The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1914-12-18

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 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 a
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-suffcient proof
! (see also l 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 Cod" This en-
tailed burden that these commands
be proclaimed in ever widening cir
cles to the utmost bounds of the earth
Additional Experience.
II. The Promise of the Father.
w. 4-e. 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.
1879, 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 8:12,
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
it authority, V. 7 R. V. 1t does not
mean, either, temporal power nor is 1t
the prerogative of a visible church
and confined to an elect few. This
kingdom is spiritual one. The pro-
gram of Jesus is Spirit-flled men to be
his witnesses, and to begin lat Je-
rusalem." A true reception of the
Holy Spirit means worldwide mission
airy endeavor.
Presumptive Ignorance.
III. The Present Place of Jesus.
Wv. eli. Even yet the disciples failed
to grasp the idea of spiritual king
dom as evidenced by verse six, In
a 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 1920.
Jesus has given US explicit informa-
ton on this question Matt. 24:36),
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 were parted from the earth
and a cloud received him from their
sight as he assembled into heaven"
(Luke 24:51; l Pet 1922; see also
Gen. 5:24 and Heb. 1928 R. W. His
parting benediction was an adjuration
to life of service not in their weak
ness, but in the blessed enduement
of power Yonder into heaven he had
gone to prepare place for us John
14:2, Heb 9:24) There he ever liv-
eth to intercede for US Heb. 7:25).
His presence there makes us eter-
nally secure (Rom 1874, 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.
This hope inspires the church to
evangelism, to holy living and to
faithful service. 1t was necessary that
our Lords work be transferred from
his invisible person.
Lifted up he was on Calvary, lifted
up he was into glory, that IF / be
lifted up, will draw all men unto me"
Mysterious birth, wondrous life, glori-
Gus, marvellous ascension!
AS this is written Europe is bathec
in blood, and America is engaged in
a set season of prayer for peace. The
only abiding peace we can hope for
will be when the Prince of Peace shall
return to rule and to reign.