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What Jesus’ Descension and Ascension?

Parkhurst Bible Lesson
Ephesians 4:1-16
Sunday, November 2, 2008

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International Sunday School Lesson
Sunday November 2, 2008
Ephesians 4:1-16

“When it says, ‘He ascended,’ what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is the same one who ascended far above all the heavens, so that he might fill all things" (Ephesians 4:9-10—NRSV).

“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”  (Ephesians 4:9-10—KJV).

The Bible often teaches the same truths several times in a variety of ways to emphasize their importance. In today’s lesson, we find the Apostle Paul almost cryptically writing about the coming of Jesus Christ into the world, when Mary bore the Son of God in her womb and gave Him birth, “Jesus descended.” The Apostle John wrote essentially the same thing, “No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man” (John 3:13).

Jesus descended from heaven to earth, and then He descended from the earth to “the lower parts of the earth.” The Apostle Peter explained this second descending as the time between Jesus death and His resurrection from the dead, when “He was put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit, in which also he went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison” (see 1 Peter 3:18-22). “The Apostles Creed” summarizes this teaching with the words, “He descended into hell.”

Jesus ascended from the grave and walked once again upon the earth, and then forty days after Easter He ascended “far above all the heavens.” As Peter explained, Jesus “is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers made subject to him” (1 Peter 3:22).

Because Jesus both descended and ascended, He benefits all believers. He now fills all things – He is everywhere and always present. Furthermore, He continually gives gifts to all His followers (Ephesians 4:8, 11-13).

© Copyright 2008 by L.G. Parkhurst, Jr.

You may be reprint or reproduce this Parkhurst Bible Lesson for not-for-profit use.

Questions for Further Thought
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International Sunday School Lesson
Sunday November 2, 2008
Ephesians 4:1-16

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          Think about your answers to the questions below before your Sunday school class meets, discuss in class, or use for further study. In some cases, I do not always write the questions to have a definitive right or wrong answer. In most cases, the questions should encourage everyone to think about how to apply biblical truths to their daily lives. Before beginning to answer the questions below, read the entire Scripture lesson in your favorite translation or compare translations. Write your thoughts in the space provided and take them to your Sunday school class for discussion.

Available in the "Religion Section" of The Oklahoman newspaper every Saturday, please do not remove the copyright notice or publish these lessons for profit if you reprint them. To download these Bible Studies as an audio file or podcast to listen to, go to ParkhurstBibleLessons.com.

For newspapers, reprints, or other for profit use, contact:
L.G. Parkhurst, Jr. - lgp@InternationalBibleLessons.com.

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