Session of Christ

The Session of Christ is one of the doctrines specifically mentioned in the Apostles' Creed, where "sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty" immediately follows the statement of the Ascension.

[1] Wayne Grudem notes that the word formerly meant "the act of sitting down," but that it no longer has that sole meaning in ordinary English usage today.

[3] This may represent Jesus "rising momentarily from the throne of glory to greet his proto-martyr,"[4] standing as a witness to vindicate Stephen's testimony,[5] or preparing to return.

Robert Mounce suggests that since these lampstands represent seven churches, Jesus' motion indicates that he is "present in their midst and aware of their activities.

[9] The idea of Christ's heavenly session appears a second time in the account of Peter's preaching in the Book of Acts.

"[12] Louis Berkhof notes that, in his session, Christ is "publicly inaugurated as God-man, and as such receives the government of the Church and of heaven and earth, and enters solemnly upon the actual administration of the power committed to Him.

[19]Larry Hurtado notes that soon after his death, Jesus was called Lord (Kyrios), which "associates him in astonishing ways with God.

[30] Revelations, including those visions, but also inspired and spontaneous utterances, and "charismatic exegesis" of the Jewish scriptures, convinced them that this devotion was commanded by God.

[31] The Apostles' Creed says of Jesus that "He ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty" (1662 Book of Common Prayer).