The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 1 — Section 23

rection itsolf, but tho simple fact that Jesue WM alive, No one saw him rise but they saw him after he was risen. They might mistake what occurred at th(l sepulchr~; th~y could make no mistake in talking with a living man, handling him, eating with him, and that for forty days and on many occasions, in one another'~ presence. Necessity that we should set the proof of the Resurrection and risen lifo of Jesus first and foremost in our defence of Christianity. It is the key-stone of the nrch. III. 'l'rrE GLORY OF ~o!' IN THE FAOE OF JESUS CHRIST. The forty rlays and their influence on the first d1sc1ples, and through them on all future ages. 1. The personal 1'("ese7:ce of Jes_u~ lift~d up into a more glorious fact. _The infirmiti_es gone. 'l'be fact of }us victory sbrnrng m his face, The rnfluence of his condescension; the risen Jesus still the Friend and Companion of his people. The expectation of his return to heaven: "I ascend unto my Father and your Father, and my God and your God" (John xx.. L7). The effect on 'fhomas: "My Lord and my God I" 'l'he necessity that rliscip!e 8 ,hould cease to " know Christ after the flesh." Henceforth they felt his presence Gpiritually. 2. Forty days of special instruction "concerning the kingdom of God." 'l'he history which follows corrects the view sometimes put fonvard that the risen :'.:!aviour imparted to his apostles any body of ecclesiastical laws. Had they recciverl. them they would certainly have referred to them. He spoke of the kingdom itself, which is not meat and drink, not external ordinances and regulations, not creeds and :hibboleths; but "righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost." He called to -emernbrance what he had preached. He opened their understandings to the meaning if the Old Testament. He corrected their worldly views. He showed them the 1elation of the gospel facts to the kingdom; that is, that he could reign by the power of these facts. "The Messiah ought to suffer, and to enter into his glory." He led them back to Calvary with new faith before he took them to Olivet, Jesus was a Teacher to the last. He is the Way, the Truth, the Life.-R. Ver. 4.-Tlie Divine equipment. "Wait for the promise of the Father." The great Head of the Church addressing its leaders. The Son of God speaking to those who themselves should receive power to become the sons of God, and to lift up the world into a Divine household. In the infancy of the Church all depended on simple obedience to orders. Immense evil from not waiting for God's time and preparation. Here are the two guiding lights-the promise unfolding the prospect, the commandment marking out the way. I. 'l'nE UNFOLDED PROSPECT, 1. The extent of it. " The Father's promise; n infinite as his love. 'l'hough faith was demanded, because sight of the future withheld, still the voice was the voice of infinite assurance. 2. The nature of the expectation. "Ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost." The gift already tasted, known by experience. W o cannot be without " the earnest of the Spirit" if Christ's. We yet must look for a fuller baptism, especially as meeting responsibilities and trials, antici- pating work and fruits. I]. 'l'HE WORD OF COMMAND. " Wait." 1. With the word of promise in mind, expecting the fulfilment, "not many days hence." 2. In fellowship with one another and in prayer, that the heart may be open to the gifts, that they may be poured ou~ upon all. 3. At Jerusalem, where the two dispensations meet, where the main action against the kingdom of darkness can best commence, where the facts of the gospel have already preceded you, and you can build on the foundation laid in Zion. 4. In self-renunciation and faithfulness, not in slothful indifference or depression. ,vhile we make the best of present opportunities, the larger open to us. Do the work of the day in the day, and so wait for the promise of the Father. Individually, here is encouragement-grain of mustard seed will grow. Our Father must desire growth in us. Collectively, many applications-prospects of the Church and of the world. The true method of gathering in the masses, not by departing for Jerusalem before the time, but waiting till we are able to send out into the unconverted world the energy bestowed upon us.-R. Vars. 6-11.-The .Ascension. Heaven and earth visibly united. Chief points- I. THE ooNTBABT between the earthly, as represented in the disciples, with their 4CTB. ll 18 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. [ea. r. 1-20,