Baltimore Catechism No. 2 – Lesson Eighth on Our Lord’s Passion, Death, Resurrection, and Ascension

Q78: What did Jesus Christ suffer?

A78: Jesus Christ suffered a bloody sweat, a cruel scourging, was crowned with thorns, and was crucified.

Q79: On what day did Christ die?

A79: Christ died on Good Friday.

Q80: Why do you call that day “good” on which Christ died so sorrowful a death?

A80: We call that day “good” on which Christ died because by His death He showed His great love for man, and purchased for him every blessing.

Q81: Where did Christ die?

A81: Christ died on Mount Calvary.

Q82: How did Christ die?

A82: Christ was nailed to the Cross and died on it between two thieves.

Q83: Why did Christ suffer and die?

A83: Christ suffered and died for our sins.

Q84: What lessons do we learn from the sufferings and death of Christ?

A84: From the sufferings and death of Christ we learn the great evil of sin, the hatred God bears to it, and the necessity of satisfying for it.

Q85: Where did Christ’s soul go after His death?

A85: After Christ’s death His soul descended into hell.

Q86: Did Christ’s soul descend into the hell of the damned?

A86: The hell into which Christ’s soul descended was not the hell of the damned, but a place or state of rest called Limbo, where the souls of the just were waiting for Him.

Q87: Why did Christ descend into Limbo?

A87: Christ descended into Limbo to preach to the souls who were in prison—that is, to announce to them the joyful tidings of their redemption.

Q88: Where was Christ’s body while His soul was in Limbo?

A88: While Christ’s soul was in Limbo His body was in the holy sepulchre.

Q89: On what day did Christ rise from the dead?

A89: Christ rose from the dead, glorious and immortal, on Easter Sunday, the third day after His death.

Q90: How long did Christ stay on earth after His resurrection?

A90: Christ stayed on earth forty days after His resurrection to show that He was truly risen from the dead, and to instruct His Apostles.

Q91: After Christ had remained forty days on earth whither did He go?

A91: After forty days Christ ascended into heaven, and the day on which He ascended into heaven is called Ascension day.

Q92: Where is Christ in heaven?

A92: In heaven Christ sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.

Q93: What do you mean by saying that Christ sits at the right hand Of God?

A93: When I say that Christ sits at the right hand of God I mean that Christ as God is equal to His Father in all things, and that as man He is in the highest place in heaven next to God.