The Sonship of Christ

THAT Jesus was truly raised from the dead by the Father we have already shown. Acts 2:32. That the same material flesh and bones, which was born of the virgin Mary, which was crucified upon the cross, was buried in the grave, and was resurrected, did ascend into heaven, is plainly taught in the Scriptures. I cannot state this fact more clearly than in the language of the Episcopal creed, which reads thus: Christ did truly rise again from death, and took again his body, with flesh bones and all things appertaining to the perfection of man's nature, wherewith he ascended into heaven, and these sitteth until he returns to judge all men at the last day. Art. 4. Also the same in the Methodist discipline, Art. 3. Thank God that our trinitarian brethren hold on to this fundamental truth. The Scriptures proving this are very plain. That he really had flesh and bones after his resurrection is shown by Luke 24:36-43:—

"And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself; handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. And when he had thus spoken, he showed them his hands and his feet. And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat? And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish and of an honeycomb. And he took it and did eat before them."

How unequivocal this statement. He shows them his hands and his feet, he tells them to handle him and see that he is really flesh and bones; and to farther prove this, he takes meat and eats it before them. This convinced them and they believed it. Peter speaking of this fact says to Cornelius, "we did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead." Acts 10:41. Also he was eating with them at the very moment of his ascension. See margin, Acts 1:4.

Paul also says that the very one who descended unto the earth was the very one who ascended into heaven. "Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things." Eph. 4:9,10. Indeed, no truth is plainer than that the very one who died and was buried, was also resurrected, and is now alive in heaven. It is the Lamb who was slain, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, Christ according to the flesh, who was seated at the right hand of the Father. Rev. 5:5-9. "Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; he, seeing this before, spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this which ye now see and hear." Acts 2:30-33. He now sits at the right hand of God upon the Father's throne. "To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne." Rev. 3:21. The wonderfully exalted position which our blessed Saviour now occupies is thus set forth in the enthusiastic but inspired language of the great apostle: "Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places. Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all." Eph. 1:20-23. Who can measure the might and depth of this language?

Who can comprehend the surpassing glory, the almighty power of this once humble Jesus of Nazareth, this person who once lay dead in Joseph's new tomb? Think of it, seated high upon the throne of the universe, at the right hand of the Almighty, clothed with all power, high above all dominions, principalities, angels, and every name in heaven and earth.