The National tribune., 1896-12-24


cutions, acts. In Imitation Of this title We
have, in the Apocryphal books of tho New
Testament era, books titled Acts Of Peter, Acts
of Paul, Acts of Theca. 1t seems this was
favorite expression in geographic literature.
It is to be noticed as peculiar fact that
while tho Book is called The Acts of the Apos-
ties, the Apostles, in fact do not figure in it TO
much extent. save SITS. Peter and John. We
refer here to the original Twelve Apostles.
New Apostles are mentioned-Sts. Paul and
Barnabas. Acts Of other than Apostles are
mentioned, as. for example, the office OF dea-
con and election Of men thereto. together with
some Of their works
It is not positively settled as to the place in
which the Book of the Acts of the Apostles
was written. Hengenfelt said it was Asia Mi
nor. probably Ephesus. Bnt Davidson, +. Oh.
Baur, jerome, Zellsr say Rome. And this is
current opinion. We know ST. Paul and St.
Luke were at Rome. A. D. 61-63.
The Book may be divided into two parts;
the frat covering the fret 12 chapters, A. d.
SO to a. d. 43, inclusive; the second the re-
mainder OF the book. A. ID. Al to A. D. Ga.
Chapters and 2 are dated A. d. 81.
g 3 toS. A. d. 80 TO A. d. 81.
Chapter s.: 1-22, A. y. 81.
IS $3.50, A. d. 40.
Bill 30, A. ID. 40 to A. D. Al.
H. A. ID. al.
Chapters Is, ii. A. ID. 45-47.
q 1911, A. ID. 1851.
1928, A. ID. a52-63.
Tt is plain from Acts / Il that ST. Lake had
written former New Testament book, and the
description shows il was Gospel.
Theophlius was not, probably, an ideal per-
son. The name may have been given to him
as an epithet on account OF his pureness of
life, or it may have been cnincident. II is
supposed he was Gentle convert He was
probably resident of Palestine, for we notice
ST. Luks writes as though the person addressed
was not acquainted with the Holy Land. Tleo.
phylact suggests he WINS likely "a person Of Sem
atorial rank. The Bible Commentary suggests
he may, have been Governor of Province.
1926; 24:3 We notice that the address to
Theophilus in the Acts ID not so formal as in
st. Luke l:3. This Has led some to think
that in the interval ST. Luke has cultivated
the friendship of Theophilus, admitting of
more familiarity. }e@
Chapter j, verses 2e1a, gives the fullest de-
scription which we ifsive of the Ascension Of
ovr Lord. The scene Of that event was Mount
Olives. near Bethauy. st. Lake. q: 10 So. 1t
took place 20 days after the resurrection. We
notice the vicinage OF The places which wit
messed Christ's agony and his fFinmph-Geth-
semane and the suminitof Mt. Olives Il :12)--
the passion (N. b and the reception into heaven.
Va. Add both of these interesting historic
places ara practically within sight of the Capt.
tai of Palestine. Verses IS are . setting forth
of the great work of the Church. and descrip.
ton in g measure Of tho methods
We always attach great importance to last
words interviews. distinctions etc. So the
account of the Ascension will always interest
the reader.
Christs departure as to the physical WIS not,
however, to end the Divine connection with
the methods of salvation. God was still 10
maintain interest and cooperation in the work
assigned to the Church. There was to be a
BAPTISM Of the Holy Ghost. Va. 5 and 8.
VI gives rule which should have prevent
ed the repeated mental disturbances resulting
from an apprehension Christ was to bring to u
climax h,s work of establishing Kingdom in
this world. There should be 10 undue anxiety
about this matter God is the ali the time.
Weare safe III His hands any where. every where,
any time, all the time. Leave all concerns to
! Him. DO our work faithfully. DO not try TO
| anticipate God's plans and times. Such an
| attitude Of fnnd-such q casting Off from our
finite capacity OF tretidation and Curiosity as
| TO the fnture-is great relief to the human.
| Let God attend TO His affairs while we faith.
1 fully perform our duties
| Life seems fuii Of burdens of troubles, Of
labors; but We cab receive power for cur
work. vs.. To re witnesses for Christ seemed
in those days labor Of almost impossi BILE per-
formance, but power from on high enables us to
] labor here below. Our work is not according
to human program, nor in human strength.
No reflection il cast by v. s on baptism by
water. bat an additional baptism, that by the
| Holy Spirit, is mentioned.
| A curious fact In regard to the Apostles is
that they conld not escape the idea that Christ
! was about to establish literal Kingdom ~ 81
| in this world. Ever since Solomon's death the
Jews mourned the loss Of their political power.
| They were subject to the Roman Government
| at the etme st. LIKE wrote rs they had been in
| tile days OF Chr,st's ministry. They were
anxious to know when the time would arrive
ia which they would enjoy Government oil
| themselves.
They had waited centuries for such . happy
day. Many imagined Christ was to rc-establish
the throne Of Solomon. They COMPOUNDED
Ehriyt's Kingdom, which waa for spiritual pnr-
poses with the political status they sought to
occupy.
Not. many days hence" Y. s. The As
ceDson was on Thnrz6ay--the descent Of the
| Holy Spirit. as described in the second chapter
was on Pentecost day, 10 days after the Ascen
sion.
We notice in v. 9 strong intimations of TIKI
cosmopolitan character OF tho Kingdom o
Christ. 1t was not 10 be conGned to Paiestins
I-rcduced to the narrow limits OF Juiea--hu
to extend to tho nttersnost parts of the earth
We zee illustration of this in the numerous
natinnalities represented at the time of the de
scent Of the Holy Spirit. 2:l-11. It is won
derfnl how far the earliest Apostles carried til,
Gospel. This was specially 30 Of st. Panl
jesus was not the Savior of Jews alonc. III.
provided for the salvation OF the Gontiles
Thoophilus it is judged, was y Gentle con
vert. The Kingdom to be established by on
Savior was not for Israel ". 81 in tise clos
sense OF the Jewish rGcc. Even Samaria v. s
] is specified rs place for Christian enterprise
, We get from Y. ii an important considera
ton. Men are not to spend their lives in gaz
ing. The mere contemplation of Heavenly
things is serviccableness. We have men VIII,
spend their lives iii siar-gazing; locking 70
signs; interpreting all sorts of Representation
according TO vain and foolish superstitions; ia
Prospecting their Impressions gotten from fntii
attempts to anticipate Gods progress; seeking
to learn facts Intentionally concealed from al
bnt the divine mind ifv.ilG); looking for some
thing to turn mp instead Of themselves turning
the world upsideaown; standing instead o
toiling ". IL; using The eyes instead of til
hands; interested about Heaven when Garth j
, chilling for help; curious abont the futuro in
| stead Of acting mp To knowledge already pos
{ sessed. Why thus Awe useessly? Give res
, | son. The linen Of Galilee" are urged to cor
slider their act and give a reason for it, ii the
] can. Life is real. No room for idlencss. N
!. room for mere speculation. No room 70
simply looking around. At work. The fac
|. | Of Christ's Withdraw! from personal action i
!. this world rs divine human being throw
| greater responsibility on his followers.
The fact Of Christa Ascension interests US, an
= should in certain lacssnre call for onr after
ton. Whittier has he gone lie is our Ga
3 ample. Are we to follow Him7 Shall we eve
= ! xscend TO Heaven? We bccome interested