CHAPTER 24
UNDERSTANDING
THE RESURRECTION AND ASCENSION
296. WHAT DO THE SCRIPTURES TEACH CONCERNING CHRIST’S RESURRECTION?
The Scriptures teach that after three days in the grave, Christ victoriously arose from the dead.
297. WHERE WERE THE SOUL AND SPIRIT OF CHRIST DURING THE THREE DAYS HIS BODY WAS IN THE GRAVE?
The soul and spirit of Christ descended into hell (sheol), which was the temporary abode of the dead.
298. WHY DID CHRIST DESCEND INTO HELL?
Christ descended into hell (Sheol) to accomplish two things:
1. He released the souls of the righteous dead that they might go into the presence of God.2. He proclaimed everlasting defeat to the angels that sinned in Noah’s day and showed them that he, as the seed of the woman, had spoiled Satan’s plan and overthrew the power of death, hell and the grave.299. HOW LONG DID CHRIST REMAIN ON EARTH AFTER HIS RESURRECTION?
Christ remained on earth for forty days.
300. HOW DO WE KNOW THAT CHRIST WAS REALLY ALIVE?
We know that Christ was alive because He showed Himself in bodily form to His disciples and to others as well.
301. WHAT KIND OF BODY DID CHRIST HAVE?
He appeared to Mary and to His disciples in a resurrected body.
302. WAS HIS RESURRECTED BODY THE SAME AS THE ONE HE HAD BEFORE HE DIED?
No, in His resurrected body, Christ was able to appear at will in any place at any time, and He was freed from material limitations.
303. WHY DID JESUS APPEAR IN VARIOUS FORMS?
Jesus appeared in various forms so that men would not remember Him as a man but as the glorified Christ - a new man.
304. WHY IS THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST OF SUCH IMPORTANCE AND COMFORT TO US?
Christ’s resurrection definitely proves -
A. That Christ is the Son of God.B. That His doctrine is the truth.C. That God the Father has accepted the sacrifice of His Son for the reconciliation of the world.D. That all believers shall rise unto eternal life.305. WHAT DO THE SCRIPTURES TEACH CONCERNING CHRIST’S ASCENSION?
The Scriptures teach that forty days after His resurrection from the dead, Christ visibly ascended to heaven and entered into the glory of His Father. The proof of His acceptance into the presence of God is His shedding forth upon the earth the gift of the Holy Spirit
306. WHERE IS CHRIST NOW?
He is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.
307. WHAT IS MEANT BY THE EXPRESSION “SEATED AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD”?
It means that Christ occupies the throne of all authority and power. The authority and power possessed by the rulers of the earth comes from Him.
308. WHAT COMFORT CAN WE DERIVE FROM CHRIST’S SEAT OF AUTHORITY?
We are comforted by knowing that it is the exalted Christ who -
A. As our Prophet, sends men to preach the Gospel of Redemption.B. As our Priest, intercedes (pleads) for us before God.C. As our King, controls all circumstances, is the Source of all authority, is the Head of the Church, and will bring all things into fulfillment of His eternal purposes.309. WHAT DO THE SCRIPTURES TEACH CONCERNING THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST?
The Scriptures teach that -
A. Christ shall return visibly and in glory with His angels.B. He will judge the living and the dead.C. He will come on the Last Day which is appointed by God but unknown to man.310. WHAT IS THE ENTIRE PURPOSE OF CHRIST’S DEATH, BURIAL AND RESURRECTION?
The purpose of Christ’s entire work of Redemption is -
A. That we may be His own and be made righteous and blameless in the sight of God.B. That we may live under Him in His kingdom and serve Him in everlasting righteousness, innocence and blessedness. We willingly serve Him by an active Christian life and enjoy His blessings, now on earth and hereafter, in heaven.