SPECIAL TOPIC: THE ASCENSION

Jesus descended from heaven (cf. Phil. 2:6-7; 2 Cor. 8:9). Now He is
restored to His pre-existent glory (cf. John 1:1-3; 17:5; Eph. 4:10; 1 Tim.
3:16; I John 1:2). He is now seated at the right hand of God (cf. Ps.
110:1; Luke 22:69; Acts 2:33; Rom. 8:34; Eph.
1:20; Col. 3:1; Heb. 1:3; 8:1; 10:12; 12:2; 1 Pet. 3:22).
This is an affirmation of the Father’s approval of His life and death! There are a number of different Greek words used to describe Jesus’
ascension back to heaven:

1. Acts 1:2,11,22; analambanō, to take up (cf.
1 Tim. 3:16)

2. Acts 1:9, epairō, to lift up, to raise up, to elevate

3. Luke 9:51, analēpsis (form of #1)

4. Luke 24:51, diistēmi, to depart

There are several allusions to Jesus’ return to heaven in John’s
Gospel (cf. John 7:33; 8:14,21; 12:33-34; 13:3,33,36; 14:4,5,12,28;
16:5,10,17,28; 26:7)

5. John 3:13; 20:17, ana BeBēken, has gone up

6. John 6:62, anabainō, to ascend

This event is not recorded in Matthew or Mark’s Gospel. Mark’s Gospel ends at
16:8, but one of the three later scribal additions describes the event in Mark 16:19
(i.e., analambanō).

There are several allusions to Jesus in heaven in Acts.

1. Peter – Acts
2:33; 3:21

2. Stephen – Acts
7:55-56

3. Paul – Acts
9:3,5; 22:6-8; 26:13-15