Summary of the Redemption
He descended into hell; on the third day He rose again from the dead, in accordance
with the Scriptures. (Apostle's Creed (parts by mid-second century),
Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed, A.D. 325, 381).
For I handed on to you as of first importance what I in turn had received: that Christ
died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, and that he was buried, and that he
was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures, and that he appeared to
Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one
time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to
James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to
me.... If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.
Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If for this life only we
have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. But in fact Christ has been
raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death
came through a man, the resurrection of the dead has also come through a man; for as all
die in Adam, so all will be made alive in Christ (1st Letter of Paul to the
Corinthians, 15:3-22). |