Lord’s Day 18
Q46. What do you mean by saying, he ascended into heaven?
That Christ, while his disciples watched, was lifted up from the earth to heaven and will be there for our good until he comes again to judge the living and the dead.
Scripture Proofs — King James Version
Mark 16:19
“So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.”
Luke 24:50–51
“And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.”
Acts 1:9–11
“And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.”
Romans 8:34
“Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.”
Hebrews 4:14
“Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast profession.”
Hebrews 7:23–25
“And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death: But this , because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.”
Hebrews 9:24
“For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:”
Acts 1:11
“Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.”
Commentary — Zacharias Ursinus (1616)
The ascension of Christ into heaven is a visible, local and real translation of his body and soul from earth into that heaven, which is above all visible heavens at the right hand of God, in that light which is inaccessible, where he now is, and remains, and from which he will come to judgment. In this, as in the article of the resurrection of Christ, there are two things which chiefly claim our attention—its history and fruits.
In speaking of the history of the ascension of Christ, the following things are to be considered: 1. "Who ascended?" The very same person that suffered, and rose again. 2. "According to what did he ascend?" According to his human nature. 3. "Whither did he ascend?" Up into heaven, above these visible heavens. 4. "By what help, or means?" By the peculiar power of his Godhead. 5. "For what purpose did he ascend?" That he might be our Head, and High-Priest in heaven. 6. "How did he ascend?" Visibly, and whilst his disciples were beholding him, by a true, and local elevation or gradual ascent of his body from earth into heaven. 7. "When did he ascend?" The fortieth day after his resurrection. 8. "From what place did he ascend?" From Bethany, at the mount of Olives. We shall speak of the "fruits" of his ascension when we treat upon the forty-ninth Question of the Catechism.
All the questions which we have here proposed in relation to the ascension of Christ, may be reduced to the following: