The Christian burial is an expression of our hope. We sow the body. That is a sign of hope of which Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 15:34–49. A cremation does not speak the language of hope. The fire destroys the body. It is the end. But sowing a body means waiting for the resurrection. The Bible clearly teaches a final resurrection of the bodies of the saints. The resurrection of Jesus is declared to be the first fruits of those who will also participate in his resurrection. There is continuity between the earthily body that dies and the resurrected body we will be given. Our present bodies are corruptible and will indeed decay or, in some instances be torn asunder or fragmented in death. However, just as Jesus returned from the grave with his body, albeit changed, so shall our present bodies be resurrected though changed. A body may change its stat without thereby destroying its identity.
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We confess that I belong, with body and soul, to my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ and therefore we confess the resurrection of the body.2
22 By faith Joseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave directions concerning his bones.