Apostle Dr. Stephen Andrews delivered a forceful defence of the resurrection of Jesus Christ during the funeral service for former Senator Cheryl Mary-Clare Hurst, declaring the event a historical fact and the cornerstone of Christian hope.
According to Antigua News Room, Andrews delivered the sermon at SJPC House of Restoration Ministries, anchoring his message in the Apostle Paul's characterisation of death as "the last enemy" and arguing that Christ's resurrection had broken death's power over humanity.
"The resurrection is a fact," Andrews told mourners. He cited biblical accounts placing more than 500 witnesses to Jesus' post-crucifixion appearances, pointed to the empty tomb in Jerusalem, and referenced the dramatic conversion of the Apostle Paul as evidence supporting a physical resurrection.
Andrews described how Paul's encounter with the risen Christ transformed him from a persecutor of Christians into one of the faith's most influential figures. "The scripture emphasises the fact that through Christ, this enemy has been defeated, stripped of its power, and will one day be utterly destroyed," he said, urging mourners to find hope beyond the grave.
His remarks touched directly on one of Christianity's most enduring and contested claims. While most historians accept that Jesus of Nazareth lived and was crucified by the Romans, many secular scholars dispute whether available evidence establishes a bodily resurrection. Critics note that the Gospel accounts were written decades after Jesus' death, contain variations in detail, and cannot be independently verified. Some suggest that reported post-resurrection appearances may have been visions or profound religious experiences among early followers rather than proof of a physical event.
A number of scholars also argue that historical methodology is simply not equipped to adjudicate miraculous claims — that historians can establish early Christian belief in the resurrection but cannot conclusively confirm a supernatural occurrence.
Andrews rejected such skepticism outright, insisting the resurrection was witnessed by hundreds and remains the foundation of Christian confidence in eternal life. "The enemy is defeated because of the resurrection of Jesus," he said.
The sermon served as the spiritual centrepiece of Hurst's official funeral, steering the gathering from tributes to her life and public service toward a broader reflection on mortality, faith, and the promise of life after death.
For believers present, Andrews' message offered reassurance that death does not have the final word. For skeptics, it underscored a debate that has persisted for nearly 2,000 years — whether the resurrection is ultimately a matter of faith, history, or both.
