Message summary: The Ascension is a vital element in the Gospel record. It answers the question, "What happened next?"

Listen to our message on your audio player.

"So then, when the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God" (Mark 16:19). "He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory" (1 Timothy 3:16).

How many of our readers recall that today is Ascension Day that took place 40 days after Christ's resurrection? In most of Christendom this day doesn't have nearly the emphasis as other notable events in our Lord's earthly life such as His birth, death, resurrection or the Day of Pentecost which followed His Ascension by 10 days.

The old order communities of faith in our area commemorate this holy day with many if not all of their stores and businesses closed. Driving through the country we see signs at road stands posted, "Closed on Ascension Day"

Many Christians express their faith in reciting a creed, which is a brief authoritative formula of religious belief. I (Stephen) grew up in a church that regularly recited the Apostle's Creed (weekly if I am not mistaken). A creed is also known as a confession or statement of faith of the shared beliefs of a community or church. A line in the Apostle's Creed states, "He ascended into heaven". Other churches have formal statements of doctrine and this truth is expressed as in a statement such as, "in His ascension to the right hand of the Father".

Our present church has this statement: "We believe in the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ in the same body, which was crucified, now glorified; in His bodily ascension into heaven, in His present life there for us as our High Priest and Advocate, in His present work building His Church and in His bodily return."

We express our belief in the Ascension with a number of great hymns of the church such as "One Day" by J. Wilbur Chapman written over 100 years ago. Although we both recall singing it as an old hymn it has, in recent years been adapted by Casting Crowns and many listeners think it's a new song. Mark Hall, lead singer of Casting Crowns, calls it "the Gospel in a song" and we agree! This verse deals with the ascension.

The Ascension is a vital element in the Gospel record. It answers the question "What happened next?"

In Acts 1 we have the most complete record of the Ascension found in the Bible. Jesus had just reinforced the Great Commission, the church's primary mission, and then "He was taken up before their very eyes". This was important for the disciples to witness and is an essential part of the Biblical record. It reinforces that Jesus Christ is God and that He returned to His home in heaven 40 days after He was resurrected from the dead. An ancient creedal statement of the early church is found in 1 Timothy 3:16, He was ... "taken up in glory".

The Ascension sets up the promise of His return which is reinforced and elaborated on throughout the New Testament. Paul calls it the "blessed hope". One day, perhaps even today, this glorious event will take place. In the meantime let us faithfully serve the Lord, who now sits at the right hand of the Father, until that great and glorious day!

Be encouraged today, Hebrews 3:13

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber