The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1902-01-01
THE sabbath SCHOOL LESSON.
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS
FOR JANUARY $.
subject; The Promise of Power. Acts l.,
1-1f-Goiden Text, Acts L., g - Memory
Verses, 6-S-Coinmentary on the Days


known of this person, but he was no doubt
person, of rank and perhaps Roman
oflcer VINO had been converted to Chris
tianity. Began" The gospel is not a
history of all that Jesus did, but only an
account of the foundations which He laid
ward be buht. 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 forteth day
after His resurrection. Through the
Holy Ghost" God gave not the Spirit
by measure unto Him. John 3: "a. Jesus
Luke Matt. l2), in the. power of the
Holy Ghost gave commandments to the
apostles to be His witnesses. Apostles. /"
The twelve generally called disciples in
the gospels are in the Acts. spoken of as
apostles; OF. those sent forth"
'1nfallible proofs" The single Greek
word, translated "infallible proofs" de.
notes the strongest proofs of which a sub
lect is capable, an irresistible proof The
proofs here meant are Christ's speaking.
walking and eating with His disciples al.
ter His resurrection. Forty days" At
dsrent dDTs Tbe mii rSSp SSSpns .; per period , IF forty
preston has several signifcations. but
here, as in Mark 1: IA, IL includes the
whole Christian dispensation, its message.
progress and economy. The meaning is,
Jesus gave them instructions about the
organization, spread and ediication of
His church.
4. Assembled with them" Probably
on ascension day. Commanded them.b
The last commandment given by the
Lord to the apostles directed them TO
await the gift of the Holy Ghost in Jeru.
salem. mot depart from Jerusalem. )"
The coming of the Spirit was to be at the
next. great feast after the crucifixioh. Je.
rusalem was the centre of Jewish inhu.
ence, and at that time strangers would be
reached from all parts of the world.
They. were not qualified to 60 until after
the baptism of the Spirit came upon
them. Wait" Many run too soon.
Promise of the Father" Through the
prophet, the gift Of the Spirit had been
Joel 2: %. 90. Compare Acts 2; II, IS.
Heard of Me-" This promise is found in
John IA: 10; Is: 90. Reference is also
made to it in Luke "a: 40. The Holy
Ghost was promised to the church through
Christ.
s. john The Baptist, the forerun-
baptism was, j. A baptism unto repent
Hoy Ghost JahS I pointed ae dOtpcR f6 Christ wRS sRs
should baptize with the Holy Ghost and
with fire. "Shall be baptized" This was
the promise Of the Father, i could not
fail. with the, Holy Ghost" The Holy
Spirit was about to be given them in
ornatpr fulpaSc than avar bafora Az tbiS
time their hearts would he cleansed and
they would be filled with love-.
@. Were come together" AT the
Mount Of Olives. See Luke "a: 80. "Dost
thou at this time" etc. Or. W Is this
the, hour when the Roman yoke is to be
broken from our necks and the kingdom
of the Messiah established?
I. mot for you to know Christ con-
stantly avoided giving His. disciples di-
rect answer to questions which could only
satisfy their curiosity and be of no partic-
ular benefit "In His own. power" eau
thority." r. V. The word rendered pow
er is not the same as the one so rendered
Jesus did not disapprove of the question
asked in verse g. but, as Lange says, He
rather confirmed it by declaring that the
Father had fixed the time"
g. "Shall receive power" The energy
of the Holy Spirit was to be given to
them. 1t was not the power ,of. logic or
with a living God" as come upon YOU -
Understanding. 3 Faith. ;. Holiness.
4. \ spirit of PRAYER. 5. Courage. G..
Steadiastness. 7. Zeal. "Shall be wit
nesses." They shall not merely bear wit
ness, hut he witnesses in their own per-
sons. They were 30 be witnesses to a cru
Gifted, a risen and q coming Christ. "ln
Jerusalem" etc. They were to begin at
home. with, the Jews. and gradually reach
out until the glorious gospel reached the
whole human race,
o. while they beheld." The disciples
did not see Him rise out of the grave, be
cause His resurrection could he easily
proved by their seeing Him ofterward,
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,
cloudy pillar, the wilderness.
10. Were looking" Or; W Wonder
ing what, it all meant. Two men An
ell" See Matt 2s; s. The white garments
were an emblem of purity.
H., 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.
Sad with His holy angels with Him."
Matt "a oi;Set IS = 2' Ersaue0t,v Si called tbe
cliNtNs Ndll'u iHt
Mount of Olives. Sabbath days jour,
ney" About three-fourths of an English
mile.
l3. Come in" That is, into the city
from the country. Unto the upper cham
ber" Or. W Probably the upper room
which had been used by our Lord and
His disciples for the passover feast.
"Where abode" "Where they were abid-
ing" r. ". 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 schisms, no di-
vided interests, no discordant purposes.
"Steadfastly in prayer" (R: W Their
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
were 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 7: 81,
but now they believe in Him and are pres
ent at the Pentecost outpouring.
The Crushed hoset,e.