Question 28

What is the first part of Christs Exaltation?

The first part of Christs Exaltation is his Resurrection from the Dead.

How do you prove that Christ rose again from the dead?

1. By the many witnesses which saw him, and conversed with him after his Resurrection, He was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve; after he was seen of above five hundred Brethren at once.^a 2. Because otherwise our Faith would be in vain, the guilt of sin would still remain upon us, and there would be no hope for us, If Christ be not raised your Faith is in vain, ye are yet in your sins.^b

By whom was Christ raised from the dead?

Christ was raised from the dead by his own power and spirit, whereby he was declared to be the Son of God, I lay down my life that I might take it again, I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again.^c Declared to be the Son of God, with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the Resurrection from the dead.^d

How soon did Christ rise after his death?

Christ rose again from the dead on the third day, He was buried, and rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.^e

Did Christ rise again with the same body which was buried?

Christ did rise again with the same body, for he bore the print of the Nailes in his hands and his Feet, and of the Spear in his side, Reach hither thy Finger, and behold my Hands, and reach hither thy Hand, and thrust it into my Side.^f

Was not Christs body corrupted in the grave like the bodies of others?

No; for God did not suffer him to see corruption, He whom God raised saw no corruption^g

Was not Christs body mortal after his Resurrection?

No, for then his body did put on Immortality, Christ being raised from the dead, dieth no more, death hath no more dominion over him.^h

What doth the Resurrection of Christ teach us?

The Resurrection of Christ doth teach us to walk in newness of life, Like as Christ was raised from the dead by the Glory of the Father; even so we also should walk in newness of life.ⁱ

What doth the Resurrection of Christ assure us of?

The Resurrection of Christ doth assure us, that our bodies shall be raised again from the dead on the last day, Now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first-fruit of them that slept.^j

What is the second part of Christs exaltation

The second part of Christs exaltation is his Ascention into Heaven.

How do you prove that Christ Ascended into Heaven?

By the Scripture-Record of the Witnesses which saw him. And he led them out as far as Bethany, and lift up his hands and blessed them, and while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into Heaven.^k

How long after Christs Resurrection, was his Ascention?

Christs Ascention was forty days after his Resurrection, Until the day in which he was taken up after he had given Commandments unto the Apostles, whom he had chosen, to whom he shewed himself alive after his Passion, by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days.^l

Wherefore did Christ Ascend into Heaven?

Christ Ascended into Heaven, 1. That his Person (God-man) might be glorified there with that glory, which (as God) he had with the Father before the World, And now O Father, glorifie thou me with thine own self, with that glory which I had with thee before the World was.^m 2. That he might (as head of the Church) take possession of Heaven for all his Members, Whither the Fore-runner is for us entered.ⁿ

What doth Christs Ascention into Heaven teach us?

Christs Ascention into Heaven doth teach us to set our affections on things above, where Christ is, Set your affection on things above, not on things on the Earth.^o

What is the third part of Christs exaltation?

The third part of Christs exaltation is his sitting at the right hand of God the Father.

What is meant by Christs sitting at the right hand of God?

By Christs sitting at the right hand of God, is meant, his being exalted into the highest honor, and Power, and Favour in Heaven.

What doth Christ do for his people which are on earth at the right hand of God in Heaven?

Christ at the right hand of God in Heaven, 1. Doth make continual Intercession for his people, Who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh Intercession for us^p 2. He is preparing a place in Heaven for them, In my Fathers House there are many Mansions, I go to prepare a place for you.^q

What is the fourth part of Christs exaltation?

The fourth part of Christs exaltation, is his coming to judge the World, When the Son of Man shall come in his glory, and all the holy Angels with him, then shall he sit upon the Throne of his glory, and before him shall be gathered all Nations, &c.^r

When is it that Christ will come to judge the World?

Christ will come to judge the World at the last day, when the World shall be at an end, and all things shall be dissolved. But the day of the Lord will come, in the which the Heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the Elements shall melt with fervent heat, the Earth also, and the works that are therein shall be burnt up.^s

In what glory will Christ come to judge the World at the last day.

Christ will come to judge the World with his own glory, and the Fathers, and the holy Angels, He shall come in his own glory, and in his Fathers, and of the holy Angels.^t

How will Christ Judge the World at this his glorious appearance?

Christ will Judge the World at his glorious appearance, in righteousness, rendring to every one according to his deserts, He hath appointed a Day, in the which he will judge the World in righteousness,^u We must all appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ, that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.^v