What effect did the Ascension have on the disciples?

• A. It ended their mission
• B. It had no effect
• C. It signals the promise of the Holy Spirit and the disciples' mission
• D. It prevented the Holy Spirit from coming

Answer: (C)

The main idea tested is how Jesus’ Ascension shifts the disciples from Jesus’ bodily presence to a Spirit-empowered mission. After the Resurrection, Jesus commissions the disciples to be witnesses starting in Jerusalem and extending to all nations, and he tells them to await the Father’s promise—the Holy Spirit. The Ascension then marks his exaltation and the transition to this new mode of doing ministry: Jesus remains active, but now through the Spirit who will empower the disciples to proclaim the gospel, endure challenges, and grow the church. This is why the Ascension signals the promise of the Holy Spirit and the disciples’ ongoing mission. The other options imply the mission ends, has no effect, or that the Spirit is prevented, which contradicts the narrative of the Ascension and the ensuing Pentecost.