Pauline concept of <i>egeiro, anastasis</i> and <i>soma pneumatikon</i> in an Urhobo church community of Delta state, Nigeria

Abstract

Paul’s use of egeiro, anastasis and soma pneumatikon in 1 Corinthians 15 relates to the resurrection of Jesus Christ and that of Christians on the Last Day. While egeiro and anastasis are analyzed to mean resurrection, the term soma pnuematikon means glorified body. Using the comparative and evaluative models which fall within the inculturation model as a methodology, this work is aimed at the exposition of Pauline understanding of resurrection as against that of Urhobo traditional understanding of the subject matter. It also seeks to encourage the church in Urhoboland to remain steadfast in the teaching of Paul in the New Testament, particularly in 1 Corinthians 15 on the subject of resurrection, being that the Pauline concept of egeiro and anastasis are similar to the Urhobo concepts of erhovwo, evrhen and ekparho. For this reason, the understanding of Pauline didache on resurrection can be easily understood by the Urhobo Christians. Although, Jesus’ resurrection was not directly seen to have been predicted in the Old Testament and in the Intertestamental Literature as a background to the New Testament understanding of resurrection, it was seen that the idea of resurrection was not alien to the Hebrews or Judaizers. Since the teaching of resurrection is an important doctrine in Christian faith, Paul made it clear that the eschatological egeirein and the anistanai of Christians is sure and as such, Christians should be hopeful of this without any prejudice to some kinds of philosophy that exist within some people around who do not believe.