Westminster Shorter Catechism
Q. 28 Wherein consisteth Christ's exaltation?
A. Christ's exaltation consisteth in his rising again from the dead on the third day,(l) in ascending up into heaven,(m) in sitting at the right hand of God the Father,(n) and in coming to judge the world at the last day.(o)
[l] 1 Corinthians 15:4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.
[m] Mark 16:19 So then, after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.
[n] Ephesians 1:20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places.
[o] Acts 1:11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
Acts 17:31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.
Westminster Larger Catechism
Q51. What was the estate of Christ's exaltation?
A. The estate of Christ's exaltation comprehendeth his resurrection [k], ascension [l], sitting at the right hand of the Father [m], and his coming again to judge the world [n].
[k] 1 Corinthians 15:4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
[l] Mark 16:19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.
[m] Ephesians 1:20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
[n] Acts 1:11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
Acts 17:31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.
Q52. How was Christ exalted in his resurrection?
A. Christ was exalted in his resurrection, in that, not having seen corruption in death, (of which it was not possible for him to be held [o],) and having the very same body in which he suffered, with the essential properties thereof [p], (but without mortality, and other common infirmities belonging to this life,) really united to his soul [q], he rose again from the dead the third day by his own power [r]; whereby he declared himself to be the Son of God [s], to have satisfied divine justice [t], to have vanquished death, and him that had the power of it [v], and to be Lord of quick and dead [w]: all which he did as a public person [x], the head of his church [y], for their justification [z], quickening in grace [a], support against enemies [b], and to assure them of their resurrection from the dead at the last day [c].
[o] Acts 2:24 Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. v.27 Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
[p] Luke 24:39 Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.
[q] Romans 6:9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.
Revelation 1:18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
[r] John 10:18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.
[s] Romans 1:4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:
[t] Romans 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.
[v] Hebrews 2:14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
[w] Romans 14:9 For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.
[x] 1 Corinthians 15:21-22 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. Ver.22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
[y] Ephesians 1:20-23 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: Ver.22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Ver.23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
Colossians 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
[z] Romans 4:25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.
[a] Ephesians 2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Ver.5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) Ver.6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
Colossians 2:12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
[b] 1 Corinthians 15:25-27 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. Ver.26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him.
[c] 1 Corinthians 15:20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.
Q53. How was Christ exalted in his ascension?
A. Christ was exalted in his ascension, in that having after his resurrection often appeared unto and conversed with his apostles, speaking to them of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God [d], and giving them commission to preach the gospel to all nations [e], forty days after his resurrection, he, in our nature, and as our head [f], triumphing over enemies [g], visibly went up into the highest heavens, there to receive gifts for men [h], to raise up our affections thither [i], and to prepare a place for us [k], where he himself is, and shall continue till his second coming at the end of the world [l].
[d] Acts 1:2-3 Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen: Ver.3 To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:
[e] Matthew 28:19-20 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Ver.20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
[f] Hebrews 6:20 Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
[g] Ephesians 4:8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
[h] Acts 1:9-11 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. Ver.10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
Ephesians 4:10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)
Psalm 68:18 Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell among them.
[i] Colossians 3:1-2 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
[k] John 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
[l] Acts 3:21 Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.
End of Lesson, Day 34
For Further Study:
Francis R. Beattie's The Presbyterian Standards
• The Humiliation and Exaltation of Jesus Christ
James Fisher's Catechism on the Catechism
John Flavel's Exposition of the Assembly's Shorter Catechism
• Of Christ's Exaltation
• The Second Part of the 28th Question of Christ's Exaltation
Matthew Henry's A Scripture Catechism in the Method of the Assembly's
Thomas Vincent's The Shorter Catechism Explained from Scripture
Thomas Watson's Body of Divinity
John Whitecross' The Shorter Catechism Illustrated
Alexander Whyte's A Commentary on the Shorter Catechism
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