The Ascension of Christ in Scripture and Tradition
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, closely linked to the resurrection itself [1].
The New Testament provides accounts of the ascension. Luke describes Jesus leading his disciples out to Bethany, where he blessed them and was carried up into heaven [2, 9]. The book of Acts further details this, noting that Jesus was taken up in a cloud while his disciples watched from the Mount of Olives [2]. The ascension signifies Jesus's exaltation to a position of ultimate authority over all creation [4, 6]. He is seated at the right hand of God, a prerogative reserved for Christ [3, 5].
Prophecies in the Old Testament are understood to foreshadow Christ's ascension, such as passages in Psalms 24 and 68 [2]. Jesus himself foretold his ascension in his discourses, as recorded in John's Gospel [2].
The theological significance of the ascension is multifaceted:
- Vindication and Exaltation It confirmed Jesus's vindication and enthronement at God's right hand as Messiah and Lord [9].
- Intercession From his position in heaven, Christ intercedes for believers [2].
- Sending the Holy Spirit The ascension was necessary for Jesus to send the Holy Spirit [2].
- Forerunner Christ's ascension serves as a forerunner for his people, indicating their future hope [2].
The ascension is not merely a historical event but also has implications for believers. Through union with Christ, believers are considered to be "raised up together" and "made us sit together" with Christ in his ascension, spiritually and in terms of their future inheritance [5]. This union with Christ in his resurrection and ascension is a foundational aspect of Christian hope [7, 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”
- King James Version “[KJV] Colossians 3:1 — If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.”
- 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).”
- 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”
- 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”
- 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.”