Question 31

Was it foretold that Christ would rise?

Yes. Thou wilt not suffer thy Holy One to see corruption,^b

Was it necessary that he should rise?

Yes. He loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that he should be holden by it,^c

Is it certain that he did rise?

Yes. He showed himself alive by many infallible proofs,^d

Have we the testimony of Christ’s apostles for this?

Yes. Whereof we are witnesses,^e

And of his enemies?

Yes. Some of the watch showed unto the chief priests all things that were done,^f

And of the angels?

Yes. He is not here, he is risen,^g

And of himself?

Yes. I am he that liveth and was dead, and behold I am alive for evermore,^h

Was he seen after his resurrection?

Yes. He was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: after that he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once,ⁱ

May it then be depended upon as matter of fact?

Yes. For in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall be established,^j

And at the precise time?

Yes. God raised him up on the third day,^l

And with great majesty?

Yes. Behold the angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone from the door,^m

Did he rise with the same body in which he was crucified?

Yes. Behold my hands and my feet,ⁿ

Did he rise as a public person?

Yes. As the first fruits of them that slept,^o

And did he rise to die no more?

Yes. Death hath no more dominion over him,^p

Did he improve this time for the instruction of his disciples?

Yes. He gave commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen,^r

And after that was he received up into heaven?

Yes. He ascended far up above all heavens,^s

Did he ascend for the good of the church?

Yes. That he might fill all things,^t

And for his own glory?

Yes. Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?^u

And in a cloud?

Yes. A cloud received him out of their sight,^w

Did he ascend with great pomp?

Yes. He was attended with the chariots of God, even thousands of angels,^x

Did he depart with a blessing in his mouth?

Yes. It came to pass while he blessed them he was parted from them,^y

And did he meet with a welcome whither he went?

Yes. He came to the Ancient of Days, and they brought him near before him,^z

And hath he a right to sit there?

Yes. For the Lord said unto him, Sit thou at my right hand,^bb

Doth Christ’s sitting at God’s right hand denote the completion of his work?

Yes. When he had once offered one sacrifice for sins, he sat down on the right hand of God,^cc

Does it imply dignity and honour?

Yes. To which of the angels said he at any time, Sit thou on my right hand?^dd

And authority and power?

Yes. He sits at the right hand of power,^ee

And safety and security?

Yes. Thy right hand shall save me,^ff

And joy and satisfaction?

Yes. For at God’s right hand are pleasures for evermore,^gg

Doth it also imply the continuance of this his state?

Yes. For he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever,^hh

Should this be a motive to us to have our hearts in heaven?

Yes. Seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God,ⁱⁱ

Will he come quickly?

Yes. Yet a little while and he who shall come will come and will not tarry,^kk

Will he come suddenly?

Yes. For the day of the Lord cometh as a thief in the night,^ll

Will he come publicly?

Yes. Every eye shall see him,^mm

Will his coming be glorious and magnificent?

Yes. ’Tis the glorious appearance of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ,ⁿⁿ

Should the saints then long for and desire his coming?

Yes. Looking for and hasting to the day of the Lord,^oo

Is he an able and understanding judge?

Yes. He shall not judge after the sight of the eyes,^qq

Is he a righteous and impartial judge?

Yes. He loveth righteousness and hateth wickedness,^rr

Will he be to the wicked a terrible judge?

Yes. He will come in flaming fire, taking vengeance on them that know not God,^ss

Will he be a peremptory and inflexible judge?

Yes. He will not alter the thing that is gone out of his lips,^tt

Is the time of judgment known?

No. Of that day and hour knoweth no man,^uu

But is it fixed and determined?

Yes. For God hath appointed a day in which he will judge the world in righteousness by the man whom he hath ordained,^vv

Will that be a joyous day to the saints?

Yes. For he will then be glorified in his saints, and admired by all them that believe,^ww