What do Christians believe about the crucifixion, resurrection and ascension of Jesus?
Christian beliefs about the death of Jesus on the cross, the resurrection on the third day, the ascension, and their meaning for salvation and eternal life.
An Eduqas GCSE Religious Studies (C120) Component 2 answer on the crucifixion, resurrection and ascension of Jesus, covering his death on the cross, rising on the third day, the ascension, and their meaning for salvation and eternal life, with sources of wisdom and authority.
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What this dot point is asking
Eduqas wants you to explain what Christians believe about the death of Jesus on the cross (the crucifixion), his rising on the third day (the resurrection) and his ascension into heaven, and why these events matter for salvation and eternal life. These are the heart of the Christian story: the events Christians remember every Easter and rely on for the hope of life after death. You need the events, their meaning, and the sources of wisdom and authority Eduqas rewards.
The crucifixion
The cross is the central symbol of Christianity because of what it achieves: atonement. Jesus' last words, "It is finished" (John 19:30), are read as completing the work of salvation. Saint Paul writes that "Christ died for our sins" (1 Corinthians 15:3), and that "God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). Christians remember the crucifixion on Good Friday.
The resurrection
The resurrection is, for Paul, the make-or-break belief: "if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins" (1 Corinthians 15:17). The Gospels describe the empty tomb and the appearances (for example Luke 24, John 20), including Thomas's doubt and confession "My Lord and my God!" (John 20:28). Christians celebrate the resurrection on Easter Sunday, the most important festival of the year.
The ascension
The ascension is the belief that, forty days after rising, Jesus ascended (was taken up) into heaven (Acts 1:9), where he reigns with the Father. It completes his earthly work, marks his exaltation as Lord, and precedes the gift of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, which empowers the church. The ascension assures Christians that Jesus is alive and present, and that he will come again.
Why these events matter
Together the crucifixion, resurrection and ascension are the basis of salvation and hope. The cross deals with sin; the resurrection defeats death and proves Jesus' divinity; the ascension exalts him and gives the Spirit. They give believers confidence that death is not the end, motivate ethical living in gratitude, and shape worship (the Eucharist re-presents Jesus' death and resurrection). They link directly to the next topic, salvation and the afterlife.
Common and divergent views
The common view across Christianity is that Jesus truly died, rose bodily and ascended, and that these events save and give hope; these are creedal beliefs. Divergence appears in interpretation: most Christians affirm a literal bodily resurrection, while a minority of liberal Christians read it more spiritually (the disciples' experience of Jesus living on, or the triumph of his cause). For the exam, present the bodily resurrection as the mainstream belief and note the liberal reading as the divergent one.
Try this
Q1. On what day do Christians believe Jesus rose, and what is it now called? [a-style recall]
- Cue. The third day (Sunday), now called Easter Sunday.
Q2. Explain why Saint Paul says the resurrection is essential to Christian faith. [b-style short explanation]
- Cue. Paul writes that if Christ has not been raised, faith is futile and believers are still in their sins (1 Corinthians 15:17), so without the resurrection there is no salvation or hope of eternal life.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of WJEC Eduqas exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
Eduqas C120 2019 (style)2 marks[a] What is meant by resurrection?Show worked answer →
This is the 2-mark (a) AO1 definition question. Define the term precisely: the resurrection is the Christian belief that Jesus rose from the dead on the third day after his crucifixion. Add a short clause for the second mark, for example "showing he had defeated death". Use the specialist term and tie it to Jesus rather than giving a vague "coming back to life".
Eduqas C120 2021 (style)8 marks[c] Explain Christian beliefs about the resurrection of Jesus. Refer to sources of wisdom and authority in your answer.Show worked answer →
This is the 8-mark (c) extended AO1 question; sources are required for the top band. Explain that Christians believe Jesus rose bodily on the third day, was seen by his followers, and so defeated death and sin. Develop why it matters: it proves Jesus is the Son of God and gives believers hope of their own resurrection. Anchor in sources: the empty tomb and appearances in the Gospels (for example Luke 24), and Saint Paul's "if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile" (1 Corinthians 15:17), which makes the resurrection central. Mention the ascension forty days later. The top band rewards developed points each tied to a named source.
Eduqas C120 2023 (style)15 marks[d] "The resurrection is the most important Christian belief." Evaluate this statement. In your answer you should refer to religious beliefs and teachings, give reasoned arguments to support this statement, give reasoned arguments to support a different point of view, and reach a justified conclusion.Show worked answer →
This is the 15-mark (d) AO2 evaluation question, where SPaG is assessed, so write in continuous prose with specialist terms. Arguments to support: Saint Paul says that without the resurrection faith is futile (1 Corinthians 15:17), so it is the foundation of Christianity; it proves Jesus is the Son of God and secures the hope of eternal life. Arguments for a different view: some argue the crucifixion (the atonement) is more central, since it is where sin is dealt with; others say the incarnation, or belief in God, comes first, because without it the resurrection has no meaning; all the core beliefs are interdependent. Use specialist terms (resurrection, atonement, salvation). A justified conclusion weighs whether one belief can be singled out or whether they stand or fall together, while recognising Paul's strong claim for the resurrection.
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Sources & how we know this
- Eduqas GCSE Religious Studies specification (C120, from 2016) — WJEC Eduqas (2016)