Dr Paul Allen

J. Gresham Machen, in his prescient and potent little book Christianity and Liberalism, argued that Christianity is “an event-centered religion.” Christianity is based on historical events. Something happened in history, and all that man is, believes, and does is based on these events—events that occurred in history.  Chief among these historical events is the resurrection of Jesus Christ. As the Apostle Paul so aptly put it, if Jesus Christ was not raised from the dead, we are the world’s most pitiable fools, and rather than following Christ, we ought to “eat and drink, for tomorrow we die” (1 Cor. 15:32). But because Christ has been raised from the dead, Christians frame their entire lives in the light of the resurrection.  In short, we live resurrection lives that reflect our hope in the resurrected Christ. As central as the resurrection is to the Christian life, it is not the end of the work of Christ. After Christ was raised from the dead, He “ascended up into heaven,” as...

Many Christians reflect often on how the resurrection impacts the everyday life of believers. Because Jesus lives, we will live too. But what about the ascension of Jesus? Is it a doctrine we return to? Reasons we overlook the ascension What is the ascension? Why is it called the ascension? Who witnessed the ascension of Jesus? What were Jesus’ last words before he ascended? Why is the ascension important? What does the Bible say about the ascension? The good news of Jesus includes his life, death, resurrection, and future return—but what about his ascension? Though often neglected or misunderstood, the ascension is integral to the gospel. Jesus’ ascension was necessary for his present ministry in and through the church. Jesus’ residence in heaven marks a turning point in his three-fold offices of prophet, priest, and king. As prophet, Jesus builds the church and its witness. As priest, he intercedes before the Father. As king, he rules over all. A full appreciation of the ascension is...

The ascension is a neglected doctrine in most churches today. But historically this has not always been the case. Throughout most of the life of the church, the ascension has been valued and prioritized. It’s a contemporary tendency to see the ascension as a mere accessory to the life of Jesus, as something that is perhaps elegant and even useful but ultimately unnecessary. If we look to history, we can find encouragement for reclaiming ascension doctrine for our lives. A VINTAGE DOCTRINE In the fourth century, both the Nicene Creed and the Apostles’ Creed emphasized the ascension as much as the resurrection. The ascension, like the resurrection, is a historical event, was seen by many eyewitnesses, and has massive implications for our relationship with God. The Heidelberg Catechism in the sixteenth century asks an important question: “How does Christ’s ascension into heaven benefit us?” (Q&A 49). The answer is threefold: first, Jesus is our advocate before the Father; ...

What does Jesus mean?  20:17 Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended. Mary was expressing a desire to hold on to His physical presence for fear that she would once again lose Him. Jesus’ reference to His ascension signifies that He would only be temporarily with them and though she desperately wanted Him to stay, He could not. Jesus was with them only for 40 more days and then He ascended (Acts 1:3–11). After He went to the Father, He sent the Holy Spirit (“The Helper”) so that they would not feel abandoned ( see note on 14:18, 19 ).  Mary had known Jesus personally as a Man. She had seen miracles happen when He was bodily present. So she concluded that if He was not with her in a visible way, then she could have no hope of blessing. The Lord must correct her thinking. He said, “Do not cling to Me simply as a Man in the flesh. I have not yet ascended to My Father . When I do return to heaven, the Holy Spirit will be sent down to the earth. When He come...

One of the most important events of the life of Christ was His ascension. We celebrate His birth, His life, His transfiguration, His atoning death on Good Friday, and His resurrection. But all of these events moved Jesus inexorably toward that moment when He would be lifted up from this planet, not simply to rise to heaven but to go to His coronation, His crowning as King of kings and Lord of lords. Immediately following Jesus' ascension comes His session. If I were to ask you, "What's the session?" you might say that it is the group of elders of your church who meet to establish policy and carry out discipline in the church. That's true, but the ultimate session is the session of Jesus; it refers to His seating at the right hand of God. Various views have emerged in church history regarding the concept of the kingdom of God. Some believe the kingdom of God is totally future, that it doesn't exist at all now, not even in part, until the return of Jesus at...