Ascension of Christ
The Ascensionof Christ refers to Jesus going up bodily into the clouds while His disciples watched, after first giving them instructions to wait in Jerusalem until He would send them the Holy Spirit (Pentecost). The ascension occurred 40 days after his Resurrection. He has promised to return the same way some day. (Acts 1:4-11). Paul discusses Jesus's bodily ascension in his letters. (Ephesians 4:8-10, and in Timothy 3:16)
When good people die, their souls ascend to Heaven, but not their bodies.
The Catholic Church has the dogma that Mary was assumed bodily to Heaven; this is known as the Assumption of Mary. The Eastern Orthodox Church also teaches this principle. Enoch was taken up (Genesis 5:24) and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven (2 Kings 2:11). Other than Jesus, no other people have ascended bodily by their own power into Heaven.
The Ascension of Christ is His glorification.
"After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and He sat at the right hand of God" Mark 16:19.
Ascension by Rembrandt.
His ascension meant that He would send the Holy Spirit to dwell in believers, taking the place of His bodily presence, and continuing what He had done while here (John 14:16-17; 16:5-7). "All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you" (John 14:25-26). And, "He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you" (John 16:14) [1]
Although the place of the Ascension is not distinctly stated, it would appear from the Acts that it was Mount Olivet. [2] The Feast of the Ascension, commemorating the Ascension of Christ into heaven, according to Mark 16:19, Luke 24:51, and Acts 1:2, take universal observance the fortieth day after Easter Sunday.
Feast of the Ascension of Jesus
See also: Feast of the Ascension of Jesus
Feast of the Ascension of Jesus (Greek: ἡ Ἀνάληψις τοῦ Κυρίου, Latin: Ascensio Domini) is the feast of the return of Jesus Christ to the heaven on the 40th day of His Resurrection.
The Gospels of Mark and Luke mention the Ascension (Mark 16:19 and Luke 24:50-53), but the most detailed description can be found in the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 1:9-11).
Since the fourth century, Christians recognize this day on the Thursday thirty-nine days after Easter Sunday. Therefore, the data is not fixed, but can be as early as April 30 and as late as June 3:
The Feast of the Ascension is a public holiday in several European countries (e.g., the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, France, Germany and Austria), as well as in Namibia and Indonesia.
See also
- Resurrection of Jesus Christ
- Transfiguration of Jesus
- Easter
- Christian Cross
- Bible Art Gallery
- Christianity in Conservapedia
External links
- What is the meaning and importance of the ascension of Jesus Christ?, Got Questions Ministries
- Why Christ’s Ascension is Essential, Christianity Today
- Ascension, Britannica
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