The Pickens sentinel. (Pickens, S.C.) 1911-2016, 1915-12-30
LESSON FOR JANUARY 2
THE ASCENDING LORD.

~ tAASS SAAO ltlS VI JcSuS lOI LuCul Closes
with the gospels. We seem to fail to
comprehend that he is living today as
much and even more than he was nine
teen hundred years ago. The Book Of
Acts is continuation Of the Gospels
". ID, and is yet closed book.
]. The Proof Of the Resurrection,
w. 1-3. Cd Its reality. No better
proved event is recorded in history
than the resurrection (see Cor. 1854
81; 1T stands absolutely nchallenged.
The all sufficient proof was that during
forty days" his disciples had talked
with him concerning the kingdom
Note, 1t was only his disciples who
beheld, his enemies never saw him af-
ter Calvary. (2) It's burden. Just be-
fore his ascension Jesus (v. q gave his
disciples definite instructions, com
mandments Matt. 28:19, 20, etc) (a)
to tarry in Jerusalem, (b) to be clothed
with power, (c) to go forth and to pro-
claim or herald his gospel. During
those intervening days Of waiting for
the endowment with power they alone
knew the gospel and men were perish
ing, which gives point to the necessity
Of receiving the spirit before under
taking the work Of witnessing.
u. The Promise Of the Father, w.
4-8. Read carefully Joel 1928, lisa.
44:3, and compare with Luke 24:49,
and also the words Of the Baptizer,
Luke 3:16. D To receive the Holy
Spirit is an obligation upon all, they
were charged not to depart from Je-
rusalem" (y. 4) (See also Eph. 5:18).
CD The reception is to be preceded
by repentance for sieAa though the con-
fession Of sin and the acknowledgment
of Christ as Savior is only possible
through the spirit q Cor. 12:3) Co
With the spirit comes power, author
ity ". y. This power is Of God, it is
spiritual, 1t Is not temporal nor of
the church. The kingdom is q spirit
ual idea Uuke 17:2D and the vice-re-
gent Of that kingdom Is the Holy
Spirit. The program of Jesus Is
"spirit-hlled men as witnesses" and
beginning at Jerusalem" This prom
ise of Jesus w. 81 suggested to the
disciples the restoration Of Israel to
Its place among the nations and in his
reply he intimates that such Is q DOS
sibility (see 1sa. 1:25-27, Eek. 1928
2S, Hosea. 3:4, 5, Joel 3:16-2I, Amos
9:l1-15), but In most emphatic man
ner he tells them that Of that hour
God has reserved to himself the
knowledge (Matt. "a SO, Mark 1929.
"hen they were to receive the king
dom he does not tell but when they
should receive power he tells them
plainly, viz: when the spirit should
come upon them. The spirit is not
-F.r mere happiness or qualification,
our comes upon us for usefulness (see
a-i2, 81, 33, 5:32, 9:17, 29) and that
beginning at home, in Jerusalem,
lien u The ends Of the earth. A spir.
f'ANGn Chri3tian or church Is good
ACME mlaat0nary and foreign evangel-
"s "A veil Finishing his message, he
.iiHah i,ia hands and in benediction he
aaranGcd on high. and this act has
ever 'ince heen continued. His ascen-
unn "a A bleaeed historical fact, fully
i'."af'h and deeply sIgnificant. He as
"anH"h % cad captivity captive, to
appear IN Gcd's presence for us in our
D"ha'r and To prepare q place for us
mat whore ne Ia we may be also
Feb 92A, fohn MA. His presence
10" on Nigh gnarantces our presence
mere hnreaftAr John 1926, 1913.
Rev. 3 21)
III Tho Present Place Of Jesus, Wv.
311, Whiie he talked with his disci.
o'ea Ne asc@nded even as Enoch
"a'F"d and @as not" (Gen. 5:24, Heb.
." r. W. The Query must natural
~ nave afiaen in their minds, "When
8hait ~@ nave another Interview with
"m =" that question arose behold
tVh we're near To answer ". 10) and
y"'i' ahH"ef "as practical one:
"h3 stand looking into beayen?"
more are tImes to gaze and timos to
go VOW Ia the time to be fulfilling
n'8 c'h"mahd w. 4, 12) and not to
D" I"st IN wonder and speculation. But
Z" cheer thsir hearts these mon in
"h1fS ga7s them, and us, q wonderful
promise, 9'z, Jesus rs coming back,
Ns'b'y, personally (the words OF tho
pP'siha t@xt arc very plain and posi-.
"Ve) ana, ~ he was received in tho
clouds, ne viii come in q cloud
This promise is and has always been
me great hope OF tho church (Titus
2.t$I. A''o'
W. The Place Of Prayer, wv. 1914.
me dlsGiDles we're blddon to tarry. ia
larry ~ specified place, Jerusalem,
ana 70 tarry at o specified place for
particular purpose, VIZ, power" They
ooey"d The empowering blessing can
"n'y be received through obedience
'hcts b:S2). The time OF waiting was
not idiy nor listlesSly passed, for It
was spent in prayer.
Jesus is yet, and shall ever more. be
doing and teaching for and through
those who love him, who look for nya
glorious appearing.
NaXI Snnnax,n 1n,ana, in a. . 49,. I.