1.3.1 Christian Beliefs about the Afterlife

Christian beliefs on the Afterlife

"I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die."

This indicates that Christians believe in the resurrection of the body on the Day of Judgement, where God will judge everyone individually, determining whether they will be sent to Heaven or Hell, as revealed in the Book of Revelation. Consequently, Christians do not fear death, provided they have lived morally and adhered to God's will.

The Parable of the Sheep and Goats (Matthew 25:31-46)

In the story, the sheep represent those who have helped others and acted kindly, while the goats symbolise those who have been selfish and unkind.

Jesus explains that the sheep will be placed on His right and invited to inherit the kingdom of Heaven for their good deeds:

"Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world" (Matthew 25:34).

In contrast, the goats will be placed on His left and sent away to eternal punishment:

"Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels" (Matthew 25:41).

This parable emphasises the importance of compassionate and selfless behaviour in achieving a place in Heaven.

1. Judgement

St. Paul explains this concept in 2 Corinthians 5:10: "For we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due to us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad."

2. The Second Coming

This is affirmed in many Protestant Churches through the declaration of the Mystery of Faith: "Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again."

Some Christians anticipate a physical and visible return of Christ, while others believe it might be symbolised by significant events, such as a bolt of light.

3. Personal Judgement

There is a belief among some Christians that souls are judged immediately upon death, being sent directly to Heaven or Hell. However, others believe that all souls must wait until the Day of Judgement to be judged together. Regardless of the timing, Christians agree that God's judgement will be just and fair.

4. Heaven and Hell

Many Christians view Heaven as a place of eternal happiness, where believers are in the presence of God, experiencing His love and forgiveness.

In contrast, Hell is depicted in the Bible as a place of eternal punishment, devoid of God's presence.

Heaven

"Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life. (Matthew 25:46)

5. Resurrection

The belief in the resurrection is central to Christianity, grounded in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, as described in 1 Corinthians 15:

"Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures" (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).

This passage assures Christians that all humans can be resurrected, not necessarily in a physical form, but as a spiritual body:

"The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonour, 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" (1 Corinthians 15:42-44).

Exam Practise:

"The resurrection of the dead is the most important Christian belief"

Give two Christian beliefs about Jesus' Ascension

1. Jesus' Ascension took place 40 days after his resurrection
2. It is the moment where Jesus went back to his father in heaven, and he is still there