The Spectator., 1915-12-28
LESSON FOR JANUARY 2
THE ASCENDING LORD.
TEXT-Acts 1:1-14.

comprehend that he is living today as much and even more than he was nine teen hundred years ago The Book of Acts is a continuation of the Gospels (v. D, 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. 15 f. 8; it stands absolutely unchallenged. The all sufficient proof was that during forty days" his disciples had talked with him concerning the kingdom Note, it was only his disciples who beheld, his enemies never saw him af ter Calvary. CD Its burden. Just be- fore his ascension Jesus (v. ? gave his disciples definite instructions, com mandments (Matt. 2S: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.
 II. The Promise of the Father, w. 4-8. Read carefully Joel 2:2S, Isa. 44:3, and compare with Luke "A 49, and also the words of the Baptizer, Luke 3:16. CD To receive the Holy Spirit is an obligation upon all. they were charged not to depart from Je- rusalem" (v. A (See also Eph. 5:1S). (b) The reception is to be preceded by repentance for sin, though the con- fession of sin and the acknowledgment of Christ as Savior is only possible through the spirit q Cor 12:3. tc) With the spirit comes power, author ity (v. D. This power is of God. it is spiritual, it is not temporal nor of the church. The kingdom is spirit ual idea Uuke HEED and the vice-re- gent of that kingdom is the Holy Spirit The program of Jesus is "spirit-filled men as witnesses and beginning at Jerusalem" This prom ise of Jesus (v. S) suggested to the disciples the restoration of Israel to it's place among the nations and in his reply he intimates that such is pos sibility (see Isa. 1:25-27, EZek. 36: 23 2S, Hosea. 3;4, 5, Joel 8: 1921, Amos 9:1l-l5), but in most emphatic man. her he tells them that of that hour God has reserved to himself the knowledge (Matt. "A 36. Mark 3;22). When 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 for mere happiness or qualification but comes upon us for usefulness (see 4:S-12, 31, 33, 5:32, 9:17, 29) and that beginning at home, in Jerusalem, then to the ends of the earth. A spir- it-tilled Christian or church is good home missionary and foreign evangel- ist as well. Finishing his message, he lifted his hands and in benediction he ascended on high. and this act has ever since been continued. His ascen- sion is a blessed historical fact, fully attested and deeply significant. He as cended to lead captivity captive, to appear in Gods presence for us in our behalf and to prepare place for us that where he is we may be also Heb. 9:24, John 14:2). His presence now on high guarantees our presence there hereafter John 1E26, 14:3, Rev. 3:2D.
 III. The Present Place Of Jesus. w. e-11. While he talked with his disci- pies he ascended even as Enoch walked and was not" Gen SPA. Heb. BPS. R. VI. The query must natural ly have arisen in their minds. When shall we have another interview with him?" As that question arose behold two were near to answer (v. 10) and their answer was a practical one: Why stand looking into heaven?" There are times to gaze and times to so. Now is the time to be fulfilling his command (vv 4. 12) and not to be lost in wonder and speculation. But to cheer their hearts these men in. white gave them. and us, a wonderful promise, viz, Jesus is coming back, visibly. personally (the words of the original text are very plain and posi- tive) and. as he was received in the clouds, he will come in a cloud.
 This promise is and has always been the great hope of the church (Titus 2:13).
 ". The Place of Prayer, w. 12-14. The disciples were bidden to tarry, to tarry at a specified place, Jerusaleni, and to tarry at specified place for particular purpose, viz, power" They obeyed. The empowering blessing can only be received through obedience (Acts 5:32). The time of waiting was not idly 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 his glorious appearing.
 Next Sundays lesson is the record of the answer to their prayer.