The Forigviness of Sins

''I believe in the forgiveness of sins.''

If we claim to be without sin,we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.If we confess
our sins ,He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 john 1:8-9

Why does the creed speak of the forgiveness of sin at this stage?
The creed connects the forgiveness of sin to the profession of faith in the Holy Spirit.The risen Christ gave the power to forgive sins to the apostles when he gave them the Holy Spirit. john 20:22-23

How are our sins forgiven ?
Our sins are principally forgiven through faith and Baptism.This unites us to the risen Christ,and gives us the Holy Spirit.

Apart from Baptism ,are there other ways in which our sins are forgiven?
True sorrow for sin brings forgiveness .In accordance with Christ's will,the Church has the power to forgive those sins committed after Baptism.John.20:22.This power is exercised by bishops and priests,through the the sacraments of Reconciliation and the Anointing of the Sick.The Eucharist is also means of forgiveness.

'' I believe in the resurrection of the body.....''

I tell you the truth, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live....Do not be amazed at this,for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out...john 5:25,28-29

What will happen to our mortal bodies ?
At death the soul will separate from the body,but on the Last Day,at the resurrection,body and soul will be reunited and God will give an incorruptible life to our transformed bodies.As Christ is risen and lives forever so we too will all rise on the last day.

Will our bodies be the same as the bodies we now have?
We believe in the resurrection of the body that we now have,however,while our natural body is corruptible our risen bodies will be incorruptible. 1 cor.15:44

Why do we have to die?
All humanity is subject to bodily death because of original sin.If it were not for sin we would not have to die.

What does death mean to a Christian ?
For the Christian death has a positive meaning.The obedience of Jesus has changed the curse of death into a blessing.'' For me,to live is Christ and to die is gain'' phi.1:21

How should we prepare for death?
The Church encourages us to prepare for the hour of our death, ''from an unprovided death , deliver us o Lord''. We should ask Mary the 'Mother of God' to intercede for us ''at the hour of our death'' and entrust ourselves to St.Joseph ,patron of a good death.

'' I believe in life everlasting.''

For God so loved the world that he sent his only begotten Son that whosoever will believe in him
will not parish but have life everlasting. John 3;16

What happens immediately after death?
Immediately after death each person is Judged before Christ. ''It is appointed for man to die once then comes the judgement.'' This judgement is the work of Christ,judge of the living and the dead.

What is heaven?
Heaven is a state in which we see God face to face,are made like him in glory and enjoy eternal happiness.It is the communion of life and love with the Blessed Trinity with Mary the angels and all the saints.rev.5:11-14,7:9-17.It is the fulfillment of all our longings. ''Things that no eye has seen and no ear has heard,things beyond the mind of man,all that God has prepared for those who love him.'' 1 cor2:9

What do those who are now in paradise do?
We believe that the souls that are reunited with Jesus and Mary form the Church of heaven.They are eternally blessed and see God as he is,They are also associated with the holy angels,interceding for us....''and they were holding golden bowls of incense,which are the prayers of the saints....''rev.5:8

What is hell?
The principal pain of hell is eternal separation from God.Only in God do we find life and happiness.

At the end of time,after the final resurrection will everyone appear before Christ the Judge?
On the Day of Judgement everyone will appear with their own bodies before the tribunal of Christ to give an account of their lives.This is the Last Judgement. And then the Kingdom of God will come to completion and the just will reign with Christ forever,glorified in body and soul and there will be a ''new heaven and a new earth'' rev.21:1

In Summary:Baptism is the first and chief sacrament of the forgiveness of sins:it unites us to Christ who died and rose again and gives us the Holy Spirit.By Christ's will the Church possesses the power to forgive the sins of the Baptized and exercises it through the sacrament of penance.

We believe in the true resurrection of the body that we now possess.We sow a corruptible body in the tomb he raises an incorruptible body.Every man receives his eternal recompense in his immortal soul from the moment of his death in a particular judgement by Christ,who is Judge of the living and the dead.At the end of time,the Kingdom of Christ will come to it,s fullness.Then the just will reign with Christ forever,glorified in body and soul and God will them be all in all.