“The gospel…is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes” (Romans 1:10). Ultimately, it is the Word of God used by the Holy Spirit which gives us faith to believe in the resurrection of all people on the last day. But no matter how biblical the doctrine is, it is still a matter of faith for Christians to believe in the resurrection. Beyond what the Bible says, there is no tangible evidence for it, any more than the Jehovah’s Witnesses have proof for their unbiblical doctrine of annihilation.

However, based on the faith-borne assumption that the Bible is true in what it says, we have many statements attesting to the resurrection, fitting into a number of different categories.

1.Eyewitnesses: The people who saw and spoke with the saints who rose from the dead after Jesus died had evidence of a resurrection: “The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs, and after Jesus’ resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many people.” (Matthew 27:53-53). Note: these people lived almost 2,000 years before Jehovah’s Witnesses teachings were “invented.” So they should have been annihilated, and therefore, not able to rise from the dead. Consider also those who saw Lazarus walk out of his tomb after his death and burial: “When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.” (John 11:43-44).

2. Consistency of Old Testament and New Testament teaching about the resurrection: Daniel prophesied the resurrection of believers and unbelievers alike: “Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.” (Daniel 12:2-3); Jesus and Lazarus’ sister Martha both spoke in general about a resurrection of the dead (John 11:21-27); and the Apostolic teaching reflects the same idea of all people being raised from the dead: “Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— in a flash, 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” (1 Corinthians 15:51-52).

3. The distinction between a living eternal soul and the temporary nature of the pre-resurrection body: In virtually the same breath Jesus spoke both about a person dying and never dying. “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die’” (John 11:25-26). These words are “non–sensical” to humans unless “never die” refers to the soul or spirit, while “even though he dies” refers to the physical body. The condition of the body clearly does not dictate the condition of the soul (John 11:21-27). St. Paul plainly declares that the living souls of believers who have died will be coming back to earth on judgment day, the same time at which their dead, physical bodies will be raised from the grave and glorified by the power of God. But once again, in the year 50 AD or so, these people couldn’t have been Jehovah’s Witnesses, since that cult did not exist until 1916. According to the teaching of the Jehovah’s Witnesses, the saints the Apostle Paul refers to here should have been annihilated, not promised a resurrection: “We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord’s own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.” (1 Thessalonians 4:14-17).

“These [things] are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” (John 20:29-31). The information we have about the resurrection of all people is certainly trustworthy because it is inspired by God. But what God has told us is not meant so much for winning debates as it is to inform and inspire us so that “by believing, you might have life in His name.”

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“So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”” (Matthew 28:8-10).

“Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.” Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” “Yes, Lord,” she told him, “I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.” (John 11:21-27).

“Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” (John 20:29-31).