‘What transpired after the cross?
Following the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, a series of transformative events unfolded, shaping the foundation of Christian faith and the early Church. These events include the Resurrection, the Ascension, and Pentecost .
The Resurrection
The Resurrection of Jesus is the central tenet of Christian belief . It is the crowning truth of our faith in Christ . The New Testament documents establish it, and it was preached as an essential part of the Paschal mystery . The Resurrection is not merely a return to Jesus' previous life but a passage to a new dimension of life, opening the world to eternal life . It signifies a transcendent intervention of God in creation and history, with the three divine persons acting as one .
The Ascension
After his Resurrection, Jesus appeared to his apostles for forty days . He ascended into heaven and was seated at the right hand of the Father . The Ascension marks the definitive entrance of Jesus' humanity into God's heavenly domain, whence he will come again . Christ's Ascension should be understood as the irreversible entry of his humanity into divine glory .
Pentecost and the Early Church
The coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost marks the beginning of the Church’s mission . The Holy Spirit gave them the power to fulfill it by word and deed even to the shedding of their blood . The Church was publicly revealed to the multitude, and the Gospel began to spread among the nations by means of preaching . The apostles, gathered with Mary, received the gift of the Spirit, fulfilling Jesus' promise and beginning the time of the Church . The Spirit's wind carried Christ's disciples to the ends of the earth, even to martyrdom, for their witness to the Gospel .
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