The Apostles' Creed: 12-Day Plan Voorbeeld

 He Ascended to Heaven and Sits on the Right Hand of the Father Almighty

Jesus not only rose from the grave, conquering sin and the power of hell, he also—“ascended to heaven and sits on the right hand of the Father Almighty”, as the Apostles’ Creed states. This portion of the creed invites us to consider the identity of Jesus as our ascended Lord who, from His exalted position at the Father’s right hand, is ruling all things. 

As gloriously expressed by this Scripture passage and this section of the creed, the ascension confirms that Jesus is no longer among the dead and never will be again. His power has proved to be greater than anything in this world—even death. The gospel of Jesus and salvation from sin are certain for people who believe in Him.

Although Jesus ascended to heaven, it’s wrong to say that He’s not active in the world. Throughout the Book of Acts, Jesus was still working in the world through the Holy Spirit. The same is true today. Through the Holy Spirit, Jesus is at work to empower Christians to be His witnesses. We’ve received the Spirit in order to know God and to make Him known with boldness.

Being at the Father’s right hand means that Jesus has unique authority and a unique relationship with the Father, one that belongs only to the Son. He shares in all His Father’s power and authority. His presence with the Father doesn’t make Him absent from the world but uniquely powerful and present by His Spirit.

The fact that Jesus ascended to heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father Almighty should give you confidence and a sense of holy discontentment—a refusal to settle for anything less than a life that glorifies the risen Lord.

You don’t have to (and you can’t) live the Christian life by your own strength. Your abilities have no effect on the righteousness of Christ and on your mission to be His witness. You live in His power. He’s interceding on your behalf. Because you can be sure that Jesus is alive and in control, you can have confidence that He’s at work in and through you. You aren’t yet what you’ll be. He’s not finished with you. You live everyday in the power of His resurrection and engage in ministry with the authority of heaven.