Are Christians immortal?
Christians talk about eternal life, but Christians still die. So what does it mean? Are believers immortal, and if so, in what way?
In one sense, yes, and in one sense, not yet. Every person’s soul lives on after death (Matthew 25:46), and believers have eternal life now: “whoever hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life” (John 5:24). But our bodies still die (Hebrews 9:27). When Jesus returns, believers will receive resurrection bodies that can never die again: “the perishable must be clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality” (1 Corinthians 15:53). Full immortality, body and soul, is coming.
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Lazarus came back, but Jesus rose
Jesus raised His friend Lazarus after four days in the tomb (John 11:43–44). It was a stunning miracle, but Lazarus would die again someday. When Jesus rose, it was different: “since Christ was raised from the dead, He cannot die again; death no longer has dominion over Him” (Romans 6:9). Believers will be raised like Jesus, not like Lazarus: never to die again.
Soul, body and resurrection
When a believer dies, the soul goes immediately to be with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8), while the body is buried. At Jesus’ return, the dead in Christ are raised and believers still alive are changed (1 Thessalonians 4:16–17; 1 Corinthians 15:51–52). Body and soul are reunited, made new and immortal.
What the resurrection body is like
It is imperishable, glorious, powerful and spiritual (1 Corinthians 15:42–44), like Jesus’ resurrection body, which could be touched and could eat, yet was no longer limited the way ours are (Luke 24:39–43; Philippians 3:21).
What the Bible says
- 01
Eternal life now.
“Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not come under judgment. Indeed, he has crossed over from death to life.”
John 5:24 - 02
Will never die.
“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me will live, even though he dies. And everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?””
John 11:25–26 - 03
The resurrection body.
“So will it be with the resurrection of the dead: What is sown is perishable; it is raised imperishable. It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.”
1 Corinthians 15:42–44 - 04
Clothed with immortality.
“For the perishable must be clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come to pass: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” “Where, O Death, is your victory? Where, O Death, is your sting?””
1 Corinthians 15:53–55 - 05
Cannot die again.
“For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, He cannot die again; death no longer has dominion over Him.”
Romans 6:9 - 06
Like His glorious body.
“But our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables Him to subject all things to Himself, will transform our lowly bodies to be like His glorious body.”
Philippians 3:20–21
Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.
Read 1 Corinthians 15:50–58 today, and let the last verse shape how you live this week.
Common questions
Do unbelievers live forever too?
Every person exists forever: “they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life” (Matthew 25:46). Eternal life means life with God.
Will we recognize each other?
Yes. Jesus was recognized after His resurrection, and Moses and Elijah were recognized at the transfiguration (Matthew 17:3).
What age will we be?
Scripture doesn’t say. Our bodies will be glorious and whole, without the effects of sickness or age.
Take your first step with us.
If you prayed today, or you’re close, Become will walk with you: your first days with Jesus, step by step, with people praying for you.