Forty Days - Being a Witness

 

There are some that have the misconception that Jesus went from the grave to the sky.

Jesus did not ascend to the sky until 40 days after His resurrection.

During these 40 days Jesus witnessed to multitudes of people showing them that He had overcome death and the grave and was alive – forevermore.

"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

"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

We obey the gospel by following Jesus’ death by repentance of our sins, we follow His burial by being buried with Him by baptism in the name of Jesus. We follow His resurrection by being filled with His Spirit to live a holy and overcoming life. (1Corinthians 15:1-4, Romans 6:1-4).

We are then to be witnesses, that by the resurrecting power of His Spirit we have overcome sin and are living a victorious changed life.

During those 40 days, Jesus was a witness of the power of His Spirit. Before He ascended into heaven, Jesus let us know we are to be witnesses.

"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. 

"And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight." - Acts 1:8-9 KJV

Jesus didn't ascend from the grave and rise straight to heaven, just as we don't ascend into heaven the moment we receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. We, too, are witnesses of His resurrecting power. (Romans 6:4).