The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1902-01-01
THE SABBATH SCHOOL
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS
FOR JANUARY S.

Subject: The Promise Of Power. Acts !.
1-14-Golden Text, Acts l., 8 - Memory
Verses. s-s-Commentary on tho Day.
Lesson.
i. "The former treatise" The gospel
OF Luke. Luke was also the author Of the
Acts. 20, Theophilus." Nothing il
known of this person, but he was no doubt
person, of rank and perhaps a Roman
tianty. Began "SsE The iensesd gespei % not
history of all that Jesus did, but only an
account of the foundations which He laid
and on which the church should after
ward be built. ''To do and teach" A
very important statement, dividing the
work of Christ into two great branches;
the one embracing His work on earth, the
other His subsequent work from heaven;
the one in His own person. the other by
His spirit; the one the beginning, the
other the continuance of the same work;
the one complete when He sat down on
the right hand of His Father, the other
to continue until His second appearing.
2. "Until the day" The fortieth day
after His resurrection. Through the
Holy Ghost" God gave not the Spirit
by measure unto Him. John 8: "a. Jesus
who was annointed with the Holy Ghost
Luke &; Matt. l2), in the power of the
apostles to be His witnesses. "Apostles."
The twelve generally called disciples in
the gospels are in the Acts spoken of as
apostles. or "those gent forth"
3. Passion" Sufferings on the cross
"Irfallible proofs" The single Greek
word, translated 'infallible proofs" de-
notes the strongest proofs of which a sub
Ject is capable, an irresistible proof. The
proofs here meant are Christ's speaking,
walking and eating with His disciples af.
different times during a period Of forty
days. 'The kingdom Of Cod" This ex
preston has several signifcations, but
here, as in Mark l: IA. it includes the
whole Christian dispensation, it's message.
progress and economy. The meaning is
Jesus gave them instructions about the
organization, spread and edi6cation OF
His church.
on ascension day. Commanded them"
Lord to the apostles directed them to
await the gift Of the Holy Ghost in Jerul;;
salem. mot depart from Jerusalem"
The coming of the Spirit was to be at the
next great feast after the cruci6xion. Je-
rusaiem was the centre of Jewish infu.
ence, and at that time strangers would be
reached from all parts Of the world.
They were not qualified to go until after
the baptism Of the Spirit came upon
"Promise Of the Father" Through the
prophets the gift Of the Spirit had been
promised by the Father. See lisa. a. 8;
Joel 2: 2s. 29. Compare Acts. 2: IL, ls
"Heard of Me-" This promise is found in
John IA: l6; Is: 26. Reference is also
made to it in Luke "a: 49. The Holy
Ghost was promised to the church through
Christ.
ner of Christ. with water" Johns
baptism was, l. A baptism unto repent
anee. 2. A type of the baptjstn Of M the
should baptize with the Holy Ghost and
with fire. "Shall be baptized" This was
the promise of the Father, it could not
fail. with the Holy Ghost" The Holy
Spirit was about to be given them in
greater fulness than ever before. At this
time their hearts would be cleansed and
they would be filled with love-.
6. "Were come together" At the
Mount of Olives. See Luke "a: so. "Dost
thou at this time" etc. (R. W Is this
the hour when the Roman yoke is to be
broken from our necks and the kingdom
of the Messiah established?
7. "Not for you to know" Christ con-
st.antly e%olu,d giving His disciples di-
rect answer to t;nstions which could only
satisfy their curiosl.. and be of nc, partic-
ular benefit. "In His "a power" "Au-
thority." r. V. The word rendered; pow,
ar is not the same as the one 10 rendered
in the next verse. 1t should be ihcted that
Jesus did not disapprove of the question
asked in verse 6. but, as Lange says, use
rather confirmed it by declaring that thes
"Shall receive mower" The enerry
of the Holy Spirit was to be given to
them. It was not the power of logic or
eloquence. but "the power of living union
with living God" 'Is come upon YOU
The Holy Spirit gives. l. knowledge and
understanding. 2. Faith. 8. Holiness.
l. A spirit of PRAYER. S. Courage. g.
Steadfastness. 7. Zeal. "Shall be wit
nesses." They shall not merely bear wit
ness, but be witnesses in their own per
cited, risen and a coming Christ. I'm
Jerusalem" etc. They were to begin at
home, with the Jews, and gradually reach
out until the glorious gospel reached the
whole human race.
did not see Him rise out of the grave, be-
cause His resurrection could be easily
proved by their seeing Him ,afterward,
but they saw Him return to heaven, as
there would be no other way to prove it.
"a cloud, Perhaps; it was like the fiery,
10. "Were looking" q; W Wonder
gels in the form of men. white appar.
ei." See Matt. %: g. The white garments
II. "Shall so come" The second or
final coming. This will not be in obscur;
ity like His first coming, but "He will
come in power and glory. in the clouds:
and with His holy angels with Him."
Matt. "a: 30, Al: 90: ga.
nGnn H. 9SS % yss FEsaqsnE sSSstS Ssvs slsd da ths
new" About threc-fourths Of an English
mile.
l3. "Come in" That is. into the, city
from the country "Into the upper cham,
Der" (R. W Probably the upper room.
which had been used by our Lord and
His disciples for the passover feast.
"Where abode" "Where they were ahid-
ing" R. v. This does not mean that
this was their permanent habitation,. but
they remained there for the descent of the
Holy Spirit.
IA. CONTINUED" During the ten days
they waited. "With one accord" With
one mind. There were. no sschisms, no dii
'Steadfastly in prayer" (R: W Their u.
prayers were earnest and persistent.
"With the women" This probably refers
to the women who followed Him from Gal.
lice, but it may mean merely that women
we're present. Mary" This is the last
mention in Scripture of the mother of
Jesus. "His brethren" The brethren of
Jesus at first rejected Him John Z: 81,
but now they believe in Him and are pres
ent at the Pentecost outpouring.
Farming In Rhode Islanu.
Last year the Rhode Island farmers
titled 7l2 square miles of land. That is
littIe moro than two.thirds of the States