Difference between revisions of "Ascension controversy"
(→Gospel of Luke: "carried up into heaven" imprecisely conveys a physical lifting to the sky, when in fact the "heaven" is the kingdom of God, and "carried up into" is the figurative term meaning offered "up" to a goal, as in a sacrifice.) |
(→Better translation: A better translation would be "was taken into eternity", or "was taken into heaven.") |
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{{cquote|And he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven.}} | {{cquote|And he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven.}} | ||
=== Better translation === | === Better translation === | ||
| − | "carried up into heaven" imprecisely conveys a physical lifting to the sky, when in fact the "heaven" is the [[kingdom of God]], and "carried up into" is the figurative term meaning offered "up" to a goal, as in a sacrifice. | + | "was carried up into heaven" imprecisely conveys a physical lifting to the sky, when in fact the "heaven" is the [[kingdom of God]], and "carried up into" is the figurative term meaning offered "up" to a goal, as in a sacrifice. |
| + | |||
| + | A better translation would be "was taken into eternity", or "was taken into heaven." | ||
| + | |||
== Acts of the Apostles == | == Acts of the Apostles == | ||
The [[Acts of the Apostles]] account: | The [[Acts of the Apostles]] account: | ||
Revision as of 05:26, June 3, 2023
The Ascension controversy relates to liberal denial about the statement in Hebrews 9:12 -- possibly spoken by Jesus himself on the Road to Emmaus[1]-- that Jesus entered heaven with the sacrifice of his blood prior to returning to visit the Apostles.
Biblical discussion
The ascension of Jesus was a physical one as recounted by Luke at Luke 24:50-51 and Acts 1:9-11 .
Gospel of Luke
The Gospel of Luke description (ESV):
| “ | And he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. | ” |
Better translation
"was carried up into heaven" imprecisely conveys a physical lifting to the sky, when in fact the "heaven" is the kingdom of God, and "carried up into" is the figurative term meaning offered "up" to a goal, as in a sacrifice.
A better translation would be "was taken into eternity", or "was taken into heaven."
Acts of the Apostles
The Acts of the Apostles account:
| “ | And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven. | ” |
Gospel of John
John 20:17 refers an ascension that will occur, though not necessarily as described by Luke:
| “ | Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” | ” |
Other Biblical references
Additional Biblical references are at:
- John 6:63 (Jesus prophesizing His ascension)
- Ephesians 4:8-10
- Timothy 3:16
- Epistle to the Hebrews