Q41. What benefits do believers receive from Christ at death?
The souls of believers are at death made perfect in holiness, and do immediately pass into glory, and their bodies, being still united to Christ, do rest in their graves till the resurrection.
Scripture proofs
- [1]Hebrews 12:23
To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,
Philippians 1:23For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:
2 Corinthians 5:8We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
Luke 23:43And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.
1 Thessalonians 4:14For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
Isaiah 57:2He shall enter into peace: they shall rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness.
Job 19:26And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:
Proof texts as given in the original; verse text from the King James Version.