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Orthodox Doctrine (Summary of Christian Divinity)
Metropolitan Platon of Moscow, tr. Pinkerton, 1814
Part 2, Section 24: Of the Resurrection and Ascension of Christ
The dead Saviour was buried; but on the third day he rose again, and afterwards ascended into heaven.
The interment of our Saviour, was a proof that he was really dead; but the abodes of the dead could not hold our Redeemer, as St Peter has declared to us: “Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of them;” Acts ii. 24. Being buried on the Friday, he rested in the grave the Saturday, and rose again the third day, as he himself had more than once predicted. The scriptures had testified the same thing long before, because the prophet foreseeing in the spirit the victory of Jesus Christ over death and hell, sung this triumphal song: “O death, I will be thy plague; O grave, I will be thy destruction!” Hosea xiii. 14.
By the resurrection of Christ, we are completely assured that he hath conquered death; that he really is the Saviour sent us from God; and that our hope in him is stedfast and sure. Hence, the apostle writes concerning him: “Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification;” Rom. iv. 25. On his resurrection also, our hope in our own resurrection is founded. “For, if we believe that Jesus died, and rose again; even so them also which sleep in Jesus, will God bring with him;” 1 Thes. iv. 14.
Jesus Christ, after his resurrection, appeared to the apostles and to many others; and by incontestible proofs assured them, that he was risen indeed. After having given them most salutary instructions in regard to the great work of their apostleship, and making known to them that a door would soon be opened for their preaching the gospel throughout the world, even among all nations; and having promised to send them the Holy Spirit, who would lead them into all truth, he ascended into heaven before their eyes on the fortieth day after his resurrection, and sat down at the right hand of God, even the Father. This sitting intimates his resuming divine power and glory, which, though he possessed them from all eternity, yet, while he was on earth, they were concealed from mankind by the veil of his humanity. John xvii. 5.