The Doctrine Of Work And Rest

The Doctrine Of Work And Rest

Bodie Hodge, M.Sc., B.Sc., PEI

Biblical Authority Ministries, February 10, 2026 (Donate)

It is remarkable that Christians today often have to re-explain something as basic as work and rest. And yet, these doctrines are frequently misunderstood, distorted, or disconnected from their biblical foundation.

Ironically, the modern world benefits immensely from concepts of labor, productivity, weekends, vacations, and even retirement, all of which ultimately trace back to Scripture—Genesis 1-11 to be more precise! Work and rest are not human inventions; they are divine institutions established by God Himself for the benefit of man.

God designed and created us and our earthly environment; He would know what our bodies need most. And this is the case in both a perfect world and the sin-cursed and broken world that has transpired since Genesis 3.

What Is Work?

Biblically, work is purposeful activity carried out under God’s authority. Work did not originate after the Fall. Before sin entered the world, God placed Adam in the garden “to tend and keep it” (Genesis 2:15). Work, therefore, is not a curse; it is part of God’s original design for mankind. For those who do a job well done, there an amazing satisfaction behind it And that is part of God’s design.

Infographic of work and rest; Image requested by Bodie Hodge (ChatGPT)

Man was created to reflect God’s character, and God Himself is portrayed as the ultimate Worker. There is a joy in it when done with the right heart. Genesis opens with God actively working: creating, shaping, separating, naming, and blessing.

Work, in Scripture, is tied to stewardship. Man is called to cultivate the earth, exercise dominion under God, and use creation responsibly. Man is profoundly made in the image of a working God. Granted, all of God’s work is perfect (Deuteronomy 32:4) and we fall short far too often since Genesis 3 and the curse upon creation.

After the Fall, work became more difficult and frustrating (Genesis 3:17–19). We now deal with thorns and thistles and blood, sweat, and tears! But take note, work did not lose its dignity or purpose. Scripture consistently treats honest labor as good, honorable, and necessary.

What Is Rest?

Rest, biblically understood, is not laziness or idleness. Rest is the cessation of normal labor for the purpose of recuperation, restoration, praise and worship, learning from God’s Word, joy, and trust in God. God Himself rested after creation, not because He was weary, but because His work was complete and He did this as an example to man (Exodus 20:11; Mark 2:27).

“And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done” (Genesis 2:2, NKJV).

Rest didn’t mean complete cessation either—consider that God continued to work to uphold all things into existence. Rest is a declaration of dependence.

By resting, man acknowledges that the world continues because God sustains it, not because man never stops working. True rest should direct our hearts from productivity to worshipping and praising God and learning from His Word and this helps keep us from getting caught up in our own works and worship the work of our hands.

The Work-Rest Cycles

The Weekly Work-Rest Cycle

The foundational work-rest rhythm  of a week is established in creation itself. God worked for six days and rested on the seventh, blessing and making it holy (Genesis 2:1–3). This pattern is later put into the Fourth Commandment as part of the Mosaic Covenant (Old Covenant):

“For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it” (Exodus 20:11, NKJV).

Exodus 31:17 also shows that this pattern was a sign that goes back to creation, not merely Israel’s culture.

The weekly cycle teaches balance. Work is required, but it is limited. Rest is commanded, but it is purposeful. God sets boundaries on labor to protect mankind from both exploitation and self-destruction.

Between the seventh day of rest (Sabbath) and the Lord’s Day (because Christ resurrected on the first day), this forms the basis for the weekend.

The Daily Work-Rest Cycle

Scripture also recognizes a daily rhythm of labor and rest. Psalm 104:23, NKJV states,

“Man goes out to his work and to his labor until the evening.”

The regular pattern of morning labor and nighttime rest reflects God’s ordering of time itself: day for work, night for rest which was likely His model of working during Creation Week. This daily cycle shows that sleep itself is a gift from God (Psalm 127:2).

Looks like a great place to take my daily rest! Image requested by Bodie Hodge (ChatGPT)

The Jubilee Work-Rest Cycle

Beyond weekly and daily rest, God instituted long-term rest cycles for the land and for society. Every seventh year was a sabbatical year when the land rested (Leviticus 25:4), and every fiftieth year was the Year of Jubilee. During Jubilee, debts were forgiven, land was returned, and economic reset was enforced. This system prevented perpetual poverty, generational exploitation, and unchecked accumulation of power.

The Jubilee cycle demonstrated that God is the true owner of all property and wealth. Israel was reminded that they were stewards, not absolute owners.

How Jesus Respected The Work-Rest Cycle

Jesus fully honored God’s design for work and rest. He worked diligently in His earthly ministry, often to the point of physical exhaustion, yet He also withdrew to rest and pray (Mark 6:31). Jesus affirmed the Sabbath’s purpose when He said,

“The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27, NKJV).

He corrected legalistic abuses of rest without abolishing its principle. Christ also fulfilled the deeper meaning of rest by offering spiritual rest to the weary:

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28, NKJV).

In Christ, believers find ultimate and eternal rest from the burden and weight of sin and its punishment, while still honoring God through faithful labor. In Christ, we look forward to a new heavens and new earth that will be perfect. Try to imagine how amazing work would be in a perfect world again!

The Value of Work

Scripture is clear that work is a moral obligation. The apostle Paul states plainly,

“If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat” (2 Thessalonians 3:10, NKJV).

This principle shows man’s responsibility and rejects laziness or slothfulness and entitlement. Work is the ordinary means by which God provides for individuals, families, and communities.

At the same time, Scripture condemns exploitation, fraud, and oppression in labor. Sadly, the secular mindset that permeates our society opens the door to all sorts of terrible things like this.

Nevertheless, work is valuable not merely because it produces income, but because it reflects obedience to God’s design.

Currency Types in Scripture

The Bible recognizes multiple forms of wealth and currency. And these are still relevant today.

Livestock and Property

In the ancient world and all the way up to today, wealth was often measured in land, livestock, and productive assets. I grew up on a farm where land, our cattle, hogs, sheep, chickens, and grain were valuable commodities.

Cattle have maintained their value since the days of Abraham

Abraham, Job, and Solomon are described as wealthy with property and herds. This category corresponds today, not just with farm assets, but also real estate, businesses, investments, and productive enterprises. These forms of wealth should be signs of stewardship, and long-term responsibility.

Gold, Silver, and Precious Metals

Another form of wealth that Abraham, Job, and Solomon had was measured in gold. This actually goes back to Genesis and God giving it value in Genesis 2:11-12.  

Abram was very rich in livestock, in silver, and in gold. (Genesis 13:2, NKJV)

Then all his brothers, all his sisters, and all those who had been his acquaintances before, came to him and ate food with him in his house; and they consoled him and comforted him for all the adversity that the LORD had brought upon him. Each one gave him a piece of silver and each a ring of gold. (Job 42:11, NKJV)

All King Solomon’s drinking vessels were gold, and all the vessels of the House of the Forest of Lebanon were pure gold. Not one was silver, for this was accounted as nothing in the days of Solomon. (1 Kings 10:21, NKJV)

Scripture often references gold and silver as the currency of exchange and stores of value. Proverbs 16:16, NKJV states,

“How much better to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.”

While precious metals are acknowledged as valuable, Scripture consistently places moral and spiritual priorities above material wealth.

Gold Ring; Photo by Bodie Hodge

The Bible warns against trusting riches while recognizing that material resources can be used righteously when submitted to God’s authority.

Conclusion

The doctrine of work and rest is woven into the fabric of creation, law, wisdom literature, and the life of Christ. Work is dignified, necessary, and God-ordained. Rest is commanded, meaningful, and faith-affirming. Together, they form a rhythm that protects mankind from idolatry, exhaustion, and even from despair.

When properly understood, our work should glorify God, provide for our needs, and serves others. Rest, on the other hand, should be used to restore and rejuvenate our body, reorient our soul with God’s purposes, and reminds man that God alone is sovereign.

In a restless world that seems to be obsessed with productivity and consumption, the biblical doctrine of work and rest remains both timeless (pun intended!) and incredibly necessary.

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Bodie Hodge, Ken Ham's son in law, has been an apologist since 1998 helping out in various churches and running an apologetics website. He spent 21 years working at Answers in Genesis as a speaker, writer, and researcher as well as a founding news anchor for Answers News. He was also head of the Oversight Council.  

Bodie launched Biblical Authority Ministries in 2015 as a personal website and it was organized officially in 2025 as a 501(c)(3). He has spoken on multiple continents and hosts of US states in churches, colleges, and universities. He is married with four children.

Mr. Hodge earned a Bachelor and Master of Science degrees from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale (SIUC). Then he taught at SIUC for a couple of years as a Visiting Instructor teaching all levels of undergraduate engineering and running a materials lab and a CAD lab. He did research on advanced ceramic materials to develop a new method of production of titanium diboride with a grant from Lockheed Martin. He worked as a Test Engineer for Caterpillar, Inc., prior to entering full-time ministry.

His love of science was coupled with a love of history, philosophy, and theology. For about one year of his life, Bodie was editing and updating a theological, historical, and scientific dictionary/encyclopedia for AI use and training. Mr. Hodge has over 25 years of experience in writing, speaking and researching in these fields.

 

Doctrine Of The Sabbath Day And The Lord’s Day

Doctrine Of The Sabbath Day And The Lord’s Day

Bodie Hodge, M.Sc., B.Sc., PEI

Biblical Authority Ministries, October 29, 2025 (Donate)

All Scripture NKJV

In today’s culture, there is often confusion over the day of rest and the differences between the Sabbath (Saturday) and the Lord’s Day (Sunday). In Scripture, the Sabbath Day and the Lord’s Day are distinct in origin and purpose.

The doctrine of the Sabbath day was instituted by God as a day of rest and worship. It first appears in Genesis 2:2–3, where God rests on the seventh day after creation and sanctifies it. This sets the precedent for the Sabbath as a holy day.

Sabbath In The Old Testament

The Sabbath originates in Genesis 2:2–3, where God “rested on the seventh day from all His work” and blessed it. The Fourth Commandment (Exodus 20:8–11, Deuteronomy 5:12–15) formalized this day of rest for Israel, setting apart the seventh day (Saturday) as holy with Law implications at that point. In other words, you could get in trouble for violating that rest period.

The Sabbath commemorated God’s rest from creation by instituting a day of “taking a break” from His usual work during Creation Week. God still upheld things in existence for instance on Day 7. It was not that God needed to rest—His power is infinite (omnipotent).

The Sabbath day also signifies Israel’s deliverance from Egypt (Deuteronomy 5:15). From that point, the Sabbath was a sign between God and Israel (Exodus 31:13–17), marking them as His covenant people. Violation of it under the Mosaic Law carried severe penalty (Numbers 15:32–36).

Synagogue in ancient times; Image requested by Bodie Hodge (ChatGPT)

After its declaration in the 10 Commandments, the Sabbath continued as a regular establishment and way of life (e.g., Exodus 31:13-17). The Israelites were commanded to do no customary work, and this command applied to everyone in the household, including servants and animals.

The Sabbath served as a sign of the covenant between God and Israel and was deeply tied to both rest and remembrance of God's deliverance from Egypt (Deuteronomy 5:15). Violating the Sabbath was considered a serious offense, even punishable by death for those who intentionally defy and profane it and continue to do their normal work anyway (Exodus 31:14–15, Numbers 15:32–36).

The Sabbath was a key part of ancient Jewish identity and religious life, marked by rest, and Synagogue, Tabernacle, and Temple worship, where they would reflection on the Law and the prophets (Old Testament).

Sabbath In The New Testament

In the New Testament, the Sabbath is still recognized, but its role begins to unfold in light of Jesus' teachings and the coming of the new covenant.

Jesus often performed healings and other acts of mercy on the Sabbath, which brought Him into conflict with the religious leaders faulty understanding of the Sabbath rest. Consider in Mark 2:27–28, Jesus says,

“The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath.”

This statement means that the Sabbath was a gift, not a burden, and affirms Jesus' authority over it. In Matthew 12:1–14, Jesus defends his disciples for picking grain on the Sabbath and heals a man’s hand, showing that doing good is lawful on the Sabbath. Picking grain, if that was their normal, daily job, would have been a problem. But that wasn’t the disciples normal activities from which they were resting, but an enjoyable treat, honorable to the Lord in their rest.

Jesus reoriented the Pharisees faulty understanding of the Sabbath from overly strict rule-keeping, based more so on the traditions of their fathers (now written in the Talmud), instead of Scripture.

Yet, in the New Testament, Jesus declared, “The Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27–28), showing His authority over it and revealing its true intent—mercy, not mere ritual (Matthew 12:1–12).  Again, the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. And sadly, the Law was followed with such fervor so as to attack people for doing anything on that day (Law violations)—even doing good.

Today, this still persists with strict followers in the religion of Judaism (followers of the Talmud). One can’t even push an elevator button on the Sabbath as that being seen as work and can get you in trouble!

But Christ helped us understand that a day of rest was meant to help man recuperate and recover from normal activities and enjoy other things of the Lord on that day. And one should always be allowed to do good on those days!

The Bible explains that rest has a spiritual aspect as well. The book of Hebrews (chapter 4) explains more about those in Christ who have this eternal spiritual rest where others fail to enter that rest.

1 Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. 2  For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it.

3  For we who have believed do enter that rest, as He has said: “So I swore in My wrath, ‘They shall not enter My rest,’” although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. 4  For He has spoken in a certain place of the seventh day in this way: “And God rested on the seventh day from all His works”; 5  and again in this place: “They shall not enter My rest.”

6  Since therefore it remains that some must enter it, and those to whom it was first preached did not enter because of disobedience, 7  again He designates a certain day, saying in David, “Today,” after such a long time, as it has been said: “Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts.” 8  For if Joshua had given them rest, then He would not afterward have spoken of another day.

9  There remains therefore a rest for the people of God.10  For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His. 11 Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience. (NKJV)

The Type Of Work

The weekly holiday of the Sabbath also has an aspect of physical rest as well as obedience under the Mosaic Law, pointing to spiritual rest in God. The prophet Isaiah associated it with delighting in the Lord and refraining from one’s normal pursuits/work (Isaiah 58:13–14).

The Bible clarifies this further on other rest days. Certain feast days and holy convocations—such as Passover, the Feast of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, and others—required the people to refrain from "customary work" (Leviticus 23).

This was similar to the Sabbath in that these days were set apart as holy, meant for rest and worship rather than regular labor. Like the Sabbath, they served as reminders of God's provision, deliverance, and covenant with His people.

For example, on the Day of Atonement, the Israelites were to “do no work at all” (Leviticus 23:28), and on the first and seventh days of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, no customary work was to be done (Leviticus 23:7–8). These special days, like the weekly Sabbath, emphasized ceasing from ordinary routines to focus on God.

Both the Sabbath and these feast days functioned as sacred time—God-appointed pauses in the week or year—where rest and worship took priority over daily tasks. They reflected God's rhythm of rest and served as opportunities for spiritual renewal and remembrance.

Doing good on the Sabbath and not going to the extreme or the intentional profaning of the Sabbath. Sabbath was made for man and his refreshment—not man for the Sabbath (the threat of death for a misstep!). The death penalty was for blatant disregard for God’s command—and if someone was being belligerent toward God regarding the Sabbath to defy Him and do their normal work anyway. This is how they were having evil disregard for God’s commands to rest.

The Lord’s Day (First Day/Sunday)

After Jesus’ resurrection (on the first day of the week), the early Christians began gathering on Sundays (Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:2). These passages indicate a transition from seventh-day worship pattern to observance to Sunday, often called “the Lord’s Day” (see Revelation 1:10) by John and early church fathers (e.g., John’s disciple, Ignatius of Antioch, in his Epistle to the Magnesians, chapter 9).

Paul also addressed the Sabbath in his letters. Consider: says,

"Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ." (Colossians 2:16–17, NKJV)

"One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind." (Romans 14:5, NKJV)

In the Bible, the Sabbath began as a sacred day of rest modeled by God and commanded under the Law. In the New Testament, Jesus honors the Sabbath but also becomes the substance of what it represented. In Christ, we have an eternal rest from sin, death, and the meaningless of chasing after the wind.

The early church, while acknowledging the Sabbath, shifted its main day of gathering to Sunday in honor of Jesus' resurrection (while preaching to the Jews in synagogues and the Temple on the Sabbath). Under the new covenant in Christ, worship observance is now different (not at the Temple, no animal sacrifices, no Levitical priesthood, etc.), but rest and worship remain central themes in Christian life.

The focus should be on Christ in the Church; Image requested by Bodie Hodge (Chat GPT)

The Lord’s Day is not the Sabbath renamed, but a distinct commemoration of Christ’s resurrection. Jesus rose “on the first day of the week” (Matthew 28:1; Mark 16:2; Luke 24:1; John 20:1). The early disciples gathered on this day to break bread and receive apostolic teaching (Acts 20:7), and Paul instructed the Corinthians to set aside offerings “on the first day of the week” (1 Corinthians 16:2). By the time of Revelation 1:10, John calls it “the Lord’s Day,” recognizing it as sacred to Christ’s victory over death.

Theologically, the Lord’s Day represents the new creation and eternal rest in Christ. Hebrews 4:9–10 explains that “there remains a rest [Greek sabbatismos] for the people of God,” fulfilled not by a day, but by faith in Jesus.

So, the Sabbath was like a “type” or a “shadow” of the things to come. In Christ, we have eternal rest from the strife of meaningless and mundane work on this sinful side of heaven. Our work now has a joy and an eternal reward in heaven.  

Thus, believers rest from their righteous works (seen as filthy rages by God—Isaiah 64:6). God also rested from His perfect, unstained work after its completion, modelling for up a spiritual Sabbath through the gospel (Matthew 11:28–30). So, what does that do about the weekly rest day? It opens it up actually.

One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks. (Romans 14:5-6, NKJV)

The book of Colossians explains more about this.

So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ. (Colossians 2:16-17, NKJV)

Now all days can be seen as the type of Sabbath rest, not just one. Because we have entered God’s eternal rest, all days are technically the same from a spiritual perspective. In the same way God made all foods clean (Mark 7:14), God now made all days the same as the typical rest day by His work on the Cross and His subsequent Resurrection. Christ is now our rest, and the Sabbath was a shadow pointing to Christ; but He is the fulfillment for which we were waiting.

Because this is now opened up—all seven days can be a rest and time to honor God in Christ spiritually. So, no one should pass judgment on you or your local church for any day of rest taken. If someone rests on Sunday, so be it. If someone rests on Saturday or a Wednesday, so be it.

This is why some Christians utilize Sunday as their day of rest—because they can. Some even denote this as a “Christian Sabbath” (e.g., Presbyterians). Nevertheless, Sunday is still the Lord’s Day and distinct from traditional understanding and practices of the Sabbath (seventh day).

With all this in mind, let’s not violate what God has said and pass judgment on those who sincerely rest and advocate for rest on the day(s) of their choosing. That is now between them (as individuals or congregants) and God.

Now understand, that this has to do with rest, not corporate worship and breaking of bread (e.g., Lord’s Supper). The early church, in honor of Christ’s resurrection, did these things exclusively on the first day of the week (Sunday). So, this example shouldn’t be neglected.

Distinction

The Sabbath day was the seventh day instituted as rest for man. It was rooted in creation and Mosaic Law. It was a sign of God’s covenant with Israel.

Lord’s Day is the first day of the week when Christians gather. It celebrates Christ’s resurrection and the new covenant in Christ’s blood—an eternal covenant. Its focus is on worship, breaking of bread, and living and growing in God’s Word and Christ’s finished work.

In essence, the Sabbath looked forward to redemption; the Lord’s Day celebrates that redemption fulfilled. Both honor God—one in creation, the other as a new creation in Christ.

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Bodie Hodge, Ken Ham's son in law, has been an apologist since 1998 helping out in various churches and running an apologetics website. He spent 21 years working at Answers in Genesis as a speaker, writer, and researcher as well as a founding news anchor for Answers News. He was also head of the Oversight Council. 

Bodie launched Biblical Authority Ministries in 2015 as a personal website and it was organized officially in 2025 as a 501(c)(3). He has spoken on multiple continents and hosts of US states in churches, colleges, and universities. He is married with four children.

RIP

 

RIP—"Rest in Peace”—A Biblical Concept?

 Bodie Hodge, M.Sc., B.SC., PEI

 Biblical Authority Ministries, June 21, 2024 (Donate)

 

When someone dies, I often hear people comment “rest in peace” or RIP. It’s a common phrase around Halloween and other Days of the Dead. It’s put on gravestones.

Why do people say this? Where does it come from? Let’s evaluate this, shall we?

Non-Christian Worldviews

In a secular worldview where you are just matter in motion—when you die, you’re done and nothing mattered. I don’t hold to that religion, but I know people trapped in that religion who were taught this false belief for years in government schools.

There is no reason to say RIP if you are secular. There is no rest nor peace in that belief since you’re supposed to be nothing but matter.

Other religions fare no better. Consider monism (i.e., Eastern religions) where all is spirit. There is no rest in their afterlife, but only struggle in a reincarnated phase. If you ever do make it to the end, it’s not rest but a form of cancellation.

Biblical Worldview

So where does the idea of “rest in peace” come from? It actually comes from the Bible. It’s indicative of a soul that continues to endure even after death, which will either be in heaven or in hell. In hell, there is no rest.

There is no rest for the wicked; they will be punished with the wrath of God upon them for all eternity. That is what hell is—a punishment.

However, those in Christ will have rest and have entered into Christ’s eternal rest. Those who believe in Jesus Christ and His death, burial, and resurrection will be saved from the second death, which is hell.

Because Christ took the punishment that we deserve on the cross—the wrath of God—for our sin, it was paid for by the Son of God. He was in a position to take that punishment. Only He was in that distinct position, being who He was. Essentially, the infinite Son of God took the infinite punishment from the infinite Father, and that satisfied God’s wrath upon sin. In this, you can see the essential aspect of the triune God—the three persons of the one God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

In Daniel 12:13 and Isaiah 57:2, we see instances of the godly resting in death. But the ungodly and wicked will have no peace or rest (Isaiah 57:21). There are a number of instances in the Old Testament of rest (compare Psalm 95:11 to Hebrews 4:3-11), and these are foreshadowings of the eternal rest that we will have in heaven with God.

The New Testament echoes this “rest,” viewing the godly as in a temporary state of being “asleep” (e.g., Acts 13:36; 1 Corinthians 15:20; 1 Thessalonians 5:10). When we believe in Jesus, we enter that rest. So when Christians die and they are laid in the grave, it is often viewed as a “sleeping period” or “rest period” until the general resurrection of all mankind unto judgment—since death has no sting for Christians (1 Corinthians 15:54-57).

Christians, when they die, are seen as resting in peace—indicative of their placement in Christ and awaiting the blessing of heaven and God’s eternal blessing forever. When someone says "rest in peace," that is indicative of a Christian who is waiting for the general resurrection.

RIP is a comment of hope in Christ. Sadly, many people use this phrase for people who are not Christians. It will literally be a rude awakening for those who are not in Christ, for there will be no rest for all eternity.

I want to encourage you to consider the claim of Jesus Christ as given in the Scriptures. Jesus died for our sins, and He was resurrected into life. He has the power over eternal life and eternal death, only through His shed blood.