Immortality has always been something humankind yearned for.
It is captured in poetry, story telling and folk traditions of most known civilisations. In an era when people died from natural disasters, accidents, child birth, wars, famine, and diseases; superstition was rife. The idea of an ‘angry God’ punishing humankind with plagues and natural disasters made sense.
Socioeconomically, in the absence of justice for the poor and marginalised in the present world, the idea of an afterworld, resurrection, judgement, heaven and hell; gained traction in the central doctrine of most known faiths.
In the Jewish context, the Sadducees were opposed to these ideas, while the Pharisees, and later Christians held on to these view.
Consequently, what happened on the third day after the death and burial of Christ became the first recorded evidence of this once mythical idea. For Christians, the risen lord was also coming back in judgement against those who do not believe in his lordship.
In an era of great pain and injustice, the resurrection, afterlife, judgement and punishment was a very strong deterrent from evil, and a compelling message for the followers of Christ.
To this end Paul argued that:
“If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.” – (1 Cor. 15:13–14)
Join us on this snowy winter day for Resurrection and Ascension as part of our series, God Was in Christ.
3:00-4:30pm, coffee and light refreshments afterwards.
St John’s Hall
Sidcup DA14 6BX
Reachout | Revive | Recover