Jesus' Resurrection and Ascension

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The Doctrines of Christ and the Holy Spirit (Part 3)

Jesus’ Resurrection and Ascension

Jesus’ physical resurrection body affirms the goodness of God’s original creation of man as a creature with a physical body that was “very good.” Christ’s resurrection insures our regeneration (1 Peter 1:3 - Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead), justification (Romans 4:25 - who was delivered up for our trespasses and raisedfor our justification), and our perfect resurrection bodies as well. Christ’s resurrection power in our lives should lead to obedience, focus on heavenly reward, and provide increasing freedom from sin in this life (Colossians 3:1-4 - If then you have been raised with Christ, seekthe things that are above, where Christ is,seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christwho is yourlife appears, then you also will appear with himin glory).
After his resurrection Christ ascended to a place in heaven (Acts 1:9-11 - And when he had said these things, as they were looking on,he was lifted up, anda cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold,two men stood by them inwhite robes, and said, ”Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven,will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven”) where he received glory and honor that had not been his before as the God-man (Philippians 2:9 - ThereforeGod hashighly exalted him and bestowed on himthe name that is above every name). In a demonstration of the completion of his saving work and his position of power (Hebrews 1:3 - He is the radiance of the glory of God andthe exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power.After making purification for sins,he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high), Christ is now seated at the right hand of the Father in his heavenly session. Christ’s ascension foreshadows our future ascension into heaven with him (1 Thessalonians 4:17 - Then we who are alive, who are left, will becaught up together with themin the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and sowe will always be with the Lord), gives assurance of our final home in heaven with him (John 14:2-3 - Inmy Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you thatI go to prepare a place for you?And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, thatwhere I am you may be also), and enables us to already share in Christ’s authority over the universe (Ephesians 6:12 - Forwe do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but againstthe rulers, against the authorities, againstthe cosmic powers over this present darkness, againstthe spiritual forces of evilin the heavenly places).
Christ perfectly fulfilled the OT offices of prophet, priest, and king. As prophet he spoke the words of God to the people (Deuteronomy 18:15-18 - ”The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers—it is to him you shall listen— just as you desired of the LORD your God at Horebon the day of the assembly, when you said, ’Let me not hear again the voice of the LORD my God or see this great fire any more, lest I die.’And the LORD said to me,’They are right in what they have spoken. I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers. And I will put my words in his mouth, andhe shall speak to them all that I command him). As priest he offered the perfect sacrifice for sin, continually brings us near to God, and prays for us (Romans 8:34 - Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God,who indeed is interceding for us). As king he rules over his people, the church, and the entire universe (Revelation 19:16 - On his robe and on his thighhe has a name written,King of kings and Lord of lords).

*Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology

The Doctrines of Christ & the Holy Spirit – Part 1 - Jesus Christ was fully God and fully man

The Doctrines of Christ & the Holy Spirit – Part 2 - Jesus Christ paid the penalty of sin

The Doctrines of Christ & the Holy Spirit – Part 3 - Jesus’ Resurrection and Ascension

The Doctrines of Christ & the Holy Spirit – Part 4 – The Work of the Holy Spirit

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Mike Mobley

Saved by Grace through Faith. In love with Jesus, His Glory, and obviously my beautiful wife Joelle & daughter Peyton! Seeking Him in everything to glorify Him and spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ.