Expert: John of AllFaith - 6/17/2009

Question
I hope that you do not think of this as a waste of your time. My husband and I are having an ongoing argument of what we should do if one of us dies. It has been my wish to be cremated mainly because I don't want the financial burden of a funeral to be placed on my family. I see being buried as an unnecessary expenditure. My husband is set against it. He believes that your body must be intact according to the verse that says "the dead in Christ shall rise". Does "the dead" refer to everyone who dies or just to those who died before Christ? Also, I know that it says in the Bible that our bodies are a temple for the Holy Spirit. I am confused and I would really like some help on this one! Also, if you have time for another question; is there anyone still in paradise or do those that have been born again go to "HEAVEN" to await judgment when we die?

Answer
Hi Amber,

Sincere questions are never a waste of time.

The Bible does not speak to this issue directly.

Many Christians (historically most but this is changing now) point out that since the Jews bury their dead while many other religions cremate (or leave the body for the birds etc) this is evidence that Christians should likewise be buried and that it is God's Will. In my opinion this is cultural.

I Cor 15 gives us very important information on this question. From that chapter we learn, on part:

37 And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain:

--- Note that "thou" and that which you sow are two different things. We are not these material bodies. The body is something God gives us as a vehicle, tool or a suit of clothing.

38 But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body.

--- "Seed" in this sense being the Soul, the real you, the 'flower' that God is growing and grooming for eternity.

39 All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds.

40 There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another.

41 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory.

--- Now here's the point. We have been granted 'corruptible human bodies' by the Will of God. For the most part they serve us well but in time they weaken, die and decay. As Job said they, "...become like dust and ashes" (Job 30:19). Once buried the body decays and leaves only bones and in times even those return to the earth as 'dust and ashes' regardless of how the body is disposed. Others have their bodies burned by natural causes (house fires etc), some are eaten by fish or wild animals. These people will also be resurrected.

--- Once the Soul leaves the body it is but an empty husk. Beautiful funerals etc. are to console the living not the dead.

42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:

43 It is sown in dishonour; 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 a spiritual body.

--- First the Soul receives a physical, earthly body and then in the resurrection is granted a celestial eternal body. Both are granted by God's Will.

48 As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.

49 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.

--- They are two completely different bodies and we will 'wear' both sorts.

50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

51 Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,

52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

--- Notice the language used. We shall put on...

We get a peek at these incorruptible bodies in Jesus transfiguration.

Matthew 17  
1 And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,
2 And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.
3 And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.
4 Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.
5 While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.
6 And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid.
7 And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid.
8 And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only.

As for your second question:

II Cor. 5 Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.
6 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:
7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

Based on this and other scriptures Baptists generally believe that when Jesus died he went to "Paradise" (during the three days he was "dead") and then, at his resurrection he took all those souls to "Heaven" leaving that Paradise empty.

Since his resurrection everyone in whom the Holy Spirit dwells (i.e. all who have been "born again") go instantly (or almost so) to Heaven and await the resurrections.
The details of these events are debated of course.

Romans 14:7 For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.
8 For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.
9 For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.


I hope this is helpful to you,
~ Pastor John