What was Jesus’ Resurrection?

Resurrection

On what day did Christ rise from the dead?¹

Christ rose from the dead, glorious and immortal, on Easter Sunday, the third day after His death.

What is the significance of Jesus’ resurrection?²

By his resurrection, Jesus overcame death and opened for us the way of eternal life.

Why is Christ’s resurrection so important and comforting?³

Christ’s resurrection proves that

• Christ is the Son of God (Romans 1:4);
• His doctrine is the truth (John 2:19; John 8:28);
• God the Father accepted Christ’s sacrifice for the reconciliation of the world (Romans 4:25; Romans 5:10; 1 Corinthians 15:17);
• All believers in Christ will rise to eternal life (John 11:25-26; John 14:19; 1 Corinthians 15:20).

How was Christ exalted in his resurrection?⁴

Christ was exalted in his resurrection, in that, not having seen corruption in death (of which it was not possible for him to be held), and having the very same body in which he suffered, with the essential properties thereof (but without mortality, and other common infirmities belonging to this life), really united to his soul, he rose again from the dead the third day by his own power; whereby he declared himself to be the Son of God, to have satisfied divine justice, to have vanquished death, and him that had the power of it, and to be Lord of quick and dead: all which he did as a public person, the head of his church, for their justification, quickening in grace, support against enemies, and to assure them of their resurrection from the dead at the last day.

Appearances

How long did Christ stay on earth after His resurrection?⁵

Christ stayed on earth forty days after His resurrection to show that He was truly risen from the dead, and to instruct His Apostles.

Ascension

What do the Scriptures teach about Christ’s ascension?⁶

They teach that 40 days after His resurrection, Christ, in the presence of His disciples, ascended bodily into the glory of His Father, to prepare a place for us in Heaven (Luke 24:51; Ephesians 4:10; John 14:2-3; John 17:24). Bible narrative: Christ’s ascension (Acts 1:9-11).

What do you confess when you say, he ascended into heaven?⁷

That Christ, before the eyes of his disciples, was taken up from the earth into heaven (Mark 16:19; Luke 24:50-51; Acts 1:9-11), and that he is there for our benefit (Romans 8:34; Hebrews 4:14; 7:23-25; 9:24) until he comes again to judge the living and the dead (Matthew 24:30; Acts 1:11).

What good do we obtain from this ascension?⁸

The benefit is twofold. For inasmuch as Christ entered heaven in our name, just as he had come down to earth on our account, he also opened up an access for us, so that the door, previously shut because of sin, is now open. Secondly, he appears in the presence of God as our advocate and intercessor.

How was Christ exalted in his ascension?⁹

Christ was exalted in his ascension, in that having after his resurrection often appeared unto and conversed with his apostles, speaking to them of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God, and giving them commission to preach the gospel to all nations, forty days after his resurrection, he, in our nature, and as our head, triumphing over enemies, visibly went up into the highest heavens, there to receive gifts for men, to raise up our affections thither, and to prepare a place for us, where himself is, and shall continue till his second coming at the end of the world.

Place in Heaven

Where is Christ in heaven?¹⁰

In heaven Christ sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.

What do you mean by saying that Christ sits at the right hand Of God?¹¹

When I say that Christ sits at the right hand of God I mean that Christ as God is equal to His Father in all things, and that as man He is in the highest place in heaven next to God.

What do we mean when we say that he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father?¹²

We mean that Jesus took our human nature into heaven where he now reigns with the Father and intercedes for us.

What comfort do we get from Christ’s ascension to the right hand of God?¹³

We know that the exalted God-man, Christ

• as our Prophet sends people to proclaim the saving Gospel by the power of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:10-12; Luke 10:16; John 16:7);
• as our Priest pleads and prays for us before the Father (Romans 8:34; 1 John 2:1);
• as our King rules and protects His church and governs over all the world especially for the benefit of His church (Psalm 110:1).

How is Christ exalted in his sitting at the right hand of God?¹⁴

Christ is exalted in his sitting at the right hand of God, in that as God-man he is advanced to the highest favor with God the Father, with all fulness of joy, glory, and power over all things in heaven and earth; and does gather and defend his church, and subdue their enemies; furnishes his ministers and people with gifts and graces, and makes intercession for them.

Footnotes

1. Baltimore Larger Catechism (1885), Question 89.
2. Episcopal Catechism (1789), Question 34.
3. Luther’s Small Catechism (1529), Question 145.
4. Westminster Larger Catechism (1647), Question 52.
5. Baltimore Larger Catechism (1885), Question 90.
6. Luther’s Small Catechism (1529), Question 146.
7. Heidelberg Catechism (1563), Question 46.
8. Geneva Catachism (1545), Question 77.
9. Westminster Larger Catechism (1647), Question 53.
10. Baltimore Larger Catechism (1885), Question 92.
11. Baltimore Larger Catechism (1885), Question 93.
12. Episcopal Catechism (1789), Question 36.
13. Luther’s Small Catechism (1529), Question 148.
14. Westminster Larger Catechism (1647), Question 54.