Session of Christ

Session Of Christ the perpetual presence of our Lord's human nature in the highest glory of heaven. The statement of the fact appears in all the Latin forms of the Creed; its earlier words being "Sedet ad dexteram Patris," which developed into "Sedet ad dexteram Dei Patris Omnipotentis" at some time not later than the 6th century. The article does not appear in the Creed of Nicaea, but in the Constantinopolitan expansion of that formulary it is given in words which are similar to those of the ancient Latin Church, καθεζόμενον ἐκ δεξιῶν τοῦ Πατρός. Naturally two questions suggest themselves for consideration:

1. What does this exaltation of Christ's human nature imply? We answer, An actual translation of his body and soul to heaven and their actual continued abode there, and that in uninterrupted identity with the body and soul which had been born of Mary. This identity was historically established by the chosen witnesses of the resurrection, who saw his ascension and heard the words of the angels, "This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven," etc. (Ac 1:11); and not long after by the declaration of Stephen (Ac 7:56). Although the body of Christ has doubtless undergone a change so that it is a spiritual body, yet locality may be predicated of it now as well as previous to his death. It is an error, therefore, to suppose that the bodily presence of Christ is that of the omnipresent Deity, as is maintained by the Ubiquitarians (q.v.). Because of this local bodily presence Christ sends his Holy Spirit to men..

2. What is the result of this exaltation? It was accomplished partly with reference to the glory of his own person, and partly with reference to his work as the Savior of mankind. The human nature which, united with the divine nature, accomplished. the purpose of God was fittingly raised up to the highest glory — "Wherefore God highly exalted him," etc. The ultimate object of the Incarnation was to bring us to God, into the divine presence. By this exaltation of our nature in the person of Christ a capacity was originated for its exaltation in ourselves. And, being the firstborn among many brethren, he carried out humanity into heaven as the "Forerunner" of those who are united to him, as he said, "that where I am, there ye may be also" (Joh 14:2-3). See Herzog, Real-Encyklop. s.v. "Stand Christi;" Blunt, Dict. of Doct. Theology, s.v. SEE INTERCESSION; SEE RESURRECTION.