Death-Resurrection
Typological treatment in the corpus
Nee distinguishes two functions of Christ’s work: death kills and cleanses (blood), resurrection releases God’s zoë-life. Type in Christ; antitype in believer who dies with Christ and receives God’s resurrection power.
Biblical Grounding
| Reference | Context |
|---|---|
| Rom. 6:3-4 | ”Baptized into his death… raised to life just as Christ was raised” |
| 1 Cor. 15:57 | ”But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” |
| Col. 3:1 | ”Since you have been raised with Christ… set your hearts on things above” |
| Gal. 2:20 | ”I have been crucified with Christ… Christ lives in me” |
| Phil. 3:10 | ”I want to know Christ… and the power of his resurrection” |
Typological Interpretation by Author
Watchman Nee
Although Nee-Lee treat Christ’s work secondary to “life experience,” they recognize that death and resurrection are fundamental. Nee distinguishes two functions:
Through the blood that Jesus the Lord shed on the cross, redemption was accomplished. Subsequently, through the resurrection of Jesus the Lord, God’s life of resurrection was released.1
Cross (blood-shedding) solves sin-guilt. Resurrection releases the divine zoë-power that can work in believers. In body-analogy they distinguish function:
The function of death kills and cleanses… while [the function of resurrection]… supplies the nourishment of divine life.2
This determines the character of God’s work: sin must die (death), but God’s life must be released (resurrection). For the believer, this means the old man dies (co-death with Christ) and resurrection power works (transformation via God’s life).
God’s mighty power of creation calls forth life from nothing; God’s mighty power of resurrection gives life to the dead. This is what Abraham experienced in receiving Isaac.3
Related Types
- Blood-Flesh: blood-flesh (blood cleanses; flesh nourishes through contact)
- Rebirth: rebirth-ty (believer receives resurrection power in spirit)
- Union with God: union-with-god (old separation dies; new union grows)