SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS ON THE TEXT.
(1) In what words does Luke, the writer of the Acts, refer to his Gospel? Verse 1. (2) Of how much did his Gospel treat? Verses 1, 2. (3) What does he say of Christ's appearance after his death? Verse 3, first part. (4) For how long did Christ remain on earth after his resurrection? (5) What was he doing during this time? Note 1. (6) What did he command the apostles on one of these occasions? Verse 4. (7) In what did he say that promise should be fulfilled? Verse 5. (8) What question did they ask him? Verse 6. (9) What did he reply? Verse 7. Note 2. (10) What might they know? Verse 8. Note 3. (11) What would the Spirit fit them to be? Note 4. (12) To what extent were they to be witnesses? (13) What notable event then occurred? Verse 9. Note 5. (14) What message did the Lord send them? Verses 10, 11. Note 6. (15) Where did all this occur? Verse 12. Note 7. (16) To what place did they return in Jerusalem? Verse 13. (17) In what did they and their companions engage? Verse 14. 1. THE Gospels give the briefest history of Christ's work up to the time of his ascension. The Acts continue the record of that work through his body, the church. Jesus gave abundant proof to his disciples that he was literally risen from the dead. He appeared to them. They saw him, and the wounds in his hands, feet, and side. They touched him, talked, walked, and ate with him. By many incontrovertible proofs (proofs by sure signs) was he shown to be the same Jesus. See 1 Cor. 15:1-8. 2. By this question the disciples showed a prominent characteristic of human nature, a curious desire to know things which do them no good. This Jesus rebuked, not only for them, but for us, for for us it is written. All those who are "setting times" for the Master's coming and kingdom would do well to take home to their hearts his reply. And yet we may know when he is near. Matt. 24:33. But while vain curiosity is not satisfied we may know that every longing of the heart will be filled by the Spirit of God, the promise from the Father. 3. ALL power, all fulness, comes with the Spirit, the life of God. Life, cleansing, fruit-bearing, spiritual gifts,—all blessing comes with the Spirit of God. God is pleased and anxious to bestow it; what hinders is lack of desire, faith, and consecration. Tho they might not know the times, they might know him.
"I know not the way I am going,
But well do I know my Guide." 4. Witnesses.—Men can bear witness only to that which they know. The disciples were not prepared to be witnesses of Christ, not till they knew of him; but till they knew him. See John 17:3. Many know of Christ, few know him. To know him is to have his Spirit, his life, his power. Such may be his witness, and can say, "I know whom I have believed." 5. He was taken up.—What a blessed sight to those disciples from one view. Of course they felt sad at his leaving, but how triumphant was his departure. They had seen him lifted upon the cross to die; they had seen him buried and sealed in the earth; but now, their last look, was a triumphant ascension into heaven. He was above all earthly power. Attraction of gravitation was annihilated in him. He was King. Again the three chosen ones saw his glory as on the mount. A cloud of angels, the royal escort to the city of God, received him out of their sight. Yet he does not leave them; his presence, his Spirit, his life, will flow out from him to every one. His ascension was the crowning act of his life-work. 6. Shall so come.—He is coming again, the shining messengers declare. "The same Jesus"—"This Jesus"—"shall so come in like manner," escorted by the mighty hosts of the angels of God. See Matt. 16:27; Luke 21:27; Rev. 1:7. There is no deception about it. Jesus is coming again, not in a spiritual way, not at death, but personally, literally, the same Jesus; not in humility and lowliness, but in power and glory to redeem his own. How will you receive him? 7. Olivet.—From Olivet Jesus ascended; upon Olivet he will descend with the holy city at the close of the 1,000 years, with all his saints. Zech. 14:4, 5. He who receives Christ now will be accepted of Christ then.