A. Jesus appointed them to meet him there; he told them that all power in heaven and earth was given into his hands; he gave them their commission to preach the Gospel to all nations; and promised his presence with them, and a power to work miracles, for the vindication of their doctrine. Matt. xxviii. 16-20.

SECT. III. Of his Ascension to Heaven.

57 Q. How did he manifest himself to them near Jerusalem ?

A. He met them, and led them out as far as to Mount Olivet, near Bethany; he bid them to tarry at Jerusalem till the promised Spirit should fall upon them; he repeated their commission, appointed them to be witnesses for him in the world; and having blessed them, he ascended to heaven in a bright cloud. Luke xxiv. 49-51. Acts i 4-11.

58 Q.

at once?

Did he not appear to five hundred brethren

A. St. Paul asserts it, 1 Cor. xv. 6, and it was neither the first nor the last time of his appearance, but when it was is uncertain. Acts i. 12.

59 Q. What notice was there given from heaven of his return again?

A. While they were gazing towards heaven, two angels appeared, and assured them, that they should see him return in the same manner as he ascended. Acts ì. 10, 11.

60 Q. Whither went the disciples then?

A. They worshipped Christ when he ascended to heaven, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, praising God. Luke xxiv. 52, 53.

CHAP. XXV.

Of the Acts of the Apostles, chiefly Peter and John, and the Deacons, Stephen and Philip.

1 Q. WHAT was the first remarkable thing the apostles did toward their future ministry, after they returned to Jerusalem ?

་

A. They chose two out of their company at Jerusalem, (which was one hundred and twenty) that one of them might be an apostle and witness of the resurrection of Christ, in the room of Judas the traitor. Acts i. 15-22.

2 Q. How did they determine which of those two should be the man?

A. They called on the Lord by prayer, then cast lots, and the lot fell upon Matthias, who was numbered with the eleven apostles. Acts i. 24-26.

3 Q. How long did they wait for the promised Spirit to fall on them?

A. On the day of pentecost, which was ten days after the ascension of Christ, the Spirit of God was sent down upon them. Acts ii. 1, &c.

4 Q. In what manner did the Spirit come upon them? A. The house where they were met was filled with the sound of a rushing wind, and cloven tongues of fire appeared as sitting on all their heads. ver. 2, 3.

5 Q. What was the first effect of the descent of the Holy Spirit upon them?

A. They all spake with various tongues the wonderful works of God, to the amazement of the Jews, and a multitude of proselytes of all nations that were then at Jerusalem. ver. 4-11.

6 Q. Which of the apostles seemed to be the chief speaker at that time, and what was their doctrine?

A. Peter preaches to this multitude, bears witness to the resurrection and exaltation of Christ, and the pouring out of the Spirit of God on men; partly from his

own knowledge, and from these present visible effects thereof among them, and partly from the prophecies and promises of Scripture; he leads them to Christ as a Saviour and Lord, calls them to repentance of their sins, and a profession of their faith in Jesus, by being baptized in his name. ver. 14-41.

7 Q

What success had this sermon ?

A. Three thousand souls were added to the disciples of Christ, and baptized on that day. ver. 41.

8 ૨. What was the temper of spirit which was admirable in these primitive converts ?

A. A spirit of devotion toward God and Christ, with a spirit of benevolence and intimate friendship toward each other; so far, that they were daily in the temple praising God; they were most frequently, or rather continually engaged in prayer, and in remembering the death of Christ, by breaking bread with joy; and they so liberally distributed to the poor, that none was in want. These were the glorious effects of Christianity in its first appearance. ver. 42-47.

9 Q. How did the apostles effectually prove their doctrine, and their commission to preach?

A. By doing many signs and wonders among the people, which were the gifts of the Spirit, proceeding from a risen Saviour. ver. 33-43.

Note. This was the proper beginning of the kingdom of CHRIST, or the CHRISTIAN DISPENSATION; which was set up in the world in its glory, at the pouring down of the Spirit, after the ascension of Christ, and his exaltation to the government of the world and the church.

10 Q. What remarkable miracle was wrought by Peter and John at the temple gate ?

A. A beggar that was born a cripple received the use of his limbs, when they bid him rise up and walk in the name of Jesus of Nazareth. Acts iii. 1-9.

11 Q. What use was made of this miracle?

A. Peter took occasion from it to preach this new doctrine, namely, the resurrection of Christ, and salvation in his name, citing the ancient prophets to confirm it. Acts. iii. 12-26.

12 Q. What was the effect of this sermon ?

A. Five thousand were converted by it to the faith of Christ; but the priests and rulers put the apostles in prison. Acts iv. 1-4.

13 Q. What defence did the apostles make when they were brought the next day before the priests and rulers?

A. They took courage again, and preached to this court the doctrine of the Gospel of Christ; and silenced their enemies, by having the cripple that was healed stand among them. ver. 5—14.

14 Q. What became of them after this their defence?

A. They were dismissed, and charged to preach no more in the name of Jesus; but Peter and John declared they would obey God rather than man. ver. 15-20.

15 Q. Whither went the apostles after their discharge?

A. They went to their own company, and gave glory to God in prayer and praise; and their whole assembly was filled with the Holy Ghost, and boldly spake the word of God. ver. 23-31.

16 Q. What remarkable instance of goodness and compassion was practised by these first believers ?

A. The souls of all of them were so united in love to Christ, and one another, that they sold their possessions and goods, and threw all into a common stock, which the apostles divided to every man according to his need. Acts iii. 44, 45, and iv. 32-35.

17 Q. Were they all faithful and honest in bringing the price of their estates to the joint-stock?

A. There was one Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, who sold a possession, and secretly withheld part of the money, though they declared they had paid it all in. Acts v. 1, 2.

18 Q. Did they meet with any punishment for this their hypocrisy and deceit ?

4. Peter charged them with lying to the Holy Ghost, and struck them both dead with his word. ver. 3-10. 19 Q. What effect had this upon the multitude ?

A. It discouraged others that were in the church from practising the like deceit, and frightened hypocrites from coming into the church merely in hopes of a main

tenance. ver. 11.

20 Q. What other miracles were wrought by the apostles?

A. Multitudes of sick were healed, and those that were possessed with devils were relieved, both in Jerusalem and the cities round about. ver. 15, 16.

21 Q. Did the high priests and rulers let the apostles go on at this rate?

A. They again put them in prison, but the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and sent them again to preach this Gospel. ver. 17-21.

22 Q. When they were brought again before the rulers, how did they behave themselves?

A. They charged the rulers with putting Christ to death, and declared they were witnesses of his resurrection; and that God had exalted him to be a Prince and a Saviour, to give repentance and forgiveness of sins. ver. 29-32.

23 Q. What effect had this speech upon the rulers and elders?

A. At the advice of Gamaliel (who doubted whether the hand of God was not with the apostles) they dismissed them again; but they beat them first, and again commanded them to preach Jesus Christ no more. ver.

34-42.

24 Q. When there were such multitudes of converts, how could the apostles both preach the Gospel, and distribute the money to the poor?

A. The apostles were sensible that the labour was too much for them, and therefore they bid the disciples choose out seven men (who were afterwards called deacons) to take care of the poor, that they might more constantly be engaged in preaching and prayer. Acts

vi. 1-5.

25 Q. How did the apostles separate those whom the people chose to this office of a deacon?

A. They prayed and laid their hands on them. ver.6.