He ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty
Heidelberg Catechism
Heidelberg Catechism Question 46. How do you understand the words: “He ascended into heaven”? That Christ was taken up from the earth into heaven before the eyes of his disciples and remains there on our behalf until he comes again to judge the living and the dead.
Heidelberg Catechism Question 47. Then, is not Christ with us unto the end of the world, as he has promised us? Christ is true man and true God. As a man he is no longer on earth, but in his divinity, majesty, grace, and Spirit, he is never absent from us.
Heidelberg Catechism Question 48. But are not the two natures in Christ separated from each other in this way, if the humanity is not wherever the divinity is? Not at all; for since divinity is incomprehensible and everywhere present, it must follow that the divinity is indeed beyond the bounds of the humanity which it has assumed, and is nonetheless ever in that humanity as well, and remains personally united to it.
Heidelberg Catechism Question 49. What benefit do we receive from Christ’s ascension into heaven? First, that he is our Advocate in the presence of his Father in heaven. Second, that we have our flesh in heaven as a sure pledge that he, as the Head, will also take us, his members, up to himself. Third, that he sends us his Spirit as a counterpledge by whose power we seek what is above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God, and not things that are on earth.
Heidelberg Catechism Question 50. Why is there added: “And sits at the right hand of God”? Because Christ ascended into heaven so that he might manifest himself there as the Head of his Church, through whom the Father governs all things.
Heidelberg Catechism Question 51. What benefit do we receive from this glory of Christ, our Head? First, that through his Holy Spirit he pours out heavenly gifts upon us, his members. Second, that by his power he defends and supports us against all our enemies.
Study Catechism
Study Catechism Question 47. What do you affirm when you say that “he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father”? First, that Christ has gone to be with the Father, hidden except to the eyes of faith. Second, however, that Christ is not cut off from us in the remote past, or in some place from which he cannot reach us, but is present to us here and now by grace. He reigns with divine authority, protecting us, guiding us, and interceding for us until he returns in glory.
- Acts 1:6-11 “So when they had come together, they asked him, ‘Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?’ He replied, ‘It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.’ When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. They said, ‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.’”
- Col. 3:1 “So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.”
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