Christ's Exaltation Through Resurrection
Christ's exaltation through resurrection is a foundational doctrine of the Christian faith, signifying a pivotal moment in God's redemptive plan [1]. The resurrection itself is the first step in Christ's exaltation, followed by his ascension, his sitting at the right hand of God, and his future return to judge the world [4].
The New Testament consistently presents the resurrection as an historical fact, essential to Christian belief. Paul states in 1 Corinthians 15:14 that "if Christ be not risen, our faith is vain" [1]. Jesus himself foretold his resurrection multiple times (Matthew 20:19; Mark 9:9; John 2:19-22) [1, 3]. The apostles, particularly Peter on the day of Pentecost, argued for the necessity of Christ's resurrection based on Old Testament prophecies like Psalm 16 (Acts 2:24-28) [1, 3].
The resurrection was necessary for several reasons: to fulfill Scripture (Luke 24:45-46), for the forgiveness of sins (1 Corinthians 15:17), for justification (Romans 4:25; 8:34), and to provide hope (1 Corinthians 15:19) [3]. It also served as proof of his divine sonship (Romans 1:4) [3]. God the Father raised Christ from the dead through His power (Acts 2:24; Ephesians 1:20), and Christ also exercised his own power in rising (John 2:19; 10:18) [3, 12].
The exaltation of Christ, which commenced with his resurrection, involves the glorification of his human nature [9, 11]. As Thomas Aquinas explains, Christ's body rose glorified, serving as an exemplar and cause for the future resurrection of believers [6]. This glorification was a just reward for his profound humility and obedience, even to the death of the cross [5, 10]. The humble, particularly his disciples, witnessed his resurrection and ascension, finding gladness in seeing him "crowned with glory and honour" [7].
Following his resurrection, Christ ascended into heaven, taking his place at the right hand of God, signifying his supreme power and dignity (Luke 24:26; Ephesians 1:20-21; 1 Peter 3:22) [2, 8]. This position means he is associated with God in glory and dominion [8]. From this exalted position, he intercedes for believers (Romans 8:34; Hebrews 9:24) and sends the Holy Spirit (John 16:7; Acts 2:33) [2]. The entire person of Christ, the God-man (Theanthropos), was the subject of this exaltation, not just his divine or human nature in isolation [8].
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”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Resurrection of Christ, The — Foretold by the prophets -- Ps 16:10; Ac 13:34,35; Isa 26:19. Foretold by Himself -- Mt 20:19; Mr 9:9; 14:28; Joh 2:19-22. Was necessary to The fulfilment of Scripture. -- Lu 24:45,46. Forgiveness of sins. -- 1Co 15:17. Justification. -- Ro 4:25; 8:34. Hope. -- 1Co 15:19. The efficacy of preaching. -- 1Co 15:14. The efficacy of faith. -- 1Co 15:14,17. A proof of his being the Son of God -- Ps 2:7; Ac 13:33; Ro 1:4. Effected by The power of God. -- Ac 2:24; 3:15; Ro 8:11; Eph 1:20; Col 2:12. His own power. -- Joh 2:19; 10:18. The power of”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 2, section 131: CHAPTER XIII. THE EXALTATION OF CHRIST. According to our standards the exaltation of Christ includes, (1.) His resurrection. (2.) His ascension. (3.) His sitting at the right hand of God. (4.) His coming to judge the world at the last day.”
- theology (Catholic (Scholastic)) “Aquinas, Summa Theologica, Third Part (Tertia Pars), Of the Effects of Christ's Passion, Art. 6: Article: Whether by His Passion Christ merited to be exalted? I answer that, Merit implies a certain equality of justice: hence the Apostle says (Rm. 4:4): "Now to him that worketh, the reward is reckoned according to debt." But when anyone by reason of his unjust will ascribes to himself something beyond his due, it is only just that he be deprived of something else which is his due; thus, "when a man steals a sheep he shall pay back four" (Ex. 22:1). And he is said to deserve it, inasmuch as his ”
- theology (Catholic (Scholastic)) “Aquinas, Summa Theologica, Third Part (Tertia Pars), Of the Quality of Christ Rising Again, Art. 2: Article: Whether Christ's body rose glorified? [*Some editions give this article as the third, following the order of the introduction to the question. But this is evident from the first sentence of the body of Article [3] (Article [2] in the aforesaid editions), that the order of the Leonine edition is correct.] I answer that, Christ's was a glorified body in His Resurrection, and this is evident from three reasons. First of all, because His Resurrection was the exemplar and the cause of ours, ”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 69:32: The humble shall see this, and be glad,.... The resurrection and exaltation of Christ, Psa 69:29; the meek and humble followers of Christ, as his disciples were, saw him risen from the dead, saw him alive, to whom he showed himself forty days after his resurrection; they saw his hands, and feet, and side, and the prints of the nails and spear in them; they saw him go up to heaven, to be set on high at the right hand of God; and humble believers now see him by faith, crowned with glory and honour; and as the disciples were glad, and rejoiced when they saw him again, a”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 2, section 134: § 3. Sitting at the Right Hand of God. This is the next step in the exaltation of our Lord. He rose from the dead, ascended into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God; that is, was associated with Him in glory and dominion. The subject of this exaltation was the Theanthropos, not the Logos specially or distinctively; not the human nature exclusively; but the theanthropic person. When a man is exalted it is not the soul in distinction from the body; nor the body in distinction from the soul, but the whole person. The ground of Chr”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 7: Augustine — Homilies on John — CHAPTER XVII. 1. (part 4): Lord Jesus Christ is in the glory of God the Father." This is the glorification of our Lord Jesus Christ, that took its commencement from His resurrection. His humility accordingly begins in the apostle's discourse with the passage where he says, "He emptied Himself, and took upon Him the form of a servant;" and reaches "even to the death of the cross." But His glory begins with the clause where he says, "Wherefore God also hath exalted Him;" and reaches on to the words, "is in the glory of God the Father."(2) For even the ”
- theology (Catholic (Scholastic)) “Aquinas, Summa Theologica, Third Part (Tertia Pars), Of Christ's Resurrection, Art. 1: Article: Whether it was necessary for Christ to rise again? I answer that, It behooved Christ to rise again, for five reasons. First of all; for the commendation of Divine Justice, to which it belongs to exalt them who humble themselves for God's sake, according to Lk. 1:52: "He hath put down the mighty from their seat, and hath exalted the humble." Consequently, because Christ humbled Himself even to the death of the Cross, from love and obedience to God, it behooved Him to be uplifted by God to a glorious ”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 2, section 80: that is, whosoever religiously worships Him and looks to Him as his God and Saviour, shall be saved, whether in a dungeon or alone in a desert. The Exaltation of the Human Nature of Christ. Another consequence of the hypostatical union is the exaltation of the humanity of Christ. As the human body in virtue of its vital union with an immortal soul, is immeasurably exalted above any mere material organization in the universe (so far as known or revealed), so the humanity of Christ in virtue of its union with his divine nature is immeasurab”
- Ephesians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Ephesians 1:20: Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead,.... There are many articles of faith contained in this passage; as that Christ died, that he is raised from the dead, that he was raised from the dead by God the Father, and that his resurrection was by the power of God: the resurrection of any person is an instance of great power, but Christ's resurrection from the dead was an instance of peculiar and special power; for he was raised from the dead as a public person, representing all his people, for whom he became a surety; and he was raised again for t”