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    Question 48

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    Section 1: Introduction

    What Fruit doth the Ascension of Christ into Heaven bring unto us?

    First thata he maketh Intercession to his Father in Heaven for us; next that we have our Flesh in Heaven, that we may be confirmed thereby, as by a sure Pledge, that it shall come to passe that he who is our Headb will lift us up, his Members, unto him: thirdly, thatc he sendeth us his Spirit instead of a Pledge between him and us, by whose forcible working we seek after not earthly but heavenly things, where he himselfd is sitting at the Right-Hand of God.

    What Fruit does the Ascension of Christ into Heaven bring unto us?

    First thata he makes Intercession to his Father in Heaven for us; next that we have our Flesh in Heaven, that we may be confirmed thereby, as by a sure Pledge, that it shall come to pass that he who is our Headb will lift us up, his Members, unto him: thirdly, thatc he sends us his Spirit instead of a Pledge between him and us, by whose forcible working we seek after not earthly but heavenly things, where he himselfd is sitting at the Right-Hand of God.

    1. a. 1 John 2:1–2; Romans 8:34

      1 John 2:1–2

      2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

      2:1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate before the Father-Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 2:2 He Himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

      Romans 8:34

      8:34 Who is he that condemneth? 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.

      8:34 Who is there to condemn us? For Christ Jesus, who died, and more than that was raised to life, is at the right hand of God-and He is interceding for us.

      King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

    2. b. John 14:2; John 20:17; Ephesians 2:6

      John 14:2

      14:2 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.

      14:2 In My Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?

      John 20:17

      20:17 Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.

      20:17 "Do not cling to Me," Jesus said, "for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go and tell My brothers, 'I am ascending to My Father and your Father, to My God and your God.'"

      Ephesians 2:6

      2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

      2:6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,

      King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

    3. c. John 14:16; John 16:7; 2 Corinthians 5:5

      John 14:16

      14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

      14:16 And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be with you forever-

      John 16:7

      16:7 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.

      16:7 But I tell you the truth, it is for your benefit that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.

      2 Corinthians 5:5

      5:5 Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.

      5:5 And God has prepared us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a pledge of what is to come.

      King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

    4. d. Colossians 3:1; Philippians 3:20,&c

      Colossians 3:1

      3:1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

      3:1 Therefore, since you have been raised with Christ, strive for the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.

      Philippians 3:20–21

      3:20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 3:21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

      3:20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 3:21 who, by the power that enables Him to subject all things to Himself, will transform our lowly bodies to be like His glorious body.

      King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

    Diff style

    Changes from Heidelberg Catechism (1563), Question 49

    Heidelberg Catechism (1563), Question 49

    Of What advantage to us is Christ’s Fruit doth the Ascension of Christ into Heaven bring unto us?

    First that he is our advocate in the presence of maketh Intercession to his Father in Heaven secondly, for us; next that we have our Flesh in Heaven, that we may be confirmed thereby, as by a sure Pledge, that it shall come to passe that he as the who is our Head will also take up to himself, lift us up, his Members, unto him: thirdly, that he sendeth us his Spirit as an earnest, instead of a Pledge between him and us, by whose power forcible working we seek the which are above, Christ sitteth on after not earthly but heavenly things, where he himself is sitting at the right hand Right-Hand of God.and not things on earth.”

    Heidelberg Catechism (1563), Question 49

    Of what advantage to us is Christ’s ascension into heaven?

    First, that he is our advocate in the presence of his Father in heaven: secondly, that we have our flesh in heaven, as a sure pledge that he, as the head, will also take up to himself, us, his members: thirdly, that he sends us his spirit as an earnest, by whose power we “seek the things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God, and not things on earth.”

    An Orthodox Catechism (1680), Question 48

    What Fruit doth the Ascension of Christ into Heaven bring unto us?

    First that he maketh Intercession to his Father in Heaven for us; next that we have our Flesh in Heaven, that we may be confirmed thereby, as by a sure Pledge, that it shall come to passe that he who is our Head will lift us up, his Members, unto him: thirdly, that he sendeth us his Spirit instead of a Pledge between him and us, by whose forcible working we seek after not earthly but heavenly things, where he himself is sitting at the Right-Hand of God.

    Related (1)

    Apostles’ Creed, which this question expounds

    Clause 6

    He ascended into Heaven, And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty;

    Commentaries (5)