(1) The former (Gr. first) treatise I made, O Theophilus, concerning all that Jesus began both to do and to teach, (2) until the day in which he was received up, after that he had given commandment through the Holy Spirit unto the apostles whom he had chosen.

The "former treatise" refers to the Gospel written by Luke, and gives the history of Jesus' career on earth. This is the second book that Luke wrote, and in it he shows a further activity of Jesus from a point at which the Gospel leaves it. Thus, in studying this book from the first chapter to the last, we have the words and works of Jesus continued through the Holy Spirit. The " former treatise " was the words and works of Jesus while on earth, and this treatise gives the words and works of Jesus after His ascension, through the disciples, by the Holy Spirit. That both the Gospel of Luke and the Book of the Acts are addressed to Theophilus (Friend of God, Love of God, as His name signifies), does not mean that they were meant for him alone. He is a prominent character at the time of writing the two books, and as his name indicates close communion with God, the book is written for all who are in communion with God, through the acceptance of Jesus as their best Friend.

"Until the day in which He was taken up." Jesus had placed a limit to the teaching of the Apostles, as shown from the presentation (Matt. 16:20; 17:9). He did this because the disciples were yet incapable of setting forth His claims as the Messiah, correctly. It was on the night of His betrayal that he promised them a Comforter, who would come and bring to their remembrance all His teaching. Thus, the restrictions placed upon them would be removed. The Commandments refer to His commission given to His disciples during His resurrection period.

When He was with the eleven disciples in Galilee, speaking about His authority and power in heaven and on earth, He said, " Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world" (Matt. 28:19-20). Then, on the day in which He was taken up, He gave His final words in the commission to His disciples: "Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem" (Luke 24:46-47). " Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to the whole creation. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that disbelieveth shall be condemned " (Mark 16:15-16). These are the orders of the King. The disciples received them. Luke writes the history of the church as she carries forward the commission of Jesus during the first thirty-four years.

QUESTIONS.

• To whom was this book addressed?

• Give meaning of Theophilus.

• What two books did Luke write?

• What was the purpose of each book?

• To whom, and through whom, were commandments given?

2. THE RISEN SAVIOR.

Acts 1:3-5.

(3) To whom he also showed (Gr. presented) himself alive after his passion by many proofs, appearing unto them by the space of forty days, and speaking the things concerning the kingdom of God:(4) and, being assembled together with them (or, eating with them), he charged them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, said he, ye heard from me:(5) for John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized in (or, with) the Holy Spirit not many days hence.

In the Gospels, the number of proofs given of the resurrection of Jesus are recorded, and are not repeated here. We have, however, a fact not related before; viz.: that the time from the Resurrection to the Ascension was forty days. During this time Jesus walked with His disciples, talked with them, ate with them, prepared food for them to eat, gave them the privilege to touch His body—presented Himself a living Savior—and showed Himself to be so by many proofs which are beyond controversy.

During this time, His main line of teaching was for the salvation of the human race. In order to equip the disciples for this greatest mission in the world, He asked them to wait for the promise of the Father. He instructed them where to wait, how to wait, and what to wait for. This commandment is not the same as in 1:2. By obedience to this commandment, they will become equipped with power for the work of the commission.

Jesus says " Go teach." Do you? " Make disciples." Do you? Can you expect to receive blessings from Him if you fail to equip yourself to teach His Word?

QUESTIONS.

• Give time from Resurrection to Ascension.

• Give time from Resurrection to Pentecost.

• Where, when, and by whom was He seen alive?

• What was His subject of conversation? 3.

• What was the promise of the Father?

• Why the reference to John's baptism?

3. THE PROMISE OF POWER.

Acts 1:6-8.

(6) They therefore, when they were come together, asked him, saying, Lord, dost thou at this time restore the kingdom to Israel? (7) And he said unto them, It is not for you to know times or seasons, which the Father hath set within (or, appointed by) his own authority. (8) But ye shall receive power, when the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and ye shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea and Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Before His departure the disciples asked Jesus a very important question about the Kingdom. This question, no doubt, was prompted by the knowledge they had obtained by the study of the Old Testament. Only those who have knowledge of God's purposes and revelations, as set forth in the Old Testament, can understand the purpose of the question asked by the disciples and the reply made to them by Jesus. The Lord does not rebuke the disciples for asking this question. The times and seasons for this restoration were not then revealed, but the Father purposed to keep the same power in His own hands. They are told what to do when the power comes upon them. They are to be witnesses of Jesus. They are to begin in Jerusalem. They begin at home. The four steps in this verse are Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the uttermost part of the earth.

This is the last interview the disciples had with Jesus before His ascension.

QUESTIONS.

• What question did they ask Jesus? 6.

• When did they come together? 6, cf. Luke 24:50.

• What was Jesus' answer to the disciples?

• What power were they to receive?

• Quote the missionary text of the Bible. 8.

• What part of the text has been obeyed?

• Give qualifications of a good witness.

• Name places where witnesses are needed.

4. THE ASCENSION AND MESSAGE OF THE ANGELS.

Acts 1:9-11.

(9) And when he had said these things, as they were looking, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. (10) And while they were looking stedfastly into heaven as he went, behold two men stood by them in white apparel; (11) who also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye looking into heaven? this Jesus, who was received up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye beheld him going into heaven.

Jesus had just completed His last interview with the disciples. His hands were uplifted, and He was in the act of blessing them when He was taken up. Gradually He must have been lifted out of their sight. He who so often had spoken to them, who had been their constant encouragement and Companion, He who had died on the Cross, and was raised from the dead by the power of God; He who had been with the disciples in His glorified human body, is now taken up and a cloud carried Him from their sight. It was, no doubt, the same Glory Cloud in which He appeared on the Mount of Transfiguration. It came to take Him back to His Father's house, after an absence of about thirty-three years. What a glorious meeting that must have been in the return of an obedient Son to a faithful Father! He is with the Father at His right hand, He is our Advocate, our High Priest, and through Him we present our claim to the Father.

The cloud had received Him, but the disciples continued to look. It is not wrong to look, and the upward look should always be encouraged; but there is a time to look and a time to work. The angels, robed in white, appeared on the scene, and brought the disciples good news. The good news was the promise of His return. " This Jesus, who was received up from you into Heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye beheld Him going into Heaven." They stated not merely that Jesus shall come again, but He shall come " in like manner "; in the same way that the Apostles had seen Him go—visible and glorious. This was inspiring news to the disciples, and produced wonderful results in the saving of souls. The church now should be inspired by the same promise given by the angels, " that Jesus will return in like manner."

QUESTIONS.

• Give full description of Jesus' parting from the disciples.

• Who was present at the Ascension?

• Give meaning of the message of the angels, and what was the message?

• What was the teaching in the early church concerning Christ's 6econd coming?

• What is the belief of the Christian church now concerning the second coming of Christ?