Middletown transcript., 1914-12-19

we nave now reacneQ tue Hudl leb-
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 a continuance Of the Cos
pei of Luke (Acts I'D. Inasmuch as
this is really but one account we will
consider only that found in the Acts.
!. The Proof Of the Resurrection.
w. 1-3. This book Of The Acts" is
continuation of what Jesus began to
do" and gives us the record of how he
continued this work by means Of those
whom he had chosen" ". p. 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-suff1cient proof
(see also Cor. 15:4-S) was that Jesus
had been seen for a period of 40
days. This is the many infallible
proofs" During that time they not
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-
tailed burden that these commands
be proclaimed in ever widening cir
cles to the utmost bounds of the earth.
Additional Experience.
n. The Promise Of the Father.
w. 4-a. 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 lisa. 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 1870;
1879, but as lacking an equipment
necessary for the successful execution
of their important task. We as be-
levers cannot call him Lord except
by the power of the Spirit Il Cor.
12:3), but we do not all have that In
filing 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 S:12,
and other references). This expert
ence is (a) commanded, charged not
to depart till, etc." (b) to be preceded
by repentance" and (c) to carry with
1t authority, Y. R. V. 1t 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-f1lled men to be
his witnesses, and to begin "at Je-
rusalem." A true reception of the
Holy Spirit means world wide mission
airy endeavor.
PresumptIve Ignorance.
III. The Present Place Of Jesus.
w. Gil. Even yet the disciples failed
to grasp the idea of a spiritual king
dom as evidenced by verse six. In
q 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
thority, v. Z, r.. W. Their power is
not to be earthly, but spiritual ". 81.
1t 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-
tion on this question Matt. 24:S6),
and his parallels all warn US to
watch" While Jesus talked with
his disciples concerning the recep-
ton of this new power and the place
where they were to begin to exercise
it, his feet we're parted from the earth
and a cloud received him from their
sight as he assembled into heaven"
Nuke 24:51; / Pet. 1922; see also
Gen. 5:24 and Heb. 9:2S r. W. His
parting benediction was an adjuration
to a life Of service not in their weak
ness, but in the blessed enduement
of power. Yonder into heaven he had
gone to prepare a place for us John
1872, Heb. 9:24.l There he ever liv.
eth to intercede for US (Heb 7;25).
His presence there makes US eter.
nally secure (Rom. S:34, Heb. 7:25).
His presence in the heavenlies is the
guarantee that we, too, shall one day
be with him" John 1926, Rev. 2:2D.
Gazing thus into the heavens, look
ing unto Jesus" two men in white
raiment stood by and asked them the
reason for their upward looking
There is a time for gazing upward and
time to be going about the execu.
ton Of the Masters commands (see
ch. 1850, Did they expect another In
terview? II so the answer to their
question is suggested in the words OF
the heavenly messengers. this Jesus,
which was received up from you into
heaven. shall SO coESe in like manner
as ye behold him 4 ing into heaven"
(R. W. For nessfy' two thousand
years the church has been waiting for
another interview with her risen Lord. |
We are looking for another Jesus, but
this same Jesus just as he went,
personally, yisibly, and in great |
glory" What a mockery to say that
Or. W. What a mockery to say that |
he came in 1874 or any other year, |
or that in 1914 he came with spiritual |
power, the manifestation Of which is
vet to be seen. Or on the other hand, |
ia NC honestly face his narahles. what |