“When He ascended on high,
He led captivity captive,
and gave gifts to men.”
9 (In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that He also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He who descended is also He who ascended far above all the heavens that He might fill all things.)
11 He gave some to be apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints, for the work of service, and for the building up of the body of Christ, (Ephesians 4:8–12, MEV)
After Jesus said “it is finished”, his journey to the right hand of the father began.
“He gave gifts to men”.
The gifts we have received from Jesus are from a position authority and victory far above any earthly thing. Believers became partakers of his nature. We became adopted sons of God. His authority was delegated to his children. Without what he did at the cross we couldn’t have His authority, His sonship, or His gifts.
In 2 Corinthians 5:20, Paul calls us “ambassadors for Christ” to describe believers, highlighting their role as representatives of Christ, tasked with giving God’s message of reconciliation to the world.
Cross Mission Media 