The closing act of Jesus where he rises from the earth and which, the same time, raises us to new work instead.
This is a DOCTRINE which raises some question about stuff like heaven, the current location of God, and the use of helium among Christians of the first Century. The New Testament reports the physical fly-out of Jesus occurred after the RESURRECTION and before PENTECOST. Once the ASCENSION takes place, the responsibility for the ongoing MINISTRY of proclamation falls to the APOSTLES. But let’s not forget that the Holy Spirit was sent to fire up their ministry. Theologically, the ascension means that Jesus is at God’s “right hand” – fully present with God – and that he is present throughout CREATION and active in the ongoing reconciliation of the universe.
Pastor Bauer +