The Doctrinal Heading for this section of questions (Q27-28) is The Humiliation and Exaltation of Jesus Christ. (see Harmony Index)
WSC Q 28. Wherein consisteth Christ’s exaltation?
In Question 27, we looked at Christ’s physical coming and The Cross of his suffering—his humiliation. Question 28 now deals with the other side of this holy equation—Christ’s exaltation. As we sit beneath this banner of truth, may we be mindful that its claim on each of us is no less true. We follow the same path, from a Cross to a Crown. Dying to self in service to our Lord and to his people, we will, if we endure to the end, reign with him forever; we will be free from sin, dressed in the robe of his righteousness, and empowered by his great grace. May our hearts truly rejoice in the benefits of his love and “so great salvation.”
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Westminster Shorter Catechism Q28
Illustrations by John Whitecross – #1 of 6: A little child, when dying, was asked where he was going: ‘To heaven,’ said the child. ‘And what makes you wish to be there?’ said one. ‘Because Christ is there,’ replied the child. ‘But,’ said a friend, ‘what if Christ should leave heaven?’ ‘Well,’ said the child, ‘I will go with Him.’ Some time before his departure, he expressed a wish to have a golden crown when he died. ‘And what will you do,’ said one, ‘with the golden crown?’ ‘I will take the crown,’ said the child, ‘and cast it at the feet of Christ.’ Does not such a child — to use the language of prophecy — die a hundred years old?.’
John Whitecross – 1828
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WSC Q 28. Wherein consisteth Christ’s exaltation?
Answer: Christ’s exaltation consisteth in his rising again from the dead on the third day[a], in ascending up into heaven, in sitting at the right hand of God the Father[b], and in coming to judge the world at the last day[c].
[a] 1Cor. 15:3, 4
[b] Acts 1:9; Eph. 1:19, 20
[c] Acts 1:11; Acts 17:31
Question 28 asks how Christ is exalted, and answers that Christ is exalted by his rising from the dead on the third day, his going up into heaven, his sitting at the right hand of God the Father, and his coming to judge the world at the last day.
Comments and considerations:
Question 27 dealt with Christ’s humiliation—“his being born, and that in a low condition made under the law, undergoing the miseries of this life, the wrath of God, and the cursed death of the cross, in being buried and continuing under the power of death for a time.” Those last three words remind us that his humiliation was a temporary excursion into the depths of sin’s curse so that Christ might take upon himself that curse in the work of redemption. The angels at Christ’s tomb declared on Resurrection Sunday, “He is not here, for He is risen, as He said” (Matt. 28:6). The phrases “for a time” and “he is not here” are significant because they show the completion of the first major segment of the Lord’s work of redemption, his earthly sojourn. With his resurrection, his humiliation was behind him. Having come down from glory, now unto glory the Son of God was exalted once again. If you seek him now, you must not look in the garden, nor on the cross, nor in the tomb, nor anywhere else on earth; rather, you must “seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory” (Col. 3:1-4).
This question and answer has been pivotal for all of Christendom. Think of the Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds, which confess the fact of Christ’s resurrection; as Paul makes clear, “if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty [and vain]” (I Cor. 15:14).
Note that our Lord’s exaltation is a progression, a sequence of events: risen, ascended, seated, and returning again. There is a wonderful book by John Murray titled Redemption Accomplished and Applied. That title says everything: we worship the One who “is risen, as he said.” He will continue to keep his word, to accomplish all that the Father has commanded him; we wait for his triumphal return as we worship our exalted Savior, for it is written,
“And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, ‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven’” (Acts 1:10).
“He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead” (Acts 17:31).
“God now commands all men everywhere to repent” (Acts 17:30).
Training Hearts and Teaching Minds Questions:
- Read Acts 2:22-24. What verse describes Christ’s humiliation, and what verse describes his exaltation? Summarize what is taught here as it relates to the different aspects of this catechism answer.
- In John 2:19-22, what did Jesus proclaim would occur?
- Many things would result from Christ’s death and resurrection. What do John 17:5 and Heb. 2:9 say are two outcomes?
- Where is Jesus now, and what is one thing that he is doing? See Acts 2:32-33 and Heb. 7:24-25.
- What is Christ appointed to upon his second coming? See Acts 17:31 and John 5: 22-23.
- Read I Cor. 15:24-28. What is left for Christ to do (i.e., what is he doing now)? What will he accomplish when he returns? What will he do after all is done? Also see Rev. 11:15.
Harmony of the Standards: WSC Q# 28, WLC Q# 51-57 & WCF VIII.VI & VIII
WSC Q28. Wherein consisteth Christ’s exaltation?
A. Christ’s exaltation consisteth in his rising again from the dead on the third day [a], in ascending up into heaven, in sitting at the right hand of God the Father [b], and in coming to judge the world at the last day[c].
[a] I Cor. 15:3, 4.
[b] Acts 1:9; Eph. 1:19, 20.
[c] Acts 1:11; Acts 17:31.
WLC Q51. What was the estate of Christ’s exaltation?
A. The estate of Christ’s exaltation comprehendeth his resurrection[a], ascension [b], sitting at the right hand of the Father[c], and his coming again to judge the world[d].
[a] I Cor. 15:4.
[b] Luke 24:51;. Acts 1:9-11.
[c] Eph. 1:20.
[d] Acts 1:11; 17:31.
WLC Q52. How was Christ exalted in his resurrection?
A. Christ was exalted in his resurrection, in that, not having seen corruption in death (of which it was not possible for him to be held)[a], and having the very same body in which he suffered, with the essential properties thereof[b], (but without mortality, and other common infirmities belonging to this life), really united to his soul[c], he rose again from the dead the third day by his own power[d]; whereby he declared himself to be the Son of God[e], to have satisfied divine justice[f], to have vanquished death, and him that had the power of it[g], and to be Lord of quick and dead[h]. All which he did as a public person[i], the head of his church[j], for their justification[k], quickening in grace[l], support against enemies[m], and to assure them of their resurrection from the dead at the last day[n].
[a] Acts 2:24; Psa. 16:10.
[b] Luke 24:39.
[c] Rev. 1:18.
[d] John 10:18.
[e] Rom. 1:4.
[f] Rom. 4:25; I Cor. 15:17.
[g] Heb. 2:14; Rev. 1:18.
[h] Rom. 14:9.
[i] I Cor. 15:21, 22.
[j] Eph. 1:22, 23; Col. 1:18.
[k] Rom. 4:25.
[l] Eph. 2:5, 6; Col. 2:12.
[m] I Cor. 15:25, 26; Acts 12:17; Acts 18:9, 10.
[n] I Cor. 15:20; I Thes. 4:13-18.
WLC Q53. How was Christ exalted in his ascension?
A. Christ was exalted in his ascension, in that having, after his resurrection, often appeared unto, and conversed with his apostles, speaking to them of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God[a], and giving them commission to preach the gospel to all nations[b]; forty days after his resurrection, he, in our nature, and as our head, triumphing over enemies, visibly went up into the highest heavens[c], there to receive gifts for men[d], to raise up our affections thither[e], and to prepare a place for us[f], where he himself is, and shall continue till his second coming at the end of the world[g].
[a] Acts 1:2, 3.
[b] Mat. 28:19, 20; Acts 1:8.
[c] Heb. 6:20; Eph. 4:8; Acts 1:9.
[d] Psa. 68:18.
[e] Col. 3:1, 2.
[f] John 14:2.
[g] Acts 3:21.
WLC Q54. How is Christ exalted in his sitting at the right hand of God?
A. Christ is exalted in his sitting at the right hand of God, in that as God-man he is advanced to the highest favour with God the Father[a], with all fullness of joy[b], glory[c], and power over all things in heaven and earth[d]; and doth gather and defend his church, and subdue their enemies; furnisheth his ministers and people with gifts and graces[e], and maketh intercession for them[f].
[a] Phil. 2:9.
[b] Acts 2:28. Compared with Ps. 16:11.
[c] John 17:5.
[d] Eph. 1:22; I Pet. 3:22.
[e] Eph. 4:11, 12.
[f] Rom. 8:34.
WLC Q55. How doeth Christ make intercession?
A. Christ maketh intercession, by his appearing in our nature continually before the Father in heaven[a], in the merit of his obedience and sacrifice on earth[b], declaring his will to have it applied to all believers[c]; answering all accusations against them[d], and procuring for them quiet of conscience, notwithstanding daily failings[e], access with boldness to the throne of grace[f], and acceptance of their persons[g] and services[h].
[a] Heb. 9:24.
[b] Heb. 1:3.
[c] John 17:9, 20, 24.
[d] Rom. 8:33,34.
[e] Rom. 5:1, 2.
[f] Heb. 4:16.
[g] Eph. 1:6.
[h] I Pet. 2:5; Rev. 8:3, 4.
WLC Q56. How is Christ to be exalted in his coming again to judge the world?
A. Christ is to be exalted in his coming again to judge the world, in that he, who was unjustly judged and condemned by wicked men, shall come again at the last day in great power, and in the full manifestation of his own glory, and of his Father’s, with all his holy angels, with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God, to judge the world in righteousness[a].
[a] Matt. 24:30; Luke 9:26; I Thess. 4:16; Acts 17:31; Matt. 25:31.
WLC Q57. What benefits hath Christ procured by his mediation?
A. Christ, by his mediation, hath procured redemption, with all other benefits of the covenant of grace[a].
[a] Heb. 9:12; I Cor. 1:30; Rom. 8:32; II Cor. 1:20.
THE WESTMINSTER CONFESSION OF FAITH
CHAPTER. VIII.
Of Christ the Mediator.
VI. Although the work of redemption was not actually wrought by Christ till after his incarnation, yet the virtue, efficacy, and benefits thereof were communicated unto the elect, in all ages successively from the beginning of the world, in and by those promises, types, and sacrifices, wherein he was revealed, and signified to be the seed of the woman, which should bruise the serpent’s head; and the lamb slain from the beginning of the world, being yesterday and today the same, and forever[a].
[a] Gen. 3:15; Rev. 13:8; Heb. 13:8.
Also, see Heb. 11:13; John 8:25; Gal. 3:6, 7, 8; Acts 15:11; Rom. 3:30; Gal. 3:8, 9, 14.
VIII. To all those for whom Christ hath purchased redemption, he doth certainly and effectually apply and communicate the same[a]; making intercession for them, and revealing unto them[b], in and by the Word, the mysteries of salvation[c]; effectually persuading them by his Spirit to believe and obey; and governing their hearts by his Word and Spirit[d]; overcoming all their enemies by his almighty power and wisdom, in such manner and ways as are most consonant to his wonderful and unsearchable dispensation[e].
[a] John 6:37, 39; John 10:16.
[b] I John 2:1; Rom. 8:34.
[c] John 15:15; Eph. 1:7-9; John 17:6; Gal. 1:11.
[d] Rom. 8:9, 14; titus 3:4, 5; Rom. 15:18, 19; John 17:17.
[e] Ps. 110:1; I Cor. 15:25-26; Col. 2:15; Luke 10:19
Questions for further study:
Once again, there is so much here to consider. But consider this one thing. The Shorter Catechism question and first question in the string of Larger Catechism questions in this harmony, Q#51, are very similar but differ a little in words. WLC Q51 reads: What was the estate of Christ’s exaltation. Note that word “estate.” What thought does it conjure up? Note that there are seven Larger Catechism questions attached to WSC Q28, along with two lengthy Confessional statements. What other phrases or terms might be used to describe the estate of Christ’s exaltation, and what might our fathers have meant to communicate in using that word?
