Creed Article 5

1. THE APOSTLES’ CREED: ARTICLE 5The book is a complete explanation of the 12 Articles of the Apostles’ Creed.

ARTICLE 5:HE DESCENDED INTO HELL; ON THE THIRD DAY HE ROSE

AGAIN FROM THE DEAD

Sons of Holy Mary Immaculate

To purchase the Book, or for theological inquiries (e-mails only), contact the author:

AUTHOR Rev. Fr. Paolo O. Pirlo, SHMI

EDITION 1st Edition, Manila, May 19, 2013

PUBLISHER Sons of Holy Mary ImmaculateQuality Catholic PublicationsIsabella De Rosis St., Multinational1708 Parañaque City, PhilippinesTelefax(02) 828-2338Tel. (02) [email protected]

Loving Father, giver of all that is, help me to remember that every gift I have comes from you. Expand my vision so that I can appreciate your goodness in the world around me.

Jesus, our Redeemer, you are the path to the treasures of my heart and soul. Strengthen my commitment to be a catechist and deepen my capacity to share your truth with those in my care.

Holy Spirit, Love Divine, all life and energy flows from you. Illuminate my thoughts and intensify my desire to grow ever deeper in my faith.

I lift up my prayer to you, God—Father, Son, and Spirit—in humility and hope. Amen.

2. A CATECHIST’S PRAYER


3. WHAT ARE THE THREE PARTS OF THE

5TH ARTICLE?


The 5TH Article of the Creed is divided into Three Parts:

1. The Descent Into

The Dead

2. The Resurrection

of Christ

3. The Sequence of

Events After the

Resurrection

4. THE DESCENT INTO THE DEAD:Why did Christ descend into the dead?


After his death, the body of Jesus was reposed into the tomb; while his human soul, united to his divine person, went down among the dead, or the netherworld.

Jesus descended in the netherworld to liberate the souls of the just from the power of death, and to open for them the gate of Paradise.

5. THE DESCENT INTO THE DEAD:

Why did the souls of the just had to wait

for the resurrection of Christ?


They had to wait in the netherworld because the gates of Heaven were closed after the Original Sin.

After the resurrection of Christ, the souls go, in accordance to their merits, either to Hell, Purgatory, or Paradise.

6. THE DESCENT INTO THE DEAD:What is the difference between the

Netherworld and Hell?


The Netherworld (also called Sheol in Hebrew, Hades in Greek, and Inferi in Latin), is the place where the souls of the just awaited for Christ’s resurrection.

Hell (also called Gehenna in Hebrew, Tartarus in Greek, and Infernum in Latin), is the place of eternal damnation for the demons and the wicked souls.

Did Jesus descend into the Netherworld or into Hell? Since the Greek text of the Apostles’ Creed uses the word katotata (“those below”), and the Latin inferos (“the spirits of the underworld”), the literal translation should be: “He descended into the dead.”

The Limbo, the alleged place where the souls of the unbaptized waited for the Redeemer, was never defined as a dogma.

7. THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST:When did Jesus rise from the dead?


Jesus rose from the death on Sunday morning, three days after his death. As the angels announced unto the women : “He is not here, but he has been raised” (Luke 24:6).

The resurrection of Christ is the crowning truth of our faith, as St. Paul proclaimed: “If Christ has not been raised, our faith is useless” (1 Corinthians 15:14).

8. THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST:What is the difference between resuscitation and resurrection?


Resuscitation is the reunion of the soul with the mortal body, like the rising of Lazarus (cf. John 11:43-44).

Resurrection is the reunion of the souls with the glorified body, like the case of Jesus, whose body was so transfigured that Magdalene did not recognize him (cf. John 20:15).

9. THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST:

What is the Holy Shroud of Turin?


It is the linen cloth that wrapped the dead body of Jesus, and it is now preserved at the Cathedral of Turin, Italy.

The image of Christ is impressed like a picture on a film, and so far no scientific explanation could be given on the process.

The probable solution is that the resurrection was a burst of unknown energy that impressed the features of his body on the shroud.

10. THE SEQUENCE OF EVENTS AFTER THE RESURRECTION:

The Resurrection of Christ


Jesus rose from the death early on Sunday morning.

Mary Magdalene and the other Mary saw the empty and reported to the Apostles.

Peter and John arrived at the tomb, they found the empty tomb, and the burial clothes. They were confused and left the scene, but Mary Magdalene remained behind (cf. John 20:1-10).


Noli me Tangere


Mary Magdalene turned around and saw Jesus, but did not recognize him, thinking he was the gardener.

Then Jesus said: “Touch me not [in Latin: Noli me tangere], for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and announce unto them” (cf. John 20:11-18).


The Disciples of Emmaus


On Sunday afternoon two disciples were going from Jerusalem to Emmaus, when suddenly Jesus appeared and walked with them, but they did not recognize him.

As they approached Emmaus, the two disciples invited the Lord to dine with them, and they recognized him at the breaking of bread (cf. Luke 24:13-35).


The Doubting Thomas


St. Thomas is called the Doubting Apostle because he did not believe the report that Jesus had risen from the death.

One week later, Jesus appeared again and asked Thomas to probe his fingers into his wounded hands and side. Thomas exclaimed: “My Lord and my God!” (cf. John 20:26-29).


Do you love me?


Before the ascension, Jesus asked Peter three times, “Do you love me?”, in reparation for his three denials.

Then, he reconfirmed Peter as the Head of his Church (cf. John 21:15-19).

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Creed Article 5