The Green Forest tribune., 1914-12-18
INTERNATIONAL. SUNDAYSC[lOoL
 LESSON (By E. O. SELLERS, Acting Director of
 Sunday School Course)
LESSON FOR DECEMBER 20.
THE ASCENSION. A

LESSON TEXT-Luke A:5O-5S; Acts H. H.
 GOLDEN TEXT-He was taken up; and a cloud received Him out of their sight Acts 1:9.
 We have now reached the final les son of the present course in the life of Christ, next Sunday being devoted to the review. The lesson committee have selected the continuous account of this final earthly act of our Lord as given us by St. Luke, for the Book of Acts is continuance of the Cos pei of Luke (Acts 1:D. Inasmuch as this is really but one account we will consider only that found in the Acts
 l. The Proof of the Resurrection. w. 1-3. This book of "The Acts" is a continuation of what Jesus began to continued this work by means of those whom he had chosen" (v. 9. Fol lowing his resurrection he gave them commandments through the Holy Spirit viz. in the power of the Holy Spirit. A like honor rests upon every believer to hear and to obey the commands of Jesus given in the power and demonstration of the Holy Spirit. The all-sufficient proof (see also Cor. 4-S) was that Jesus had been seen for period of 40 days. This is the many infallible rrnnfC I1riJo hot fy,,o ,<1{ alone saw the risen Lord, but con- versed with him, ate with him, and had communion with him. During these days of communion he gave them his commands as to the things concern ing the kingdom of God" This en- be proclaimed in ever widening cir cles to the utmost bounds of the earth
 Additional Experience.
 II. The Promise of the Father. w. 4-S. The disciples were not to be- gin the proclamation of their message until they were fully equipped, until they had received that all essential preparation, the enduement of the Holy Spirit Here, again, the Scrip lures are to be fulfilled Qsa. 44:3; Joel 2:S, also Luke 24:49). That ten days delay was not time lost, for time spent in preparation is never time lost We must not suppose these men as not regenerate (John 1910; 15:3), but as lacking an equipment necessary for the successful execution of their important task We as be- lievers cannot cafl him Lord except by the power of the Spirit q Cor. 12:3), but we do not all have that in- filling of the Spirit which alone will en- able us to render effective service. This is an additional experience, but one open to all who will honestly and intelligently seek it (see Acts SIP, and other. references). This experi- ence is (a) commanded, charged not to depart till, etc.," (b) to be preceded by repentance" and (c) to carry with it authority, V. R. V. It does not mean, either, temporal power nor is it the prerogative of visible church and confined to an elect few. This kingdom is a spiritual one. The pro- gram of Jesus is Spirit-filled men to be his witnesses, and to begin "at Je- rusalem." A true reception of the Holy Spirit means worldwide mission ary endeavor.
 Presumptive Ignorance.
 III. The Present Place of Jesus. w. 9-11. Even yet the disciples failed to grasp the idea of a spiritual king dom as evidenced by verse six. In 3 most emphatic way he tells them that it is not for them to know the times and seasons which the Father hath set within his own power" tau Lhority, V. ', R. V3. Their power is not to be earthly, but spiritual (v. 8. It is the height of presumptive ignor- ance for any one to set the date of our Lords return (Deut. 29:29). Jesus has given us explicit informa- ion on this question (Matt 24:36), md his parables all warn us to watch" While Jesus talked with his disciples concerning the recep- ion of this new power and the place where they were to begin to exercise t, his feet were parted from the earth md a cloud received him from their tight as he ascended into heaven" Luke 24:51; I Pet. 3:22; see also len. 5:24 and Heb. 9:2S R. VI. His ,arting benediction was an adjuration o a life of service not in their weak less, but in the blessed enduement # power Wonder into heaven he had zone to prepare place for us (John Az, Heb. 9:24.) There he ever liv- 1 ,th to intercede for us (Heb. 7:25). | lis presence there makes us eter- lally secure (Rom. S:34, Heb. 7:25). lis presence in the heavenlies is the guarantee that we, too. shall one day ,e with him" John 12:26, Rev. 2:2D.