The Present Work of Christ Christology The Present Work of Christ

Begun at the Ascension The disciples saw the resurrected Christ who spoke with them and then ascended up to heaven. (Acts 1:6-11) He did so not only to validate the fact of His resurrection but for the purpose of beginning the next phase of His vital work. The ascension was actually in two phases as indicated when Mary Magdalene met Jesus in the garden just after the resurrection. (John 20:11-17)

Between that moment and the invitation to Thomas to touch the nail prints and riven side something extremely important happened in heaven. The writer of Hebrews describes that critical action performed by Christ when He offered His own blood on the altar in heaven for the propitiation of our sins forever. (Heb. 9:1-14 ) In performing the work of our great high priest, Christ gained for us access to the very throne of God. (Heb. 4:14-16)

His work included His Exaltation His work included His Exaltation. The exaltation includes taking again the glory that Jesus had before His incarnation. (John 17:1-5; Acts 2:29-33; 5:30,31; Phil. 2:5-11) This exaltation is important for believers in enabling us to respond to the risen Lord in faith and dependence. (Eph. 1:15-23; Col. 3:1-4) In rising victorious over death, hell, and the grave our Lord fulfilled the Old Testament prophecy of “leading captivity captive” and ascending up to heaven that He may bestow gifts upon the church which are distributed and administered by the Holy Spirit. (Eph. 4:1-12 )

Continued without Intermission through the Church Age Because Christ has both resurrected and ascended He has assumed vital roles in heaven that have profound effect upon the saints on earth. He is declared to be the Head of the Church. (Eph. 1:22,23; 4:15,16; 5:24; Col. 1:18) Because Christ is head of the church, He takes personal responsibility for effecting the growth of the body and the sanctifying of its members. (Matt. 16;18; Eph. 5:25-27)

Christ guards, guides, and protects His people even as He described Himself in the role of the shepherd. Hence, we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them (Ephesians 2:10). Further, Christ enables the believer to live effectively for God’s glory. (Phil. 4:13; Col. 2:19; Eph. 5;29,30) As believers abide in Christ, they find all that they need for fruitful living. (John 15:1-8)

Christ also serves as our Advocate Christ also serves as our Advocate. (1 John 1:5-2:1) Though we fail egregiously, Christ pleads the merits of His blood for the forgiveness of that sin. His mediation in our behalf is of necessity for the maintenance of our relationship with the Father. (1 Tim. 2:5,6) In this our Lord continues to serve as our high priest representing our interests at the throne of God. (Heb. 4:14; 6:17-20; 8:1-6; 9:24-28) Because of His position as High Priest, and Advocate, Christ is also our intercessor. (Heb. 7:24,25) Because of the vital work of Christ which continues in our behalf, we have hope both in time and for eternity.