The Apostles Creed

We are beginning a new study on the Apostles’ Creed looking at this ancient statement of faith and what it teaches us about the gospel. We will be using Our Creed: For Every Culture and For Ever Generation by Mark Johnston.

We will be looking at chapter 5, ‘Jesus Christ: Risen, Ascended, and Enthroned.’

The Heidelberg Catechism

Question 45. How does Christ’s resurrection benefit us?

A. First, by his resurrection he has overcome death, so that he might make us share in the righteousness he obtained for us by his death.

Second, by his power we too are already raised to a new life.

Third, Christ’s resurrection is a sure pledge to us of our blessed resurrection.

Question 46. What do you mean by saying, “He ascended to heaven”?

A. That Christ while his disciples watched, was taken up from the earth into heaven1 and remains there on our behalf until he comes again to judge the living and the dead.

Question 47. But isn’t Christ with us until the end of the world as he promised us?

A. Christ is true human and true God. In his human nature Christ is not now on earth;2 but in his divinity, majesty, grace, and Spirit he is never absent from us.

Question 48. If his humanity is not present wherever his divinity is, then aren’t the two natures of Christ separated from each other?

A. Certainly not. Since divinity is not limited and is present everywhere, it is evident that Christ’s divinity is surely beyond the bounds of the humanity that has been taken on, but at the same time his divinity is in and remains personally united to his humanity.

Question 49. How does Christ’s ascension to heaven benefit us?

A. First, he is our advocate in heaven in the presence of his Father.

Second, we have our own flesh in heaven as a sure pledge that Christ our head will also take us, his members, up to himself.

Third, he sends his Spirit to us on earth as a corresponding pledge. By the Spirit’s power we seek not earthly things but the things above, where Christ is, sitting at God’s right hand.

Question 50. Why the next words: “and is seated at the right hand of God”?

A. Because Christ ascended to heaven to show there that he is head of his church, the one through whom the Father rules all things.

Question 51. How does this glory of Christ our head benefit us?

A. First, through his Holy Spirit he pours out gifts from heaven upon us his members.

Second, by his power he defends us and keeps us safe from all enemies.

Question 52. How does Christ’s return “to judge the living and the dead” comfort you?

A. In all distress and persecution, with uplifted head I confidently await the very judge who has already offered himself to the judgment of God in my place and removed the whole curse from me. Christ will cast all his enemies and mine into everlasting condemnation, but will take me and all his chosen ones to himself into the joy and glory of heaven.