In Acts Chapter Five, once again the Jewish religious leaders threatened the apostles for preaching the good news about Jesus. In response, Peter delivered a brief and bold presentation of the gospel to his persecutors.
The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead after you killed him by hanging him on a cross. 31 Then God put him in the place of honor at his right hand as Prince and Savior. He did this so the people of Israel would repent of their sins and be forgiven. 32 We are witnesses of these things and so is the Holy Spirit, who is given by God to those who obey him.” Acts 5:30-32 (NLT)
Peter mentioned three reasons for his hearers to repent in their attitude and actions regarding Jesus.
- He was put to death unjustly.
- God raised him from the dead, and
- He is now seated at God’s right hand, reigning as the Lord over all creation.
Peter does not directly say that Jesus ascended into heaven, but it is assumed. How else would his resurrected body have gotten there? God sent his Holy Spirit on Pentecost to prove that Jesus is now seated at the right hand of God the Father. The Holy Spirit indwells, empowers, and seals all those who confess Christ as Lord.
Christ’s ascension is an important part of the gospel that confirms Christ’s exaltation as Lord and explains the outpouring of the Spirit on Pentecost.
