TREATISE ON THE RESURRECTION

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The “Treatise on the Resurrection” is an ancient text likely written during the second century to a man named Rheginos. The book highlights the reality of the physical resurrection of Jesus Christ, and the resurrection that occurs for His Christian believers. The “Treatise on the Resurrection” also demonstrates Jesus as God and man, as stated in the Bible. 

 

The “Treatise on the Resurrection” states, “The Lord… existed in flesh and… revealed himself as Son of God… Now the Son of God, Rheginos, was Son of Man. He embraced them both, possessing the humanity and the divinity, so that on the one hand he might vanquish death through his being Son of God, and that on the other through the Son of Man, the restoration to the Pleroma might occur; because he was originally from above, a seed of Truth, before this structure (of the cosmos) had come into being.” 

 

The “Treatise on the Resurrection” continues, “Do not think the resurrection is an illusion. It is no illusion, but it is truth. Indeed, it is more fitting to say that the world is an illusion, rather than the resurrection which has come into being through our Lord the Savior, Jesus Christ.” The text is very clear that the author believed Jesus was resurrected. 

 

Furthermore, the text also says, “For we have known the Son of Man, and we have believed that he rose from among the dead. This is he of whom we say, ‘He became the destruction of death, as he is a great one in whom they believe.’ Great are those who believe.” The two quotes above established Jesus as the Son of Man who is also the Son of God, who came down to earth and defeated death in His resurrection. He did this not only for himself, but for all who believe in Him. This quote confirms the Christian doctrine of eternal life through Christ and why early Christians did not fear death when they experienced persecution.