I was a Christian for years before the reality of this truth dawned on me. I knew that believers would be resurrected, but never thought about the fact that everyone will be resurrected.

In Acts 24 the apostle Paul was on trial and giving his defense. He told everyone present that he was not changing Judaism, but he was following the Messiah who came to fulfill Judaism. Listen to his words.

However, I admit that I worship the God of our ancestors as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets, and I have the same hope in God as these men themselves have, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. (Acts 24:14–15, emphasis added)

Paul made an interesting statement in this passage. As a follower of the Way, he worshiped the God of his fathers and shared the same hope of resurrection as the Pharisees who were accusing him. Paul clearly understood that everyone would be resurrected and everyone would live forever.

This next passage gives us a picture of the Great White Throne of the ultimate judgment. There will be a resurrection of the righteous and a resurrection of the wicked. All of humanity will be resurrected.

Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. The earth and the heavens fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done. (Rev. 20:11–13)

Ingram, Chip. 2017. Why I Believe: Straight Answers to Honest Questions about God, the Bible, and Christianity. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker.

We have just completed a 6-Week Bible Study Lesson Series on Chip Ingram’s book, Why I Believe. It is available on Amazon in both print and Kindle versions, as well as part of Good Questions Have Groups Talking Subscription plan. The idea is to invite each participant to purchase their own book and discuss it each week.

Topics include:

Why I Believe, Lesson #1
Chapters 1, 2
Why I Believe in the Resurrection
Did Jesus Really Die?

Why I Believe, Lesson #2
Chapters 3, 4
Why I Believe the Bible
Don’t Take My Word for It

Why I Believe, Lesson #3
Chapters 5
Why I Believe in Life After Death

Why I Believe, Lesson #4
Chapters 6, 7
Why I Believe in Life Creation
Science or God?

Why I Believe, Lesson #5
Chapter 8
Why I Believe in the God of the Bible

Why I Believe, Lesson #6
Chapter 9
How is that Working for You?

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