The first duty of the teacher is to learn something about the book of the Acts, which we are about to study.

For this purpose, before taking up any lesson, one should obtain a general view of the whole book, the course of the history, the object of the author, and the great epochs and movements, so that each lesson may find its natural, logical place in the history of the early church. It would be wise, therefore, to commit to memory the main outlines, at least, as given in the ANALYSIS on page 6.

The lessons for this quarter extend over five or six years, from the resurrection of Jesus to the conversion of Paul, to whom he made his last appearance.

We study the birth and early development of the Christian church. It was the beginning of a marvelous movement, and we look first at the power that produced the effects, and then at the results of the action of that power.

FIRST POWER. The living Saviour, risen from the dead, and ascended to heaven. The King to be loved and served. The Saviour to be proclaimed. The Guide and Director of the movement. The Source of authority and power.

SECOND POWER. The Holy Spirit, the Comforter, convincing of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment to come; the transformer of souls, the strength in weakness, the guide into all truth.

Without these powers nothing could be accomplished.

THE COMMISSION. To bear witness to Jesus as the Messiah.

FIRST EFFECT. Witness in Jerusalem. Great numbers converted. All these becoming witnesses, by word, by character, by good works, by beautiful and joyful lives, by triumph over selfishness and opposition.

SECOND EFFECT. Witness in Judea, Samaria, and Galilee. The work extended through persecution, which spread the living gospel as the wind that would blow out the fire scatters the sparks and spreads the flames. There is the beginning of organization and triumph over internal troubles and false disciples.

THE PROMISE OF POWER. - Acts 1: I-II.

Study Verses 1-14. Read Acts I : 1-26.

GOLDEN TEXT. - While he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.

SUGGESTIONS TO TEACHERS.

Teaching Methods. - Give the scholars in a few clear points some knowledge of the BOOK OF ACTS as a whole, which they should commit to memory.

- LUKE 24: 51.

LEARN BY HEART.

Vs. 8, 11; Matt. 28: 19, 20.

Every scholar should be drilled in some choice, appropriate Scripture verses each Sabbath.

1. The former treatise have I made, O 'Theoph'ilus, concerning all that Jesus began both to do and teach,

I. Jesus raised from the Dead. Hence the Ever-living Messiah Saviour.— Vs. 1-3. 1. The former treatise, or history, the Gospel according to Luke,

had given commandment

2. Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost 2 had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen : through the Holy Ghost whom

To

to

he also

also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many by the space of forty days, and speaking of the God:

3. infallible proofs, being seen of them things Pertaining to the kingdom of

appearing unto

1 V.9 Mark 16: 19; Luke 9: 51.

2 Matt. 28: 19; Mark 16: 15; John 20: 21; Acts 10: 41, 42. 3 Mark 16: 14; Luke 24: 36; John 20: 19.

with the ascension as the close of the earthly life of Jesus; it is there the final sequel of the resurrection"'; but in the Acts "the ascension is contemplated as the opening of the heavenly life" (Rendall), as the beginning of the founding and development of Christ's church, the visible kingdom of heaven. O Theophilus. A proper name, not uncommon among the Greeks and the Jews. In the Gospel Luke calls him "most excellent" (Krátiste), a title which was "peculiarly appropriated to Romans holding high office, and actually became, during the second century, a technical title to denote equestrian rank.” Professor Knowling. The title is applied in the Acts to Felix (23: 26), and to Festus (26: 25). It refers to the patrician order of knights.

66

It has been suggested that the omission of the title here "denotes that St. Luke's friendship had become less ceremonious, just as a similar change has been noted in the dedication of Shakespeare's two poems to the Earl of Southampton.” — Knowling. The title "right honorable" is left off from the second dedication, as most excellent" is left off by Luke in the Acts. All that Jesus began both to do and teach. Either what Jesus did from the beginning, or, implying "that the former treatise related what Jesus began to do and to teach; and this relates what he, the same Jesus, continued to do and to teach."- Alford. Everything that Jesus did or taught was but a beginning, a seed from which far greater things were to grow, as he himself taught (John 14: 12; 13: 7; 14: 26). "The book is the second part of the Acts of Jesus." "The fact is both curious and significant that what is found in the Gospel Narratives, in the form of precept or teaching, reappears in the Acts of the Apostles in the form of practise or example." — A. T. Pierson. "No doubt there is a sense in which, with every Christian for nineteen centuries, St. Luke would regard the whole earthly life of Jesus as a beginning, a prelude to the glory and mighty working to be revealed and perfected in the ascended Lord."- Knowling. To do and teach. "The gospel story is a book of mighty deeds as well as of wondrous speech." - Professor Stifler. And the Acts continues both. "He did first, then he taught; he first taught by example, and then by word. He did not teach what he had not first himself done."- Cornelius à Lapide.

2. Until the day. Luke closes his Gospel up to heaven. Through the Holy Ghost. divine source, and guided by the Holy Spirit. apostles. At various times during his life and especially at his last appearance.

with the account of the ascension. Taken Showing that the commission was from a Had given commandments unto the the forty days of his resurrection life, but

3. To whom also he shewed himself. Not merely "appeared," but showed himself, made himself appear. Alive. The same Jesus who was crucified, and with the same body as before his crucifixion, that bore the wounds of the cross, had flesh and bones, and ate as in former days. The great change of his body into a spiritual body (1 Cor. 15: 51-54) seems to have occurred at the ascension. After his passion. "Too sacred a word to be expunged from this the only place where it occurs in the Bible." — Humphry. By many infallible proofs. Infallible proofs is one word in the original, and signifies proofs by sure signs. R. V. simply "proofs," the technical use of the Greek word, 66 convincing certain :vidence." - Knowling. "The Greek word signifies some sign or token manifest to the senses, as opposed to evidence given by witnesses.' Cambridge Bible. But the single Greek word, translated infallible proofs, is used frequently by Plato and Aristotle, and denotes "the strongest proofs of which a subject is capable," " an irresistible proof."- Schaff. "Used by Aristotle (Rhet. i., 2) for proofs that carried certainty of conviction with them, as contrasted with those that were only probable or circumstantial." Ellicott. "The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the best attested fact in history." - Lyman Abbott. Forty days at intervals, ten or eleven times. Speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God, which was to be unfolded and carried on through them. During all this transition period the disciples were being trained to understand and to do the work that was before them. There was much that it was impossible for them to

understand before.

1

them, he charged

2

not

4. And a being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should to depart from Je-ru'să-lěm, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, have heard of from me:

adhe, ye

Luke 24: 43.

a Or, eating with them.

2 Luke 24 49; John 14: 16; Acts 2: 33.

RELATION TO THE SUCCEEDING HISTORY. 1. The fact that Jesus was alive after his crucifixion was essential to the certainty that Jesus was the promised Messiah, proclaimed in the Old Testament as an everlasting king, whose reign should never end, the Saviour and Redeemer of men. All the hope and faith of the apostles was built upon this fact.

2. It was impossible to build up a kingdom with a dead king, a mere memory, as its ruler. Behind the apostles must be the living Teacher and Master and King; the one they had known and loved and trusted. They must present a living Saviour, a present help, one who could be loved and served, one who could be everywhere present, with all power to help, or why should the people believe on him? The first thing in the new king

dom was THE KING.

II. The Promise of Power. - Vs. 4-8. The next essential after THE KING was a POWER by which the kingdom could be established, gain adherents, transform sinful men into holy citizens of the kingdom, overcome all obstacles, and change the whole world into a. kingdom of God such as is pictured in the last chapters of the Bible. The work was one of inconceivable magnitude and difficulty. A few unlearned men, without rank, or learning, or wealth, or territory, or army, were to conquer the world; conquer lust, passion, prejudices, selfishness, customs, fashions, wrought into the very texture of society; conquer the victorious Roman empire that itself had subdued the world. It was the height of absurdity, of impossibility, except by divine power working through these few disciples.

4. And, being assembled together with them, the twelve (pointing back to Luke 24: 49). They assembled probably in Jerusalem on the day of ascension, whence Jesus led them out toward Bethany (Luke 24: 50). Commanded them. Emphatic, "charged them." Should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait. They waited by prayer, by conference together, by doing necessary duties (vs. 13, 14, and rest of the chapter). Waiting is not sleeping with folded hands. "Tarry at the promise till God meets you there." -D. L. Moody. They waited ten days. For the promise of the Father. The Greek

From a Photograph by Wilson. 'Upper Room."

Over the Reputed Tomb of David.

enayyediav, promise, invariably in the New Testament, signified "a free promise, given without solicitation." For the fulfilment of the promise which the Father had.given. It was the promise, as being the greatest, most important, all-embracing promise, -the Holy Spirit promised by Joel (2: 28, 29; see Acts 2: 17, 18); by Isaiah (44: 3). It was really the sum and substance of all the promises of the coming of the kingdom of God, and the redeemed world to Abraham, to David, and through the prophets, especially Isaiah. For the new dispensation was to be the dispensation of the Spirit, by whose power the transformation and triumph were to come. Which... ye have heard of me. This promise is alluded to in Luke 24: 49, and found in John 14: 16, 26; 15: 26. "I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever."

THE REASONS WHY THEY MUST WAIT. 1. Because it was fitting that the new law, as the old, should go forth from Zion, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem (Isa. 2: 3; Mic. 4: 2).

2. "The apostles' testimony should be

5. John baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with

1 For
for

indeed

the Holy Ghost not many days hence.

When they therefore
6.
They therefore, when they
Wilt thou at this time

dost

of

were come together, they asked him, saying, Lord, restore again the kingdom to Is'ra-el?

delivered not to men unacquainted with the facts, but to the inhabitants of the city where Jesus had been crucified and buried."— Knowling. Thus the well-known facts could best be used for convincing and saving men.

3. That the great gift might come upon all at once and alike, so that all could preach the gospel from one experience, and with one power, and all testify to the great event. The effect on the community would also be far more powerful. The effect was massed.

4. So that the coming of the Spirit might be at the next great festival after the crucifixion, when strangers from all parts of the world would be gathered at Jerusalem, who would carry back the tidings into all lands.

5. Till then, they themselves would not be prepared to preach the gospel. They needed more training, they needed to be equipped by the Spirit for service. They needed time for all these teachings and strange events to gradually crystallize in their thoughts, and for their souls to be consecrated anew, and open to receive the influences of the Spirit. 6. The people needed something of the same process of gradual preparation. To have begun too soon to preach would have been like sowing seed on frozen ground.

PRACTICAL SUGGESTION. There are times when it is our duty to wait; not in idleness, not in sleep, but in prayer, in removing all hindrances from our hearts, in doing every duty close at hand. No time is lost in sharpening the scythe; the prelude on the grindstone makes a quicker harvesting. Tuning the instruments is the way to the best music.

5. For John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ, truly baptized with water, the symbol and type of a higher and better baptism. Many were brought to repentance then. But something far mightier, higher, better, was needed. While John was baptizing with water, he pointed to Jesus as the one who should baptize with the Holy Ghost and with fire (Matt. 3: 11). Jesus says that this promise is about to be fulfilled. Ye shall be baptized with (or in) the Holy Ghost. As the element in which the baptism is performed. Professor Hackett. Not that this would be the first time that the Holy Spirit had been received, but that the influence would come with peculiar manifestations, in great abundance, and upon all disciples. Not many days hence. About ten days, on Pentecost. "Not many days, that they may hope, but he does not say how few, in order that they may watch.". Chrysostom.

6. When they therefore were come together on the Mount of Olives (v. 12), referring either to the assembly mentioned in v. 4, or to the gathering again at the place of the ascension after they had walked thither from Jerusalem. They asked. Kept asking, "the imperfect denoting a repetition of the question." - M. R. Vincent. Lord, wilt thou (R. v. "dost thou ") at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? As promised again and again in the Scriptures. Israel was then subject to the Roman power. They probably imagined that the world would be converted to Judaism, and that Jerusalem, the holy city, would be the resort of all nations, the center of light and power and religion for the world. They probably had no conception, and could not have, of any other way in which the hopes of the Jews and the promises of the Bible could be accomplished.

It

LIGHT FROM HISTORY. In 1773 there was discovered in Abyssinia a book called the Book of Enoch, which was written in the first and second centuries before Christ. expresses the inner mind of the Jewish people at the time of Christ. The people were daily expecting the establishment of the Messianic kingdom, not a spiritual kingdom, but a scene of material glory, where "the Jews would be exalted above all surrounding nations, and the hated invader expelled." "This eager expectation," says Professor Stokes, "dominated every other feeling in the Jewish mind, and was burned into the very secrets of their existence by the tyranny of the Roman rule."

7. And he said, implying that their general expectation of some kind of restoration was correct. It is not for you to know the times or the seasons. Omit the. It is not