the geneva catechism 4
death our sins are effaced, so as never to be remembered before God, and thus the debt which was against us is abolished.
72. Do we not have any other benefit from it? Yes, we do. If we are true members of Christ, our old man is crucified, our flesh is mortified, so that evil desires no longer reign in us.
73. Expound the next article. This is: "On the third day He rose again from the dead." By this He declared Himself the conqueror of death and sin, for by His resurrection He swallowed up death, broke the fetters of the devil, and destroyed all his powers (1 Pet. 3:22).
74. In how many ways does this resurrection benefit us? First, by it righteousness was fully acquired for us. Secondly, it is also a sure pledge to us that we shall rise again one day in immortal glory (1 Cor. 15:20-23). Thirdly, if we truly participate in His resurrection, even now we are raised in newness of life, to serve God and to live a holy life according to His pleasure (Rom. 6:4).
75. Continue. "He ascended into heaven."
76. Did He ascend in such a way that He is no longer on earth? Yes. For after He had performed all that He was enjoined by the Father, and was required for our salvation, there was no need for Him to remain on earth.
77. What benefit do we obtain from this ascension? The benefit is twofold. For inasmuch as Jesus Christ entered heaven in our name, as He had descended for our sake, He has given us an entry, and assured us that the door, previously shut because of sin, is now open for us (Rom. 6:8-11). Secondly, He appears before the face of the Father as our Intercessor and Advocate (Heb. 7:25).
78. But did Christ in going to heaven withdraw from us, in such a way that He has now ceased to be with us?