The Resurrection, Ascension & the Descent of the Holy Spirit

The signs that bear witness of the Resurrection of Jesus

Jesus rose from the dead (Mathew 28: 1-10, Mk. 16: 1-10; Luke 24:1-24, John 20:1-10)
“Don't be alarmed,” he said, “I know you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is
not here, he has been raised!” (Mark 16: 5-8)

The Empty Tomb (Mt. 28: 1-8; Mk. 16:1-8; Lk. 24: 1-12; Jn. 20: 1-18)
Along with the essential sign of the empty tomb, the Resurrection of Jesus is witnessed to by the
women who first encountered Christ and proclaimed him to the apostles.

Jesus Appears to His Disciples (Mt.28: 16-20; Mk.16: 14-18; Lk.20:19-23)

Jesus then “appeared to Cephas (Peter) and then to the Twelve. Following that he appeared to more
than five hundred of the brethren at one time” (1 Corinthians 15:5-6) and to others as well.

The apostles could not have invented the story of the resurrection since it seemed impossible to
them. As a matter of fact, Jesus himself upbraided them for their unbelief.
Suddenly the Lord himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” They were
terrified, thinking that they were seeing a ghost. But he said to them, “Why are you alarmed? Why
are these doubts coming up in your minds?” (Lk. 24: 36-39)

The Walk to Emmaus (Lk. 24: 13-35; Mk.12-13)

On the same day Jesus appeared to his 2 followers going to Emmaus, about 7 miles from Jerusalem.
As they talked and discussed; Jesus himself drew near and walked along with them.

Jesus and Thomas (Jn. 20: 24-29)

The doors were locked, but Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then
he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands; then reach out your hand and put it
in my side. Stop doubting, and believe!”

The condition of the risen body of Jesus

His risen body is that which was crucified and bears the marks of his passion. Because of this the
risen Jesus was utterly free to appear to his disciples how and where he wished and under various
aspects.

Jesus appears to his 7 disciples in Lake Tiberias (Sea of Galilee) (Jn.21:1-14)

When they stepped ashore, they saw charcoal fire there with fish on it and some bread. Then Jesus
said to them, “Bring some fish you have caught.”
So Jesus went over, took the bread, and gave it to them; he did the same with fish. This then, was
the third time Jesus appeared to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.

The saving meaning of the Resurrection

“If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain.” (1
Corinthians 15:17)
The Resurrection is the climax of the Incarnation. It confirms the divinity of Christ and all the things
which he did and taught.

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It fulfills all the divine promises made for us. Furthermore the risen Christ, the conqueror of sin and
death, is the principle of our justification and our resurrection.
It procures for us now the grace of filial adoption which is a real share in the life of the only
begotten Son. At the end of time he will raise up our bodies.

Ascension of Our Lord

The Ascension Jesus (Thursday)
He led them out as far as Bethany and lifting his hands He blessed them. While he was blessing
them, He withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven. (Luke 24: 50 -52)

Then the Lord Jesus after He had spoken to them was taken up into heaven and sat down at the
right hand of God, the Father. (Mark 16: 19-20)

When Jesus appears to his disciples before His Ascension, Jesus commissioned:

“Do not leave Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father. John baptised with water, but
you will be baptised with the Holy Spirit. When you receive the power of the Spirit, you must be my
witnesses in Jerusalem, in all of Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1: 6-11)

“Go throughout the whole world and preach the gospel to all mankind. Whoever believes and is
baptized will be saved, whoever does not believe will be condemned. Believers will be given powers
to perform miracles.” (Mk. 16:14-18).

“I have given all authority in heaven and on earth. Go then, to all peoples everywhere and make
them my disciples, baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teach
them to obey everything I have commanded you. And I will be with you always, to the end of the
age.” (Mt. 28: 18-20).

Jesus’ Farewell messages

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust in me. There are many rooms in my
Father’s house; if there were not, I should have told you. I am going now to prepare a place for you,
and after I have gone and prepared you a place, I shall return to take you with me; so that where I
am you may be too.” (John 14: 1-3)

“If you love me you will keep my commandments. I shall ask the Father, and he will give you another
Advocate to be with you forever, the Spirit of truth.” (John 14: 15-17)

“It is for your own good that I am going because unless I go the Advocate will not come to you; but if
I do go, I will send him to you.” (John 16:7)

“I come from the Father and have come into the world and now I leave the world to go to the
Father.” (John 16:28)

An Ascension Prayer
Father, all powerful and ever-living God,
We do well and everywhere to give you thanks.
Today the Lord Jesus, the Kings of glory Ascended to heaven

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 While the angels sang his praises
Christ, Judge of the world and Lord of all
Has passed beyond our sight
Not to abandon us but to be our hope.
Christ is the beginning, the head of the Church;
Where he has gone, we hope to follow.
The joy of the resurrection and ascension
Renews the whole world,
While the choirs of heaven sing for ever to your glory

The Descent of the Holy Spirit (Pentecost)

After the Apostles had chosen Mathias to replace Judas, they continue to pray. On the 10th day
after Ascension, the Apostles met in the room to pray. Suddenly, they heard what sounded like a
powerful wind from heaven, and the noise filled the entire house.
Something appeared to them what seemed like tongues of fire; these separated and came to rest
on the head of each of them. They were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak foreign
languages as the Spirit gave them the gift of speech. (Acts 2: 1-4)

Once that they received with the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, they were not able to contain them within,
they went straight to the town centre and began to preach. On that day, there were devout Jews
from every nation and they were amazed and astonished at hearing the Apostles. They asked, “Are
not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native
language?” Acts 2: 7-8

Peter said, “Repent and be baptised every one of you in the name of Jesus so that your sins may be
forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38)
That day about three thousand persons were added. They devoted themselves to the Apostles’
teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. (Acts 2:41).