“For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.” — 1 Corinthians 15:3–4 (BSB)
“For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, He cannot die again; death no longer has dominion over Him.” — Romans 6:9 (BSB)
“God has raised this Jesus to life, to which we are all witnesses.” — Acts 2:32 (BSB)
“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me will live, even though he dies. And everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die.’” — John 11:25–26 (BSB)
The phrase “on the third day” ties Jesus’ resurrection to both prophetic Scripture and divine timing. As 1 Corinthians 15:4 states, His rising happened “according to the Scriptures,” fulfilling passages such as Jonah’s three days in the belly of the fish and Hosea’s promise of revival “on the third day.” The resurrection is not only the reversal of the cross but its divine vindication—God the Father raising the Son as proof that the sacrifice was accepted and death defeated.
In Anglican tradition, the resurrection is central to worship, doctrine, and hope. The Thirty-Nine Articles declare in Article IV that “Christ did truly rise again from death, and took again His body, with flesh, bones, and all things appertaining to the perfection of Man’s nature.” The Book of Common Prayer proclaims this joy each Sunday: “Christ is risen! The Lord is risen indeed!” Our faith is not in a dead teacher but in a living Lord who has conquered the grave.
Bishop Handley Moule wrote, “The resurrection is not only the seal upon the sacrifice of Calvary; it is the beginning of the new creation.” Similarly, John Stott emphasized, “The resurrection assures us that sin has been dealt with, death has been conquered, and new life has begun.” This living hope shapes every part of Christian life—our confidence in prayer, our endurance in suffering, and our anticipation of Christ’s return.
Therefore, to say “on the third day He rose again” is to confess that the grave could not hold the Author of life. It is to believe that Jesus is alive, reigning now, and will raise us also. As Romans 6:9 teaches, “death no longer has dominion over Him”—and because we are united to Him by faith, it will not have dominion over us either.
Irenaeus emphasized the bodily reality and redemptive power of the resurrection.
Tertullian (c. 155–220 AD) declared: “The resurrection of Christ is the guarantee of our own. His resurrection was in the flesh, and so shall ours be.” — On the Resurrection of the Flesh, 3
Tertullian connected Christ’s physical resurrection with the hope of believers.
St. Athanasius (c. 296–373 AD) taught: “Death has been conquered. Christ’s resurrection has robbed the grave of its victory. Now, the power of death is broken for those who are in Him.” — On the Incarnation, 27
Athanasius saw the resurrection as Christ’s final triumph over the last enemy—death.
St. Augustine of Hippo (354–430 AD) wrote: “Christ rose again to show that death was not the end, but the passage to life. In His resurrection, He carried us all with Him into hope.” — Sermon 231.5
Augustine linked Christ’s resurrection to our present hope and future glory.
St. Cyril of Jerusalem (c. 313–386 AD) stated: “Christ is risen, and the tomb is emptied of its power. He rose the third day, not in shadow but in truth, and appeared to many as proof of His triumph.” — Catechetical Lectures, 14.18
Cyril emphasized the historical reality and public witness of the resurrection.
An Anglican Catechism (Expanded) offers over 350+ Scripture-based answers to the core truths of the Christian faith. Each entry includes biblical texts, theological insight, and reflections from historic and contemporary Anglican voices. Rooted in the classical tradition, it is designed for teaching, discipleship, and spiritual formation.
An Ancient Worship Movement invites readers into the rich, historic worship of the early Church rediscovered through the Anglican tradition. This book calls believers into a deeper, Spirit-filled encounter with Christ through timeless practices.
St. Thomas Church
PO Box 873
Abbotsford, BC,
V2T 7A2, Canada
If you are interested in starting a St. Thomas Church in your area and or ordination path fill the contact card form.
St. Thomas Church is a Church planting movement in ancient tradition.
