I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering
you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may
give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having
the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to
which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the
saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who
believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when
he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand yin the heavenly
places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every
name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he
put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the
church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. (Ephesians 1:16-23
ESV).
After declaring that Jesus ascended to heaven, we say, with the Apostles’ Creed, that he is now “seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty.” In heaven Jesus sits on a splendid throne at the Father’s right hand, the very highest place of honor. Sitting there is a sure demonstration that he is one with God the Father and deserving the same honor and respect. God the Father has placed all that exists under Jesus Christ’s power and authority.
Moreover, as the apostle Paul writes in
Ephesians, God appointed Jesus as “the head over everything for the church,
which is his body.” In heaven, as on earth, Jesus continues his ministry. As
the head of the church, made up of his followers throughout the world, and
through the work of the Holy Spirit, Jesus blesses each member with gifts to be
used in humble service. And with his divine power and authority, Jesus protects
his church from the many forces seeking to destroy it.
This declaration of belief is a powerful
statement of faith. Those who would desire to relegate Jesus to a position less
than God Almighty cannot agree with this declaration. Those who would seek to
make him equal to other great teachers and miracle workers cannot agree with
this statement of belief. It leaves no doubt that Jesus is God in every way. He
is the “I am” of the Scripture, creator and ruler over all that exists.
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