Westminster Larger Catechism (1647), Westminster Assembly

Question 52

How was Christ exalted in his resurrection?

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 thereofb (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

How was Christ exalted in his resurrection?

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 thereofb (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

  1. a. Acts 2:24, 27

    Acts 2:24; Acts 2:27

    2:24 Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. 2:27 Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

    2:24 But God raised Him from the dead, releasing Him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for Him to be held in its clutches. 2:27 because You will not abandon my soul to Hades, nor will You let Your Holy One see decay.

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

  2. b. Luke 24:39

    Luke 24:39

    24:39 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.

    24:39 Look at My hands and My feet. It is I Myself. Touch Me and see-for a spirit does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have."

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

  3. c. Romans 6:9; Revelation 1:18

    Romans 6:9

    6:9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.

    6:9 For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, He cannot die again; death no longer has dominion over Him.

    Revelation 1:18

    1:18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.

    1:18 the Living One. I was dead, and behold, now I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of Death and of Hades.

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

  4. d. John 10:18

    John 10:18

    10:18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

    10:18 No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of My own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from My Father."

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

  5. e. Romans 1:4

    Romans 1:4

    1:4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:

    1:4 and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by His resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

  6. f. Romans 8:34

    Romans 8:34

    8:34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

    8:34 Who is there to condemn us? For Christ Jesus, who died, and more than that was raised to life, is at the right hand of God-and He is interceding for us.

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

  7. g. Hebrews 2:14

    Hebrews 2:14

    2:14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;

    2:14 Now since the children have flesh and blood, He too shared in their humanity, so that by His death He might destroy him who holds the power of death, that is, the devil,

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

  8. h. Romans 14:9

    Romans 14:9

    14:9 For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.

    14:9 For this reason Christ died and returned to life, that He might be the Lord of both the dead and the living.

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

  9. i. 1 Corinthians 15:21–22

    1 Corinthians 15:21–22

    15:21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

    15:21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. 15:22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

  10. j. Ephesians 1:20–23; Colossians 1:18

    Ephesians 1:20–23

    1:20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 1:21 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: 1:22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 1:23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

    1:20 which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms, 1:21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 1:22 And God put everything under His feet and made Him head over everything for the church, 1:23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

    Colossians 1:18

    1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

    1:18 And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and firstborn from among the dead, so that in all things He may have preeminence.

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

  11. k. Romans 4:25

    Romans 4:25

    4:25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

    4:25 He was delivered over to death for our trespasses and was raised to life for our justification.

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

  12. l. Ephesians 2:1, 5–6; Colossians 2:12

    Ephesians 2:1; Ephesians 2:5–6

    2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

    2:1 And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, 2:5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in our trespasses. It is by grace you have been saved! 2:6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,

    Colossians 2:12

    2:12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.

    2:12 And having been buried with Him in baptism, you were raised with Him through your faith in the power of God, who raised Him from the dead.

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

  13. m. 1 Corinthians 15:25–27

    1 Corinthians 15:25–27

    15:25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. 15:26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. 15:27 For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him.

    15:25 For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. 15:26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 15:27 For "God has put everything under His feet." Now when it says that everything has been put under Him, this clearly does not include the One who put everything under Him.

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

  14. n. 1 Corinthians 15:20

    1 Corinthians 15:20

    15:20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.

    15:20 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

Related (2)

The Baptist Catechism (1695), parallel to this question

Question 31

Wherein consisteth Christ’s exaltation?

Christ’s exaltation consisteth in his rising again from the dead on the third day, in ascending up into heaven, in sitting at the right hand of God the Father, and in coming to judge the world at the last day.

Westminster Shorter Catechism (1647), parallel to this question

Question 28

Wherein consisteth Christ’s exaltation?

Christ’s exaltation consisteth in his rising again from the dead on the third day in ascending up into heaven in sitting at the right hand of God the Father and in coming to judge the world at the last day.

Commentaries (9)