Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

Secondly, We are now also stirred up by his power to a new life." Lastly, The resurrection of Christ, who is our head, is a pledge of our own glorious resurrection.▾

46. Q. How do you understand that he ascended into heaven?

A. That Christ, his disciples looking on, was taken up from the earth into heaven,w and still is there for our sake, and will remain there,

u Like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. Rom. vi. 4.

▾ Now is Christ risen from the dead and become the first fruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead; for as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 1 Cor. xv. 20-22. If then ye be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Col. iii. 1. Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace are ye saved;) and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. Eph. ii. 5, 6.

w So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. Mark xvi. 19. And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. Acts i. 9. And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. Luke xxiv. 51.

* For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us. Heb. ix. 24. It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Rom. viii. 34. If then ye be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above where Christ sitteth at the right

until he come again to judge the quick and the dead.y

47. Q. Christ is not then with us even unto the end of the world, as he promised us? (Matt. xxviii. 20.)

A. Christ is very God, and very man; and therefore in his human nature he is not now on earth;z but as to his godhead, his majesty, his grace, and Spirit, he is never at any time absent from us.a

48. Q. By this means, then, are not the two

hand of God. Col. iii. 1. We have an advocate with the Father, Christ Jesus the righteous. 1 John ii. 1.

▾ Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. Acts i. 11. He commanded us to testify that it was he which was ordained of God to be the judge of quick and dead. Acts x. 42. And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven; and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. Matt. xxiv. 30.

z For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law. Heb. viii. 3. For ye have the poor always with you, but me ye have not always. Matt. xxvi. 11. I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world; again, I leave the world, and go the Father. John xvi. 28. and xvii. 11. Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began. Acts iii. 21.

* I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. John xiv. 18. Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Matt. xxviii. 20. Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. Matt. xviii. 20. John x. 27-29,

natures in Christ separated, if the human nature is not where the divine is?

A. By no means. For since his divinity is incomprehensible, and omnipresent, it followeth necessarily that the same is without the bounds of his human nature, which he took upon him, and yet it is nevertheless in it, and abideth personally united to it.

49. Q. What are the benefits of Christ's ascension into heaven?

A. First, He makes intercession for us in heaven with the Father. Then, as we have our flesh in

b Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord; or what is the place of my rest? Acts vii. 49. Am I a God at hand, saith the Lord, and not a God afar off? Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? Do I not fill heaven and earth? saith the Lord. Jer. xxiii. 23, 24. Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it. Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I fly from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there; if I make my bed in hell, behold thou art there; if I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me, even the night shall be light about me; yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee. Ps. cxxxix. 5-12. When I awake, I am still with thee. ver. 18.

No man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. John iii. 13. In him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. Col. ii. 9.

If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father,

heaven, we are assured, as by a certain pledge, that he who is our head will raise us, who are his members, unto him. Lastly, he sends to us his Spirit, as a mutual pledge,f by the powerful operation of which, we seek not after earthly things, but those of heaven, where he himself sitteth at the right hand of God.s

Jesus Christ the righteous. 1 John ii. 1. He ever liveth to make intercession for them. Heb. vii. 25. It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Rom. viii. 34.

e 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. And if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. John xiv. 2, 3. and xvii. 24. Eph. ii. 6.

↑ And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another comforter, that he may abide with you for ever. John xiv. 16. Nevertheless, I tell you the truth; it is expedient for you that I go away; for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. John xvi. 7. This Jesus God hath raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this which ye now see and hear. Acts ii, 32, 33.

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. Rom. viii. 14. This, I say then, walk in the spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lusts of the flesh. Gal. v. 16. Howbeit, when the Spirit of truth is come, he shall guide you into all truth. John xvi. 13. If then ye be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God. Col. iii, 1. We ourselves were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we

50. Q. Why is it added-He sitteth at the right hand of God?

A. Because Christ therefore is ascended into heaven, to shew thereby that he is the head of the church, by whom the Father governs all things.i

51. Q. What are the benefits of this glorification of Christ, who is our head?

A. First, By his holy Spirit he pours on us his members heavenly graces. Secondly, By his j power he protects and defends us against all our enemies.k

have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost, which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Lord. Titus iii. 3-6.

h Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. Acts v. 31. And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things to the church. Eph. i. 22. And he is the head of the body, the church; who is the beginning, the first born from the dead; that in all things he might have the pre-eminence. Col. i. 18.

i And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Matt. xxviii. 18. The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand. John iii. 35. For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son. John v. 22.

5 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus; and great grace was upon them all. Acts iv. 33. But unto every one of us is given grace, according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. Eph. iv. 7, 8.

Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron, thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel. Ps. ii. 9. And I give unto

« AnteriorContinuar »