The Ascension of Jesus Christ in Christian Theology
The ascension of Jesus Christ refers to his bodily departure from Earth into heaven forty days after his resurrection [2]. This event is a cardinal doctrine of the Gospel, following the resurrection, which is itself foundational to Christian faith [1]. The New Testament revelation rests on the historical fact of Christ's resurrection [1], and his ascension marks his exaltation and enthronement at God's right hand [5, 11].
Jesus himself foretold his ascension [2], as recorded in passages such as John 6:62 and 20:17. The event is described in Acts 1:9, occurring from the Mount of Olives while he was blessing his disciples [2, 11]. The ascension signifies Jesus's triumph after atoning for sin [2], elevating him to a position of supreme power and dignity [2, 5]. This includes his exaltation to a place of ultimate authority over all creation [5, 6].
The ascension is understood as Christ's vindication, exaltation, and enthronement as Messiah and Lord [11]. From this position of glory and authority in heaven, Jesus guides and directs his church [11]. The apostle Paul emphasizes this in Ephesians, stating that God's mighty power was demonstrated "when he raised him" and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms [7]. This act of God raising Christ is seen as an earnest of believers' future resurrection and has spiritual power for the believer's soul now [7, 10].
Believers are considered to be "raised up together" and "made to sit together" with Christ in his ascension, though the prerogative of sitting at the right hand of God is uniquely Christ's [8]. The ascension also signifies Christ's role as a forerunner for his people, interceding for them, and sending the Holy Spirit [2]. The exaltation of Christ after his self-abasement serves as an encouragement for humble souls, implying that those who humble themselves will be exalted [9]. The ascension is distinct from the "revelation of Christ" or "second coming of Christ," which refers to his future return [3, 4].
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Resurrection of Christ — One of the cardinal facts and doctrines of the gospel. If Christ be not risen, our faith is vain (1 Cor. 15:14). The whole of the New Testament revelation rests on this as an historical fact. On the day of Pentecost Peter argued the necessity of Christ's resurrection from the prediction in Ps. 16 (Acts 2:24-28). In his own discourses, also, our Lord clearly intimates his resurrection (Matt. 20:19; Mark 9:9; 14:28; Luke 18:33; John 2:19-22). The evangelists give circumstantial accounts of the facts connected with that event, and the apostles, ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Ascension of Christ, The — Prophecies respecting -- Ps 24:7; 68:18; Eph 4:7,8. Foretold by himself -- Joh 6:62; 7:33; 14:28; 16:5; 20:17. Forty days after his resurrection -- Ac 1:3. Described -- Ac 1:9. From Mount Olivet -- Lu 24:50; Mr 11:1; Ac 1:12. While blessing his disciples -- Lu 24:50. When he had atoned for sin -- Heb 9:12; 10:12. Was triumphant -- Ps 68:18. Was to supreme power and dignity -- Lu 24:26; Eph 1:20,21; 1Pe 3:22. As the forerunner of his people -- Heb 6:20. To intercede -- Ro 8:34; Heb 9:24. To send the Holy Spirit -- Joh 16:7; Ac 2:33. To recei”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Revelation of Christ — The second advent of Christ. Three different Greek words are used by the apostles to express this, (1) apokalupsis (1 Cor. 1;7; 2 Thess. 1:7; 1 Pet. 1:7, 13); (2) parousia (Matt. 24:3, 27; 1 Thess. 2:19; James 5:7, 8); (3) epiphaneia (1 Tim. 6:14; 2 Tim. 1:10; 4:1-8; Titus 2:13). There existed among Christians a wide expectation, founded on Matt. 24:29, 30, 34, of the speedy return of Christ. (See [533]MILLENNIUM.)”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Second Coming of Christ, The — Time of, unknown -- Mt 24:36; Mr 13:32. Called the Times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord. -- Ac 3:19. Times of restitution of all things. -- Ac 3:21; Ro 8:21. Last time. -- 1Pe 1:5. Appearing of Jesus Christ. -- 1Pe 1:7. Revelation of Jesus Christ. -- 1Pe 1:13. Glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour. -- Tit 2:13. Coming of the day of God. -- 2Pe 3:12. Day of our Lord Jesus Christ. -- 1Co 1:8. Foretold by Prophets. -- Da 7:13; Jude 1:14. Himself. -- Mt 25:31; Joh 14:3. Apostles. -- Ac 3:20; 1Ti 6:14. Angels. -- A”
- Luke (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Luke 24:51: 24:51 Cp. 2 Kgs 2:11. Jesus’ ascension was his exaltation to a position of authority over all creation (see Acts 2:32-36; 5:31; Eph 1:19-23; Phil 2:9-11; Heb 1:13).”
- Acts (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Acts 1:10: 1:10 Christ’s rising into heaven indicates his elevation to a place of ultimate authority (see Eph 1:19-23; Phil 2:9-11).”
- Ephesians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ephesians 1:20: in Christ--as our "first-fruits" of the resurrection, and Head, in virtue of God's mighty working in whom His power to us-ward is made possible and actual [ALFORD]. when he raised him--"in that He raised Him." The raising of Christ is not only an earnest of our bodies being hereafter raised, but has a spiritual power in it involving (by virtue of our living union with Him, as members with the Head) the resurrection, spiritually of the believer's soul now, and, consequently, of his body hereafter (Rom 6:8-11; Rom 8:11). The Son, too, as God (though”
- Ephesians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ephesians 2:6: raised us up together--with Christ. The "raising up" presupposes previous quickening of Jesus in the tomb, and of us in the grave of our sins. made us sit together--with Christ, namely, in His ascension. Believers are bodily in heaven in point of right, and virtually so in spirit, and have each their own place assigned there, which in due time they shall take possession of (Phi 3:20-21). He does not say, "on the right hand of God"; a prerogative reserved to Christ peculiarly; though they shall share His throne (Rev 3:21). in Christ Jesus--Our uni”
- Philippians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Philippians 2:9: Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him,.... The apostle proceeds to observe the exaltation of Christ, for the encouragement of meek and humble souls; that whereas Christ, who so exceedingly demeaned himself, was afterwards highly exalted by God, so all such who, in imitation of him, behave to one another in lowliness of mind, shall be exalted in God's due time; for whoso humbleth himself, shall be exalted. The first step of Christ's exaltation was his resurrection from the dead, when he had a glory given him as man; his body was raised in incorruption, in glor”
- 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 6:14: (Rom 8:11). raised up--rather, "raised," to distinguish it from "will raise up us"; the Greek of the latter being a compound, the former a simple verb. Believers shall be raised up out of the rest of the dead (see on Phi 3:11); the first resurrection (Rev 20:5). us--Here he speaks of the possibility of his being found in the grave when Christ comes; elsewhere, of his being possibly found alive (Th1 4:17). In either event, the Lord's coming rather than death is the great object of the Christian's expectation (Rom 8:19).”
- Luke (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Luke 24:50: 24:50-53 Luke also narrates Jesus’ ascension in Acts 1:1-11. For Luke, Jesus’ ascension confirmed his vindication, exaltation, and enthronement at God’s right hand as Messiah and Lord (Acts 2:24-36). From his position of glory and authority in heaven, Jesus guides and directs his church. 24:50 Bethany: See study note on 19:29; see also Acts 1:11-12; cp. Zech 14:4.”