The Exaltation of Christ

One of the neglected doctrines of modern Christology is the exaltation of Christ. While many of our churches likely give due attention to the death and resurrection of Christ, we often fail to see the connection between Christ’s death, resurrection, and exaltation (or ascension). The reality is that the exaltation is just as significant as his death and resurrection, maybe even more so. The exaltation of Christ completes the work he accomplished on our behalf as our Prophet, Priest, and King. Let’s see how the Scriptures describe the exaltation of Christ. We’ll be using the KJV Thompson Chain Study Bible to see these connections.

Using the KJV Thompson Chain Study Bible

If a particular topic interests you and you’d like to see what the Bible says about it, then you can navigate to that topic from the table of contents in the KJV Thompson Chain Study Bible. You can search topics through the Alphabetical Index or the Numerical Index if you happen to know the Chain Number given to that topic.

An alternative way of using the KJV Thompson Chain Study Bible is in split-screen mode through the Resource Library. You can sync this resource with the passage you have open in the main window to see related topics.

The Exaltation of Christ in the Gospels

We can see from his teaching that Jesus anticipated his exaltation. Not only did he teach his disciples about his death and resurrection, he also described his exaltation. Here are some Scripture references regarding the exaltation of Christ in the Gospels. After this, we’ll look at some Scripture references in Acts and the Epistles.

Jesus said to them, ‘Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.’

Matthew 19:28

Jesus said to them, ‘Have you never read in the Scriptures: ‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes’?

Matthew 21:42

The Lord said to my Lord, ‘Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet’?

Matthew 22:44

For I tell you, you will not see me again, until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’

Matthew 23:39

So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God.

Mark 16:19

He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.

Luke 1:32-33

And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

Luke 21:27

But from now on the Son of Man shall be seated at the right hand of the power of God.

Luke 22:69

The Exaltation of Christ in Acts

Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing.

Acts 2:33

Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.

Acts 2:36

God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.

Acts 5:31

But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. And he said, ‘Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.’

Acts 7:55-56

The Exaltation of Christ in the Epistles

Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.

Romans 8:34

That he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.

Ephesians 1:20-21

Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name.

Philippians 2:9

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.

Colossians 3:1

But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

Hebrews 2:9

Who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.

1 Peter 3:22

Connect Scripture Topics with the Thompson Chain Study Bible

As you can see, this is a great resource for connecting the topics of Scripture. In fact, the Thompson Chain Study Bible includes over 8000 topics in Scripture. Pick up your copy today and start connecting the topics of Scripture!