The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1906-12-20
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL.
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COM
MENTs FOR DECEMBER 81.
Subject: Jesus Ascends Into Heaven,
Luke XIV, 38-53--Golden Text,
Luke xiv, 51--Memory Verses,
AQ-dQ

fO-tSs
/. The risen Christ Tvs. 36-43).
36. LAS they thus spake." The dis
ciples were assembled In an upper
room In Jerusalem discussing the
events of the day. The two who had
walked with Jesus to Emmaus were
giving an account of their interview
with the risen Savior when suddenly
Jesus Himself appeared. "In the
midst" He evidently entered mirac-
ulously. Peace be unto you" The
usual salutatlon of the Jews. 81.
Terrified and affrighted No
one knew how He entered and they
we're inclined to doubt their own
sight and conclude that this was but
a vision of their Master.
SO. "Why-troubled." Jesus now
calms their fears and proves to them
that He is their risen Lord. Thoughts
arise" Mark says (chapter 1910
that lie "upbraided them with their
unbelief and hardness of heart" 80.
"Hands--feet." The wounds we're
probably all perfectly healed, but the
scars remained. Here was an appeal
to their sense of sight. Handle Me-"
This they probably did. "a spirit
hath not" etc. We have here the
cleare1t possible assertion of the in
dependent existence of spirit. 40.
"He Showed them" He showed them
the scars.
Al. Believed not for JOY" They
were terrified at first. Wondered.
There was still some anxiety lest this
was an illusion. Meat" Food. AZ.
"Broiled fish," etc. Probably what
was left from their evening meal.
43. "Did eat before them" Af-
terward the apostles called attention
to what now occurred as a proof of
their Lords resurrection (Acts 10:
Az. 1. That after His resurrection
He had spiritual body, similar to
what our bodies will be after our res
direction. Q. That "Ho had body
the same in substance as before the
cruciflxion, but endowed with new
properties and powers" g. That
He had a body 'the same in sub
stance and attributes as He had be-
fore His crucifixion, and that this was
changed into His glorious reeurrec-
tion body at the ascension"
II, The Scriptures opened Tvs.
44-49). These verses record not the
sayings uttered on this first Easter
evening; but contain rather, gen.
eral outline of the teachings of the
forty days between the resurrection
and the ascension. A. "These are
the words" Now you will under
stand what seemed so dark to you
when / told you about the Son of
man being put to death and rising
again (chapter 1S:31-34). "The law
the prophets-the Psalms" The
three Jewish divisions of the Old Tes-
lament Scriptures, here mentioned
as containing, each of them, things
concerning Christ.
As. Then opened He." Their un.
derstanding had been closed by pref
udice and ignorance. Understand
the Scriptures" They had a measure
of light before; but not sufficient
46. Thus it is written" etc. Here
are the two great essential facts: The
atonement of Christ; His resurrection
from the dead.
Al. Repentance" This implies
that a measure of divine wisdom is
communicated to the. sinner, and that
he thereby becomes wise to salvation.
Remission of sins" The forgive
ness of sins. "In His name" AS OBJ.
tanned for sinful men by His atoning
sufferings. Among all nations. 4"
ginning at Jerusalem" Because II
was thus written lisa. 2:3). 48.
eye are witnesses" They had been
with Jesus throughout His ministry.
49. II send the PROMISE The
Holy Ghost which was promised to
the church through Christ "Tarry." Z"
The coming of the Spirit was to be at
the next great feast after the cruci-
fixion. This was the centre of Jewish
influence and at that time they would
reach strangers from all parts of the
world. They were. not to depart,
because they were not prepared to go
until they were baptized with the
Spirit. They tarried in prayer, con-
ferring together and performing nee.
essary duties (Acts 1913, 14). EN-.
dued." Invested; clothed with.
with power" They were promised
the power of the Holy Ghost in order
to properly carry on Gods work.
This included, /. Power to lead men
to Christ. 2. Power to overcome all
enemies and obstacles. 3. Power to
work miracles.
III. The ascension Tvs. 50-53).
SO. Led them out" This was forty
days after the resurrection. "As far
Ro W DCbhahys ANOt " lnt Fllld6d
itself. but on the descent to 1t from
Mount Olivet. Lifted up His hands. "
Probably to lay them on their heads,
for that was the ordinary way In
which blessing was given (Gen. 48:
8.20). 81. Into Heaven" The
disciples did not see Him rise out of
the grave, because 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 1t. While they
were looking toward Heaven as He
went up" two men-angels In the
form Of men-stood by them and said
He would come again (Acts 1:9-11) .
So. "They worshiped Him." In graf
itude for His blessing upon them.
The cloud that received Him out of
their sight did not put them or their
services out of His sight. with
great JOY" Every sorrow had been
turned into Joy. They were full OF
love and Joy in the Holy Spirit. SO.
Continually in the temple" They
went to the temple at the proper
times, praying and waiting for the
Spirit OF power, truth and holiness