What are we to believe concerning the resurrection?
We are to believe, that at the last day there shall be a general resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust:1 when they that are then found alive shall in a moment be changed; and the selfsame bodies of the dead which were laid in the grave, being then again united to their souls forever, shall be raised up by the power of Christ.2 The bodies of the just, by the Spirit of Christ, and by virtue of his resurrection as their head, shall be raised in power, spiritual, incorruptible, and made like to his glorious body;3 and the bodies of the wicked shall be raised up in dishonor by him, as an offended judge.4
Scripture proofs
The Westminster Assembly's proof texts (KJV). The bracketed numbers in the answer above mark the clause each set of references supports; expand a row to read the verses.
1 Acts 24:15
And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.
2 1 Cor. 15:51–53; 1 Thess. 4:15–17; John 5:28–29
1 Cor. 15:51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
1 Cor. 15:52 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.
1 Cor. 15:53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
1 Thess. 4:15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
1 Thess. 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
1 Thess. 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
John 5:28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,
John 5:29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
3 1 Cor. 15:21–23, 42–44; Phil. 3:21
1 Cor. 15:21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.
1 Cor. 15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
1 Cor. 15:23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.
1 Cor. 15:42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:
1 Cor. 15:43 It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:
1 Cor. 15:44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.
Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
4 John 5:27–29; Matt. 25:33
John 5:27 And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.
John 5:28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,
John 5:29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
This doctrine across the Standards
Where the Confession and the Westminster Shorter Catechism treat the same matter, so the question can be studied alongside its parallel statements.
In the Westminster Confession
IX.5 The will of man is made perfectly and immutably free to good alone, in the state of glory …
The will of man is made perfectly and immutably free to good alone, in the state of glory only.
→ IX.5 · Of Free WillXXXII.2 At the last day, such as are found alive shall not die, but be changed; and all the …
At the last day, such as are found alive shall not die, but be changed; and all the dead shall be raised up with the self-same bodies, and none other, although with different qualities, which shall be united again to their souls forever.
→ XXXII.2 · Of the State of Men after Death, and of the Resurrection of the DeadXXXII.3 The bodies of the unjust shall, by the power of Christ, be raised to dishonor; the bodies of …
The bodies of the unjust shall, by the power of Christ, be raised to dishonor; the bodies of the just, by his Spirit, unto honor, and be made conformable to his own glorious body.
→ XXXII.3 · Of the State of Men after Death, and of the Resurrection of the DeadXXXIII.1 God hath appointed a day wherein he will judge the world in righteousness by Jesus Christ, to whom …
God hath appointed a day wherein he will judge the world in righteousness by Jesus Christ, to whom all power and judgment is given of the Father. In which day, not only the apostate angels shall be judged, but likewise all persons, that have lived upon earth, shall appear before the tribunal of Christ, to give an account of their thoughts, words, and deeds; and to receive according to what they have done in the body, whether good or evil.
→ XXXIII.1 · Of the Last JudgmentXXXIII.2 The end of God's appointing this day, is for the manifestation of the glory of his mercy in …
The end of God's appointing this day, is for the manifestation of the glory of his mercy in the eternal salvation of the elect; and of his justice in the damnation of the reprobate, who are wicked and disobedient. For then shall the righteous go into everlasting life, and receive that fulness of joy and refreshing which shall come from the presence of the Lord: but the wicked, who know not God, and obey not the gospel of Jesus Christ, shall be cast into eternal torments, and be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power.
→ XXXIII.2 · Of the Last JudgmentXXXIII.3 As Christ would have us to be certainly persuaded that there shall be a day of judgment, both …
As Christ would have us to be certainly persuaded that there shall be a day of judgment, both to deter all men from sin, and for the greater consolation of the godly in their adversity: so will he have that day unknown to men, that they may shake off all carnal security, and be always watchful, because they know not at what hour the Lord will come; and may be ever prepared to say, Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly. Amen.
→ XXXIII.3 · Of the Last JudgmentIn the Westminster Shorter Catechism
Q.38 What benefits do believers receive from Christ at the resurrection?
At the resurrection, believers being raised up in glory, shall be openly acknowledged and acquitted in the day of judgment, and made perfectly blessed in the full enjoying of God to all eternity.
→ Open Q.38