The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1892-06-29
Tho Ascension of Christ.


INTRODUCTORY
The @Acts OF the Apostlesr might quite
rs fitly be named the Acts OF the Holy
Ghost Indeed the title is properly "Acts, ~
nothing more AS the gospel OF Luke. the
writer's former treatise. described what
Jesus began to do and to teach. so this
from the same hand tells us what the Holy
Spirit sent OF Christ began to do and to
teach. the apostles being the agents for his
gracious manifestations. DR. j. Ransom
Lumby in the Cambridge Bible very sa-
gaciously says, referring to the witnessing
"both In Jerusalem and In all Judea, and
/ In Samaria and unto the uttermost parts
OF the earth. ~ that "taking these words for
his theme the author directs his labor TO
show In what manner the teaching OF the
apostles was begun in each OF these ap-
pointed fields OF labor, and he does no
more" There Is something left for Others,
for us.
WHAT THE LEssOc SAYS.
The former treatise. Literally. the first
word, l. O., communication account Qogos(
Have made. lie had been making "a
statement; he purposes now to make an
additional one.-Theophllus. Meaning
lover OF God. An unknown person. ALL
that Jesus began The important word Is
began, for this is the book OF beginnings;
but the emphatic word Is Jesus The be-
ginnings of Jesus words and acts he has
already sketched; he will now outline the
| beginnings or the Work OF tne Holy spirit.
Through the Holy Ghost. Standing over
against the word Jesus I'm the first verse.
Christ now speaks through the Holy Ghost;
! 1t IL of this new method OF teaching and
doing that Luke will now narrate.---Unto
the apostles whom he had chosen. Chosen
| for the purpose of laying the foundations
| of which record Is here made.
Showed himself alive. Literally, pre-
sented himself living. After his passion.
Greek: After him to suffer. BY many
| In fallible proofs. The word tekmar, from
| which the last word comes, means fixed
mark. The miracles and signs of Christ's
Temperatures form fixed and permanent
| foundation, on which the whole super
| structure OF the Christian religion securely
rests. We thus see the present worth of
the miracle; 1t is like the solid stone un-
der the building, placed there once for all.
being seen. Jesus was an object OF
vision, the Significance Of the world of
| and on, for forty days. in order that the
| "proofn might be infallible
Being assembled together with them An
awkward expression; better being in as
| sembly with them; l. G., in company
| called for the purpose --Promise; l. e. :,
| the thing promised, the Holy Spirit Not
10 depart A word signifying formal with
| drawal, as possibly for the establishment
! of a separate institution --Ye have heard
OF me- The sudden leap into direct dis
course here is significant 1t intimates the
1
the very words of Christ were quoted by
| the dEciples
John truly baptized with water. How
that baptism was administered the next
words give indication: But we shall be
baptized in the Holy Ghost (en). The
house in which they were sirting, il is to be
remembered, was filed with the manifest
presence of the Spirit; it was very i'm
mersion. Dr. Conants translation bible
Union) is, immersed in the Holy Spirit
While they beheld AS they were gazing.
doubtless In apprehension of something
about to occur or now occurring. Re-
| ceived him. The lexicon suggests that this
| verb means to take up by placing ones
! self underneath what is taken up.-Out
| OF their sight Greek eyes. Still within
reach Of their hope and aspiration.
Looked steadfastly. one word in tho
| Greek, to gaze intently from the root in
/ tense, strained light Toward heaven.
Literally into the heavens very vivid
account AS he went up. Greek: he go
| ing up.-Stood by them. The pluperfect
| form. Behold two men were standing, l. c. +,
| had been standing while they we're looking
| up.
Why stand yer or Why have We been
standing? perfect tense), -In like man.
ner as ye have seen him GO AS clear and
| explicit as 1t could be made.
| Olivet Meaning, an olive garden "A
| Sabbath days journey. The exact spot
described, rs Of an authentic and verifa-
| BILE event
| WHAT THE LESSON TEACHER
All that Jesus began both to do and
! teach Tie gospels are sufficient unto sal
| walton, and they present in themselves a
| perfect plan OF redemption But as re-
| spects the hole truth which is In Christ
| Jesus, they constitute still for us only what
| Jesus began both to do and teach. The
Acts of the Apostles, inspired in their con.
| veyance. carry us farther on into this mar
| velous doctrine and practices; the history
of the church I'm subsequent ages gives us
| larger and fuller glimpses, and in the
| future is there not yet more to follow?
! Christ Jesus rs doctrine Is the greatest
| thought ever born into the earth. Christ
| Jesus as person, an object transcending all
| individual powers of perception. lie grows
| with the ages. Daily the Holy Spirit
Is guiding the Christian mind and heart
| into all the truth.
Wait for the promise of the Father This
| does not refer merely TO the spoken promise
! or to the intellectual apprehension OF that
| promise. Too often we content ourselves
with just so much. We read and ponder till
| we understand, and then our waiting ceases.
We have discovered what the promise
means Something more is intended here,
| vastly more. 1t is the promised thing that
| is TO be realized. We are to wait and keep
| on waiting in faith, until we not only des-
cry as at a distance the desired boo n. but
| nOiu III III our preScnb pcSSesSlOn.
| The proper commentary on this passage IL
| verse 33 OF the second chapter: therefore,
being by the right hand of God exalted,
| and having received OF the Father the
| promise OF the Holy Ghost. he hath shed
| forth this which ye now see and hear.n
Ye shall receive power Here is the suf-
| fcient answer TO their question OF mo-
/, ment before: "Loid, wilt thou at this time
! restore again the kingdom of Israeli" The
| Lord rebukes their groveling aims and then
| interprets to them the better aspirations
| of their Spirit touched hearts, aye shall
| receive power after that the Holy Ghost IL
| come upon you, and We shall be witnesses"
| This Is the kingdom which they may ex-
| pect. a kingdom of spiritual indwelling
| kingdom and conquest OF witnessing. Power
| to preach BE satisfied with that. said
| Christ. till / come AGAIN And then the
| heavens received him out OF mems sight.
| His last words, do we cherish them, weigh
| them as we should? We sec him coming
| back for n closing word with his disciples;
and here IL is. the one old word repeated:
| "Go, preach"
Next Lesson-"The Descent Of the Spirit. I"
| Acts 2: LIZ.