A.D. 30. 9 bled. . promise, i.e., its fulfilment, realisation. Father, as predicted in O.T. heard.. Me, esp. in His last words.e 6 “ Τεκμήριον, & John.. hence, descent of Spirit ab. 10 dys. aft.s in N.T. Plato and Aristotle em very expressive The forty days between Easter and the Ascension in their sacred term, does not importance.-I. For the Lord, as the period of-1. A Sabbath, elsewhere occur rest after the completion of the work of redemption; 2. The last uses it to denote care of the Shepherd for His disciples; 3. Of the joyful expecta-the strongest tion of His approaching exaltation. II. For the disciples, as the possible proof; period of 1. The last blessed intercourse with their glorified ploys it to sig. deMaster; 2. Quiet communion with their own heart; 3. Earnest monstrative evipreparation for their apostolic mission. III. For us, as an dence."-Hackett. emblem of-1. The blessed life of faith with Christ in God; 2. cLu. xxiv. 29, 44, The blessed work of love; 3. The expectation of hope of our heavenly perfection. 49. Ac. ii. 16; Joel ii. 28. Jo. xiv. 16, 17, 26; xv. 26; xvi. 7. Ma. iii. 11. ii. 1. of Heaven pervaded our Lord's discourses; it was at the be The ten appearances of Christ after His Resurrection.-I. Toe Mary Mag. (Jo. xx. 11-13; Mk. xvi. 9—11). II. To Cleopas and another (Lu. xxiv. 13-31; Mk. xvi. 12). III. To Peter (1 Co. xv. 5; Lu. xxiv. 34). IV. To the Apostles and others (Lu. xxiv. 36-43; Jo. xx. 19-25). V. To the Apostles with Thomas (Jo. xx. 26-29; Mk. xvi. 14; 1 Co. xv. 5). VI. To seven of the Apostles, Lake of Galilee (Jo. xxi. 1–24). VII. To the Apostles in Galilee (Ma. xxviii. 16-20; 1 Co. xv. 6). VIII. To 500 at once (1 Co. xv. 6-this may be the same as No. VI). IX. To James (1 Co. xv. 7). X. To the Eleven, Ascension (Lu. xxiv. ginning, in the 50-53; Mk. xix. 19, 20; 1 Co. xvi. 7; Ac. i. 4-9). [Some add progress, and at another (Ma. xxviii. 9, 10), wh. Dr. Robinson places first, Greswell the them." Bellarsixth, and Ellicot second. Others say this is the same as No. I. su- mine. pra. (1) Ma., who records it, sometimes uses the plural in a general "They would be way, as in xxvii. 44. (2) He does not note specifically the appear- disposed to quit ance to M. Mag., while Mk. and Lu., who do, say nothing in Jerus. since their addition of that event.] These appearances occurred during 40 dys. following the crucifixion, and were followed by others, as to Stephen, Paul, and John, after His Ascension. close of Lord was crucifled there."-Ben gel. h Gerok. xvii. 20, 21. b Lu. xxiv. 49. Ic Ma. xxviii. 19; 6-8. together,a aft. the occas. mentioned in v. 4. wilt.. the office of restore, implying faith in His Messiahship, yet betraying a the Apostles worldly view of His kingdom. times any period. seasons-a Ma. xxiv. 3; Lu. limited, definite time. which.. power, i.e. under His own authority, when He arrayed the Divine counsels of redemption. power, might, efficiency, needful qualifications. after.. you, Mk. xvi. 15. without Him, what, were they? what could they do? wit-d "They undernesses, the special, and peculiar work of the Apostles. unto.. stood this comearth,c e the field is the world.d mand only of Jews scattered Christ's last words on earth.-They were words of-I. Correc- through the tion. They seemed-1. To check the spirit of idle curiosity world, xi. 19."— concerning the future; 2. As a ground for unbounded trust. Alford. II. Encouragement. III. Direction. They point to-1. The "They hoped by nature; 2. The universality; 3. The method, of their ministry. together, IV. Benediction. going to our Lord more readily to obtain answer." The prevision of Providence." It was a special providence of an e Homilist. Divine Providence so disposing it that the poison and the antidote f Clarke. "You are taken should come into the world together."-The advent of Chris- up with your tianity.—The enfeebled world was tottering on its foundations few days on the when Christianity appeared. The natural religions, which had earth; and in satisfied the parents, no longer proved sufficient for their children. your few days tine. A.D. 30, The new generations could not repose contented within the ancient forms. The gods of every nation, when transported to upon earth you wish to have Rome, there lost their oracles, as the nations themselves had lost everything ful- their liberty. Brought face to face in the Capitol, they had filled."- Augus- destroyed each other, and their divinity had vanished. A great void was occasioned in the religion of the world. Then the Word "There is truth in Olshausen's was made flesh; God appeared among men, and as man, to save remark, that the that which was lost. In Jesus of Nazareth dwelt all the fulness Apostles were to of the Godhead bodily. This is the greatest event in the annals be less prophets of the world. Former ages had paved the way for it; the latter of the future, than witnesses ages flow from it. It is their centre and bond of unity. Henceof the past." forward the popular superstitions had no meaning, and the slight Alford. fragments preserved from the general wreck of incredulity vanished before the majestic orb of eternal truth.s g D'Aubigné. the Ascension a Lu. xxiv. 51. b Chrysostom. c Da. vii. 10-13; Ma. xxiv. 30; xxvi. 64; Lu, xxi. 27. "The stars declare His birth, come Him on His surround Him on His return to judgment.". Beda. -- "It will be part 9-11. when.. things, and others. beheld, they were witnesses of the Ascension, as well as of the Resurrection, etc. cloud, as a chariot to convey Him to heaven. He will come in like manner.c stedfastly, their eyes intently fixed upon the ascending cloud. men, angels: though they might be glorified saints. Moses and Elias had appeared on the mt. of Transfig., why not these, or others, on mt. of Ascension? come.. manner, visibly, in the air. The Ascension of Christ.-He ascended-I. In His actual perand are observed sonality. II. Very unexpectedly. III. In a mysterious grandeur: at His passion. 1. The receiving cloud; 2. The two men.d-Taken up.-Here we The clouds wel- have suggested:-I. That the departed good are taken up. II. Ascension, and That God supplies their place. III. That they shall come again.e -The Ascension of Christ.-I. By what it was preceded: 1. Their minds were prepared for some extraordinary event; 2. They were directed as to their future conduct; 3. They were enriched with special benediction. II. The Ascension itself.f-How do we now of our honour to see the Lord ascending?—I. With heartfelt thanks for His gifts be conveyed to and promises. II. With joyful wonder at the glory of His deparHim, just as Elias, yea, as He ture. III. With pious expectation of His second coming which Himself, ascend- He has promised.—The promises of the departing Redeemer.--I. ed into heaven, He is with us: 1. In the Scriptures; 2. In our holiest feelings; for a chariot of 3. In the form of those who bear His image. II. Even now He fire appeared for the transporta- is already come again to judgment, bec. by Him the good and tion of one, and the bad are: 1. Made manifest; 2. Separated; and 3. Assigned to a cloud, wh. is their respective places.-The Ascension, the last palpable maniceived the Lord." festation of the Lord upon earth.-I. His majesty. II. His wisdom: 1. The time; 2. The place; 3. The witnesses; 4. The circumstances; 5. The results. III. His faithfulness to His people.i the same, re -Bp. Patrick. d Dr. Thomas. e W. Johnson. fAntoine Clarion. g Westermeyer. h Schleiermacher. i Lange. k T. Goodwin. 1 lbid. m Baumgarten. The Ascension.-It was the custom of the Roman emperors at their triumphal entrance to cast new coins among the multitudes; so doth Christ, in His triumphal ascension into heaven, throw the greatest gifts for the good of men that were ever given.* "As Joseph was secretly sent before by God's intendment to prepare a place in Egypt for his brethren; so more openly doth Christ ascend to heaven, professedly declaring that to be His business, 'I go to prepare a place for you.' "While the going up of Elias may be compared to the flight of a bird which none can follow, the Ascension of Christ is, as it were, a bridge between heaven and earth, laid down for all who are drawn to Him by His earthly existence.m Elders restricted the Jews in trav. on the Sabbath." wh. trads. of 12-14. Sabbath.. journey, 2,000 cubits. The dist: fr. A.D. 30. .Taber, to furthest point of camp in wilderness." upper room, the meeting of some private house. abode, etc., not as a residence, but place in the upper of frequent resort [for names, etc., of Apostles, see i. 67, 262]. room Zelotes, Gk. = zealot, for wh. Kananite (erroneously spelt a Wordsworth. Canaanite in A.V.) is the Heb. form. Perh. so called fr. his Ab. of m., to former Jewish zeal.d continued, perseverance and steadfastness in Christian faith and worship.e accord, entire harmony of view and feeling. Mary, last mention of her in N. T. brethren, prob. kinsmen, who, at first, had not believed on Him. The first prayer-meeting after the Ascension.-I. The scene of this meeting, in an 66 upper room.' II. The attendance at it. The roll of names here given reminds us of: 1. The sociality Christ's system; 2. The triumph of grace in reuniting the Apostles; 3. The ravages of sin. Judas was missing. III. The spirit of it: 1. Of union; 2. Perseverance." of -Hackett. "The measure is sup. to have been borrowed fr. the space left betw. the people and the ark when they passed the Jordan."-Treas. Bib. Know. b Ma. x. 2-4; Lu. vi. 14-16. boil. d The political sect, Zealots, fr. whom He is said to have been Recognition of the Sabbath.-This characteristic feature of the first day of the week is one of the most remarkable in the history of the world. In mountain recesses, in rural hamlets, in hoary cathedrals, and humble chapels, in ships far off on the sea, in the distant wilderness settlement, amidst the most civilised nations and amongst the rudest barbarians, wherever the Christian community exists, there, as a rule, is found Christian worship upon this day. From the snows of Labrador in the north to the Coral Islands in the south, from the plains of India in the east, across Africa and Europe, and on to the Rocky Mountains of the far west, when the sun ushers in this day of the Lord, it ushers in named, did not appear till a later a day of worship for all ranks and conditions of men. On this period. See also day tens of thousands of Christian ministers read from the Bible, and offer up prayer in the midst of millions who gather around them, listening to their words or joining in their devotions, while angels bear the mighty hallelujah chorus of praise rising from the earth to the throne of God. It is not too much to say, that without the Sunday, the Church of Christ could not as a visible society exist on earth.i Lightfoot on Revision of N. T., 138. e Wordsworth. f Hackett. 9 Jo. vii. 5. Dr. Thomas. i Dr. Macleod. 15–17. in . . days, the ten betw. Ascension and Pentecost. Peter's adPeter, not urged by others as conceding any pre-eminence, but dress prompted by his own impetuous enthusiasm. names, etc., a 1 Co. xv. 6. believers in Jerus. alone. Many elsewhere.a needs, not simply 6 2 Pe. i. 21. in verification of the Scripture; but in leading on the completion e From the Gk. of Christ's work acc. to the Scriptures. Holy Ghost.. spake, Kλpos, lot, inspiration of Scriptures. part, see Gk., the lot, or office of have the word this ministry. The first ecclesiastical meeting for business.-I. The nature of the business. It was business: 1. Of very grave importance; 2. In wh. the assembled Church had a duty to fulfil; 3. Which the assembled Church was competent to discharge, irrespectively of external society. II. Its order: 1. Peter's address; 2. The nomination of two; 3. The united prayer to heaven; 4. The casting of lots and the election.d we clergy, being founded on the idea of the order as one divinely appointed. It is used in the plural in 1 Pe. v. 3, where it is rendered heritage, and is applied to Christians generally. Witnesses to the truth.-To prove that the Book of God, which we honour as His Word, is this necessary revelation of God and a Dr. Thomas. His truth, which must, and is alone able, to lead us in the way of blessedness, or else the world hath none, comes in a cloud of witnesses; some for the infidel, and some for the believer; some for the weak in faith, and some for the strong; and some for all. A.D. 30. "He is blind su power, did not rest,in the person For there first comes in the tradition of the Church, the present Church; so it is no heretical or schismatical belief; then the con, who doth not see sent of times; so it is no divided or partial belief; then the harin the history mony of the prophets, and them fulfilled; so it is not a “devised' of the Acts of but a forespoken belief; then the success of the doctrine contained the Apostles, that the in this book; so it is not a belief stifled in the cradle, but it hath premacy, or spread through the world in despite of what the world could do sovereignty of against it, and increased, from weak and unlikely beginnings, to incredible greatness; then the constancy of this truth; so it is no of any one single moon belief, for in the midst of the world's changes it hath preApostle, but in served its creed entire through many generations; then there is the Apostolical nothing carnal in the doctrine; so it is a chaste belief. And all College." Abp. Bramhall. along it hath gained, kept, and exercised more power upon the minds of men, both learned and unlearned, in the increase of virtue and repression of vice, than any moral philosophy or legal policy that ever was. Then comes the inward light and excellency of the text itself, and so it is no dark or dazzling belief.e e Laud. the death of Judas a Calvin, Kuinoel, Olshausen, etc. 6 Ma. xxvii. 6 f. c Ma. xxv. 5. d He may have hung himself fr. the limb of a tree, on the edge of a precipice nr. the val. of Hinnom, and that, the rope breaking, he fell to the earth, and was 18-20. (now, etc., vv. 18, 19,a are supposed to be an explanation of Lu., and not part of P.'s address. purchased,' i.e., furnished occa. for purchasing [i. 217]. falling, Ma., does not say that he did not fall after he had hanged himself; nor does Luke say he did not hang himself bef. he fell. burst, etc., body prob. torn by some pointed rock. known, the treachery, suicide of Judas; and purchase of the field. dwellers, not the discs. only. Aceldama.. blood, bought with the price of blood; sprinkled with his blood who took the price). written, quotation fr. LXX., used by Hellenistic Jews, for whom, as well as for Gentile converts, Lu. wrote. bishoprick, see Gk., overseership, inspectorship. The wages of sin.—I. Ĵudas ought to have been a disciple of Christ, and he betrayed his Lord. II. He ought to have performed dashed to pieces. the duties of his bishopric, and he acquired the field of blood. In that val. was III. He ought to have proclaimed the Risen One, and he perished chased with his as a suicide. IV. He ought to have received the Holy Ghost, and "thirty pieces he went into condemnation.i the field pur of silver."Hackett. e Lightfoot. cix. 8. g Wordsworth. пі, иpоп, σKоTEW, to look. The death of a traitor.-The Duke of Buckingham, having by an unfortunate accident lost the army which he had raised against the usurper Richard III., was forced to flee for his life without page f Ps. Ixix. 25; or attendant. At last he took refuge in the house of Humphrey Bannister at Shrewsbury, who, being one of his servants, and having been formerly raised by him from a low condition, would, hσкоν, fr. he trusted, be ready to afford him every possible protection. and Bannister, however, upon the King's proclamation, promising Bishop, lit. an £1,000 reward to him that should apprehend the Duke, betrayed overseer. A.-S., his master to John Merton, high sheriff of Shropshire, who sent bisceop; L. Epis-him under a strong guard to Salisbury, where the King then was, copus; Gk. Episby whom he was condemned to be beheaded. But Divine vengeance pursued the traitor and his family; for, on demanding the £1,000, that was the price of his master's blood, King Richard refused to pay it, saying, "He that would be false to so good a master, our heart, not ought not to be encouraged." He was afterwards hanged for cast ourselves out manslaughter; his eldest son soon fell into a state of derangement, and died in a hog-sty; his second became deformed and lame; his third son was drowned in a small pool of water, and the rest of his family perished miserably. copos. i Florey. "We must cast the world out of of the world."N. Bifield. k Whitecross. 21-23. companied, associated, been of our company. all A.D. 30. time, one of the earliest, therefore, of Christ's discs. went us,a the election who eats a Heb. idiom strictly, official relations. from.. John, of an Apostle i.e., the begin. of His public life. Resurrection, the main proposed point to wh. testimony should be borne; as it was the seal of the Companion, lit. rest. they, all who were addressed-the 120. appointed two, one who were qualified to be put in nomination. Joseph, perh. bread with anoJoses, the bro. of James.c Barsabas (son of Saba), men- pagnon; Sp. comtioned here only (not Barnabas). Matthias, of whom notices are unreliable, appears here only. trad. II. It The Divine election.-I. A work of God's free grace. demands of us a God-pleasing heart and conduct.d-Two qualifications needful.-I. A measure of Christian knowledge, he must be one who is acquainted with the person and earthly life of Jesus from his own personal knowledge. II. A measure of ther. Fr. com com, pano, fr. Low L. See also Trench, 197. a De. xxviii. 19; xxxi. 2. b Ac. iv. 33; Jo. v. 21-29; Ro. i. Ga. i. 1. c Ma. xxvii. 56 M. vi. 3. "We know how important an article this of Christ's resur rection is, how particular a stress the Scriptures of the New lay Christian faithfulness, he must be one who has remained all the time true to Jesus, without going back or being offended at Him. Both these are even now the qualifications which belong to the ministerial office:-I. A living acquaintance with the Lord. II. A heartfelt cleaving to Him.-Gerok. An ordination service.-The Rev. Samuel Lavington, of Bide-4; iv. 24; x. 9; ford, at the ordination of the Rev. Mr. Seward, introduced his discourse by using the following language:-" What a multitude is here assembled to see an ordination! Many of you were, perhaps, never present at such a solemnity before; and I should be very sorry if, when the assembly breaks up, you should go yway with a visible disappointment, and say, 'Is that all?' Why, awhat came ye out to see?' Did you expect to see a number of 'postles met together, to lay their hands upon the head of a aoung minister, and to communicate to him some miraculous Testament powers? Alas! we have not them ourselves. If we had, you should not take all this trouble for nothing. If we had, you frequently it is upon it, and how should have something by which to remember an ordination as mentioned in a long as you live. If the Holy Ghost were at our command, most sense so compregladly would we lay our hands upon you all; and this assembly conclude the should be like that mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles: whole object of 'While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all the Christian them which heard the word.' But what we cannot command, we may humbly and earnestly supplicate. Shall I then beg the favour of you, to join with me in this short ejaculation to the God of all grace?-O God the Lord, to whom belong the issues from death, pour out Thy Spirit upon all in this assembly; and command on every one of us a blessing out of Zion, even life for evermore. Amen." The congregation, abstracted for the moment from all other objects, forgot the order of worship, rose from their seats, joined in the collect, and then resumed their places with hell."-Gerson. the greatest solemnity. as hensive, to faith."-Dean Stanhope. d Kapff. "There is a fit and for all things. An angel looks not proper place more fair in heaven, than does a devil in elected iii. 5, 6; 1 S. xvi. 24-26. knowest.. hearts,a inner life, thoughts, prin- Matthias is ciples, purposes, moral character. shew, by the lot we cast. Thou.. chosen, laying aside personal preferences, the choice a Ph. iv. 6; Pr. was left with Him. ministry, service, actual duty. apostle-7; 1' Ch. xxviii. ship, i.e., its official dignity. own place,' perdition. gave. 9; Je. xvii. 10; lots, prob. in a vase, names being written on slips of parch- Re. ii. 23. ment. lot fell,d either first name drawn out, or majority of votes. eleven, now once more twelve; aft. increased by the appointment of Paul. с b "A euphemistic designation of the place of punishment, in |