life, we are of all men most pitiable. [20] But now Christ has been raised from the dead. He became the first fruits of those who are asleep. [21] For since death came by man, the resurrection of the dead also came by man. [22] For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. [23] But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, then those who are Christ’s, at his coming. [24] Then the end comes, when he will deliver up the Kingdom to God, even the Father; when he will have abolished all rule and all authority and power. [25] For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. [26] The last enemy that will be abolished is death. [27] For, “He put all things in subjection under his feet.” But when he says, “All things are put in subjection”, it is evident that he is excepted who subjected all things to him. [28] When all things have been subjected to him, then the Son will also himself be subjected to him who subjected all things to him, that God may be all in all. [29] Or else what will they do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead aren’t raised at all, why then are they baptized for the dead? [30] Why do we also stand in jeopardy every hour? [31] I affirm, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. [32] If I fought with animals at Ephesus for human purposes, what does it profit me? If the dead are not raised, then “let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” [33] Don’t be deceived! “Evil companionships corrupt good morals.” [34] Wake up righteously, and don’t sin, for some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame. [35] But someone will say, “How are the dead raised?” and, “With what kind of body do they come?” [36] You foolish one, that which you yourself sow is not made alive unless it dies. [37] That which you sow, you don’t sow the body that will be, but a bare grain, maybe of wheat, or of some other kind. [38] But God gives it a body even as it pleased him, and to each seed a body of its own. [39] All flesh is not the same flesh, but there is one flesh of men, another flesh of animals, another of fish, and another of birds. [40] There are also celestial bodies, and terrestrial bodies; but the glory of the celestial differs from that of the terrestrial. [41] There is one glory of the sun, another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differs from another star in glory. [42] So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown perishable; it is raised imperishable. [43] It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. [44] It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body and there is also a spiritual body. [45] So also it is written, “The first man, Adam, became a living soul.” The last Adam became a life-giving spirit. [46] However that which is spiritual isn’t first, but that which is natural, then that which is spiritual. [47] The first man is of the earth, made of dust. The second man is the Lord from heaven. [48] As is the one made of dust, such are those who are also made of dust; and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. [49] As we have borne the image of those made of dust, let’s also bear the image of the heavenly. [50] Now I say this, brothers, that flesh and blood can’t inherit the Kingdom of God; neither does the perishable inherit imperishable. [51] Behold, I tell you a mystery. We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, [52] in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we will be changed. [53] For this perishable body must become imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality. [54] But when this perishable body will have become imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then what is written will happen: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” [55] “Death, where is your sting? Hades, where is your victory?” [56] The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. [57] But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. [58] Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the Lord’s work, because you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

We cannot see beyond death with our eyes. While some may have returned back to this life from dying, we do not know of those who have passed through death and judgment to the next life and then returned to tell us. And yet, even in this life, our nature and common sense teach us to live today with the future in mind. Farmers sow their seeds today looking forward to a coming harvest and reward. Students study today that they may be able to gain future rewards through an occupation. Parents expend much time and energy raising their children today looking forward (one reason among many) to the future when their children may care for them.

Perhaps in one way we do not fear death simply because it is death. Perhaps we fear death because of the resurrection that follows. Death is the door to the judgment, at which we must give an account of all things done in the body to our Lord and Maker. Let us watch and pray that we may be counted worthy and to stand before the Son of Man (Luke 21:36).

FACT OF RESURRECTION

Job 19:25-27 [25] But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives. In the end, he will stand upon the earth. [26] After my skin is destroyed, then in my flesh shall I see God, [27] Whom I, even I, shall see on my side. My eyes shall see, and not as a stranger. “My heart is consumed within me.

Psalm 16:9-10 [9] Therefore my heart is glad, and my tongue rejoices. My body shall also dwell in safety. [10] For you will not leave my soul in Sheol, neither will you allow your holy one to see corruption.

Psalm 17:15 As for me, I shall see your face in righteousness. I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with seeing your form.

Isaiah 26:19 Your dead shall live. My dead bodies shall arise. Awake and sing, you who dwell in the dust; for your dew is like the dew of herbs, and the earth will cast out the departed spirits. [see also LXX version of this verse]

Ezekiel 37:1-14 [1] The hand of Yahweh was on me, and he brought me out in the Spirit of Yahweh, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones. [2] He caused me to pass by them all around: and behold, there were very many in the open valley; and behold, they were very dry. [3] He said to me, Son of man, can these bones live? I answered, Lord Yahweh, you know. [4] Again he said to me, Prophesy over these bones, and tell them, you dry bones, hear Yahweh’s word. [5] Thus says the Lord Yahweh to these bones: Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live. [6] I will lay sinews on you, and will bring up flesh on you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live; and you shall know that I am Yahweh. [7] So I prophesied as I was commanded: and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold, an earthquake; and the bones came together, bone to its bone. [8] I saw, and, behold, there were sinews on them, and flesh came up, and skin covered them above; but there was no breath in them. [9] Then he said to me, Prophesy to the wind, prophesy, son of man, and tell the wind, Thus says the Lord Yahweh: Come from the four winds, breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live. [10] So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up on their feet, an exceedingly great army. [11] Then he said to me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel: behold, they say, Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are clean cut off. [12] Therefore prophesy, and tell them, Thus says the Lord Yahweh: Behold, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, my people; and I will bring you into the land of Israel. [13] You shall know that I am Yahweh, when I have opened your graves, and caused you to come up out of your graves, my people. [14] I will put my Spirit in you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land: and you shall know that I, Yahweh, have spoken it and performed it, says Yahweh.

Hosea 13:14 I will ransom them from the power of Sheol. I will redeem them from death! Death, where are your plagues? Sheol, where is your destruction? “Compassion will be hidden from my eyes.

Matthew 22:23-33 [23] On that day Sadducees (those who say that there is no resurrection) came to him. They asked him, [24] saying, “Teacher, Moses said, ‘If a man dies, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed for his brother.’ [25] Now there were with us seven brothers. The first married and died, and having no seed left his wife to his brother. [26] In the same way, the second also, and the third, to the seventh. [27] After them all, the woman died. [28] In the resurrection therefore, whose wife will she be of the seven? For they all had her.” [29] But Jesus answered them, “You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God. [30] For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are like God’s angels in heaven. [31] But concerning the resurrection of the dead, haven’t you read that which was spoken to you by God, saying, [32] ‘I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?’ God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.” [33] When the multitudes heard it, they were astonished at his teaching.

[see also Mark 12:18-27; Luke 20:27-40]

Philippians 3:20-21 [20] For our citizenship is in heaven, from where we also wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; [21] who will change the body of our humiliation to be conformed to the body of his glory, according to the working by which he is able even to subject all things to himself.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 [13] But we don’t want you to be ignorant, brothers, concerning those who have fallen asleep, so that you don’t grieve like the rest, who have no hope. [14] For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. [15] For this we tell you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left to the coming of the Lord, will in no way precede those who have fallen asleep. [16] For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with God’s trumpet. The dead in Christ will rise first, [17] then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air. So we will be with the Lord forever. [18] Therefore comfort one another with these words.

2 Timothy 2:8-13 [8] Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, of the seed of David, according to my Good News, [9] in which I suffer hardship to the point of chains as a criminal. But God’s word isn’t chained. [10] Therefore I endure all things for the chosen ones’ sake, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. [11] This saying is faithful: “For if we died with him, we will also live with him. [12] If we endure, we will also reign with him. If we deny him, he also will deny us. [13] If we are faithless, he remains faithful. He can’t deny himself.”

JESUS IS THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE

John 5:21 For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son also gives life to whom he desires.

John 5:24-29 [24] “Most certainly I tell you, he who hears my word, and believes him who sent me, has eternal life, and doesn’t come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life. [25] Most certainly, I tell you, the hour comes, and now is, when the dead will hear the Son of God’s voice; and those who hear will live. [26] For as the Father has life in himself, even so he gave to the Son also to have life in himself. [27] He also gave him authority to execute judgment, because he is a son of man. [28] Don’t marvel at this, for the hour comes, in which all that are in the tombs will hear his voice, [29] and will come out; those who have done good, to the resurrection of life; and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of judgment.

John 6:39-40 [39] This is the will of my Father who sent me, that of all he has given to me I should lose nothing, but should raise him up at the last day. [40] This is the will of the one who sent me, that everyone who sees the Son, and believes in him, should have eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”

John 6:43-44 [43] Therefore Jesus answered them, “Don’t murmur among yourselves. [44] No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up in the last day.

John 6:53-54 [53] Jesus therefore said to them, “Most certainly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you don’t have life in yourselves. [54] He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.

John 11:23-27 [23] Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” [24] Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” [25] Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will still live, even if he dies. [26] Whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” [27] She said to him, “Yes, Lord. I have come to believe that you are the Christ, God’s Son, he who comes into the world.”

Acts 4:1-2 [1] As they spoke to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came to them, [2] being upset because they taught the people and proclaimed in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.

Acts 17:18 Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also were conversing with him. Some said, “What does this babbler want to say?” Others said, “He seems to be advocating foreign deities,” because he preached Jesus and the resurrection.

1 Corinthians 15:20-23 [20] But now Christ has been raised from the dead. He became the first fruits of those who are asleep. [21] For since death came by man, the resurrection of the dead also came by man. [22] For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. [23] But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, then those who are Christ’s, at his coming.

1 Peter 1:3-5 [3] Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy became our father again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, [4] to an incorruptible and undefiled inheritance that doesn’t fade away, reserved in Heaven for you, [5] who by the power of God are guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

The resurrection of Jesus gives a real and living hope to God's children in the resurrection of the righteous and an eternal reward.

Revelation 1:17-18 [17] When I saw him, I fell at his feet like a dead man. He laid his right hand on me, saying, “Don’t be afraid. I am the first and the last, [18] and the Living one. I was dead, and behold, I am alive forever more. Amen. I have the keys of Death and of Hades.

RESURRECTION AND REWARD

Luke 14:12-14 [12] He also said to the one who had invited him, “When you make a dinner or a supper, don’t call your friends, nor your brothers, nor your kinsmen, nor rich neighbors, or perhaps they might also return the favor, and pay you back. [13] But when you make a feast, ask the poor, the maimed, the lame, or the blind; [14] and you will be blessed, because they don’t have the resources to repay you. For you will be repaid in the resurrection of the righteous.”

Philippians 3:8-11 [8] Yes most certainly, and I count all things to be loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus, my Lord, for whom I suffered the loss of all things, and count them nothing but refuse, that I may gain Christ [9] and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own, that which is of the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; [10] that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, becoming conformed to his death; [11] if by any means I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

Hebrews 11:35 Women received their dead by resurrection. Others were tortured, not accepting their deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection.

RESURRECTION OF RIGHTEOUS AND WICKED

Daniel 12:2-3 [2] Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. [3] Those who are wise shall shine as the brightness of the expanse; and those who turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever.

Matthew 25:1-13

This is the parable of the 10 virgins. They all fell asleep, and they all arose at the cry of the coming of the Bridegroom.

John 5:28-29 [28] Don’t marvel at this, for the hour comes, in which all that are in the tombs will hear his voice, [29] and will come out; those who have done good, to the resurrection of life; and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of judgment.

Acts 17:30-32 [30] The times of ignorance therefore God overlooked. But now he commands that all people everywhere should repent, [31] because he has appointed a day in which he will judge the world in righteousness by the man whom he has ordained; of which he has given assurance to all men, in that he has raised him from the dead.” [32] Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked; but others said, “We want to hear you again concerning this.”

Acts 24:14-16 [14] But this I confess to you, that after the Way, which they call a sect, so I serve the God of our fathers, believing all things which are according to the law, and which are written in the prophets; [15] having hope toward God, which these also themselves look for, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. [16] Herein I also practice always having a conscience void of offense toward God and men.

FALSE TEACHING AND THE RESURRECTION

1 Corinthians 15:12 Now if Christ is preached, that he has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?

Some were saying that there is no resurrection of the dead. This life is all that there is. Death is the end. The apostle Paul wrote 1 Corinthians 15 to teach the Corinthian Christians the truth of the resurrection of the dead.

2 Timothy 2:16-18 [16] But shun empty chatter, for it will go further in ungodliness, [17] and those words will consume like gangrene, of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; [18] men who have erred concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past, and overthrowing the faith of some.

Some claimed that the resurrection was already past. In the end, this is saying that there is no resurrection of the body.

Notes:

Rules of a Godly Life. Part I.

3. Think often on the four last things: on death – there is nothing of which we are more sure; on the Judgment Day – there is nothing more terrible; on hell – there is nothing more unbearable; and on heaven – there is nothing more joyful. He who thinks on these things will shun much sin and will be diligent in the way of salvation.

Online: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/primary-resources/amish-rules/ (March 14, 2015).