The Heidelberg Catechism Part II: Deliverance God the Son, Part 8 Lord’s Day 18
Question 46: What do you mean by saying, “He ascended to heaven”?
Answer 46: That Christ, while His disciples watched, was taken up from the earth into heaven [1] and remains there on our behalf [2] until He comes again to judge the living and the dead. [3]
[1] Luke 24:50-51 NKJV And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. (51) Now it came to pass, while He blessed them, that He was parted from them and carried up into heaven.
Acts 1:9-11 NKJV Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. (10) And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, (11) who also said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven."
[2] Romans 8:34 NKJV Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.
Ephesians 4:8-10 NKJV Therefore He says: "When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men." (9) (Now this, "He ascended"—what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? (10) He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.)
Hebrews 7:23-25 NKJV Also there were many priests, because they were prevented by death from continuing. (24) But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. (25) Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.
Hebrews 9:24 NKJV For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us;
[3] Acts 1:10-11 NKJV And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, (11) who also said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven."
Q 47: But isn’t Christ with us until the end of the world as he promised us? [1]
A 47: Christ is true human and true God. In His human nature Christ is not now on earth; [2] but in His divinity, majesty, grace, and Spirit He is never absent from us. [3]
[1] Matthew 28:18-20 NKJV And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. (19) Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, (20) teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.
[2] Acts 1:9-11 NKJV Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. (10) And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, (11) who also said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven."
Acts 3:19-21 NKJV Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, (20) and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before, (21) whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.
[3] Matthew 28:18-20 NKJV And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. (19) Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, (20) teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.
John 14:16-19 NKJV And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— (17) the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. (18) I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. (19) "A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also.
Q 48: If His humanity is not present wherever His divinity is, then aren’t the two natures of Christ separated from each other?
A 48: Certainly not. Since divinity is not limited and is present everywhere, [1] it is evident that Christ’s divinity is surely beyond the bounds of the humanity that has been taken on, but at the same time His divinity is in and remains personally united to His humanity. [2]
[1] Jeremiah 23:23-24 NKJV "Am I a God near at hand," says the LORD, "And not a God afar off? (24) Can anyone hide himself in secret places, So I shall not see him?" says the LORD; "Do I not fill heaven and earth?" says the LORD.
Acts 7:48-49 NKJV (Isa. 66:1) "However, the Most High does not dwell in temples made with hands, as the prophet says: (49) 'Heaven is my throne, and Earth is My footstool. What house will you build for Me? Says the LORD, or what is the place of My rest?
[2] John 1:14 NKJV And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
John 3:13 NKJV No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven.
Colossians 2:9 NKJV For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily;
Q 49: How does Christ’s ascension to heaven benefit us?
A 49: First, He is our advocate in heaven in the presence of his Father. [1] Second, we have our own flesh in heaven as a sure pledge that Christ our head will also take us, His members, up to Himself. [2] Third, He sends His Spirit to us on earth as a corresponding pledge. [3] By the Spirit’s power we seek not earthly things but the things above, where Christ is, sitting at God’s right hand. [4]
[1] Romans 8:34 NKJV Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.
1 John 2:1 NKJV My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.
[2] John 14:2 NKJV In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
John 17:24 NKJV "Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.
Ephesians 2:4-6 NKJV But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, (5) even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), (6) and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
[3] John 14:16 NKJV And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever--
2 Corinthians 1:21-22 NKJV Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, (22) who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.
2 Corinthians 5:5 NKJV Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.
[4] Colossians 3:1-4 NKJV If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. (2) Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. (3) For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. (4) When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.
Visit the official website of Paynes Corners Christian Church, 277 Warner Road, Brookfield, Ohio 44403. The people of the church been involved in ministry since 1858.