Lesson Nine
The Resurrection and Ascension of Christ
The resurrection and ascension are both part of the exaltation of Christ. Most of the Scriptural emphasis is on the resurrection, but the ascension is also alluded to many times. In modern ministry the two are often blurred together, or the second is merely omitted, which is regrettable, since both teach important lessons for us.
If it were not for the resurrection and ascension of Christ there would be no authority to His message nor proof to His doctrine. But because our Savior rose from the dead and is ascended to Heaven and the right hand of God the Father, we can be assured that all of His promises to us are just as sure of being fulfilled as those pointing to His exaltation are. “Because He lives we shall live also”.
I. Introduction: Resurrection and Ascension. What is the difference and significance of each?
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
II. Evidence of His Resurrection.
A. Fulfilled Prophecy: Old and New Testament.
1. Old Testament
a. Specific Prediction: Psa. 16:10; Isa. 53:9.
b. Types:
(1) Abraham and Isaac: Gen 22:4; Heb. 11:17- 19.
(2) Jonah and the Whale: Matt. 12:40
(3)___________________________________________________________
(4)___________________________________________________________
2. New Testament: Christ’s five main prophecies:
a. John 2:18-22: “Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.”
b. Matt. 16:21; Mark. 8:31; Luke 9:22: “Lord, this shall not happen to You!”
c. Matt. 17:9; Luke 9:28:31: Given after the Transfiguration.
d. Matt. 17:22; Luke 19:43- 45: “They were exceeding sorry”.
e. Matt. 20:18- 19; Mark 9:31: The mother asks a favor of the future King.
B. Personal Testimony
1. Friends: The women (John 20:11- 18), disciples (John 20:1- 10), Paul (1 Cor. 15:1- 9).
2. Enemies: The acts to keep the resurrection from being known is an important evidence in itself. (John 19:31- 37; Matt. 27:62- 66; 28:11- 15).
3. Impartial witnesses (Acts 5:34- 40):
a. Gamaliel
b. Church
c. Lord’s Day
III. The Importance and Application of the Resurrection
A. The Nature of the Resurrection:
1. Christ became the “Firstborn from the dead” (Col 1:18) and
2. “First fruits of them that slept” (1 Cor. 15:20).
3. Incorruptible (1 Cor. 15:42- 44).
4. Yet still capable of being touched (Luke 24;39 “Reach your hand into my side.”), that is, still a “material and very real body” (Berkhof).
Question: If the previous is true of Christ’s body - and our future bodies - how is 1 Cor. 15:50 true? (Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God.”)
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
B. The Author of the Resurrection: God.
1. The Father raises the Son: Gal. 1:1, “God the Father, who raised Him from the dead.”
2. The Spirit raises the Son: 1st Peter 3:18. “made alive by the Spirit”.
3. The Son raises Himself: John 2:19, “I will raise it up”. (the temple of His body).
C. Objections to, and attempted Refutations of, the Resurrection: The swoon theory, mistaken tomb, falsehood theory, vision theory, mythical theory. To this we might also add unworthy teachings of the resurrection. The book’s teaching on the significance of the third (as opposed to fourth) day is a case in point.
D. Blessings (Application) of the Resurrection
1. Shows that Christ conquered death. That He is God.
2. Validates Christ’s credentials as trustworthy Teacher.
3. Foretells the destined resurrection of all believers.
4. Demonstrates the faithfulness of God toward us.
5. It assures us that we are accepted because Christ’s sacrifice was accepted. Judges 13:22- 23; Rom. 4:25: Christ “was delivered for our offenses, and was raised again for (or “because of”) our justification.”
IV. The Importance and Application of the Ascension: Luke 24:50- 53; Acts 1:6- 11; John 6:62; 14:2; 16:5, 10, 17, 28; Eph. 1:20; 4:8- 10 (Psa. ); 1st Tim. 3:16; Heb. 1:3; 4:14; 9:24.
A. Nature of the Ascension:
1. Visible. Foretyped in the story of Elijah’s translation. (Compare 2 Kings 2:10- 11 with Acts 1:9- 11. See also Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the first passage.)
2. Victorious: Christ ascends to the Father’s right hand. It is from here that He reigns.
3. Prophetic: He shall return in the same way - visibly. Acts 1:11.
B. Application of the Ascension:
1. Proof: Like in His resurrection, it validates Christ’s teaching, proves His deity, etc.
2. Preparatory: (John 14;2- 3) He goes to prepare a place for us.
3. Paraclete: I will send another Comforter (“paraclete”), the Holy Spirit.
4. Prophetic. His ascension fore-tells our ascension and victory over sin and the grave. (Eph. 2:6; John 17:24).
Due Next Week:
Read chapters 10 & 11. Next week’s lesson: The Personality and Power of the Holy Spirit.
Answer: How can Christ be called the “firstfruits from the dead” if He is not the first to be raised from the dead?