Topical Bible: Angel (A Spirit): Functions of Present at the Ascension

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In Christian theology, angels are spiritual beings created by God to serve as His messengers and to fulfill His divine purposes. One significant event in which angels played a crucial role is the Ascension of Jesus Christ, as recorded in the New Testament. The Ascension marks the moment when Jesus was taken up into heaven, forty days after His resurrection, and is a pivotal event in Christian doctrine.

Biblical Account of the Ascension

The Ascension is primarily documented in the Book of Acts. In Acts 1:9-11 , it is written:

"After He had said this, they watched as He was taken up, and a cloud hid Him from their sight. They were looking intently into the sky as He was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 'Men of Galilee,' they said, 'why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen Him go into heaven.'"

Functions of Angels at the Ascension

1. Messengers of Divine Revelation: The angels present at the Ascension served as messengers, delivering a divine revelation to the disciples. Their message confirmed the truth of Jesus' return, providing assurance and hope to His followers. By stating that Jesus would return "in the same way" as He ascended, the angels reinforced the promise of His second coming, a cornerstone of Christian eschatology.

2. Witnesses to the Event: The presence of angels at the Ascension also served as a divine witness to this miraculous event. Their appearance validated the supernatural nature of the Ascension, emphasizing that it was not merely a physical departure but a significant theological moment in which Jesus was exalted to the right hand of God.

3. Encouragers of the Disciples: The angels' message redirected the disciples' focus from gazing into the sky to preparing for their mission on earth. By addressing the disciples as "Men of Galilee," the angels acknowledged their earthly identity and encouraged them to continue the work Jesus had entrusted to them. This encouragement was vital as the disciples transitioned from Jesus' physical presence to the era of the Holy Spirit's guidance.

4. Heralds of Eschatological Hope: The angels' proclamation of Jesus' return instilled an eschatological hope within the early Christian community. This hope was not only a future expectation but also a present motivation for living in accordance with Jesus' teachings. The assurance of His return provided a framework for understanding the unfolding of God's redemptive plan.

In summary, the angels at the Ascension fulfilled multiple functions that were integral to the event's theological significance. As messengers, witnesses, encouragers, and heralds, they played a vital role in communicating God's purposes and promises to the early church. Their presence underscored the divine orchestration of the Ascension and its implications for Christian faith and practice.

Nave's Topical Index

Acts 1:11
Which also said, You men of Galilee, why stand you gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as you have seen him go into heaven.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The Holy Spirit in Relation to the Father and the Son. ...
... in drawing a clear distinction between the functions of the ... Well also in the prophets
says the Angel: [36] Hath ... no further reference to the Holy Spirit in the ...
/.../the demonstration of the apostolic preaching/chapter 2 the holy spirit 2.htm

The Holy Spirit in the New Testament Other than in the Old.
... no creature, stone or animal, man or angel, is excluded ... and we know something of
their functions in the ... and outpouring of the Holy Spirit become established in ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xxv the holy spirit in.htm

The Spirit and Power of Elias.
... "And the angel answering, said ... that sin consisted not in certain actions, functions,
or duties ... of light passes down into the valley, so the Spirit that smote ...
//christianbookshelf.org/meyer/john the baptist/xvii the spirit and power.htm

Elijah's Translation and Elisha's Deathbed
... of the great prophet, on whom his spirit in a ... had of old declared that 'the angel
of the ... have lived in absolute retirement, exercising no prophetic functions. ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture f/elijahs translation and elishas deathbed.htm

One Argument which Has Been Much Relied Upon but not More than Its ...
... For the Sadducees say, that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit;
but the ... probably shared with him some of the powers or functions of the ...
/.../paley/evidences of christianity/chapter vi one argument which.htm

The Catholic Apostolic Church (Called Irvingites. )
... and endowed with all the powers and functions of that ... is secured by the inworking
of the One Spirit, and by ... organized, is under the rule of an angel, or chief ...
/.../ 113 the catholic apostolic.htm

Covenanting Enforced by the Grant of Covenant Signs and Seals.
... the hand of that mighty angel"the angel Jehovah"come ... they in general set apart to
their functions,"to covenant ... of his promise, had put his Spirit upon him ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter xi covenanting enforced by.htm

Further Exposition of the Heresy of the Naasseni; Profess to ...
... he was caught up by an angel, and ascended ... says, the ineffable mysteries of the Spirit,
which we ... things, and changes them into their own peculiar (functions). ...
/.../the refutation of all heresies/chapter iii further exposition of the.htm

The Second vision "On Earth"
... The Angel gave the essence of the meaning to Zechariah; and the ... is impossible to
make this harmonise with the powers and functions of any ... The spirit from heaven ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the second vision on earth.htm

Faustus Repels the Charge of Sun-Worship
... How can there be one Deity with opposite functions? ... come only from the Father, the
Son, and the Holy Spirit. ... we read in the Apocalypse that an angel would not ...
/.../faustus repels the charge of.htm