Rockingham post-dispatch. [volume] (Rockingham, N.C.) 1917-1965, 1922-04-13
LESSON FOR APRIL is
EASTER LESSON

LESSON TEXT-John 2o:1s-a.
GOLDEN TExT-The Lord is risen In
oeed.-Luke A:34.
PRIMARY AND JUNIOR ToPIc-Ths
First Easter,
INTERMEDIATES AND SENIOR TOPIC
why We Observe Easter Day.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
The Effect of Belief in the Resurrec-
ton.
!. Jesus Manifests Himself to tho
Disciples, Thomas Being Absent wv.
1925. "
He appeared to several of His dis
ciples at several different times during
that day. This is the first appearance
to the disciples as body. The rumors
OF Ills several appearances on that day
caused the disciples to assemble to
talk over the matter. For fear of the
Jews, they met in a private room and
barred the door. While they were dis
cussing the strange happenings Of the
day, the Lord mysteriously appeared
before them with the greeting of good
cheer, Peace be unto YOU" He did
not come with cenSure for their fail
ure and desertion. At His birth the
angels announced peace" Just be-
fore he took His departure, He said:
Peace l leave with you; my peace
give unto you" John IA :27) LET not
your heart be troubled" (John 14:1):
and now the first word after His resur.
rection Is peace" Having Gained
their fears, He gave them an unmis-
taxable evidence of His resurrection.
And when He had so SAID, He showed
unto them His hands and His side.
Then were the disciples glad when
they saw the Lord" Their doubts
needed to be scattered, and His peace
needed to be upon them. Consider:
l. The disciples commission ". 21).
"As my Father hath sent Me, even so
send you." This commission was not
simply to class, as the eleven, but Is
to all Christians. In Luke "a :33 we
find that there were others there In
that meeting besides the eleven when
Jesus showed himself to them and
commissioned them, showing that the
commission is not confined to class
or order, but is wide as the Christian
body itself. All Christians, therefore,
are ENJOYS and representatives of
Christ. The exercise of this great
function is not merely optional with
the individu;f, but is obligatory upon
hl.A. The Lord placed it upon plane
with His own commission from the
Father--"As my Father hath sent me,
SO send you"
2. The disciples equipment ". 22).
Vie hreathed on them and saith unto
tEc:a, Receive ye tho Holy Ghost"
The mission OF the disciple Is very
treat one, bat every one who goes
forth in Its execution He clothes with
the power of a new life by the bestow-
ment OF His spirit. No one who has
this equipment shall ever fail. The
Lords representatives have His life in
hem. The harrenness of our efforts
S due to our failure to take by faith
nur equipment.
3. The disciples authority ". 23).
Whose soever sins We remit, they are
RENTED unto them; and whose soever
Sins we retain, they are retained" This
authority was not by virtue Of Office,
Jut by virtue of having the Holy
Ghost. This would give the spiritual |
to know who had or who
lad not repented, and consequently,
o pronounce pardon or not.
II. Jesus Manifests Himself to the
Disciples, Thomas Being Present wv.
'e:3ol.
Thomas was absent at the first ap-
,earance of Jesus. His absence de-
rived him of a vision of the Lord. Alb
ence from the assembly of believers
lways occasions loss. The other dis
iples go to Thomas at once with the
lad news Of the resurrection, but he
will not believe. His stubborn disbe-
lief is such that he doggedly declares
hat unless he sees the prints of the
ails, etc., he will not believe. 1t is