Apostle Defends Resurrection as Historical Fact, Despite Longstanding Skepticism
Apostle Dr. Stephen Andrews used the funeral service for former Senator Cheryl Mary-Clare Hurst to make a robust defense of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, describing it as a historical fact and the foundation of Christian hope.
Delivering the sermon at SJPC House of Restoration Ministries, Andrews centered his message on the Apostle Paul’s description of death as “the last enemy” and argued that death’s power had been broken through Christ’s resurrection.
“The resurrection is a fact,” Andrews told mourners. He pointed to biblical accounts that Jesus appeared to more than 500 witnesses after his crucifixion, cited the empty tomb in Jerusalem, and referenced the dramatic conversion of the Apostle Paul as evidence that Jesus rose from the dead.
He said Paul’s encounter with the risen Christ transformed him from a persecutor of Christians into one of the faith’s most influential leaders.
“The scripture emphasizes the fact that through Christ, this enemy has been defeated, stripped of its power, and will one day be utterly destroyed,” Andrews said as he urged mourners to find hope beyond the grave.
His remarks touched on one of Christianity’s central claims and one that continues to be debated by scholars and historians.
While most historians agree that Jesus of Nazareth lived and was crucified by the Romans, many secular scholars dispute whether the available evidence proves a bodily resurrection. Critics argue that the Gospel accounts were written decades after Jesus’ death, contain differences in some details, and cannot be independently verified. Others suggest that the reported appearances of Jesus may have been visions or deeply held religious experiences among his followers rather than evidence of a physical resurrection.
Some scholars also contend that historians are not equipped to determine whether miracles occurred, arguing that historical methods can establish that early Christians believed Jesus rose from the dead but cannot conclusively prove a supernatural event.
Andrews rejected such skepticism, insisting that the resurrection was witnessed by hundreds of people and remains the basis for Christian confidence in eternal life.
“The enemy is defeated because of the resurrection of Jesus,” he said.
The sermon formed the spiritual centerpiece of Hurst’s official funeral, shifting from tributes to her life and public service to a broader reflection on mortality, faith and the promise of life after death.
For believers in attendance, Andrews’ message offered reassurance that death does not have the final word. For skeptics, it highlighted a debate that has endured for nearly 2,000 years: whether the resurrection is a matter of faith, history, or both.
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What makes one an apostle?
Facts can be scientifically proven. Let us see you scientifically prove that the resurrection is a fact. Impossible. You believe it is a fact because of your FAITH. But you cannot scientifically prove it took place. It comes back to faith.
Neither Jesus’s resurrection nor the existence of God himself can be absolutely proven by (popular) science, scholars or historians yet there is ample evidence for those who are open to it. God himself designed it so that skeptics will always have the option to be skeptical. It’s part of free choice. We have a more recent example of resurrection, just google Rev Lee Stoneking.
@Faith – I agree with you in principle. Now apply that same logic to the Big bang and Evolution…supposed events that no one was around to witness or document yet widely accepted as ‘fact’. I would argue that these are both products and objects of faith, even more so than Jesus’ resurrection. For that, we have written accounts. Whether you choose to believe them is your God-given right. Just be prepared to explain your choice and show your working when you stand before him.
Finally….. Apostle Andrews has definitely put the issue of resurrection to rest.
But, according to the Bible he preaches from .. the resurrection, if it happened, was not witnessed by hundreds.
Get ur story str8! ..guy
The bible book of Revelation talk about the ” Great Harlot” ( or Great Prostitute), often referred to as the Whore of Babylon…a powerful lavishly figure who sits on a scarlet beast, represents a global system of influence, and is responsible for leading the nations into spiritual unfaithfulness. This unholy alliance between the Whore of Babylon and the Scarlet Beast( political systems…governments) clearly tells me who you Apostle is and where you sit.
The bible book of Revelation talk about the ” Great Harlot” ( or Great Prostitute), often referred to as the Whore of Babylon…a powerful lavishly figure who sits on a scarlet beast, represents a global system of influence, and is responsible for leading the nations into spiritual unfaithfulness. This unholy alliance between the Whore of Babylon and the Scarlet Beast( political systems…governments) clearly tells me who you Apostle is and where you sit. LET THOSE WHO HAVE EYES UNDERSTAND THE WRITTEN WORD
Who is the GREAT HARLOT
Who is the SCARLET BEAST
If my religious belief is one man one wife and yours is one man 7 wives who is going to heaven? Unless perhaps there are several heavens.
The resurrection is the cornerstone of Christianity. It validates Jesus’ claims as the Son of God, proves His victory over sin and death, and guarantees eternal life for believers. Without it, the Christian faith would be futile, as the entire gospel hinges on this miracle.
One of the most powerful scriptures in the Bible is – I am the resurrection and the life. He that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die……John 11:25 This means that there’s hope for people WHO DIE IN CHRIST. The life one lives before death is the cornerstone for Salvation.
After the crucifixion the disciples called for aloe amongst other curing herbs. They didn’t call for embalming herbs.
After 3 days Jesus was well enough to be moved. Then he went back to India where he died.
After the crucifixion the disciples called for aloe amongst other curing herbs. They didn’t call for embalming herbs.
After 3 days Jesus was well enough to be moved. Then he went back to India where he died.
So how does someone becomes an apostille, priest, bishop, deacon, etc?
Who has the authority to issue a doctorate which is an earthly thing in relation?
@ I Agree whether you believe the Biblical account of human existence or you subscribe to the theory of Evolution, one thing I know for sure which is grounded in science, the anthropological and fossil evidence runs counter to the Blibical account provided in Genesis. If you choose to base a belief in both accounts of human existence on FAITH, then that is up to you and each person.
in COGNITIVE INERTIA.
@ Charles Tabor – All the things they attribute to millions of years can be explained by a global flood: Oil, coal, dinosaur extinction, fossils, the grand canyon. The bible states that the flood happened 4500 years ago. The oldest known living organisms are 4500 years old. Kent Hovind did an excellent job with his Creation Seminar
@ I agree when we talk about the age of the earth we talk about billion of years not millions. That is why it amazes me that the Seventh Day Adventist through their Prophet Ellen G. White advocate that the earth is 6000 years old. I don’t know when the flood took place, but if you include microscopic organisms, these have been in existence for over 3 billion years ago. I know numbers like billion of years boggles the mind but the earth has been around for a very long time.