LIST OF LESSONS. 1. Jesus ascends into heaven. 2. Matthias numbered with the Eleven. 7. Peter and John before the Council. 8 Ananias and Sapphira. 9. The counsel of Gamaliel. 10. Seven deacons chosen. 11. Stephen makes his defence. 12. Stephen continues his defence. 13 The Death of Stephen. 27. Paul heals a cripple. 28. Council concerning Circumcision. 29. Paul's Second Missionary journey. 30. The Jailor converted. 31. Paul at Thessalonica, Berea, Athens. 32. Paul preaches at Athens. 33. Paul before Gallio. 34. Paul's circuit of Upper Asia. 35. The uproar at Ephesus. 36. Paul restores Eutychus to life. 37. Paul addresses the Ephesian elders. 38. Paul's Voyage from Miletus to Jerusalem 14. Philip.-Simon Magus. - Peter and John. 39. The uproar in the Temple. 15. Philip preaches to the Eunuch. 16. The Conversion of Saul. 17. Saul preaches at Damascus. 18. Peter heals Eneas, and restores Dorcas. 19. Peter's Trance. 20. Conversion of Cornelius. 21. Peter's mission to the Gentiles. 22. Barnabas at Antioch. 23. Persecution of the Church. 24. The mission of Barnabas and Saul. 25. Paul and Barnabas at Antioch, 40. Paul relates his Conversion. 41. Paul before the Council. 42. Conspiracy to kill Paul. 43. Paul before Felix. 44. Paul before Festus. 45. Festus declares Paul's case to Agrippa. 46. Paul before Agrippa 47. Paul before Agrippa-continued. 48. Paul's Voyage to Rome. 49. Paul's Voyage to Rome-continued. 50. Paul is shipwrecked. 26. Paul and Barnabas preach, and are per- 51. Paul departs for Rome. 1. Jesus ascends into heaven. Acts i. 1-14. Mount Olivet and Jerusalem. COMMIT TO MEMORY - Psalm xxii. 27.- All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the Lord: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee.' JERUSALEM-Is one of the oldest cities in the world; about 32 miles E. of the Mediterranean Sea, and 18 W. of the r. Jordan. The male Israelites went up to the city three times a year to worship God in the temple. It was first destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon; and again by the Romans, A.D. 70. MOUNT OF OLIVES-Is on the E. of the Holy City, being separated from it by the brook Kedron, which is crossed by a bridge, after descending a steep road leading from S. Stephen's gate: Gethsemane is passed on the right, as you ascend the mount, from whose summit our Lord ascended into heaven. GRADE I.* JESUS being assembled (a) with his disciples, he commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, and said, Ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many When he days hence: and be witnesses unto me in all Judea, and in Samaria. had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up. And as he went up, two men stood by them in white apparel; who said, (b) This same Jesus, which is taken up into heaven, shall so come (c) as ye have seen him go into heaven. Then the disciples returned (d) unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet. Notes. Baptized, &c. -The Holy Ghost coming upon them was to lead them into all truth, and enable them to speak and do the will of God. Witnesses-They were to tell to others what they had seen Jesus do, and heard him say. Two men-Supposed to be Moses and Elias. Examination What is said of Jesus and his disciples? What was done after Jesus had spoken? Practical (a) Let us always be so occupied that we may delight in the prospect of meeting our Lord. (2) Let us speak to others of God's goodness and mercy in sending Christ to die for our sins, and in giving us such assured hope White apparel-Expressive of purity. Shall so come-This is a blessed promise of the Lords Second Coming; not to suffer for the sin of the world, as at His First Coming, but to set up a kingdom of righteousness, where only holiness will be allowed to live. Questions. When was he taken up? Who appeared as Jesus went up ?-In what How did they refer to Jesus' second coming? What will he do when he does come? [ment? that he will come again for our full re- (c) Let us seek a full preparation for the second GRADE II. JESUS shewed himself alive after his passion (to his disciples,) by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom (a) of God: and, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait (b) for the For John truly promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses (c) unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. The dots in the text have their words explained in the 2nd Grade (opposite page) and to which the teacher is referred. The reference letters (u) (6) (c) are to the Practical Lessons. 1. Jesus ascenus to heaven, And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come (d) in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's journey. Notes. Himself alive-Risen from the d. His passion- His sufferings and death. Infallible proofs He shewed himself to, and talked with Mary Magdalene; to two disciples, in the way to Emmaus; to the disciples twice in Jerusalem; he ate in their presence: he was seen also upon a mountain in Galilee by above 500 at once. Pertaining-Belonging to. The kingdom of God-The reign or government of God. The prom. of the Father-The gift of the Holy Gn., glorifying Christ on account of man s redemption. John-the Baptist, the forerunner of Jesus, sent to prepare his way, and to call people to repentance. Restore the kingdom to Israel -The prophets had spoken of the outpouring of the Spirit, as preparing for the restoration of the kingdom. It is not for you to know, &c. -i. e. not at this time. promises they shall know, and this was fulfilled ten days after. See next lesson. Shall be witnesses-i.e. preachers to declare to all people, as he had before commanded them, the gospel; the glad tidings of salvation through the Redeemer; giving evidence that Jesus is assuredly the CHRIST. Taken up-He ascended into heav. A cloud received him-He sat down at the right hand of God. Two men-Angels are sometimes called men in Scripture; as at our Lord's resurrection. Angels serve those who truly love God. Ps. xxxiv. 7. The two here spoken of are supposed to be Moses and Elias, who appeared with Him on the M. of Transfiguration. Shall so come-This is a promise that Jesus, who at his first coming was scourged and crucified, will come again in the clouds of heaven to bless his saints, and reign in glorious majesty. A sabbath day's journey-Ab. a mile; which was the distance beBut ye shall receive power-tween the tabernacle in the wilderness What they did not then know, Christ and the camp of the children of Israel. Examination To whom did Jesus shew himself? long did he continue with them after his resurrection?-In what did he instruct them? For what did he command them to wait? . -Had he before given the same promise? Who was John? n.-How did he exercise his ministry? n.-What did Jesus promise his disciples? What did the disciples ask Jesus? n.-What may have led the disciples Practical (a) In our conversation with each other, let us imitate our Lord in speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.' (b) The apostles were to depart out of Jeru salem, but not yet. They were patiently! & prayerfully to wait God's appointed time. k) Let us beware of seeking merely a selfish Questions. to ask about the restoration of the kingdom? n.-How did Jesus reply? n.-How did he encourage them? - What did he promise they should be? n. What was done when Jesus had spoken?— | When did two men appear?-Whom may we suppose they were? n.-In what were they clothed? How did they address the apostles?- What were the apostles doing? What did the men prophesy concerning the Lord? n. To what place did the apostles return? Lessons. enjoyment of religion. The Holy Ghost was to be given the apostles not for their personal comfort merely, but that they might be witnesses to all men. (d) Let us endeavour to comfort one another, as did the heavenly messengers the disciples, with the promise of our Lord's return. 2. Matthias numbered with the Eleven. Acts i. 15-26. Jerusalem. COMMIT TO MEMORY.-Prov. xvi. 33.-"The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord." JERUSALEM, cont.-As approached from | is on the E. and Hinnom on the W. These the W. the Holy City is not seen until the high ravines form a junction below the city, at ground is reached, which is about one mile the S. E. corner, and then rush off as at one & a half distant. The valley of Jehoshaphat to the Dead Sea. GRADE I. • PETER stood (a) up in the midst of the disciples, and said that Judas (6), who was guide to them that took Jesus, being dead, another, one who had been with them all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among them, must be chosen to be a witness with them of His resurrection. And they appointed two, Joseph and Matthias.. And they prayed (c), saying, Thou Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew which of these two thou hast chosen. And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles. Notes. The disciples Those who followed the teaching of Jesus. See Lesson 3. Judas He agreed for money, to deliver Jesus to the chief priests who wanted to kill Him. Had been with them-One who had been with them in the company of Jesus during his Examination What did Peter do?- About whom did he speak?-How did he describe Judas? n. What did he want the disciples to do?-With whom must the person to be chosen have been acquainted? n. From what time must he have been with them? n.-With whom did Jesus go in and out? Practical (a) From the example of Peter, let us be sorry for our sins, and serve the Lord at all opportunities. (6) From the case of Judas, let us be warned ministry on earth, and who had seen Him after His resurrection. A witness-To tell others what he had seen and heard Jesus do and say. Of His resurrection - i. e. rising from the dead. Numbered-Was made one of the twelve, What would the one chosen, be? n.-Of what In what words did they acknowledge that Lessons. against covetousness, which God hates. (c) From the example of the apostles, let us seek direction in the Holy Scriptures, & ask God's blessing upon every engagement. GRADE II. In those days Peter stood up (a) in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of the names together were about an hundred and twenty,) Men and brethren, this Scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, (b) which was guide to them that took Jesus. For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry. Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and, falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out. And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as that field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field of blood. For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein and his bishoprick let another take. Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection. And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. And they prayed (c) and said, Thou, Lord, which |
