Article 1. The bodies of men after death return to dust and see corruption, but their souls, which neither die nor sleep, having an immortal subsistence, immediately return to God who gave them. The souls of the righteous, being then made perfect in holiness, are received into paradise, where they are with Christ and behold the face of God in light and glory, waiting for the full redemption of their bodies. The souls of the wicked are cast into hell, where they remain in torment and utter darkness, reserved to the judgment of the great day. The Scriptures acknowledge none besides these two places for souls separated from their bodies.
Article 2. At the last day, those saints who are found alive shall not sleep, but be changed, and all the dead shall be raised with their same bodies, and none other, though with different qualities. These their bodies shall be united again to their souls forever.
Article 3. The bodies of the unjust shall by the power of Christ be raised to dishonor; the bodies of the just shall by His Spirit be raised to honor and be made conformable to His own glorious body.
Article 2. At the last day, those saints who are found alive shall not sleep, but be changed, and all the dead shall be raised with their same bodies, and none other, though with different qualities. These their bodies shall be united again to their souls forever.
Article 3. The bodies of the unjust shall by the power of Christ be raised to dishonor; the bodies of the just shall by His Spirit be raised to honor and be made conformable to His own glorious body.
Q. What benefits do believers receive from Christ at death?
A. The souls of believers are at death made perfect in holiness, and do immediately pass into glory, and their bodies, being still united to Christ, do rest in their graves till the resurrection.
The Baptist Catechism, Question 41.
