Act 1:3, 9 | Clarke | e4.org | Verse 3. To whom-he showed himself alive-by many infallible proofs ] πολλοιςτεκμηριοις; by many proofs of such a nature, and connected with such circumstances, as to render them indubitable ; for this is the import of the Greek word τεκμηριον. The proofs were such as these: 1. Appearing to several different persons at different times. 2. His eating and drinking with them. 3. His meeting them in Galilee according to his own appointment. 4. His subjecting his body to be touched and handled by them. 5. His instructing them in the nature and doctrines of his kingdom. 6. His appearing to upwards of five hundred persons at once, . And, 7. Continuing these public manifestations of himself for forty days. The several appearances of Jesus Christ, during the forty days of his sojourning with his disciples, between his resurrection and ascension, are thus enumerated by Bishop Pearce: The first was to Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, . The second , to the two disciples on their way to Emmaus, . The third , to Simon Peter, . The fourth , to ten of the apostles, Thomas being absent, , and . (All these four appearances took place on the day of his resurrection.) The fifth was to the eleven disciples, Thomas being then with them, . The sixth , to seven of the apostles in Galilee, at the sea of Tiberias, . The seventh , to James, , most probably in Jerusalem, and when Jesus gave an order for all his apostles to assemble together , as in . The eighth , when they were assembled together, and when he led them unto Bethany, , from whence he ascended to heaven. But , for farther particulars. Pertaining to the kingdom of God ] Whatever concerned the doctrine, discipline, and establishment of the Christian Church.

‏ Acts 1:3

Verse 3. To whom-he showed himself alive-by many infallible proofs] πολλοιςτεκμηριοις; by many proofs of such a nature, and connected with such circumstances, as to render them indubitable; for this is the import of the Greek word τεκμηριον. The proofs were such as these: 1. Appearing to several different persons at different times. 2. His eating and drinking with them. 3. His meeting them in Galilee according to his own appointment. 4. His subjecting his body to be touched and handled by them. 5. His instructing them in the nature and doctrines of his kingdom. 6. His appearing to upwards of five hundred persons at once, 1Co 15:6. And, 7. Continuing these public manifestations of himself for forty days.

The several appearances of Jesus Christ, during the forty days of his sojourning with his disciples, between his resurrection and ascension, are thus enumerated by Bishop Pearce: The first was to Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, Mt 28:1-9. The second, to the two disciples on their way to Emmaus, Lu 24:15. The third, to Simon Peter, Lu 24:34. The fourth, to ten of the apostles, Thomas being absent, Lu 24:36, and Joh 20:19. (All these four appearances took place on the day of his resurrection.) The fifth was to the eleven disciples, Thomas being then with them, Joh 20:26. The sixth, to seven of the apostles in Galilee, at the sea of Tiberias, Joh 21:4. The seventh, to James, 1Co 15:7, most probably in Jerusalem, and when Jesus gave an order for all his apostles to assemble together, as in Ac 1:4. The eighth, when they were assembled together, and when he led them unto Bethany, Lu 24:50, from whence he ascended to heaven. But See Clarke on Joh 21:14, for farther particulars.

Pertaining to the kingdom of God] Whatever concerned the doctrine, discipline, and establishment of the Christian Church.

‏ Acts 1:9

Verse 9. He was taken up] He was speaking face to face with them, and while they beheld he was taken up; he began to ascend to heaven, and they continued to look after him till a cloud received him out of their sight-till he had ascended above the region of the clouds, by the density of which all farther distinct vision was prevented. These circumstances are very remarkable, and should be carefully noted. They render insupportable the theory that states, "that our Lord did not ascend to heaven; that his being taken up signifies his going into some mountain, the top of which was covered with clouds, or thick vapours; and that the two men in white garments were two priests, or Levites, who simply informed the disciples of his revisiting them again at some future time." One would suppose that an opinion of this kind could hardly ever obtain credit among people professing Christianity; and yet it is espoused by some men of considerable learning and ingenuity. But the mere letter of the text will be ever sufficient for its total confutation. He that believes the text cannot receive such a miserable comment. Foreign critics and divines take a most sinful latitude on subjects of this kind.