Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1883-01-03

BY REV. j. o. SHERBURN.
Jan. eth The Ascending Lord-Acts l;l-14

we are lO DeSlu Inc ouuudy SClOol
work of the new year, with new Bible
author We have his earlier work, here
termed "the former treatise" under the
caption-The spelaccording to st. Luke.
He claims full knowledge of all the
events in the life of our Lord as well as a
thorough understanding of his teachings,
Luke was no one of the twelve, nor was
he ever as we know engaged in preaching
the gospel. 1t would appear likely that
he was one of the early converts to Chris,
tanity, the date of his conversion probably
being earlier than the day of Pentecost.
1t is not certainly known that he was q
gentle convert, but early traditions and
able that he was. The common under
standing in the early church was that Luke
was a citizen of Antioch in Syria, and it
may be added that he was generally con-
sdered as one converted under the minis.
try of Paul. but it is to be noted that Paul
never speaks of him rs his son in the
gospel, as he does Of Timothy and Titus;
and, moreover, he speaks ofhim in certain
way which would lead to the conclusion
that he regarded Luke as an associate,
perhaps believer before his (Pauls)
conversion.
1t is evident that Luke was q man of
learning and it is nearly as evident that
his learning was not obtained in Jewish
schools. 1t has been urged that he uses
idioms peculiar 10 the Hebrew tongue,
but this need only signify that he was
well read in the literature of the Jews,
and thoroughly conversant with the Old
Testament writings.
The gospel he wrote was evidently
intended for those readers not familiar
with life in Judea those who lived in tho
large ccnterz of the Roman kingdom. 1t
has II special adaptation to all the world
ofmen in every age. The dedication OF
the book of The Acts, rs we'll as the
gospel by Luke to Theophlus, is feature
of Luke's writing which is not well under
stood, Some have supposed that it was
only Il kind of impersonal address intend
ed to apply to any lover of God, as this is
the meaning of Theophilus. But the added
title, most excellent" found in Luke
would hardly agree with this. That title
was given often to provincial governors
under the Roman empire, and he1ce it
has been supposed that Theophilus was
some such Roman official with whom
I IKE may have had correspondence.
AS he was Il man Of culture he might
.ifo have been associated with
many young Romans afterward promoted
TO high official rank. The plan of his
second writing is that of continued
narrative of the events in the early church.
But this first chapter of Acts goes back
little, repeating some events mentioned in
the gospel of Lake. This is only natural.
In taking up such an account after the
lapse Of some time it is usual to repeat
little in order that the thread of the mar
rative may be easily followed. 1t has been
said that there is twofold purpose in
book of The Acts. First, Luke would show
that the promise of the Holy Ghost made
by our Lord was made good, and that
wondefful works were wrought by his
aid Second, the fact that the gospel was
for all the world is in the latter part of the
book fully vindicated.
In this first lesson we have also Il
repeated account of the command to tarry
in Jerusalem until the spirit should be
poured out upon them. 1t would appear
from the sixth verse that the disciples
were still questioning about temporal
kingdom, and eagerly caught at the prom
ise of the spirit as the tokenlof the immedi-
ate estabishmen. of that kingdom. They
did not yet fully apprehend the real char
acter of Christ's mission. The Master
administered a gentle rebuke when this
question was asked, but proceeded mt once
to assure them that the coming of the
spirit would bring great additional power
to them and make them efficient in extend
inc his spiritual kingdom even to the
uttermost parts of the earth. The history
of Christ's ascension here given indicates
that at the close of this loving conversation
he rose up from the earth and cloud
Immediately received him out of their
sight.
We may note here the fact that the
usual manifestation of the divine presence
was from cloud At the TRANSPORTATION
God appeared in the same way. Now he
comes TO receive again his we'll beloved
son to himself 1t is noticeable also that
the disciples looking heavenward to see
their rising Lord are greeted by angelic
visitants answering to the description of
those who appeared at the tomb when
they sought him there. Who shall say
that they were not the same? How mcr-
ciful of our Heavenly Father not to leave
these disciples suddenly alone, and desti-
tute of any celestia. associates! Lest
sudden sorrow should unman them he
sends his angels TO assure their doubling
hearts. This is done by the declaration
that this same Jesus who has left them
will come again from Heaven in like
manner as they have seen him ascend into
Heaven From tho scenes of the ascension
tho disciples return to Jerusalem and
there await the promise of the comforter.
They find lodging in an upper room.
The place, doubtless, where they were
wont to assemble, and where Jesus twice
met them during the forty days after his
resurrection. 1t is very likely the same
place where the last supper was eaten. If
such was the case how must they have
dwclt upon the scenes which had trans
pircd in that room, as they recalled them
during the ten days that they spent before
thu wonderful coming of the divine spirit
Peter was now with them forgiven and
restored to the place he had seemed to