What Shall I Do To Be Saved?

By Rev. Dr. Curian Kaniyamparambil

Question 113. Who can benefit from our prayers?

Eligible: One who lived in Jesus Christ with a true belief and faith.

Not eligible: Those who lived in sin.

Here is a quote form the Rubrics of the Anglican Church during their cremation ceremony. 'The office is not to be used for any that dies un-baptized, or excommunicated, or have laid violent hands upon themselves.'

Question 115. What is the objective of prayers during the burial of the dead?

With death, the soul is separated from the body and the body turns to dust. At the end of the world, the body will rise and the soul will join it (John 5:28-29, Rom 6:5, 1 Cor. 15). Then he will be either punished or will receive everlasting life based on his acts.

We should not have heretic views that only the saints will rise or that the soul will enter from one body to another and so on.

After we rise from the dead, though there might be material changes to our body, everyone based on his good and evil deeds will be judged and then receive the blessings of God or punishments. This happens to us within our body. Therefore it is not lawful to bury the dead without prayers. We have hope for our resurrection (1 Thess. 4:3).

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