Now we come to the resurrection and ascension of Jesus. The bodily resurrection of Jesus is one of the cardinal doctrines of the Christian faith. It is the heart of the primitive gospel. Every sermon in the Book of Acts is a message on the Resurrection—every speaker got to this subject. The early church dwelt upon it constantly.
The internal evidence is not enough to dismiss it either, as the style is still that of Mark—brief and blunt.
Here is my outline of the last chapter of the Gospel of Mark:
1. The arrival of the women at the empty tomb (vv. 1-4).
2. The announcement of the angel that Jesus had risen (vv. 5-8).
3. The appearances of Jesus (vv. 9-18).
4. The ascension of Jesus (vv. 19-20).
16:19-20 – This is Mark’s brief statement of the great fact of the Ascension and the present ministry of Jesus at the right hand of God. The disciples did go out to carry the gospel to every creature, and the Lord did work with them and confirmed the Word with signs which they performed.
This is the gospel of action. May we be men and women of action for God!