arose after his resurrection, and appeared to several persons in Jerusalem, Mat. xxvii. 51–53.

4. The centurion who guarded the crucifixion of Christ, seeing these things, was constrained to confess, Truly, this man was the Son of God," Mark xv. 39. 37 Q. What was done to the body of Jesus after his death?

A. When they broke the legs of the thieves who were crucified, that they might die the sooner, and be taken down from the cross before the sabbath, they brake not the legs of Jesus because he was already dead; but a soldier pierced his side with a spear, and there issued blood and water, John xix. 31-37.

38 Q. How was Jesus buried?

A. Joseph of Arimathea, a rich man, went to Pilate, begged the body of Jesus, wrapped it in clean linen, with spices, laid it in his own new tomb, and rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, Mark xv. 43-46. Luke xxiii. 53. John xix. 40.

39 Q. What was done by the enemies of Christ to secure him from rising again?

A. The Jews desired Pilate to set a guard of soldiers about the sepulchre : and, that they might know if the tomb had been opened, they sealed the stone that was rolled to the door of it, Matt. xxvii. 62-66.

SECTION II.

Of the resurrection and appearances of Christ. 40 Q. How did Jesus arise from the dead?

4. Early on the first day of the week there was a great earthquake, an angel rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it; "his countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow;" the keepers shook for fear, and Jesus rose and departed, Matt. xxviii. 1-4.

41 Q. What was the first notice the apostles of Christ had of his resurrection?

A. Early in the morning after the sabbath, some

good women came to bring spices and ointments to anoint the body, and they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre, and an angel told them "Jesus was risen," and bade them go tell his disciples, Mark. xvi. 1-8.

42 Q. Which of the apostles came to the sepulchre to examine this matter?

A. Peter and John both went to the sepulchre, and found the linen clothes and the napkin, in which the body was wrapped, and were convinced that "Jesus was risen.” John xx. 1—10.

43 Q. What story did the Jews tell concerning the resurrection of Christ?

A. When the guards told the chief priest what was done, the priests and elders bribed them largely to say, that while they fell asleep, his disciples came by night and stole him away, Matt. xxviii. 11-13.

44 Q. How then did the soldiers come off with the governor?

A. The priests persuaded the governor to forgive them for sleeping, v. 14.

45 Q. To whom did Jesus appear after his resurrection?

A. First to Mary Magdalen; afterwards to two disciples going to Emmaus; then to the apostles assembled without Thomas; and all this on the day of his resurrection; afterwards he appeared to the apostles when Thomas was with them; again at the sea of Tiberias to seven of his disciples; then to eleven of his disciples on a mountain in Galilee; then near Jerusalem, when he ascended to heaven.

46 Q. How long did he continue on earth after his resurrection?

A. He continued forty days, giving his disciples further instructions in the great things of the Gospel, which they were not prepared to receive before his death, Acts. i. 3. John xvi. 12.

47 Q. How did he appear to Mary Magdalen? A. When she found not Jesus in the tomb, she

turned away from the sepulchre, and she saw Jesus, but knew him not, till he called her by her name, John xx. 14-16.

48 Q. What did he say to her? A. "Touch me not" at present, "but go to my brethren, and tell them, I ascend to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God," v. 17.

49 Q. How did he appear to his disciples going to Emmaus?

A. He joined himself to them as they were walking; he reproved them for their unbelief; he proved to them out of the prophets that the Messiah was to suffer death, and to enter into glory; he went into the house and ate with them; and when they began to know him, he vanished out of their sight, Luke xxiv. 13-31.

50 Q. How did he reveal himself to the apostles when Thomas was absent the same evening?

A. When the doors were shut for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst of them; he blessed them and gave them a commission to preach the Gospel; he breathed on them, and bade them "receive the Holy Ghost," John xx. 19—23.

51 Q. How did he appear to them when Thomas was with them?

A. A week after, Jesus stood in the midst of them again, when the doors were shut, and bade Thomas see and feel the marks of the nails in his hands, and of the spear in his side, and rebuked his unbelief, John xx. 24-27.

52 Q. Did Thomas confess him then?

A. Thomas with surprise and joy acknowledged him; he broke out into a rapture of zeal and worship, and said to him, " My Lord and my God!" v. 28. 53 Q. How did he show himself to them at the sea of Tiberias?

A. Some of them went a fishing, and caught nothing all night; Jesus stood on the shore in the morning, and bade them cast the net on the right side

of the ship and they took a multitude of fishes, John xxi. 1-6.

54 Q. What remarkable occurrence happened at this meeting?

A. When they knew it was their Lord, Peter cast himself into the sea; and when they were come to the shore, they ate some broiled fish, and Jesus ate with them, John xxi. 7-13.

55 Q. How did Jesus reprove Peter for his want of love to him, and denying his Master?

A. He rebuked him in a very gentle manner of speech, by asking Peter three times, whether he loved him or no; and then he foretold that Peter should love him so well as to suffer and die for his sake, v. 15-19.

56 Q. How did he appear to them on the mountain in Galilee ?

A. Jesus appointed them to meet him there; he told them that all power in heaven and earth was given into his hand: 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.

SECTION 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 bade 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. Did he not appear to five hundred brethren at once?

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.

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 i. 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.

CHAPTER 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. 15-23.

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

A. They called upon 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?