p. 70 | The Sabbath-School by W. N. Glenn

Seventh-Day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jan 31, 1884

FromThe Signs of the Times, Vol. 10, No. 5

The Sabbath-School.

By W. N. Glenn

LESSON FOR THE PACIFIC COAST—FEB. 9.

Acts, Chapters 1 and 2.

The Acts of the Apostles.

ALTHOUGH the title of this book is much broader in expression than its contents would seem to warrant, the record is one of great importance. It brings forward into prominence but two of the apostles, Peter and Paul, and the account of the doings of these is indeed meager. But, like all Scripture, the words are few but very expressive. In the language of a leading commentator, “It is a connecting link between the Gospels and the other parts of the New Testament.” It is the inspired idea of the practical application and probationary use of the doctrines of the Lord himself. Here we have many “infallible proofs” of the divine approval of the apostolic plan of carrying on the work of the gospel. Here is a pattern of things shown to the apostles by the Lord and his Holy Spirit. If this be followed in close connection with the other Scriptures, there need be no uncertainty in the church about the forms of doctrine. The Acts is the practical key-stone of the New Testament structure. There is a harmony between this record of the execution by the apostles of the work laid out by their Master, as also with the epistles and prophecies, that give an indelible stamp of genuineness to the whole volume of Scripture. The Christian who knows well the contents of this book is well armed.

THAT the book of Acts was written by Luke, is substantiated by a comparison of chapter 1:1 with Luke 1:1–3. Who Theophilus was is a question upon which there has been much speculation, all to no profit. The sacred writings are silent upon the subject, and we have no positive information outside of the Scriptures. Therefore we may conclude that it is a matter of little consequence. The manner in which he is addressed would indicate that he was either a prominent personage or a highly esteemed friend—perhaps both.

“WAIT for the promise of the Father.” Verse 4. In Luke 24:49, this promise is also designated “power from on high.” In Isa. 44:3, the Father promises his Spirit to the seed of Jacob, as also in Joel 2:28, 29. See also, John 14:16; 15:26; and in John 16:7, it is shown that this promise could not be fulfilled until the Saviour had ascended to his Father. This positive injunction to “wait” shows the importance of the power of the Holy Spirit in the work of salvation. If those disciples, after all their preparation, could not go forth in their own wisdom and strength, how can others expect to move without this heavenly guide. And mark that even “he shall not speak of himself, but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak.” The fulfillment of this promise is shown in chap. 2:33.

HOW far the eleven apostles came short of preparation for the great work before them, is shown by their question in verse 6: “Lord wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?” Perhaps no other scripture could better illustrate their need of some power to bring to their remembrance all things that he had said unto them. John 14:26. If they had remembered a tithe of what he had said to them in plain language, they would not have asked such a question. It is so to-day; the Lord has said enough for our comfort, or consolation, or encouragement, or warning, or reproof, or guidance under any circumstance, if it could only be brought to remembrance at the right time. Luke 24:61; John 2:17, 22; 12:16; chap. 11:16. But their hearts were set on temporal glory, and they forgot his saying, “Of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of Heaven, but my Father only.” Matt. 24:36. It is possible that some even now are setting their hearts on temporal things, while remembering his words.

THE answer of the Lord to the question of his disciples is pertinent: “It is not for you to know the times and seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.” Verse 7. Many construct unwarranted excuses for willful ignorance from this declaration, as also from Matt. 24:36, above quoted. They argue that we cannot know aught of any prophetic times and seasons, and thus excuse themselves from the special duties of their own time, as revealed in the Scripture. But, while the Father has reserved some times and seasons within his own power, the knowledge of some others has been placed in the power of his prophets and disciples. A notable example is found in Dan. 9:2, where the prophet says he “understood by books” (the prophecy of Jeremiah) concerning the time of the desolation of Jerusalem. The vision of Nebuchadnezzar, and those of Daniel, recorded in the 2d, 7th, 8th, and 9th chapters, are also in point. Also the case of Simeon, Luke 2:25, 26; and the pointed explanations of the Lord himself, Matt. 24, regarding future times and circumstances, and signs given by which these should be known. And Paul had knowledge regarding the end, which he imparted to the Thessalonians. 2 Thess. 2. So also the Revelation was given “to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass.” Chap. 1:1. And these things, it is said, “the wise shall understand.”

“YE shall be witnesses unto me, both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” Verse 8. What a contrast to their expectations. They knew what it meant to bear witness throughout the land of Palestine. There was before them the example of John, and also of their Master—both of whom had been witness-bearers—besides their own experience as companions and co-laborers. And now, as they were expecting to enter upon their reward, they were bidden to go over the same ground with an unpopular truth, bearing the stigma of a crucified Master, and even to extend their labors “to the uttermost part of the earth.” With their then limited comprehension, this commission would seem to have been very discouraging but for the fact that, as Luke records in his Gospel, the Lord pronounced his blessing upon them as he suddenly began to ascend toward Heaven. Luke 24:50, 51.

ONE surprising scene is immediately followed by another: “And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven, as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel,” verse 10, and comforted them with the assurance that “this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.” Verse 11. Knowing their great need of sympathy on being so suddenly left to themselves, their affectionate Master had sent two angels from his escorting “cloud” to once more reassure them. And what could more effectually do this than the assurance that this same Jesus would come again. And the message had the designed effect, as we learn from Luke 24:52, 53 that they “returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple praising and blessing God.”

IN the matter of prayer the disciples had received a new and comforting assurance. The time had come of which he had told them, that they should ask in his name. They had returned to their place of abode in the city, with great joy, and now they gave themselves to prayer. Now they could “ask and receive,” that their joy might be full. John 10:22–27. They felt now that they had a sure personal connection with Heaven, and prayer was their means of communication. And their privilege is ours, for the Saviour’s promises to them were “even unto the end.” Matt. 28:20. “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, . . . and it shall be given him.” Jas. 1:5.

CONCERNING the election of an apostle to fill the place of Judas, we take the following from “The Great Controversy”:—

“Two men [Joseph and Matthias] were selected who, in the careful judgment of the believers, were best qualified for the place. But the disciples, distrusting their ability to decide the question farther, referred it to One who knew all hearts. They sought the Lord in prayer to ascertain which of the two men was more suitable for the important position of trust as an apostle of Christ. The Spirit of God selected Matthias for the office. Both men were considered to be persons of stern integrity, and in every way worthy of the vacant position; but notwithstanding the disciples were intimately acquainted with them, they felt that their own judgment was imperfect, and trusted the selection only to the Lord, whose eyes could read the hidden secrets of the heart. There is a lesson for our time in this occurrence. Many who are apparently well qualified to labor for God are urged into the ministry, without a proper consideration of their cases, and at length become a grievous burden to the church instead of burden-bearers. If the church of the present time would act as cautiously and wisely as did the apostles in filling the vacancy among them, much perplexity and serious injury might be saved the cause of God. The work has often suffered much by putting persons forward to do that which they were not capable of doing.”

“AND when the day of Pentecost was fully come,” &c. Chap. 2:1. Strenuous effort is made by some to place this occasion on the first day of the week, as an argument for Sunday observance. The comments of Dr. Barnes on this point will be interesting, as coming from an able scholar and a Sunday believer:—

“It has been supposed by many that this took place on the first day of the week; that is, on the Christian Sabbath. But there is a difficulty in establishing this. There was probably a difference among the Jews themselves as to the time of observing this festival. The law said that they should reckon seven Sabbaths; that is, seven weeks, “from the morrow after the Sabbath.” Lev. 23:15. By this Sabbath the Pharisees understood the second day of the Passover, on whatever day of the week it occurred, which was kept as a day of holy convocation, and which might be called a Sabbath. But the Caraite Jews, or those who insisted on a literal interpretation of the Scriptures, maintained that by the Sabbath here was meant the usual Sabbath, the seventh day of the week. Consequently with them the day of Pentecost always occurred on the first day of the week; and if the apostles fell in with their views, the day was fully come on what is now the Christian Sabbath. But if the views of the Pharisees were followed, and the Lord Jesus had with them kept the Passover on Thursday, as many have supposed, then the day of Pentecost would have occurred on the Jewish Sabbath, that is, on Saturday.—Kuinoel; Lightfoot. It is impossible to determine the truth on this subject. Nor is it of much importance. According to the later Jews, the day of Pentecost was kept also as a festival to commemorate the giving of the law on Mount Sinai; but no trace of this custom is to be found in the Old Testament.”

A SOUND “filled all the house where they were sitting.” Verse 2. This sound was “as

of a rushing mighty wind;” but this expression indicates that it was not a wind. Commentators and speculators have quibbled a great deal over the question as to what house this was. There is no revealed means of knowing; consequently discussion is worse than useless, as it can only lead to dissension.

OF the extent of the gift of tongues mentioned in verses 4–11, there has been no little discussion. Some think it too much to suppose that any of the gifted ones could speak all the languages referred to, or of “every nation under heaven;” but that some spoke one language and others spoke other languages. Others teach that the gift was not permanent, but could be used only as occasion required. A little thought might save controversy on the subject. This was the power of God, who is not limited as to language. It was no more for him to give one power to speak all the languages, than to speak one unknown tongue. It would have been impossible for the apostles to have executed their commission then without this gift, as they could not in a lifetime have learned all the languages spoken. Here is a pointed sentence from “The Great Controversy:” “From this time forth the language of the disciples was pure, simple, accurate in word and accent, whether they spoke their native tongue or a foreign language.”

W. N. GLENN.