(5) The teaching of the resurrection and ascension:  (a) that Jesus is in truth God’s son; (b) that there is another life; (c) that we shall also be resurrected; (d) that we shall know in the next life our loved ones of this life; (e) that our lives here have an influence and meaning beyond the grave.

For Study and Discussion. (1) Master all the material as given in this chapter, looking carefully into scripture references. (2) Study the geography of the country. (3) List all the divine manifestations in connection with the birth and childhood of Jesus. (4) Outline the entire career of John the Baptist, beginning with the vision to Zachariah before his birth. (5) Study in outline the sermon on the mount. (6) Find examples showing Christ’s power exerted in each of the five directions suggested in “2” of “the teachings of the period” given above. (7) Discuss any outstanding events in the life of Jesus and his disciples that seem to members of the class to be epoch making in their influence. (8) Read and discuss Jesus’ farewell addresses to his disciples. (9) Study carefully the scriptures covering the trial and crucifixion of Jesus. (10) Study the scriptures covering the period and outline further the events and teachings.

Chapter XIX.

From the Ascension to The Church at Antioch.

Acts Chs. 1-12.

The Book of Acts.  The book of Acts is the only purely historical book of the New Testament.  It is as a continuation of the gospel of Luke.  It follows the fortunes of the infant church and gives us all the light we have in regard to its further organization and development, but it does not claim to be a complete history of the work of the early church.  As a history it is as remarkable for what it omits as for what it narrates.  The central theme is the triumph and progress of the gospel in spite of all the opposition and persecution which its advocates met.  The chief purpose seems to be to show the progress of Christianity among the Gentiles and only so much of the work among the Jews is given as will authenticate the other.  The whole book falls into three sections:  (1) The church at work in Jerusalem, chs. 1-7. (2) The church at work in Palestine, chs, 8-12. (3) The church at work among the Gentiles, chs. 13-28.

The material of the period which we are now to study includes the first two points and should be read in connection with the following outline: 

I. The church at work in Jerusalem, chs. 1-7.

1.  Preparation for witnessing, 1:1-2:4.  Under this there is given:  (1) Christ’s last instructions and ascension and (2) The church in the upper room including the election of Matthias and the coming of the Holy Spirit.

2.  The first witnessing.  Here are given 2:5-47:  (1) The first witnessing, (2) the first message, (3) the first fruit of the witnessing.

3.  The first persecution 3:1-4:31.  Here we have the first persecution and the occasion for it.