The Baltimore Catechism

Revised Edition (1941)

Part One: The Creed

The Resurrection and Life Everlasting

Lesson 14 from the Baltimore Cathechism

"I believe in ... the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting."

176. What is meant by "the resurrection of the body"?

By "the resurrection of the body" is meant that at the end of the world the bodies of all men will rise from the earth and be united again to their souls, nevermore to be separated.

Behold, I tell you a mystery. We shall all indeed rise again. (I Corinthians 15:51)

177. Why will the bodies of the just rise?

The bodies of the just will rise to share forever in the glory of their souls.

178. Has the body of any human person ever been raised from the dead and taken into heaven?

By the special privilege of her Assumption, the body of the Blessed Virgin Mary, united to her immaculate soul, was glorified and taken into heaven.

179. Why will the bodies of the damned also rise?

The bodies of the damned will also rise to share in the eternal punishment of their souls.

180. What is the judgment called which will be passed on all men immediately after the general resurrection?

The judgment which will be passed on all men immediately after the general resurrection is called the general judgment.

And he charged us to preach to the people and to testify that he it is who has been appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. (Acts 10:42)

181. What is the judgment called which will be passed on each one of us immediately after death?

The judgment which will be passed on each one of us immediately after death is called the particular judgment.

For it is easy before God in the day of death to reward everyone according to his ways. (Ecclesiasticus 11:28)

182. If everyone is judged immediately after death, why will there be a general judgment?

Although everyone is judged immediately after death, it is fitting that there be a general judgment in order that the justice, wisdom, and mercy of God may be glorified in the presence of all.

Then shall the just stand with great constancy against those that have afflicted them and taken away their labors. These seeing it, shall be troubled with terrible fear, and shall be amazed at the suddenness of their unexpected salvation. (Wisdom 5:1-2)

183. What are the rewards or punishments appointed for men after the particular judgment?

The rewards or punishments appointed for men after the particular judgment are heaven, purgatory, or hell.

184. Who are punished in purgatory?

Those are punished for a time in purgatory who die in the state of grace but are guilty of venial sin, or have not fully satisfied for the temporal punishment due to their sins.

The fire will assay the quality of everyone's work; if his work abides which he has built thereon, he will receive reward; if his work burns he will lose his reward, but himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. (I Corinthians 3:13-15)

185. Who are punished in hell?

Those are punished in hell who die in mortal sin; they are deprived of the vision of God and suffer dreadful torments, especially that of fire, for all eternity.

The he will say to those on his left hand, "Depart from me, accursed ones, into the everlasting fire which was prepared for the devil and his angels." (Matthew 25:41)

186. Who are rewarded in heaven?

Those are rewarded in heaven who have died in the state of grace and have been purified in purgatory, if necessary, from all venial sin and all debt of temporal punishment; they see God face to face and share forever in His glory and happiness.

Then the king will say to those on his right hand, "Come, blessed of my Father, take possession of the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world." (Matthew 25:34)

187. What is meant by the word "Amen," with which we end the Apostles' Creed?

By the word "Amen," with which we end the Apostles' Creed, is meant "So it is," or "So be it"; the word expresses our firm belief in all the doctrines that the Creed contains.

Amen, I say to you, I have not found such great faith in Israel. (Matthew 8:10)

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