Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1896-12-31
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL.
International Lesson for January 8, 1897
-Christ's Ascensfon-Acts 1:1-14.

-Christ's Ascensfon-Acts 1:1-14.
ARRANGED from Peioubet's Notes
GOLDENTEXT.-W He blessed them.
He was parted from them. and carried up
into Heaven--Luke q .51-
THE SECTION includes the whole chap
ter: the ten days between the ascension OF
Jesus and the day OF Pentecost-
TIME.-The ascension was Thursday.
May IS, a D. so. The prayer meeting con-
tinued ten days till May IS
PLACE.-The ascension was from Mount
Olivet (V. 10, within the limits OF Bethany
'N1Ae EXPLANATORY NOTES.
The Risen Lord--Vs. 1-3. In these
verses we have the connecting Link be-
tween the Gospels and the Acts.
1. THE former treatise" The Cos
pei of Luke duke 1:1-4). 20 Theophi-
lus' Qover of God): The Gospel of
ST. Luke is also addressed to him. ''Of
(concerning) all that Jesus began
both to do and teach:" 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.
2. Until the day." Luke closes his
Gospel with the account OF the ascen-
sion. Taken up" to Heaven.
3. Ito whom also He showed Him.
self" Not merely appeared" bu.
showed Himself, made Himself APP
pear. by many infallible proofs:"
''Infallible proofs" is one word in the
original, and signifies proofs by sure
signs. The resurrection of Jesus Christ
is the best attested fact in history.
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.
The Promise of the Father.-Vs. IS,
4. 'And being assembled together with
them" Probably in Jerusalem on the
day of ascension, whence Jesus led them
out as far as Bethany duke 24:50)
| (Gloag). Commanded them (the Apos-
tles) not depart from Jeru-
salem. Here, where the atonement was
made, where the facts of His resurrec-
| ton were known, was the best place for
the return of Jesus through the Spirit
who was to use these facts in cOnvinc-
ing and saving men. But watt" They
waited by prayer, by conference to-
gether, by doing necessary duties Tvs.
13, Il, and rest of the chapter). For
the promise of the Fathers" It was
the promise, as being the greatest, most
important, all-embracing promise. The
Holy Spirit promised by Joel (2:2s, 90;
see Acts 2:17, 49,; by Isaiah (44:3)-
(Which y We have heard of
Me- This promise is alluded TO in
Luke 24:49, and found in ST. John 14:16,
&c; 1926.
5. For john" The Baptist, the fore
runner of Christ. Truly baptized with
water" The symbol and the type. I've
shall be baptized with Tor in) the Holy
| Ghost:" As the element in which the
/ baptism is performed.
6. s'When they therefore were come
together" On Mount Olivet, near Beth
any, ait the close of the 40 days ". 12;
Luke "a: SOY. ''They asked of Him,saying:
Lord, wilt Thou CRev. Yer. dost thou)
at this time restore again the kingdom
to Israel q % AS promised again and
again in the Scriptures Israel was then
subject to the Roman power.
z. "And He said," implying that
their general expectation of some kind
| of restoration was correct. 1T is not
for you to know the times or seasons: |"
Times is the wider term, referring to
long epochs; whereas season is
always a definite, limited space of time
(which the Father hath put" or
LII Ills own pOWC1s W
ity.
8. 'But We shall receive" instead of
knowledge of the future, power" TO do
your work, to do your part toward max
ing the future. This power must come
from 1.-The Holy Ghost" I'm Jerusas
lem," etc. Their work would begin
| here, and extend to the "uttermost
| part of the earth"
The Ascension--V. 0. while they
beheld:" That they might have clear
proof of His ascension, to assure them
that there was no deception. He was
in the act of blessing them when He
arose Dule 24:5D. "a cloud received
Him out of their sight" Compare
Matt. 17:5; Luke 9:34.l
The Promise Of Return.-Vs. 10, IL
10. "And while they looked" with In
tense eagerness, and questioning what
it all meant Behold" Implying sud
denness. 1.-TWO mem" Angels in the
form of men. Compare Matthew IS:
2-5 with Luke 24:4. In white apparel
No doubt like the angel in Matthew %:
8, His raiment white as snow" and
'.in shining garments duke 24:D.
II. (Which also said:" Jesus had re
fused their prayer to know the times
II 4l1rr,