According to our standards the exaltation of Christ includes, — (1.) His resurrection. (2.) His ascension. (3.) His sitting
at the right hand of God. (4.) His coming to judge the world
at the last day.
§ 1. Resurrection of Christ.
The resurrection of Christ is not only asserted in the Scriptures, but it is also declaimed to be the fundamental truth of the gospel. " If Christ be not risen," says the Apostle, " then is our preach- ing vain, and your faith is also vain" (1 Cor. xv. 14). "If Christ be not raised, your faith is vain ; ye are yet in your sins " (verse IT). It may be safely asserted that the resurrection of Christ is at once the most important, and the best authenticated fact in the history of the world.
(1.) It was predicted in the Old Testament. (2.) It was fore- told by Christ Himself. (3.) It was a fact admitting of easy veri- fication. (4.) Abundant, suitable, and frequently repeated evi- dence was afforded of its actual occurrence. (5.) The witnesses to the fact that Christ was seen alive after his death upcm the •cross, were numerous, competent, and on every account worthy of confidence. (6.) Their sincerity of conviction was proved by the sacrifices, even that of life, which their testimony entailed upon them. (7.) Their testimony was confirmed by God bearing wit- ness together with them QTvviTnixapTvpovvTo<i tov deov, Heb. ii. 4), in signs and wonders, and divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost. (8.) That testimony of the Spirit is continued to the present time and granted to all the true children of God, for the Spirit bears witness to the truth in the heart and conscience. (9.) The fact of Christ's resurrection has been commemorated by a religious observance of the first day of the week from its occur- rence to the present time. (10.) The effects produced by his gos- pel, and the change which it has effected in the state of the world, admit of no other rational solution than the truth of his death and