The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-05-11
SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON FOR TOMORROW
BY T. 3. GIL BERT, IL. D..

Great frankness prom. ted the writer, who was one of them, to make the con fession. The statement is valuable as showing that even then there was such integrity among them that they were following their convictions. But why did they doubtY Some may have thought that he who had appeared was disembodied spirit and not the real Jesus with His own body. Belief in ghosts was common, (Mark vi. 49) and 1t was vastly easier, therefore, to conclude that a specter was before them than that dead body had come to life. Others may have questioned, even admitting that Jesus was with them alive, whether He were Divine, and therefore worthy to receive wor- ship paid only to God. G5x. XIX. 3.)
 Power-Jesus did not forsake the disciples. neither did He reprove them, because part of them believed while part doubted. Nor yet did He separate the parts, rejecting one and retaining the other. He knew that all were students in His school, some having made less progress, but destined to graduate with honor and find their appropriate places. But He speaks to the whole company. delivering the same message to all, another lesson ihugSup ah duNduCCu truth WHICH IH6
 truth previously uttered might find new significance. He declared that all power in heaven and earth had been given to Him. The assertion startles us even now, and must have been re- ceived with amazement by that little band, by believers as well as doubters
 Christ had taken full possession of all that He had before the foundation of the world. tJohn xvii, 5.) What had been temporarily laid aside in His humiliation had been recovered to Him as the Goldman. Q4Ike xxiv. 26), This truth was intended to be the basis of what the Saviour was about to say further to the disciples. He desired them to know that He now had au- thority which He would exercise.
 Teaching. g.-What will this mighty one set these eleven men to do? There need be no limitation in His orders ex- cept that which His wisdom dictates, for none may restrain the Almighty. Shall they organize armies or govern ments? Shall they form institutions and establish movements by force? They were directed to teach, to unfold what Jesus had taught, to urge men to live according to what He taught. They were to rely wholly upon the truth, expecting no victories save those that came by persuasion and instruc- tion. They were to approach men as rational and free and ask them to ac- cept what the Master gave. and leave all free to accept or reject. They were to desire only that truth should be a transforming power in the hearts of men, (John, viii. S2.) They were not to wait until men came to them, but they were to go forth. anxious to carry the truth to those who do not desire 1t, who perhaps have never heard of it, who might never hear 1t unless some one brought 1t. (Rom., x, 14.) They were to go everywhere, to all na- tions and peoples. For the first time a universal religion is proposed. Such was the duty enjoined. Not enthusi- asts, nor orators. nor rhetoricians. but teachers these men were to be, teach CTS going to the whole world.
 Baptism. The commission to teach presented high calling. None could be more honorable or useful. He who teaches another must be a student, (Rom., ii, 21), and thus enrich himself. But Jesus had another duty to be laid upon His disciples. They must bap- tize. Nothing is said here concerning the mode, and each must therefore de- termine for himself this question which has caused so much dispute. That baptism was to be done in three names the Father, the Son. and the Holy Ghost. But why baptize? Why not be content with teaching? Because. l. It was necessary to give unity to the teaching. The broad field of Christ's thought must find its center in these three great truths pertaining to the God head, (Eph., ii, 1S.) 2. The teaching seeks not only correct living but a correct faith, and that faith declared to men. coming to its fulness