Topical Bible: Power of Christ: Bodies of, Will be Changed By

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The transformative power of Christ is a central theme in Christian eschatology, particularly concerning the resurrection and the glorification of believers' bodies. This transformation is a testament to Christ's authority and divine power, as He will change the mortal bodies of believers into glorified, imperishable forms.

Scriptural Basis

The Apostle Paul provides a foundational understanding of this transformation in his epistles. In Philippians 3:20-21 , Paul writes, "But our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables Him to subject all things to Himself, will transform our lowly bodies to be like His glorious body." This passage highlights the divine power of Christ to transform the physical bodies of believers, aligning them with His own resurrected and glorified body.

Similarly, in 1 Corinthians 15:51-53 , Paul elaborates on the mystery of this transformation: "Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed—in an instant, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must be clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality." This passage underscores the instantaneous and divine nature of the change that will occur at the resurrection.

Nature of the Transformation

The transformation of believers' bodies is characterized by several key attributes:

1. Imperishability: The new bodies will be free from decay and death, reflecting the eternal nature of the resurrected life (1 Corinthians 15:42).

2. Glory: The glorified bodies will reflect the glory of Christ, as believers are conformed to His image (Romans 8:29-30).

3. Power: The new bodies will possess a strength and vitality that surpasses the limitations of earthly existence (1 Corinthians 15:43).

4. Spirituality: While still physical, the transformed bodies will be perfectly attuned to the spiritual realm, fully capable of experiencing the presence of God (1 Corinthians 15:44).

Christ's Authority and Power

The power of Christ to effect this transformation is rooted in His divine authority. As the Creator and Sustainer of all things (Colossians 1:16-17), Christ possesses the power to renew and restore creation. His resurrection serves as the firstfruits and guarantee of the future resurrection of believers (1 Corinthians 15:20-23).

Furthermore, Christ's victory over sin and death through His crucifixion and resurrection provides the basis for this transformation. By conquering death, He has secured the promise of eternal life and glorification for those who are united with Him by faith (Romans 6:5).

Eschatological Hope

The promise of transformed bodies is a source of hope and encouragement for believers. It assures them of their future inheritance and the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. This hope motivates believers to live in anticipation of Christ's return, striving for holiness and perseverance in their faith (1 John 3:2-3).

In summary, the power of Christ to change the bodies of believers is a profound demonstration of His divine authority and the culmination of His redemptive work. This transformation is a key aspect of Christian hope, rooted in the promises of Scripture and the reality of Christ's resurrection.

Nave's Topical Index

Philippians 3:21
Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like to his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things to himself.
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Library

Whether the Soul of Christ had Omnipotence with Regard to his Own ...
... that, As stated above [4013](A[2]), Christ's soul may ... First, in its proper nature
and power; and in this ... it was incapable of making exterior bodies swerve from ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the soul of christ 6.htm

Whether it was Fitting that Christ Should Work Miracles in the ...
... through weakness, yet He liveth by the power of God ... by His word." Therefore it was
fitting that Christ should work ... to be moved by the heavenly bodies, which are ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether it was fitting that 9.htm

Whether a Glorified Body Will be Necessarily Seen by a Non ...
... Now the glorified body will hide other bodies that are ... Now after the resurrection
Christ's body was not necessarily ... Consequently it will be in the power of a ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether a glorified body will.htm

The Power of Christ Illustrated by the Resurrection
... I only desire your minds to grasp and grapple with the great thought of the power
of Christ, by which he shall raise and change the bodies of the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/the power of christ illustrated.htm

The Spirituality of the Risen Body.
... This is the power which our blessed Lord possessed and ... rise conformable to the glorious
body of Jesus Christ. ... But God will clothe the bodies of his children ...
/.../boudreaux/the happiness of heaven/chapter vi the spirituality of.htm

Whether Christ Worked Miracles Fittingly on Men?
... Now Christ did not always heal men suddenly as to their bodies: for it ... 3: As stated
above ([4220]Q[43], A[2]), Christ worked miracles by Divine power. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether christ worked miracles fittingly.htm

Concerning the Resurrection.
... For He has power that is able to keep pace with ... souls being once more united with
our bodies, now made ... stand beside the awful judgment-seat of Christ: and the ...
/.../exposition of the orthodox faith/chapter xxvii concerning the resurrection.htm

Whether Christ had a True Body after his Resurrection?
... from the power of His Godhead, by which power it may happen that even bodies not
glorified ... for Easter: "Let no one suppose that Christ changed His features ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether christ had a true.htm

The Hilltops --Experiences of Gladness and Glory
... means a present experience of power in our bodies, overcoming weakness ... with the Father,
and through our intercession in Christ's Name, the power comes from ...
/.../quiet talks on following the christ/4 the hilltopsexperiences of gladness.htm

Whether the Humors Will Rise Again in the Body?
... Now in Christ's resurrection His blood rose again, else ... human nature and to show
forth its natural power. ... generation in relation to mixed bodies, because they ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the humors will rise.htm