The Madison journal., 1916-01-01
LESSON FOR JANUARY 2
THE ASCENDING LORD.


with the gospels We seem to IAN 10
comprehend that he is living TO-DAY as
much and even more than he was nine
teen hundred years ago. The BOOK Oh
Acts is a continuation of the Gospels
". II, and is yet a closed book.
|. The Proof of the Resurrection.
wv. 1-3. % Its reality. NO oetter
proved event is recorded IN history .
than the resurrection tsee | Cor. lo'f-
81; il stands absolutely unchallengeu.
The all sufficient proof was that during
forty days" his disciples had talked
with him concerning the Kingdom
Note. 1t was only his disciples wLo
beheld. his enemies never saw him az
ter Calvary. (2) Its burden. just Oe-
| fore his ascension Jesus ". y gave his
| disciples definite instructions. COM
! mandments Matt 2S:l9, 20, etc. (ap
/ TO tarry in Jerusalem, tb) TO be clothed
with power, (c) to go forth and to pro-
claim or herald his gospel. during
those intervening days of waiting lot
the endowment with power they alohe
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. 10
many the idea of the kingdom is
nothing more than the question OF Sal
walton, whereas to be saved is out 10
enter into his kingdom. The agent TO
carry on his work in the kingdom Is
the Holy Spirit.
n. The Promise of the Father, w.
48. Read carefully Joel 2:2S, lisa.
44:3, and compare with Luke Z4:4s'
and also the words of the Baptlzer'
Luke 3:l6. % To receive the HOLY
Spirit is an obligation upon all, they
were charged not to depart from Je
rusalem" ". A. (See also Eph. o:lo)
Cbl 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 Il Cor. 12:3). &c
With the spirit comes power, author
ity ". y. This power is of God. II
spiritual. il is not temporal nor o
It the church. The kingdom is spirl'
g gent of that kingdom is the Hol
o Spirit. The program OF Jesus
s. "spirit-filled men as witnesses an
G. beginning at Jerusalem" This prom
a ise of Jesus ". s. suggested 10 IN
a. disciples the restoration of Israel
its place among the nations and in n
replv he intimates that such is po
sibility Csee lisa. 1:25-2I. Eek 80: :
av 2S. Hosea. ga, 5. Joel 3:l6-2l, Amt
,r. 9:1l-l5), but in a most emphatic ma
m ner he tells them that of that ho'
or God has reserved to himself Il
,s knowledge Matt. 24:36, Mark 3:22
~. When they were to receive the Kin
no dom he does not tell, but when tn
ia should receive power he tells the
plainly, viz: when the spirit shou
come upon them. The spirit is
for mere happiness or gratificatic
~ but comes upon us for usefulness IS
- Asp, 81, 33, 5:32, 9:17, 29) and tn
~ beginning at home, in Jerusale
-. then to the ends of the earth. A sp
TITLED Christian or church Is go
home missionary and foreign evang
" ist as well. Finishing his message,
lifted his hands and in benediction
assembled on high, and this act |
ever since been continued. His asc
sion is a blessed historical fact. fu
attested and deeply significant. He
cended to lead captivity captive,
appear in Gods presence for us IN
'eu behalf and to prepare place for
ou' that where he is we may be
eh' Heb. 9:24, John 14:2). His prese
now on high guarantees our prese
there hereafter John 1926. i
Rev. 3:2D.
tate IN. The Present Place of Jesus,
'ere gil. While he talked with his di
Oh ples he ascended even as En-
Two walked and was not" Gen 5:24. +
loE 9.2S. r. W. The query must natu
" have arisen in their minds. Nv
shall we have another interview
him?" As that question arose bel
lOO two we're near to answer ". IO)
nuai their answer was a practical
Mo- "Why stand looking into heavt
took There are times to gaze and time
slO.- po Now is the time TO be fulfil
his command tvv. 4, l2) and no
be lost in wonder and speculation.
to cheer their hearts these mel
S64,- white gave them. and US. wond'
De- promise. viz. Jesus is coming b
boil yisiblv. personally tthe words OF
has original text are very plain and
ston. tive) and. as he was received in
clouds. he will come in a cloud.
This promise is and has always
tates the great hope of the church {
ainst 2:13).
ship. ~. The Place of Prayer, w.
Swe. The disciples were bidden to tarr
the tarry at a specified place, Jerus;
treat and to tarry at a specified place
particular purpose, viz, power.
obeyed. The empowering blessing
only be received through obed
Abs-. CActs 5:32D. The time of waiting
lyasr. not idly nor listlessly passed.
Va was spent in PRAYER
Ihe disciples had seen the rise
ascended Lord. had seen him
pear in the Shekinah glory beyon
cloud and their hearts were kn
-. gether in common prayer.
,loyed a. .,I.,.- - 70