A denial of the material nature of the resurrection body is fatal for Christian immortality. Unlike the ancient Greeks, Christians believe true immortality involves the whole person, including the body; not just the continuing existence of the soul. But if Christ did not rise in the same physical body in which He died, then we have no real hope that we will ever attain true immortality either.

Paul declared that Christ "has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel" (2 Tim. 1:10). It is only through Christ's victory over physical death that believers can proclaim: "Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?" (1 Cor. 15:55). Otherwise, as Paul informed the Corinthians, "if Christ has not been raised...those who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost" (1 Cor. 15:18).