The Apostles’ Creed, Article II (Part 2)
The Resurrection, Ascension, and Return of Jesus Christ
Part II: Believing in Christ • Questions 66-83
Question 66: Why does the Creed make a point of saying that Jesus died?
The Creed makes the point to emphasize that Jesus died a real, bodily death such as all people face because of our sins.
Scripture: Psalm 22:14–15; Isaiah 53:8–9; Matthew 27:45–50; John 19:30–35
Question 67: Why does the Creed emphasize Jesus’ death in this way?
The Creed emphasizes Jesus’ death to counter suspicions that Jesus did not truly die on the Cross, to celebrate the fact that he died there to secure our salvation, and to prepare our minds to grasp the glory of his bodily resurrection.
Scripture: John 19:31–34; 1 John 5:6–8
Question 68: What does the Creed mean by saying that Jesus descended to the dead?
That Jesus descended to the dead means that he truly died and entered the place of the departed.
Scripture: Psalm 16:9–10; Acts 2:25–32; Ephesians 4:9–10; 1 Peter 3:18–19
“On the Third Day He Rose Again”
Question 69: What does the Creed mean when it affirms that Jesus rose again from the dead?
It means that Jesus was not simply resuscitated; God restored him physically from death to life in his resurrected body, never to die again. His tomb was empty; Jesus had risen bodily from the dead. The risen Jesus was seen by his apostles and hundreds of other witnesses.
Scripture: Psalm 30:1–5; Luke 24:1–12; John 20:1–18; Acts 1:3; 1 Corinthians 15:3–8
Question 70: What kind of earthly life did Jesus have after he rose from the dead?
Following his resurrection, Jesus spent forty days visiting and teaching his followers. He appeared to his disciples, spoke to them, invited them to touch him and see his scars, and ate with them.
Scripture: Luke 24:13–49; John 20:19–29; Acts 1:1–8
“He Ascended into Heaven”
Question 71: How should you understand Jesus’ ascension into heaven?
Jesus was taken up out of human sight and returned in his humanity to the glory he had shared with the Father before his incarnation. There he intercedes for, and receives into heavenly life, all who come to him in faith. Though absent in body, Jesus is always with me by his Spirit and hears me when I pray.
Scripture: John 17:5; Acts 1:9–11; Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:23–25
Question 72: What resulted from the ascension?
Jesus ascended into heaven so that, through him, his Father might send us the gift of the Holy Spirit. Through the Holy Spirit, Christians together are united to Christ, the living Head of his Body, the Church.
Scripture: John 14:15–17, 25–26; 16:7–15; Acts 2:33–36; Ephesians 4:7–16
“And Is Seated at the Right Hand of the Father”
Question 73: What does it mean for Jesus to sit at God the Father’s right hand?
The throne on the king’s right hand was traditionally the seat of one appointed to exercise the king’s own authority. Ruling with his Father in heaven, Jesus is Lord over the Church and all creation, with authority to equip his Church, advance his kingdom, bring sinners into saving fellowship with God the Father, and finally establish justice and peace upon the earth.
Scripture: Psalm 2; Isaiah 9:6–7; Acts 2:33–36; Ephesians 1:20–23; Hebrews 1:3–14
Question 74: What does Jesus do for you as he sits at the Father’s right hand?
Because Jesus intercedes for us as our great high priest, I may now boldly approach the Father and offer my confessions, praises, thanksgivings, and requests to him.
Scripture: Exodus 33:7–17; Psalm 80; Hebrews 4:14–16; 7:24–8:2
Question 75: What does Jesus’ heavenly ministry mean for your life today?
I can rely on Jesus always to be present with me by the Holy Spirit as he promised, and I should always look to him for help as I seek to serve him.
Scripture: Joshua 1:9; Psalm 3; Matthew 28:20; John 14:15–20
“He Will Come Again to Judge the Living and the Dead”
Question 76: What does the Creed mean when it says, “He will come again”?
Jesus promised that he would return (Luke 21:27–28). His coming in victory with great glory and power will be seen by all people and will bring this age to an end. The present world order will pass away, and God will usher in a fully renewed creation to stand forever. All the saints will be together with God at that time.
Scripture: Proverbs 30:4; Daniel 7:13–14; Luke 21:27–28; Acts 1:10–11; 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18; 2 Peter 3:3–13; Revelation 21:1–4
Question 77: Can we know when Jesus will return?
No. We cannot know when Jesus will return. Jesus patiently waits for many to repent and trust in him for new life; then he will return unexpectedly, which could be at any moment.
Scripture: Matthew 24:36–44; 1 Thessalonians 5:1–3
Question 78: How should you live in anticipation of Jesus’ return?
I should anticipate with joy the return of Jesus my Savior and be ready to stand before him. His promise to return encourages me to be filled with the Holy Spirit, to live a holy life, and to share the hope of new life in Christ with others.
Scripture: Deuteronomy 30:1–10; Matthew 25:13–30; 1 Thessalonians 5:4–11; Titus 2:11–14
Question 79: How should you understand Jesus’ future judgment?
All people, whether living or dead, will be judged by Jesus Christ. Those apart from Christ will receive eternal rejection and punishment in hell, while those who are in Christ will receive eternal blessing and welcome into the fullness of life with God.
Scripture: Psalm 50:1–6; Matthew 25:31–46; Romans 2:16; 2 Corinthians 5:10
Question 80: Should you be afraid of God’s judgment?
The unrepentant should fear God’s judgment, for “the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness” (Romans 1:18). But if I am in Christ, I need not fear God’s judgment, for my Judge is my Savior, Jesus Christ, who loves me, died for my sins, and intercedes for me.
Scripture: Psalm 130; Proverbs 28:13–14; John 5:24–30; Romans 8:1, 31–34
Question 81: What does Scripture mean when it tells you to fear God?
It means that I should live mindful of his presence, walking in humility as his creature, resisting sin, obeying his commandments, and reverencing him for his holiness, majesty, and power.
Scripture: Exodus 20:18–20; Psalm 25:12–14; Proverbs 9:10; Acts 5:1–11; 1 Peter 1:13–21; Revelation 14:6–7
Question 82: How do you rightly live in the fear of God?
With the help of the Holy Spirit, I examine my conscience according to the Word of God. Particularly useful are the Ten Commandments and the Sermon on the Mount, as well as the godly counsel of fellow Christians and the moral teaching of the Church.
Scripture: Exodus 20:1–17; Psalm 139:23–24; Matthew 5–7; 1 Corinthians 4:1–5
Question 83: How does the Church exercise its authority to judge?
The authority Christ gave to his Church to judge is most often exercised by declaring God’s forgiveness in absolution. However, a priest, acting under the authority of the bishop, may suspend a person from receiving Communion because of scandalous and unrepented sin, in order to draw them to repentance and restoration.
Scripture: Psalm 32; Matthew 16:19; 18:15–17; John 20:21–23; 1 Corinthians 5:1–13
A Prayer for the Son’s Mission
O Jesus, God the Son, in your incarnation you manifested your heart of mission in the world: Help me so to know and practice your presence, that I may always live for your glory and the spread of your Kingdom; who with the Father and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, now and forever. Amen.
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