Apostle Defends Resurrection as Historical Fact, Despite Longstanding Skepticism

Apostle Dr. Stephen Andrews used the funeral service for former Senator Cheryl Mary-Clare Hurst to make a robust defense of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, describing it as a historical fact and the foundation of Christian hope.

Delivering the sermon at SJPC House of Restoration Ministries, Andrews centered his message on the Apostle Paul’s description of death as “the last enemy” and argued that death’s power had been broken through Christ’s resurrection.

“The resurrection is a fact,” Andrews told mourners. He pointed to biblical accounts that Jesus appeared to more than 500 witnesses after his crucifixion, cited the empty tomb in Jerusalem, and referenced the dramatic conversion of the Apostle Paul as evidence that Jesus rose from the dead.

He said Paul’s encounter with the risen Christ transformed him from a persecutor of Christians into one of the faith’s most influential leaders.

“The scripture emphasizes the fact that through Christ, this enemy has been defeated, stripped of its power, and will one day be utterly destroyed,” Andrews said as he urged mourners to find hope beyond the grave.

His remarks touched on one of Christianity’s central claims and one that continues to be debated by scholars and historians.

While most historians agree that Jesus of Nazareth lived and was crucified by the Romans, many secular scholars dispute whether the available evidence proves a bodily resurrection. Critics argue that the Gospel accounts were written decades after Jesus’ death, contain differences in some details, and cannot be independently verified. Others suggest that the reported appearances of Jesus may have been visions or deeply held religious experiences among his followers rather than evidence of a physical resurrection.

Some scholars also contend that historians are not equipped to determine whether miracles occurred, arguing that historical methods can establish that early Christians believed Jesus rose from the dead but cannot conclusively prove a supernatural event.

Andrews rejected such skepticism, insisting that the resurrection was witnessed by hundreds of people and remains the basis for Christian confidence in eternal life.

“The enemy is defeated because of the resurrection of Jesus,” he said.

The sermon formed the spiritual centerpiece of Hurst’s official funeral, shifting from tributes to her life and public service to a broader reflection on mortality, faith and the promise of life after death.

For believers in attendance, Andrews’ message offered reassurance that death does not have the final word. For skeptics, it highlighted a debate that has endured for nearly 2,000 years: whether the resurrection is a matter of faith, history, or both.