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Why do Christians Believe in Life After Death?
What happens to us after death has been the theme of many a book and film. It is a subject that has fascinated people from the beginning of time. Some people hope that heaven is a real place, one where they’ll be reunited with loved ones. Others, on the other hand, firmly believe that there is nothing beyond this life, and once we die that is the end of it.
Christians all believe in life after death, albeit they have different views about what it is like. They believe in life after death because:
- The Bible - particularly the Gospels - talk about life after death. In the Gospels, we read about Jesus' death, resurrection, and ascension.
- Jesus told his disciples and followers that there is an afterlife. He said, 'My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?' John 14:2.
- Jesus' whole purpose for being on Earth was to die so that humans could restore their relationships with God and enjoy eternal life in heaven. John 3:16 says, 'For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.'
- Paul wrote in Ephesians 2:6, 'And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus.'
- The Church teaches teaches that death is not the end.
How might this passage from the Bible lend support to the idea of life after death?
'Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, ‘Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?’ ‘Why do you ask me about what is good?’ Jesus replied. ‘There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.’... ‘All these I have kept,’ the young man said. ‘What do I still lack?’ Jesus answered, ‘If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.’ When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. Peter said to Jesus ‘We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?’ Jesus said to his disciples,... ‘Everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.' Matthew 19:16-30