Definition (house style)
αναστασις (anastasis) is the Greek New Testament word for “resurrection.” It appears in two theologically significant senses: the historical resurrection of Christ from the dead (Acts 2:31; 1 Cor. 15:12-13), and the future resurrection of believers (John 5:29; 1 Cor. 15:42-44). Christ’s resurrection is in the New Testament the foundation and prototype of the resurrection of believers — he is “the beginning, the firstborn from the dead” (Col. 1:18).
Bullinger counted all forms of this word in the New Testament and arrived at a total of 42 (= 6×7) occurrences. In his numerical hermeneutic, this figure marks the completeness of redemption: six as the number of mankind, multiplied by seven as the number of divine fullness.
Usage per author
Bullinger
Bullinger documents the total frequency of αναστασις as evidence for the numerical structure of the plan of redemption:
“αναστασις (anastasis) — resurrection: 39 times; resurrection of life (with εκ): 1 time; the first to rise (with πρωτος εξ): 1 time; risen: 1 time. Total: 42.”
[Bullinger, Number in Scripture, Part I, ch. II]
The number 42 = 6×7 shows for Bullinger that the resurrection is the destiny of humanity (6) as divinely and completely ordained (×7).
Noordzij
Noordzij reads Christ’s resurrection as a cosmic beginning, not an isolated historical event:
“Jesus’ life was therefore not a once-only, solo event. No, it was the beginning of the resurrection from the dead (Col. 1:18). He is the first of the firstfruits for God (1 Cor. 15:23, Jas. 1:18) and ultimately ‘the firstborn of all creation’ (Col. 1:15).”
[Noordzij, Moses and the Way to Sonship, §23 — translated from Dutch]
The resurrection inaugurates a universal resurrection reality: Christ as firstborn draws after him all who are predestined to be conformed to the image of the Son (Rom. 8:29).
Nee/Lee
Lee emphasises that through the resurrection Christ did not lay aside his humanity but added resurrection life to it:
“After His resurrection, Christ did not put away His humanity to become God again. Christ is still a man! And as a man He has the added element of resurrection life mingled with His humanity.”
[Lee, The Economy of God, ch. 1]