There are some that think that Jesus ascended up to heaven the same day that He was resurrected. Jesus did not go straight up to heaven from the grave to the sky. FIRST, Jesus was a WITNESS of His resurrection for FORTY DAYS.

"To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:" - Acts 1:3 KJV

This time period is an important aspect of the gospel.

During these 40 days Jesus WITNESSED to multitudes of people that He had overcome death and the grave, by the power of His resurrection.

"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." - Revelation 1:18 KJV

When Paul said, "I declare unto you the gospel," this is what Paul said:

"For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: and that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: after that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep [have died]. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles." - 1 Corinthians 15:3-7 KJV

When Paul declared the gospel, he included Jesus' witness during the forty days after His resurrection.

We obey the gospel of Jesus in our life by following His death, burial, and resurrection by death to sin by repentance, burial by baptism in Jesus name, and resurrection by infilling of His Spirit. (1Corinthians 15:1-4, Romans 6:1-11, Colossians 2:11-15, Acts 2:38, Acts 2:4).

This is the beginning. We follow His forty days of witness of the power of His resurrection, by OUR witness of the power of His resurrecting Spirit in OUR life.

At the end of the 40 days, and before He ascended into heaven, Jesus let His disciples know WE TOO are to be witnesses of the power of His Spirit!

"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." - Acts 1:8 KJV

"And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight." - Acts 1:9 KJV

Jesus didn't ascend from the grave and rise straight to heaven. FIRST, He was a witness of His resurrecting power.

And WE don't ascend into heaven the moment we receive the gift of the Holy Ghost! WE are witnesses of His resurrecting power!