Ascension of Jesus

===Theology===
In [[Christian theology]], the death, resurrection, and exaltation of Jesus are the most important events, and a foundation of the Christian faith.{{sfn|Dunn|1985|p=53}}{{sfn|Dunn|2009|p=149}} The early followers of Jesus believed that [[God in Christianity|God]] had vindicated Jesus after his death, as reflected in the stories about his resurrection, ascension, and exaltation.{{sfn|Cross|Livingstone|2005|p=114}} The [[Jewish Christian|early followers of Jesus]] soon believed that Jesus was raised as [[Firstborn (Judaism)|first of the dead]],{{sfn|Novakovic|2014|p=152}} taken into Heaven, and [[exaltation of Jesus|exalted]],{{sfn|Novakovic|2014|p=135}}{{sfn|Hurtado|2005|p=508, 591}} [[heavenly session|taking the seat at the right hand of God]] in Heaven, as stated in the [[Apostles' Creed]]: "He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty."{{sfn|Cross|Livingstone|2005|p=114}} [[Psalm 110]] ({{bibleref2|Psalms|110:1}}) played an essential role in this interpretation of Jesus' death and the resurrection appearances: "The Lord said to my Lord, "Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies your footstool." It provided an interpretative frame for Jesus' followers to make sense of his death and the resurrection appearances.{{sfn|Dunn|2009|p=218}}{{sfn|Cross|Livingstone|2005|p=114}}

This understanding is summarized by the theologian [[Justus Knecht]] who wrote: "Our Lord went up Body and Soul into heaven in the sight of His apostles, by His own power, to take possession of His glory, and to be our Advocate and Mediator in heaven with the Father. He ascended as Man, as Head of the redeemed, and has prepared a dwelling in heaven for all those who follow in His steps (Sixth article of [[Apostles' Creed|the Creed]])."{{sfn|Knecht|1910|p=729}}