CHRIST INCARNATE--HIS PRESENT MINISTRY
In this web page this writer is considering Christ's present ministry proper (sometimes called "The session"). The importance of His present ministry has unfortunately neglected or only covered lightly. The fact that this ministry of Christ was hardly touched on by the Reformers and did not appear in ancient creeds does not lessen its importance. Before one discusses that ministry His ascension to Heaven is to be pondered. His ascension is an important preliminary to His present ministry.
THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST
"The doctrinal importance of Christ's ascension lies not so much in His departure from the world as it does in His arrival in heaven." (Chafer, Systematic Theology, V:262) It is believed that there were actually two ascensions of Christ.
1. His ascension resurrection morning. The idea that Christ
may have ascended on the day of His resurrection may surprise many.
In John 20:17 one reads, "Touch Me not; for I am not 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.'" Yet that very
evening He encouraged them to touch and handle Him. There is no suggestion
why the difference. Of course, unbelievers try to point out this
as a contradiction. Rather it is a matter of His presenting the
shed blood in the heavenly Holy of Holies. The Johannian passage
states, "I ascend unto My Father." If this referred to the ascension
recorded in Acts1, there would have been no necessity to inform the disciples
of it.
a. His entering into the heavenly temple. His
ascension on the resurrection morning was a fulfillment of the Day
of Atonement (which was a type) when the high priest went in to
the holy of holies to sprinkle the shed blood before the mercy seat.
The fulfillment in the antitype is set forth in Hebrews 9:23, 24 (also
look at the immediate preceding context). Whether Jesus actually carried
blood to that sanctuary has been debated. Some argue
that it was done in a figure; that it is the picture, the illustration that
is in view. Yet Hebrews 9:19-24 implies that blood itself was taken
to cleanse the heavenly things. Not enough has been revealed by God
to be absolutely sure. The types involved (including the two birds--one
slain and the other dipped in the blood of the slain bird and then
released) suggest this to be the case. This then changes the judgment
throne to a grace throne.
b. His being the first-fruits. The disciples,
as Jews, believed in the resurrection of the dead. However,
after His transfiguration, Christ spoke of the resurrection from among
the dead. The study of 1 Corinthians 15 and 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
will show this aspect. Also Romans 8:11 speaks of Jesus being
raised up "from [literally "out of"] the dead." The term "first-fruits"
has, of course, the picture of the wave sheaf set forth in Leviticus
23:9-14. The details of these passages can not be covered in this brief
presentation.
2. His ascension in the clouds. The historical event of His
ascension, which occurred 40 days after His resurrection, is recorded in
Luke 24:49-53 and Acts 1:9-11. The question does arise as to whether
Christ's glory was evident during the 40 days of appearances. It
would seem obvious that it was veiled even as it was during His earthly ministry.
On resurrection morning He was not readily recognized by the women;
and Luke specifically declares that the eyes of the two disciples on
the road to Emmaus were "holden" so that they did not recognize Him.
Furthermore, when John beheld Him in all His glory recorded in Revelation
1:17, 18, John fell at "His feet as dead." Besides, the actual
historical record, there are several Scriptures that deal with the ascension.
a. Psalm 68:18. This passage is quoted by
the Apostle Paul in Ephesians 4:8. The Apostle tells us that passage
was speaking of Jesus Christ. Paul speaks of Christ's
descension "into the lower parts of the earth" thus taking captive
those believers who were in captivity. Christ then ascended into heaven
bringing those with Him. At the same time He gave gifts mentioned in
Ephesians 4:11.
b. Proverbs 30:4. The first part of this
verse ties in with Psalm 68:18 and clearly identifies the "Who" as God.
The latter part of the verse asks, "What is His name [obvious answer
is God.], and what is His Son's name, if thou canst tell?"
The answer is clearly set forth in the New Testament where Jesus Christ
is repeatedly declared to be God's Son. It is either ignorance or blatant
unbelief not to see that who is referred to here is Jesus Christ.
c. John 3:13. Though this verse does not
explicitly speak of His ascension, it is an essential aspect to the
verse. The connection with Proverbs 30:4 should be clear to any candid
mind. The phrase, "which is in heaven" shows He is presently in heaven.
At the same time it seems to show Him on earth by the phrase "He that
came down from heaven." As God He could easily be both places at once
for He is omnipresent. Whether John was writing from the perspective
of the time he was writing these words or whether he was writing from
the time in the past is not easy to say. This very ambiguity may be
the key, for the Holy Spirit may have been trying to convey both thoughts.
d. Ephesians 1:20-23. This passage unequivocally
implies His ascension by the words, "and set Him at His own right hand in
the heavenly places." Chafer sets forth the idea well, "The span of
the ascension of Christ is measured in this Scripture. Not
only has He left the tomb and returned to His native place, but He is exalted
above all others, with authority in heaven and on earth committed to
Him; yet His humanity is present, too. There is a man in
the glory. His glorified humanity is retained forever." (Ibid.,
272)
e. Ephesians 4:8-10. This passage (parts
thereof) was referred to in connection with Psalm 68:18. His ascension
is clearly set forth in this passage. His exaltation is declared in
the latter portion. Christ Himself declared this fact in John 17:3.
This writer is reminded of the passage in Philippians 2:9-11:
"Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which
is above evey name; That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory
of God the Father." This passage tells of the highly exalted
position of our Lord. Every knee shall bow and every tongue confess
Him as Lord. Hitler, Krueschev, etc.; every person who has rejected
Jesus Christ; every one who has claimed that the Bible is full of myths
will be forced to bow the knee and acknowledge Jesus Christ as the Lord of
the universe. It will be, however, accomplished.
f. Acts 1:9-11. This passage was cited before
as presenting the historical fact of the ascension. It also sets
forth, however, other facts. First, it strongly implies His presence
in heaven now. It does not present what He is doing at the present.
That is left to other passages. The latter part shows His return
from heaven. Just as His ascension was historical accomplished, so
will be His return. The ascension was visible at least to His disciples
(not just the eleven); so will be His return.
Not only has this writer set forth the historical fact
of the ascension, he has shown its doctrinal significance. The
ascension was necessary for the present ministry of Jesus Christ in
heaven.
The ministry of Christ in this present age is of paramount importance to the life of the each believer. Unfortunately this area of truth has been neglected or passed over lightly. The refusal of those who do not believe in the security of the believer is in part the result of this light regard for His present ministry. A few of these have been touched upon previously.
1. His universal authority. The Scriptural evidence shows that the Son has equal authority with the Father. Matthew 28:18 states that "all power" is given to the Son. His authority is implies by Ephesians 1:20, 21 whereas Colossians 1:16, 17 establishes His authority over all creation as the Creator and Sustainer of the universe. 1 Corinthians declares His authority over death itself, for He arose from the dead.
2. His headship over the church. The headship of Christ over the church has been touched upon in other parts of this web site. In this present age, His headship has been too often ignored by church leaders. Ephesians 1:22, 23 declares, "And hath put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is His body, the fulness of Him that filleth all in all." Colossians 1:18 states the same truth. The church is not the organization but rather the organism. He guides the church through the indwelling Holy Spirit. That indwelling is for each believer; church leaders do not a corner on the Holy Spirit. They may be directed by the Holy Spirit, but it is up to each believer to check their teaching, methods, etc. against the Word of God.
3. His bestowment of gifts. Jesus Christ gives gifts unto each believer as He sees fit. This is done through the Holy Spirit. This fact is set forth clearly in 1 Corinthians 12:4-11. Romans 12:3-8 put forth another set of gifts. Ephesians 4:8-11 gives some special gifts. It is not this writer's purpose here to discuss the issue of which gifts are permanent and which were temporary. These will be discussed on one of the web pages dealing with the Holy Spirit. Suffice it to say that some are temporary and others permanent. As Chafer puts it, "The bestowment of gifts is but another instance in which the personal and individual supervision of the exalted over each member of His Body is disclosed." (Ibid., 276)
4. His intercession for His own. The ministry of prayer for believers is generally called "intercession." His intercession began while He was on earth (John 17:1-26). A detailed analysis of this passage is beyond the purpose of this web page, but it would be profitable. The main statement of His intercession is found in Hebrews 7:25. This truth is further stated in Romans 8:34. This intercession is one of the reasons the believer can feel secure in his salvation.
5. His advocacy for believers. Closely allied to His intercession is His work as the believer's Advocate. The major difference between intercession and advocacy is that the latter is specific while the former is more general. Believers are not yet perfect, and thus do commit sin. When one does sin, he needs the advocacy work of Jesus Christ. When one sins, fellowship is broken and can be restored by confess of sin as set forth in 1 John 1:9. Hebrews 9:24 suggests the advocacy work of Christ. The prime verse, however, is 1 John 2:1, " My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man [obviously referring to the little children] sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." Why do believers need an advocate? The reason is because Satan accuses them before God when they sin (Cf. Revelation 12:10). Jesus Christ can be the believer's Advocate because of His death on the cross and the shedding of His blood. Thus, "He is the propitiation for our sins" (1 John 2:2).
6. The building of believers' heavenly home. Jesus Christ is building a home over in glory land for each believer. This is evident from John 14:1-3. This preparation is for the church, His bride. And He promises to return to take believers to that abode.
7. The expectation by Christ. As a groom looks forward with expectation to receive his bride, so does Christ anticipates the coming day when He will return on the clouds to received His bride (Cf. 1 Thessalonians 4:13ff). This expectation also includes the vanquishing of every foe. This thought is set forth in Psalm 2:7-9; Isaiah 63:1-6; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10; and Revelation 19:15. Hebrews 10:13 explicitly declares: "From henceforth expecting till His enemies be made His footstool." This expectation, of course, is an anticipation of His return which will be discussed in the next section, His Second Coming.