The Crowning Truth of Our Faith

Pillar Focus The Apostles Creed: "He descended into hell, on the third day he rose again"

Three Marys at the Tomb, William Bouguereau

The Resurrection of Jesus is the crowning truth of our faith in Christ, a faith believed and lived as the central truth by the first Christian community; handed on as fundamental by Tradition; established by the documents of the New Testament; and preached as an essential part of the Paschal mystery along with the cross (638). Peter and the Apostles are the primary "witnesses to his Resurrection," but they are not the only ones. Paul speaks clearly of more than five hundred persons to whom Jesus appeared on a single occasion (642).

Jesus' resurrection had a profound impact on the early Church. Just look at the incredible transformation that occurred among the Apostles who preached this truth to their martyrdom! Some were crucified, others were killed in other horrific ways.

What would lead a man to preach something so profound as "Christ is Risen," in the face of certain death, if he were not completely convinced of what he was preaching?! Nothing, that's what! The Apostles witnessed Christ risen in the realest sense. They saw the resurrected Lord, spoke with him, ate with him, and were able to physically touch him (St.Thomas touched his wounds). They did not give their lives for the sake of a "good man," a "good teacher," or someone who just "spiritually" rose from the dead. They gave their life for the Resurrected Messiah! Hundreds of thousands of Christians would later do the same.



Study the Catechism

#125-131

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part 1, section 2, chapater 2, article 5
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