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 THE LIBRARY 
 
 OF 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY 
 
 OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 LOS ANGELES 
 
 GIFT OF 
 
 Florence Yoch
 
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 THE 
 
 OXFORD AND CAMBRIDGE 
 
 ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 
 
 Jntro^uction an^ IRotce 
 
 FOR THE USE OF Sl^UDENTS PREPARING FOR THE FOLLOWING 
 EX AMI N A TIONS : 
 
 THE OXFORD AND CAMBRIDGE LOCALS, 
 TPIE COLLEGE OF PRECEPTORS etc., etc. 
 
 HY THE 
 
 Rev. F. MARSHALL, M.A., 
 
 HEAD MASTER, ALMONDBURY GRAMMAR SCHOOL; FORMERLY VICE-PRINCIPAL 
 TRAINING COLLEGE, CARMARTHEN. 
 
 LONDON 
 
 GEORGE GILL & SONS 
 
 MINERVA HOUSE, WARWICK LANE, E.G. 
 1890
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 ^5 
 
 1610 
 
 This Edition of the Acts of the Apostles with Notes has been pro- 
 duced for the use of Students preparing for the Local Examinations 
 of the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, and those of the 
 College of Prece_ptors. 
 
 In it will be ionwd. a.n Ififrodiicfion treating of several subjects with 
 which a student of the Acts should be acquainted, but the conside- 
 ration, of which occupies too much space to be inserted as Marginal 
 or Footnoles. 
 
 The Text is that of the Authorised Version arranged in para- 
 graphs. The Revised Version has been inserted in the Margin 
 wherever necessary to elucidate the meaning of the passage. 
 
 The present volume treats of the first Twelve Chapters, a division 
 suggested by the narrative and also followed by the Universities of 
 Oxford and Cambridge, whose syndicates select the first twelve 
 chapters, and the remaining sixteen for the subjects of examination 
 in alternate years. 
 
 As far as possible the Notes have been arranged in such a form 
 as can be reproduced in examination by the student. 
 
 Full Geographical and Biographical notices will be found in the 
 Introduction, and maps have been introduced wherever necessary to 
 illustrate the geography of the book. The Notes will be found oppo- 
 site, or nearly opposite, the words or phrase they are intended to 
 explain. 
 
 F. M, 
 Almondburv, December, 1890. 
 
 1S2'M93
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 Introduction to the Study of the Acts of the Apostles — 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Title . •. . • • ■ • 5 
 
 Apostles mentioned in the Book as performing distinct nets . . 5 
 
 Other Apostles mentioned in the Book who are net of the Twelve . 7 
 
 The Author 8 
 
 The Life of Luke .......... 10 
 
 Suggested Authors . . . . . . . . . .11 
 
 Design of the Authcr ... ...... 12 
 
 The Sources of the Narrjtive ........ 13 
 
 Date 16 
 
 Place of Writing . . . . . . . . 17 
 
 Dispersions of the Jews ......... 18 
 
 Influence of the Dispeii-ions on the Promulgation of Chiistianiiy . 21 
 Geographical Notes . . . . . . . . .22 
 
 Biographical Notes .......... 26 
 
 Kings and Governcl-s ......... 36 
 
 ]\Iiracles in the Acts .......... 39 
 
 Addresses in the Acts ......,,. 39 
 
 Appearances of our Lord 41 
 
 Appearances of Angels ......... 41 
 
 Other Visions 41 
 
 The Synagogue ...... . , , . . 42 
 
 The Sanhedrim ........... 44 
 
 The Temple ........... 45 
 
 The Officers of the Temple ........ 48 
 
 The Daily Services of ihe Temple ....... 48 
 
 The Jewish Festivals -49 
 
 Sects and Ordeis of ]^Jen ......... 50 
 
 The Nazarite Vow .......... 52 
 
 Passages from the Old Testr.mci.t quotcil in tlic Acts of ihe Aio-tles 53 
 
 E.Nplanation of Words 58 
 
 Table representing the Dtscei'.t cf Chi 'stiai.ity . . . . -59 
 
 The Early Days of Paul . . . . . . . . . 6d • 
 
 Chronology of the Acts (Chaptus i. to xii.) 62 
 
 Analysis of the Acts of the Apo.-t'e.s (Chapltrs i. to .\ii.) . . . 64- 
 
 The Acts of the Aposties (Chapters i. to xii.) with Mar- 
 ginal Notes 67 
 
 Appendix of Examination Otestions ...... 120
 
 INTRODUCTION 
 
 TO THE STUDY OF THE 
 
 ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 TITLE. 
 
 Bv the author it is termed a Treatise (Gk. Xoyoe, logos). 
 
 " The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus," i. i. 
 
 It is first called " Acts " in the Codex Siniaticus. 
 
 Possibly this was the original appellation, but as other treatises were published under 
 such titles as "Acts of Peter and Pattl," "Acts of Timothy" etc., it became necessary to 
 further define the original treatise of "Acts," and thus we find in various MSS. such 
 titles as ''Acts of the Apostles," "Acts of the Holy Apostles" "Acting of the Apostles," 
 etc. 
 
 The work is now universally known as the " The Acts of the 
 A;posfles,'" 
 
 But such title is misleading, for the work cannot in any sense be regarded as a record of 
 the doings of the Apostles, inasmuch as it contains no detailed account of the work of any 
 of the Apostles except St. Peter and St. Paul. In fact, it is but the record o{ some acts of 
 certain Apostles, and of S07ne who -were not Apostles, for the author in carrying out his 
 design finds it necessary to notice the preaching of St. Stephen and St. Philip, the 
 Evangelists. 
 
 APOSTLES MENTIONED IN THE BOOK AS PEHFORMINQ 
 DISTINCT ACIS. 
 I. Peter. 
 
 (i.) At the election of Matthias to fill the place of Judas 
 
 Iscariot (i. 15). 
 (2.) On the day of Pentecost (ii. 14). 
 (3.) As healing the lame man at the Beautiful Gate of the 
 
 Temple (iii. i). 
 (4.) In the subsequent proceedings before the Sanhedrim 
 
 (iv. 8). 
 (5.) At the deaths of Ananias and Sapphira (v. i). 
 (6.) The sick are healed by his shadow as he passes by (v. 15).
 
 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 (7.) Speaks in defence of the Apostles before the Sanhedrim 
 
 (v. 29). 
 (8.) After the preaching of PhiHp, the EvangeHst, at Samaria, 
 he goes down with John to that city, and confirms the 
 disciples there. Rebukes Simon Magus (viii. 14). 
 (9.) Heals yEneas at Lydda (ix. 2)2i)- 
 (10.) Raises Dorcas to life at Joppa (ix. 40). 
 (11.) Is sent for by Cornelius, whom he baptizes and receives 
 
 into the'Church (x.). 
 (12.) Is put in prison by Herod Agrippa I., and is miracu- 
 lously released by an angel (xii. 3). 
 (13.) Takes part in the first Christian Council at Jerusalem 
 (XV. 7). 
 
 2. John is mentioned on three occasions, but rather" as«the com- 
 panion of Peter than as the doer of any special act himself. 
 
 (i.) At the healing of the lame man at the Beautiful Gate of 
 
 the Temple (iii. i). 
 (2.) In the subsequent proceedings before the Sanhedrim 
 
 (iv. 8). 
 (3.) After the preaching of Philip, the Evangelist, at Samaria, 
 
 he goes down with Peter to that city, and confirms the 
 
 disciples there (viii. 14). 
 
 3. James, the son of Zebedee, brother of John. The only notice of 
 him is that he was executed by Herod Agrippa I. " And he (Herod) 
 killed James, the brother of John, with the sword " (xii. 2). 
 
 4. James, the son of Alphsus. The President of the first 
 Christian Council at Jerusalem (xv.), and first Bishop of Jerusalem 
 is James, who may have been either, 
 
 {a) The Brother of our Lord ; or, 
 
 {b) The Son of Alj)hceits. 
 Most probably the Brother of our Lord, for Paul styles the James, 
 whom he saw on his visit to Jerusalem, as "the Lord's Brother" 
 (Gal. i. 19). He also alludes to the same James as " a pillar of the 
 Church" (Gal. ii. 9).
 
 INTR OD UCTION. 
 
 OTHER APOSTLES MENTIONED IN THE BOOK WHO ARE 
 NOT OF THE TWELVE. 
 I. Barnabas. 
 
 (i.) As selling a piece of land, and giving the price to the 
 common fund (iv. 36, 2)l)- 
 
 (2.) As receiving Paul on his coming to Jerusalem after his 
 conversion (ix. 2^\ 
 
 (3.) As being sent to Antioch by the Church at Jerusalem 
 (xi. 22). 
 
 (4.) As going to Tarsus to seek Paul (xi. 25). 
 
 (5.) As along with Paul taking relief from the disciples at 
 Antioch to the brethren in Judaea, during the famine 
 (xi. 30). 
 
 (6.) As accompanying Paul on his first missionary journey 
 (xiii,, xiv.). 
 
 (7) As going with Paul from Antioch to Jerusalem to obtain 
 the decision of the Apostles and Elders on the subject 
 of the circumcision of the Gentiles (xv. 2). 
 
 (8.) As contending* with Paul previous to the second mis- 
 sionary journey on the subject of taking John i\Iark, 
 Barnabas separated, from Paul, and with John Mark 
 visited Cyprus, whilst Paul, taking Silas with him, 
 visited the Churches of Asia Minor (xv. 39, 40). 
 2. Paul. From the twelfth chapter the Acts is practically an 
 account of the Missionary Work of Paul, the Apostle to the Gen- 
 tiles. 
 
 Apostles: Lists of. 
 
 Matthew. 
 
 Simon. 
 
 Andrew. 
 
 Tames. 
 
 John. 
 
 Philip. 
 
 Bartholo.new. 
 
 'Ihomas. 
 
 Matthew, the publi- 
 can. 
 
 James, the son of 
 Alphnsus. 
 
 Lcbbaius, whose sur- 
 name is Thaddeus. 
 
 Simon, the Canaan- 
 ite. 
 
 Judas Iscariot. 
 
 Bimon tie Canaaaite. The word "Canaanite" docs not signify a descendant of Canaan 
 nor a native of Cana, but is derived from the Syriac word Kannean, by which the Jewish 
 sect or faction of" the Zealots'' was designated. 
 
 Mar>. 
 
 Luke. 
 
 
 Acts of the Apostles. 
 
 Simon. 
 
 Simon. 
 
 
 Peter. 
 
 Jan.es. 
 John. 
 
 Andrew. 
 
 
 James. 
 
 James. 
 
 
 John. 
 
 Andrew. 
 
 John. 
 
 
 Andrew. 
 
 Philip. 
 
 Philip. 
 
 
 Philip. 
 
 Bartholomew. 
 
 Bartholomew. 
 
 
 Thomas. 
 
 Matthew. 
 
 ^Matthew. 
 
 
 Bartholomew. 
 
 Thomas. 
 
 Thomas. 
 
 
 Matthew. 
 
 James, the son of 
 
 Jnracs, the son of 
 
 James, the son of 
 
 Alpha;us. 
 
 Alphajus. 
 
 
 Alph3?us. 
 
 Thaddeus. 
 
 Simon, called 
 lotcs. 
 
 Ze- 
 
 Simon Zelotes. 
 
 Simon, the Canaan- 
 
 Judas, the brother of 
 
 Judas, the brother of 
 
 ite. 
 
 James. 
 
 
 James. 
 
 Judas Iscariot. 
 
 Judas Iscariot. 
 

 
 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 Zelotes = a zealot, is the Greek equivalent of the Syriac Canaanites. The Zealots were 
 conspicuous for their fierce advocacy of the Mosaic ritual. 
 
 The epithet Caaaanite or Zealot is applied to Simon to distinguish Lira from Simon 
 Peter. 
 
 THE AUTHOR. 
 I. Tradition. 
 
 The authorship of the Acts is assigned to Luke by the constant 
 tradition of the church. 
 
 Eusebius (A.D. 325) writes, "Luke, by race a native of Antioch, 
 and by profession a physician . , . has left us examples ... in 
 two inspired books, the Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles. 
 
 II. Internal Evidence. 
 
 1. Tlie introduction to the Acts shows that it was written by the 
 autlior of the Third Gospel, for, 
 
 {a) Mention is made of the ''former treaiise,^' i.e. the Third 
 
 Gospel. 
 {b) The Acts is also dedicated to " TJieo;phihis.'" 
 (c) The Acts is evidently a continuation of the "former trea- 
 tise," for it takes up the narrative precisely where the 
 Third Gospel leaves off. 
 
 2. A comparison of the phraseology of the Gospel and the Acts 
 leads to the conclusion that the two books are from the same hand. 
 There are more thaii fifty words tised in the Gospel and also i7i 
 the Acts, which are not fotmd elsewhere in the New Testament. 
 
 3. The writer was a companion of Paul ; from the Acts we learn 
 that 
 
 {a) He was present with the Apostle from Troas to Philippi on 
 
 the second missionary journey. 
 {b) He was absent from the Apostle after his departure from 
 
 Philippi till his call at that city on his third missionary 
 
 journey, 
 (c) He then accompanied Paul to Jerusalem ; was with him 
 
 during his imprisonment at Csesarea, accompanied him 
 
 on his voyage to Rome, and was with him during his 
 
 imprisonment at that city. 
 Ltike is the only one of PauP s companions zvho fulfils all the 
 above cotiditions. (See Note on p. 9.)
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 4. The author of the Gospel and the Acts makes use of technical 
 medical terms in his description of diseases ; thus, 
 I71 the Gospel. 
 
 (i.) The account of Simon's wife's mother cured of a fever 
 
 (Luke iv. 38). 
 (2.) The healing of the woman with an issue of blood (Luke 
 
 viii. 43, 44). 
 (5.) The narrative of the agony of our Lord (Luke xxii. 44). 
 In the Acts. 
 
 (i.) The description of the cripple at the Beautiful Gate of the 
 
 Temple (Acts iii. 7). 
 (2.) The notice of the death of Herod Agrippa L (Acts xii. 23). 
 (3.) The blindness of Elymas at Paphos (Acts xiii. 11). 
 (4.) The cripple at Lystra (Acts xiv. 8). 
 
 (5.) The sickness of the father of Publius at Melita (Acts 
 xxviii- 8). 
 This agrees with the description of Luke as " The beloved 
 physician." 
 
 Ts'oic. — I. Paul wrote six Epistles during the period between his first and second visits 
 to Philippi, i.e. during the interval of the absence of the writer of the Acts, 
 Luke's name t's not mentioned in any of these Epistles. 
 
 2. Paul wrote four Epistles (viz. to the Ephesians, the Colossians, Philemon, and the 
 Philippians) during his first imprisonment at Rome. 
 
 Lukes name is mentioned in the Epistles to the Colossians, Philemon, and the 
 Philippians. 
 
 3. The companions of Paul mentioned in the Epistles written from Rome are, Tychicus, 
 Timothy, Epaphroditus, Epaphras, Onesimus, Aristarchus, Marcus, Jesus Justus, Luke, 
 and Demas, and all but Luke fail to comply with the conditions required for the "writer 
 of the Acts. Thus 
 
 Timothy, Tychicus, Aristarchus, are referred to by the writer of the Acts as follows : 
 "These going before tarried for us at Troas " (xx. 5). 
 
 Onesimus is excluded, for he was converted by Paul during his imprisonment at Rome 
 (Philemon, 10). 
 
 il/(7;-X' is excluded, for he was rejected by Paul as a companion on the very journey in 
 which the writer joined him at Troas. 
 
 Epaphroditus and Epaphras were not with the Apostle when the imprisonment began. 
 Tlic writer was. 
 
 Jesus Justus was of the circumcision, or a Jew by birth, whereas several indications 
 in the Acts lead us to suppose the writer was a Greek," and only a proselyte, not a native 
 Jew. 
 
 Demas, forsook the Apostle, " For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved ,this present 
 world . . . only Luke is with me " (2 Tim., iv. 10, 11). 
 
 Therefore, of all Paul's companions, Luke is the only one who fulfils the conditions 
 required for the writer of the Acts (Birk's " Horx Apostolicoe"). 
 
 It has been suggested that Luke, the physician, was taken with him by Paul because 
 of the bodily infirmities under which the Apostle laboured, and that Luke was with Paul 
 as an attendant rather than as a fellow-preacher.
 
 10 THE A CTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 THE LIFE OF LUKE. 
 
 There is no mention of liim by name in the Gospels or the Acts. 
 He is mentioned three times in different Epistles. 
 
 1. "Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas greet you" (Col. 
 
 iv. 14). 
 From this we infer — 
 (i) That Luke was a physician. 
 
 (2) That he was the companion of Paul in his first Roman 
 
 imprisonment. 
 
 (3) From the context (v. 11) we learn that " he was not of the 
 
 circumcision," and therefore a Gentile. 
 
 2. " Only Luke is with me " (2 Tim. iv. 11). 
 
 Therefore Luke was with Paul in his second Roman imprison-» 
 ment, when friend after friend had deserted him, " ashamed 
 of his chain." 
 
 3. " Lucas, my fellow-labourer " (Philemon 24) 
 
 Tradition. From statements of Euseblus and Jerome we learn 
 that Luke was a Syrian of Antioch. This accounts for the inti- 
 mate knowledge which he shows of the Church at that city and its 
 teachers. 
 
 Connection with Paul. The writer of the Acts appears to 
 have joined Paul at Troas, on his second missionary journey, for 
 the narrative changes from the //^zV^ to the _7fri-/ person, "we endea- 
 voured to go into Macedonia" (Acts xvi. 10). 
 
 He was left behind at Philippi when St. Paul and Silas departed, 
 as the narrative proceeds in the third person (Acts xvii. i). 
 
 He appears to have remained at Philippi for some seven years, for, 
 by the return of the narrative to the first person, we infer that he 
 rejoined the Apostle at that place on his last missionary journey. 
 From Philippi he accompanied Paul to Jerusalem ; was with him 
 at Cffisarea during his imprisonment ; accompanied him in his 
 voyage to Rome, and was his companion during his first and second 
 imprisonments at that city. 
 He was not (i) Lucius of Cyrene, for Lucas is an abbreviation of 
 Lucanus, not Lucius. 
 Nor (2) one of the seventy disciples (Luke x. i — 24). 
 Nor (3) one of the Greeks who desired to see Jesus 
 (John xii. 20).
 
 IX TR on UCTION. 1 1 
 
 Nor (4) one of the two disciples at Emmaus (Luke xxiv. 
 
 13)- 
 According to tradition he fell a victim to persecution, and was 
 hanged on an olive-tree in the eighty-fourth year of his age. 
 
 SUGGESTED AUTHORS. 
 
 Timothy, Silas, and Titus have severally been suggested as the 
 writer of the Acts. 
 
 Timothy, because his name is alluded to by Paul with great 
 affection in the Epistles to the Corinthians, Thessalonians, and 
 Philippians, and from the Acts we know that Timothy was with Paul 
 when he visited Corinth, Thessalonica, and Philippi. 
 
 Reply. — The writer of the Acts distinctly states (xx. 4, 5) that 
 Timothy and others " going before tarried for us at Troas." 
 
 Silas is suggested on two grounds : — 
 
 1. That the author of the Acts was well acquainted with the acts 
 and sayings of Peter as with those of Paul. Silvanus (or Silas) and 
 Mark ( I Pet. v. 12, 13) are the only persons whom this description 
 would fit. Now Mark did not, after Acts xv., travel with Paul, but 
 Siias did, and from that time we find greater precision in the narra- 
 tive as regards the history of Paul. 
 
 2. As Luke and Silas are never mentioned together, and as the 
 names (Lucas, or Lucanus, derived from luciis, a grove, and Silas, 
 or Silvanus, from silva, a wood) are cognate, it may well be that 
 Silas and Lucas are the appellations of one and the same person. 
 
 Reply. — I. The writer describes Silas " as a chief man among the 
 brethren" (xv. 22). It is hardly probable that Silas would be the 
 writer of such a notice concerning himself. 
 
 2 («). From the account of the preaching and imprisonment of 
 Paul and Silas at Philippi, it is clear that the writer, who speaks 
 there in the first person plural, was not Silas. 
 
 [b). When double appellations are given to the same person they 
 are not derived from the same language : thus, Peter is derived 
 from the Greek language, while Cephas is Aramaic. But SilvanUS 
 and Lucanus both have a Latin origin. 
 
 Titus is suggested as the author of the personal sections of the 
 Acts, but though Titus was with Paul in his missionary journeys 
 there is absolutely no ground beyond fanciful suggestion for assign- 
 ing to him the Authorship of the Acts.
 
 12 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 DESIGN OP THE AUTHOR. 
 
 The Acts of the Apostles is the continuation of the Gospel accord- 
 ing to Luke for — 
 
 1. In the Introduction the author refers to the Gospel as the 
 
 former treatise. 
 
 2. The Book is dedicated to the same person, viz., Theo- 
 
 philus. 
 
 3. It resumes the subject at the point where the Gospel had 
 
 left it, viz., the ascension of Jesus into heaven. 
 
 As the Acts, therefore, is dedicated to the same person as the 
 Gospel, it is clear that it must be intended for the same class of 
 readers, viz.. Christians, ivhefher Jews or Gentiles. 
 
 " The former treatise " is an account of all that Jesus "began to 
 do and to teach." 
 
 Accordingly the Acts is a continuation and extension of Christ's 
 working, through the fulfilment " of the promise of the Father," by 
 the descent of the Holy Ghost. 
 
 The same idea of " beginnings of zvork " is continued in the 
 Acts. The writer simply records the manner in which the teaching 
 of the Apostles was iegun in different places ; he describes the 
 foundation of Churches, and he does no more. (Lumby.) 
 
 The scheme of the hook is contained in the command of our 
 Lord (i. 8) — "Ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and 
 in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the 
 earth." 
 
 Jerusalem. — The Apostles preached in Jerusalem until, by the 
 admission of their adversaries, " they had tilled Jerusalem with 
 their doctrine " (v. 28). 
 
 JudaBa. — The persecution following the death of Stephen scat- 
 tered the disciples throughout Judaea and Samaria (viii. 1). Peter 
 I's recorded as visiting Lydda, Joppa, and Ceesarea. 
 
 Samaria. — During the same persecution Philip, the deacon, visits 
 Samaria, and Peter and John are sent down from Jerusalem. 
 
 Uttermost part of the Earth. — Philip, the deacon, baptizes the 
 Ethiopian eunuch, who is returning to Africa, 
 
 Peter having baptized Cornelius, and thus admitted the Gentiles, 
 the author now takes up the work of Paul in Asia, Greece, and 
 finally at Rome, the metro;polis of the civilized world.
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 13 
 
 In the fulfilment of this scheme the author clearly points out the 
 hand of Christ as guiding the Apostles ; thus, 
 
 1. The angel of the Lord sent Philip to meet the Ethiopian 
 eunuch, (viii. 26 — 29). 
 
 2. It was a shock and scandal to Peter to find himself called to 
 eat bread with a Roman soldier (x. 14 ; xi. 3). 
 
 3. It was with fear and alarm that the Apostles received Saul of 
 Tarsus into their number (ix. 26). 
 
 4. It was with surprise that they heard that "the hand of the 
 Lord" was gathering a Gentile church at Antioch (xi. 21, 22). 
 
 5. It was the vision of the man of Macedonia that induced Paul 
 to» cross over into Europe (xvi. 9). 
 
 6. Paul stayed in Corinth at the express command of the Lord, 
 who appeared to him in a vision (xviii. 9, 10). 
 
 7. *It was by the hand of the Lord that Paul was sent to Rome, as 
 indicated by the vision vouchsafed him (xxiii. 11). 
 
 So not only was the design pointed out by Christ, but carried out by 
 His manifest guiding of the Apostles. 
 
 THE SOURCES OF THE NAERATIVE. 
 
 How and when did Luke obtain his information ? To answer this 
 question wc will divide the Actr of the Apostles into three portions, 
 based on our Lord's answer (i. 8) : " Ye shall be witnesses unto me 
 both in Jerusalem and in all Judaea ana in Samaria, and unto the 
 uttermost parts of the earth." 
 
 Following this geographical expansion, which :^' also the order of 
 time, we have : — 
 
 I. The beginning of the Christian Church by Peter unto Stephen's 
 death (i. — vii.). 
 
 II. Its spread into Samaria and Judaea by Philip and Peter 
 (viii.— xii.). 
 
 III. Its further advance "unto the ends of the earth" by Paul 
 (xiii. — xxviii.). 
 
 Sect. I. [ci.) The Work of Peter at Jerusalem (i— v.). :— 
 The first five chapters bear the impress of Peter. His speeches 
 correspond in thought, and occasionally even in words, with both his 
 Epistles. The healing of the lame man (chap, iii.) is marked by the 
 same graphic touches as the Gospel of St. Mark, who is said to 
 have been aided and directed by the Apostle. There is a similar 
 resemblance in chaps, x., xi., xii., wiiich record the admission of
 
 14 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 Cornelius by Peter, and the escape of the Apostle from prison. 
 Therefore inforination on these events must have been ohfatned 
 directly or indirectly from the A;postle himself. 
 
 Had Luke any opportunity of gaining this information ? Yes ; 
 for :— 
 
 1. He stayed with or near Philip the Evangelist during Paul's 
 two years' imprisonment at Cffisarea. 
 
 2. This two years' residence at Csesarea would enable him to 
 visit Jerusalem, and so from living witnesses and written docu- 
 ments to obtain an account of the planting of the church at 
 Jerusalem. 
 
 N.B. — Possibly the letter of the Council (chap, xv.), and the letter of the captain, 
 Claudius Lysias, to Felix (chap, xxiii.), were thus obtained. 
 
 3. Luke's association with Mark at Rome during Paul's cap- 
 tivity would account for his knowledge of Peter's acts and 
 speeches. 
 
 (p.) The Work, Defence, and Death of Stephen (vi., vii.). 
 On this two sources were open to Luke. 
 
 1. Philip the Evangelist, who was a fellow-deacon with Stephen. 
 
 2. Paul of Tarsus, who was (i) probably an antagonist when 
 " certain of them of Cilicia disputed with Stephen " (vi. 9). 
 
 (2). A member of the Sanhedrim and had, as we know, heard 
 the defence of Stephen, and witnessed his death (Acts vii. 58 ; 
 viii. I ; xxii. 20). 
 
 Could Luke have derived his information from sources more un- 
 impeachable ? 
 
 Sect. II. The spread of the Christian Church into Samaria 
 and Judaea (viii. — xii.). — When (Acts xxi. 8) Luke entered into the 
 house of Philip the Evangelist ("who was one of the seven ") at 
 Caesarea, he was at the fountain head of knowledge concerning the 
 planting of the Church in Samaria und of the admission of Cornelius 
 by Peter. 
 
 Of the former no man could speak with such authority as Philip, 
 the chief actor ; and of Xiao latter no place conld supply such parti- 
 culars as Cajsarea, the residence of " Cornelius and his kinsmen and 
 friends upon whom the Holy Ghost fell." Some of these Gentiles, and 
 of the six Jews who accompanied Peter from Joppa, would answer 
 the inquiries of the future historian of the Acts. Thus by his own 
 diligence Luke could obtain his facts concerning the first preaching
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 of the Gospel in Samaria and its villages, and in the region round 
 Joppa. Besides, Jerusalem was near enough to Luke during his two 
 years' stay with the prisoner Paul, to ascertain from James and the 
 Christians there all the circumstances necessary to make his narra- 
 tive accurate and perfectly trustworthy. 
 
 Section III.— The Spread of the Christian Church "unto the ends 
 of the earth"— The missionary work of Paul (xiii.— xxviii.). 
 
 On this portion Luke's chief informant would be Paul himself. 
 His lips would recount his conversion, and those visions which he 
 alone could know, and none but he could impart. Nor, as his 
 revelations were so frank and so outspoken before the multitude at 
 Jerusalem, the Sanhedrim, the Governor Festus, and King Agrippa, 
 would he be resen'cd to his constant companion, Luke, the beloved 
 physician. 
 
 Furthermore if, as is generally believed, the Book of the Acts was 
 completed at Rome during the two years of Paul's first imprisonment, 
 Luke had resources at hand whence he could draw many minute 
 particulars. Thus — 
 
 1. On the First Mtssionaiy Jotirtiey. 
 
 (a) Mark was the attendant on Paul and Barnabas as far as Antioch, in Pisidia. 
 
 (,b) Timothy was cognisant of the persecutions endured at Antioch, Iconium, and 
 
 L3-stra, for (2 Tim. iii. 10—11) Paul recalls to Timothy his sufferings undergone 
 
 at those places. 
 
 2. On f/ie Second Missionafy Journey. 
 
 (a) Timothy was with Paul almost throughout this journey. 
 
 {b) At Troas Luke joined them, but was left behind at Philippi. 
 
 3. On the Third Missionary Journey, 
 
 {a) Aristarchus was with Paul during his stay at Ephesus. 
 
 (b) Luke joined Paul at Philippi, and with Aristarchus, Timothy, Tychicus and ethers, 
 
 accompanied him on his return to Jerusalem. 
 
 (c) Luke accompanied Paul to Jerusalem and Ca:sarea. 
 
 4. On the Voyage io Rome. 
 
 Luke and Aristarchus were the companions of Paul during his voyage to Rome, 
 and shared the shipwreck, and imprisonment at Rome. 
 
 Now, in the Epistles written during the Roman captivity, all 
 these — Timothy, Mark, Luke, Aristarchus, and Tychious— are men- 
 tioned as fellow-workers with Paul at Rome. 
 
 Therefore they were always at hand for Luke to consult in any 
 difficulty ; and thus, as eye-witnesses, they could add such minute 
 evidence as to time, place, and circumstances^ as would perfect 
 Luke's narrative of the Acts of the Apostles.
 
 i6 
 
 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 Chaps. I. — V. The foundation of 
 the Church at Jerusalem ; the 
 work of Peter. 
 
 Chaps. VI., VIZ. The appoint- 
 ment of the deacons. The 
 worlt, accusation, and death 
 of Stephen. 
 
 Chap. VIII. The preaching of 
 Philip the Evangelist. 
 
 Chap. IX. The conversion of 
 Paul. 
 
 Chaps. IX., X., XL, XII. The 
 miracles of Peter at Lydda 
 and Joppa. The conversion of 
 Cornelius. The imprisonment 
 and escape of Peter. The 
 death of Herod at Caesarea. 
 
 Chap. XV. The Council at 
 Jerusalem. 
 
 Chap. XIII. to end. — The work 
 of Paul. 
 
 Summary. 
 
 Source. 
 
 Peter, either directly 
 or indirectly. 
 
 Philip the Evangelist 
 and Paul himself. 
 
 Philip theEvangelist. 
 
 Paul himself. 
 
 The brethren at 
 Csesarea. 
 
 Paul, and the records 
 at Jerusalem. 
 
 Paul himself. Luke's 
 own observation. 
 Paul's fellow- 
 workers. 
 
 Opportunity, 
 
 The residence with Paul for two 
 years during his imprisonment 
 at Cassarea. 
 
 The residence at Cassarea, where 
 Philip dwelt, and Luke's 
 companionship with Paul. 
 
 The residence at Casarea, where 
 Philip dwelt. 
 
 Luke's companionship with 
 Paul. 
 
 All these events as occurringnear 
 Caesarea, and connected with 
 that place, could be com- 
 municated to Luke during his 
 two years' residence at C^sa- 
 rea. 
 
 Luke'scompanionshipwithPaul. 
 And he could obtain access 
 to the records at Jerusalem 
 during his residence at 
 C:esarea. 
 
 Luke, as a companion of Paul 
 in part of his second and third 
 missionary journeys, during 
 his residence at Caesarea, on 
 the voyag:e to Rome, and 
 duringthe imprisonment there, 
 could, by personal observation, 
 and from Paul himself, gain 
 information on the work of 
 Paul. Timothy, Mark, Aris- 
 tarchus, and T3'chicus, com- 
 panions of Paul in his mis- 
 sionary work, and fellow 
 workers at Rome, could add 
 details. 
 
 DATE. 
 
 But little difficulty is experienced in assigning a date approximately 
 for the Acts of the Apostles. 
 
 The following considerations guide us — 
 I. The writer took part in several of the events mentioned, there- 
 fore must have been contemporaneous Avith the circumstances 
 he describes. 
 II. The concluding verses of the book record, "and Paul dwelt 
 two whole years in his own hired house." Therefore the work 
 must have been finished after the Apostle's first imprison- 
 ment at Rome, i.e. the date of the work can)iot be earlier 
 than 63 A.D.
 
 INTRODUCTION. 17 
 
 III. Had Luke known of Paul's release after the imprisonment, as 
 
 mentioned, 2 Tim. iv. 16, it seems most probable that he 
 would have stated it. This is an additional reason for con- 
 cluding that the book was published at the end of the 
 imprisonment mentioned, Acts xxviii. 
 
 IV. In the book Jerusalem is always referred to as being still in its 
 
 grandeur ; the Temple services, the sacrifices, and the great 
 feasts are still observed ; such places as Solomon's Porch, 
 Aceldama, the Castle of Antonia are spoken of as though 
 still existing, and as well-marked spots. No allusion what- 
 ever is made to the destruction of the city. Therefore the 
 work cannot have been completed iater tha7i 70 A.D., the 
 date of the destruction of Jerusalem. 
 V. An additional reason for an early date may be deduced from 
 the absence of all reference to the Gnostics, the earliest and 
 most prominent of the heretical teachers. The writer records 
 the opposition of the Judaizing Christians, and the assaults 
 made upon the Apostles by the Jews and certain sections of 
 the heathen population, but of Gnosticism in any form there 
 is no mention, though that kind of teaching was widely spread 
 before the end of the first century. 
 VI. There is no mention of the martyrdom of Paul. This event 
 took place about 66 — 68 A.D. It is very improbable that the 
 writer would have omitted to mention this event if he had 
 known of it. 
 Conclusion. — The Acts could not have been completed earlier 
 than 63 A.D. It must have been pubUshed be/ore 70 A.D., and most 
 probably before 66 A.D. We may therefore infer that it was published 
 shortly after 63 A.D. and before 66 — 68 A.D., the date of the martyrdom 
 of Paul. 
 
 PLACE OF WRITING. 
 
 Luke was left behind at Philippi by Paul on his second missionary 
 journey. He remained in that city some seven years and joined Paul 
 on his last journey to Jerusalem (Acts xx. 5, 6). Luke accompanied 
 Paul to Jerusalem (Acts xx. 5, 6 — xxi. 17), and recorded minutely every 
 circumstance of the voyage. 
 
 We infer that already had the evangelist conceived the idea of 
 writing an account of Paul's travels and work. 
 
 Luke was with Paul at Cassarea, where the Apostle was imprisoned for 
 
 c
 
 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 two years. This imprisonment may have afforded Paul leisure during 
 which he could give Luke information and correct what he had written. 
 
 We also notice that Luke was with Paul for at least two years at Rome. 
 
 Conclusioti. — Very probably the design of writing the Acts was 
 conceived at Philippi, and carried into executio7i at Ccssarea and 
 at Rome. 
 
 DISPERSIONS OF THE JEWS. 
 
 First Dispersion. 
 
 Parthians, Acts ii. g, designates the Jews settled in Parthia 
 In apostolic times Parthia was a wide extent of country south of the 
 Caspian Sea, extending from India to the Tigris. It was a power 
 almost rivalling Rome^ in fact the only existing power that had tried 
 its strength against Rome and not been worsted in the encounter. 
 Crassus (who, with Caesar and Pompey, formed the first Triumvirate 
 at Rome) was defeated by the Parthians, and slain. 
 
 Medes, inhabitants of Media, a country lying south and south- 
 west of the Caspian Sea, east of Assyria, and north-west of Persia. 
 They are prominently mentioned in the Book of Daniel.
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 19 
 
 Elamites took their name from Elam, the son of Shem (Gen. x. 22). 
 They inhabited the country called Elam, south of Assyria, and east 
 of Persia. In Elam was Susa, or Shushan, afterwards the residence 
 of the Persian Court and the capital of the empire. " Shushan, in 
 the palace, which is in the province of Elam " (Dan. viii. 2). 
 
 Mesopotamia. — The country between the two rivers Tigris and 
 Euphrates. The seat both of the Assyrian Empire, of which the 
 capital was Nineveh on the Tigris, and of the Babylonian Empire, 
 of which the capital was Babylon on the Euphrates. 
 
 N.R. — These arc the Jews of the first or earliest Dispersion, viz. of the Ten Tribes in 
 Media and Assyria by Shalmaneser (2 Kings, xvii.) and the Two Tribes in the neighbour- 
 hood of Babylon, by Nebuchadnezzar (2 Chron. xxxvi. 20). 
 
 Second Dispersion. 
 
 ASIA ./V\I NO R 
 
 i./J5V 
 
 Ca^padocia. — A province of Asia Minor, south of Pontus, and 
 north of the Taurus range. 
 
 Pontus. — A province in the north-east of Asia INIinor, bordering 
 on the Euxine on the north, and having Cappadocia as its southern 
 boundary.
 
 20 
 
 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 Asia. — The Roman province known as Pro-consular Asia, com- 
 prising the western coast of Asia Minor. It must not be confounded 
 with the modern Asia Minor. 
 
 Phrygia. — It is very difficult to assign an exact geographical 
 definition to Phrygia. It denoted in a vague manner the western 
 part of the central region of Asia Minor. 
 
 Pampliylia. — A district on the south coast of Asia Minor, having 
 Cilicia on the east, and Lycia on the west. Paul first entered Asia 
 Minor at Perga, in Pamphylia (xiii. 13). 
 
 N.B. — These are the Jews of the Dispersion under the Syrian kings, notably Antiochus 
 the Great, who planted large bodies of Jewish colonists in the capitals of his western 
 provinces, and Antiochus Epiphanes, whose persecutions drove the Jews to the remote 
 districts of his empire. 
 
 Third Dispersion. 
 
 Pfolem. 
 
 /rene 
 
 G P E AT SEA 
 
 DAMA$CUSO V- 
 
 Tyefk, s 
 
 Joppa%>jkRUSjlt.rf, 
 
 NORTH EAST 
 AFRI CA. 
 
 Libya. — A name applied by Greek and Roman writers to the 
 African continent, generally, however, excluding Egypt. "The 
 parts of Libya about Cyrene " means the Cyrenica, a district in 
 northern Africa corresponding to the modern Tripoli. 
 
 Cyrene.— 1\i& chief of the five cities forming the district of 
 Cyrenica. 
 
 Simon who bore our Saviour's cross was a native of Cyrene.
 
 INTRODUCTIOX. 21 
 
 The Jews in Cyrene gave their name to one of the synagogues in 
 Jerusalem (vi. 9). 
 
 Christian converts from Cyrene took an active part in the foun- 
 dation of the first Gentile Church at Antioch (xi. 20). 
 
 Lucius of Cyrene is mentioned as one of those at Antioch who 
 took a leading part in the sending forth of Paul and Barnabas on 
 their first missionary journey (xiii. i). 
 
 N.R. — These are the Jews of the African or Egj-ptian Dispersion. The Jewish settle- 
 ments in Egjpt and Africa were established by Alexander the Great and Ptolemy I. 
 
 Stra7igers {or sojour7iers) of Ro7ne. 
 
 N n. — The Jewish settlements in Rome were consequent upon the occupation of Jeru- 
 salem ty Porapey, n.C. 63. 
 
 Crefes, dwellers in the island of Crete, now called Candia. 
 Arabians, inhabitants of the peninsula of Arabia. 
 
 N.B. — ^These are added as finding no place in the above classification. 
 
 Bishop Wordsworth points out that Peter, the Apostle of the 
 Circumcision, provided instruction for all these Dispersions. 
 
 1. He went in person to the Parthians, for he wrote his first 
 
 Epistle from Babylon (i Pet. v. 13). 
 
 2. He wrote his epistles to " the strangers scattered through- 
 
 out 'Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia " 
 (i Pet. i. i), i.e. the Jews of the Syrian or second 
 Dispersion. 
 
 3. He sent " Marcus his son " to the Egyptian Dispersion. 
 
 4. He himself visited Rome. 
 
 INFLUENCE OF THE DISPERSIONS ON THE PHOMULGA- 
 TION OF CHRISTIANITY. 
 
 I. — In consequence of the wide dispersion of the Jews a general 
 persuasion prevailed over the whole East of the near approach of a 
 Great Deliverer. 
 
 n. — This belief was in consequence of the reading and exposition 
 of the Septuagint (or Greek) version of the Hebrew Scriptures. 
 
 HI. — The Jews dispersed abroad in many cities freely admitted 
 the Gentiles to the reading and expounding of their Scripture in 
 their synagogues. 
 
 IV. — Thus numbers of the Gentiles were familiar with the Old 
 Testament, especially with the prophetic portions, and so pre- 
 disposed to listen to Paul's account of the fulfilment of those 
 prophecies. Example may be found in the conduct of the Gentiles
 
 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 at Antioch in Pisidia. Paul's argument there is drawn entirely from 
 the Old Testament ; and yet we find the Gentiles, after listening to 
 it, crowd round him and eagerly desire that these words may again 
 be preached to them the next Sabbath. 
 
 V. — The Jews of the Dispersions present on the day of Pentecost 
 naturally prepared the way for the Apostles in the interval which 
 preceded the beginning of separate apostolic missions. 
 
 VI. — The course of the apostolic preaching followed in a regular 
 progress the line of Jewish settlements. 
 
 GEOGRAPHICAL NOTES. 
 Cilicia. — A maritime province in the south-east of Asia Minor. 
 Many Jews had settled there at the time of the Syrian dispersion 
 under Antiochus Epiphanes. 
 
 Notices in Acts. 
 
 1. Tews from Cilicia were among- the opponents of Stephen (vi. 9). 
 
 2. Cilicia was the native country of Paul, who was born at Tarsus. 
 
 Charran, or Haran. — The name of the place whither Abraham 
 migrated with his family from Ur of the Chaldees, and where the 
 descendants of his brother Nahor established themselves. It is said 
 to be situate in Mesopotamia (Gen. xxiv. 10), or in Padan-aram 
 (xxv. 20). A village named Harran, situated on the Belith, a 
 tributary of the P2uphrates, is in all probability identical with the 
 ancient Haran. 
 
 Sychem. — The ancient Shechem. 
 
 Lying betzveeji Moimts Gerizmi and Ebal, 
 
 Stephen makes reference to Sychem in his defence before the Sanhedrim. 
 
 The events occurring at Shechem in patriarchal times, and as connected with Acts, are : — 
 
 1. It was the first resting-place of Abraham on his migration from Mesopotamia 
 (Gen. xii. 6). 
 
 2. Jacob, on his return from his sojourn with Laban at Padan-aram, settled at Shechem 
 (Gen. xxxiii. 18). 
 
 3. Here he bought a "parcel of a field" from the children of Hamor, the father of 
 Shechem (Gen. xxxiii. 19). 
 
 4. Jacob subsequently bequeathed this piece of land as a special bequest 'to his son 
 Joseph (Gen. xlviii. 22). 
 
 Olivet.— The Mount of Olives, styled by Luke the " mount called 
 Olivet." An eminence on the east of Jerusalem, and separated 
 from the city by the narrow ravine of the Kidron. 
 
 It is prominent in Gospel history as the scene of our Lord's 
 triumphal entry into Jerusalem, and of His weeping over the city
 
 INTRODUCTION-. 23 
 
 (Luke xix. 29). At the foot of the mount was the Garden of Geth- 
 semane, the scene of our Lord's agony and betrayal (John xviii. i). 
 
 /i !S mentioned in the Acts as the scene of our Lord's Ascension. 
 
 Cyprus.— An island situated in the extreme eastern corner of the 
 Mediterranean, due east of Syria, and south of Cilicia. 
 
 IVotices in Acts. 
 
 1. Barnabas, the Apostle, was a native of Cj^prus (iv. 36). 
 
 2. Men of Cyprus and Cyrene preached the Gospel first to Gentiles at Antioch (xi. 20). ' 
 
 3. Paul and Barnabas visited Cyprus on the first missionary journey, landing at Salamis, 
 and going through the island to Paphos, where the deputy Sergius Paulus was converted, 
 and Elymas, the sorcerer, smitten with blindness. 
 
 4. Barnabas, when he separated from Paul, took Mark with him, and visited Cyprus. 
 
 Antioch in Syria- — The capital city of Syria, situated on the 
 river Orontes, about sixteen miles from the sea-coast. It was 
 founded 300 B.C., by Seleucus Nicator. It became a city of great 
 extent and remarkable beauty. It was the residence of the Roman 
 proconsul of Asia, 
 
 Notices in Acts. 
 
 1. Nicolas, one of the seven deacons, was a proselyte of Antioch (vi. 5). 
 
 2. The first Gentile Church was founded at Antioch (xi. 20, 21). 
 
 3. At Antioch Agabus prophesied the famine (xi. 27, 28). and from Antioch were sent 
 contributions to the brethren at Jerusalem (xi. 30). 
 
 4. At Antioch the disciples were first called Christians (xi. 26). 
 
 5. It was to Antioch that the Judaizers came, who disturbed the Church there, and were 
 the cause of the holding the first Christian Council (xv. i). 
 
 6. It was the centre and starting point of Paul's missionary work for — 
 
 (a) At Antioch Paul and Barnabas were ordained for missionary work (xiii. i, 3). 
 (i) From Antioch they started on the first missionary journey (xiii. i, 3), and hithet 
 they returned (xiv. 26). 
 
 (c) Paul began and ended his second missionary journey at Antioch (xv. 36; xviii. 22), 
 
 (d) Antioch was also the starting-point of the third missionary journey (xviii. 23), 
 which was brought to an end by the imprisonment at Jerusalem and Ca;sarea. 
 
 Alexandria. — The capital of Egypt, founded by Alexander the 
 Great, B.C. 332. Ptolemy I. removed a great number of Jews to 
 Alexandria, and so numerous did the Jewish residents become that 
 Philo estimates their number at nearly 1,000,000, and adds that two 
 of the. five -districts of Alexandria were called " Jewish districts." 
 The Septuagint version of the Old Testament was made by Jews at 
 Alexandria. 
 
 A'otices in Acts. 
 
 1. The synagogue of the Alexandrians was among those who disputed with Stephen 
 vi. 9). 
 
 2. Apollos was a native of Alexandria (xviii. 24). 
 
 3. Paul sailed from Myra on the voyage to Rome, in a ship of Alexandria (xxvii. 6).
 
 24 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 Madian = Midian. — Midian was a son of Abraham and Keturah, 
 and gave his name to the land and the people. "The land of 
 Midian" referred to (Acts vii. 29) was probably the peninsula of 
 Sinai. Hither Moses fled, after killing the Egyptian, and was a 
 sojourner there forty years. He married Zipporah, the daughter of 
 Jethro, priest of Midian, and had two sons, Gershom and Eliezer. 
 
 Gaza was the southernmost of the five great cities of the Philis- 
 tines. It is the last town in the south-west of Palestine, on the 
 frontier of Egypt, and is on the route which a traveller from Jerusalem 
 to Egypt would follow. There were two routes from Jerusalem to 
 Gaza, the more northern one passing through Ascalon and then by 
 the coast to Gaza, the other farther to the south passing through 
 Hebron. The latter was more favourable for carriages, and passed 
 through a district comparatively without towns. To this route 
 reference is made when Philip the Evangelist is bidden to "go 
 towards the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem 
 unto Gaza, which is desert." On this road Philip met and baptized 
 the Ethiopian eunuch (viii. 27 and foil.) 
 
 Azotus. — One of the five chief cities of the Philistines, about three 
 miles from the Mediterranean Sea, and nearly midway between Gaza 
 and Joppa. 
 
 Here Philip appeared after leaving the Ethiopian eunuch (viii. 40). 
 
 CsBsarea. — The Cassarea of the Acts is the Caesarea on the sea- 
 coast, known also as Caesarea Sebasto, so called in honour of 
 Augustus (Gk. Sebastos) Cssar. It was on the coast of Palestine, 
 on the great road from Tyre to Egypt, and about seventy miles from 
 Jerusalem. It was built by Herod the Great. It was the official 
 residence of the Herodian kings and of the Roman Governors of 
 Judaea. 
 
 Notices in Acts. 
 
 1. Philip, passing from Azotus, preached through all cities till he carae to Caesarea 
 (viii. 40). 
 
 2. Caesarea was the scene of the conversion and baptism of the centurion, Cornelius, 
 the first fruits of the Gentiles. 
 
 3. After the miraculous release of Peter from prison, Herod went down to Caesarea, 
 where he died, eaten of worms (xii. 23). 
 
 4 At the close of his second missionary journey Paul sailed from Ephesus, landed at 
 Caesarea, thence went up to Jerusalem (xviii. 22). 
 
 5. At the close of his third missionary journey Paul stayed at Caesarea. Here dwelt 
 Philip the Evangelist, and here also Agabus prophesied the persecutions Paul would 
 suffer at the hands of the Jews. 
 
 6. Claudius Lysias, the chief captain, sent Paul from Jerusalem to Felix, the governor 
 at Caesarea,
 
 INTRODUCTION. 25 
 
 7. Ca:sarea was the scene of Paul's two years' imprisonment, his accusation by the Jews 
 through Tertullus, his trials before Felix, Festus, and finally Agrippa II. On Paul 
 appealing to Cssar he was sent to Rome, sailing from Cxsarea in the charge of the 
 centurion Julius, 
 
 Damascus. — One of the most ancient and one of the most im- 
 portant of the cities of Syria. It is situated in an extensive and 
 fertile plain east of the chain of Anti-Lebanus. The fertility of the 
 plain is due to streams flowing from Lebanon and Hermon. These 
 streams are called Abana and Pharpar in Scripture. 
 
 Notices in the Acts. 
 
 1. Saul of Tarsus was journeying to Damascus, commissioned to arrest the Christians 
 there, when, near the city, he met with the vision which converted him (ix. i— 8). 
 
 2. At Damascus Ananias restored Paul's sight, and baptized him (ix. 9 — 18). 
 
 3. Saul preached at Damascus, and the Jews laid a plot to kill him. Saul was saved by 
 being let down from the wall in a basket (ix. 20 — 25). 
 
 4. From 2 Cor. xi. 32, we learn that King Aretas was the ruler over Damascus at this 
 time. 
 
 Tarsus. — The capital of Cilicia, situated in a mild and fertile plain 
 on the banks of the Cydnus. Augustus made it a "free city," but 
 that did not constitute its inhabitants Roman citizens. The schools 
 of Tarsus were held in high reputation. 
 
 Notices in the Acts. 
 
 1. It was the birth-place of Paul, who styles himself " a Jew of Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, 
 a citizen of no mean city" (xxi. 39). 
 
 2. When Paul went up from Damascus to Jerusalem, the Grecian Jews sought to slay 
 him, so the brethren sent him down to Cssarea, and thence to Tarsus (ix. 30). 
 
 3. Paul remained at Tarsus until Barnabas came to Tarsus to seek him, after the Gospel 
 had been preached to the Gentiles at Antioch (xi. 25). 
 
 Lydda. — A town in the plain of Sharon, about nine miles from 
 Joppa. The ancient name was Lod. It was afterwards called 
 Diospolis. 
 
 At Lydda Peter healed the paralytic .(Eneas, bedridden for eight years (ix. n, 34). 
 
 Saron, or Sharon. — The plain of Sharon, a broad, rich tract of 
 land extending along the coast from Joppa to Csesarea. 
 
 The inhabitants of Sharon were converted by the miracle of the healing of the paralytic 
 .(Eneas, by Peter (ix. 35). 
 
 Joppa. — The modern Jaffa, a port on the south-western coast of 
 Palestine. The port of Jerusalem in the days of Solomon, as it has 
 been ever since. 
 
 Notices in the Acts. 
 
 1. Here Peter raised Tabitha to life (ix. 36 — 43). 
 
 2. Here Peter stayed at the house of Simon, the tanner, and on the house-top had the 
 vision of the sheet let down from heaven, filled with creatures clean and unclean (x. g— 16).
 
 26 7 HE A CTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 Phoenice = Phoenicia, a tract of country of which Tyre and Sidon 
 were the principal cities, in the north of Palestine, along the coast of the 
 Mediterranean Sea, bounded by that sea on the west, and by the moun- 
 tain range of Lebanon on the east. The native name of Phoenicia was 
 Kenaan (Canaan), signifying lowland. Thus "the woman of Canaan" 
 (Matt. XV. 22), whose daughter was vexed with a devil, is termed by 
 Mark " a Greek, a Syro-Phenician by nation " (Mark vii. 26). 
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES. 
 
 Theophilus. — The person to whom St. Luke ascribes his Gospel 
 and the Acts of the Apostles. There are two conjectures concern- 
 ing him, viz. : 
 
 1. Since the name = lover of God, many have been disposed to 
 doubt the personality of Theophilus, regarding the name either as that 
 of a fictitious personage, or as applicable to every Christian reader. 
 
 2. From the honourable epithet {KpantsTt. = most excellent) applied 
 to him in Luke i. 3, it has been argued that he was a person in high 
 official position. 
 
 The epithet "most excellent" is a sufficient evidence of his 
 historical existence, and proves that he was a person of high rank. 
 He was a Gentile, and had come under the influence of St. Luke or 
 under that of St. Paul, probably at Rome, and had been converted 
 to the Christian faith. 
 
 Notices til Scripture. 
 
 1. "It seemed good to me ... to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus" 
 (Luke i. 3). 
 
 2. " The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus" (Acts i. i). 
 
 John the Baptist. 
 
 Notices in Acts. 
 
 1. " For John truly baptized with water" (Acts i. 5). 
 
 2. Of Apollos it is said that before he was instructed by Aquila and Priscilla, he knew 
 only " the baptism of John " (Acts xviii. 25). 
 
 3. Of the twelve men at Ephesus it is recorded that they had been baptized " unto John's 
 baptism " (Acts xix. 3). 
 
 4. Paul, in baptizing these converts describes the baptism of John thus : — " John verily 
 baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people that they should believe 
 on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus" (Acts xis, 4). 
 
 5. Historical allusions to the baptism of John are made— 
 
 {a) by Peter in his address to Cornelius, x. 37. 
 
 (3) by Paul in his sermon at Antioch in Pisadia, xiii. 24, 25. 
 
 Mary, The Virgin, Mother of our Lord. 
 
 Notice in Ads. 
 As being with the Apostles in the upper room when Matthias was chosen as an Apostle 
 to fill the place of Judas Iscariot (Acts i. 14).
 
 INTRODUCTION. 27 
 
 Joseph, called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus. 
 
 Notice in Ads. 
 One of the two persons chosen by the assembled Church as worthy to fill the place in the 
 Apostolic company from which Judas fell (Acts i. 23). The choice fell on ^latthias. 
 He had been a constant attendant upon Jesus during the whole of His ministry. 
 
 Eusebius states that Joseph Barsabas was one of the seventy 
 disciples. 
 
 Matthias. 
 
 Notice in Acts. 
 He was the Apostle elected to fill the place of Judas (Acts i. 23). 
 He had been a constant attendant upon Jesus during the whole of His ministrj'. 
 
 It is said that he preached the Gospel, and suffered martyrdom in 
 Ethiopia. 
 
 Annas, a high priest of the Jews. He was the son of Seth, and was 
 high priest from A.D. 7 — 14, when he was deposed by the Romans, 
 and his son-in-law, Caiaphas, appointed high priest A.D. 24. In 
 Luke iii- 2, both Annas and Caiaphas are called high priests, and 
 Annas is mentioned first. Of this three explanations are given, viz. : 
 
 1. That by the Mosaic law the high priesthood was held for life 
 (Num. XXXV. 25), and since Annas had only been deposed by the ar- 
 bitrary caprice of the Romans, he would legally and religiously be 
 regarded as high priest by the Jews. 
 
 2. That he was president of the Sanhedrim. 
 
 3. That the high priesthood was at this time in the hands of a 
 clique of Sadducean families. According to Josephus, there had been 
 28 high priests in 107 years. 
 
 Our Lord, on His capture in the garden of Gethsemane, was taken 
 first to Annas (John xviii. 13), who then sent him bound to Caiaphas 
 (xviii. 24). Annas was a Sadducee. 
 
 Notice in Acts. 
 As trying Peter and John for preaching the doctrine of the resurrection after the healing 
 of the cripple at the Beautiful Gate of the Temple (Acts iv. 6, &c.). 
 
 Caiaphas, called also Joseph, high priest of the Jews under Tiberias, 
 during the years of our Lord's ministry, and at the time of His con- 
 demnation and crucifixion. He was son-in-law of Annas. He was 
 appointed by the Romans A.D. 24. In Luke iii. 2, both Annas and 
 Caiaphas are mentioned as high priests (for explanation see Annas 
 above). " Caiaphas was he which gave counsel to the Jews, that it 
 was expedient that one man should die for the people" (John xviii. 14). 
 When our Lord was captured in the garden of Gethsemane, He was
 
 THE ACTS OF TIIE APOSTLES. 
 
 taken to Annas first, who sent Him bound to Caiaphas, by whom He 
 was tried (John xviii. 24, 28). 
 
 Notice in Acts. 
 As along witli Annas and others trying Peter and John for preaching the doctrine of 
 the resurrection after the healing of the cripple at the Beautiful Gate of the Temple 
 (Acts iv. 6, &c.). 
 
 John, one of the Sadducean party, who tried Peter and John for 
 preaching the doctrine of the resurrection after the heaUng of the 
 cripple at the Beautiful Gate of the Temple (Acts iv. 6). 
 
 Alexander, one of the Sadducean party, who tried Peter and John 
 for preaching the doctrine of the resurrection after the healing of the 
 cripple at the Beautiful Gate of the Temple (Acts iv. 6). 
 
 Ananias (or Hananiah = one to whom the Lord has been gracious), 
 a disciple at Jerusalem, husband of Sapphira. Having sold a piece of 
 land for the benefit of the Church, he kept back part of the price, 
 bringing to the Apostles the remainder, as if it were the whole, his wife 
 being also privy to the scheme. Peter being enabled by the power of the 
 Spirit to see through the fraud, denounced "him as having lied to the 
 Holy Ghost, i.e. having attempted to pass upon the Holy Spirit which 
 guided the Apostles an act of deliberate deceit. On the denunciation 
 of Peter, Ananias fell down and expired. 
 
 Sapphira (Sapphire, a precious stone), the wife of Ananias, who 
 conspired with her husband to deceive the Apostles in selling a piece 
 of land, and bringing to the Apostles part of the price, professing it to 
 be the whole. Sapphira entered the presence ot the Apostles after the 
 death of Ananias, and when questioned by Peter, told the same tale as 
 her husband, for which she was like him denounced by the Apostle, 
 and likewise fell down and died. 
 
 Gamaliel, a Pharisee and celebrated doctor of the law. He was presi- 
 dent of the Sanhedrim under Tiberias, Caligula, and Claudius, and is re- 
 ported to have died eighteen years before the destruction of Jerusalem. 
 
 Notices in the Acts. 
 
 "A Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the 
 people" (Acts v. 34). 
 
 He was the instructor of Paul, who was " brought up in Jerusalem at the feet of 
 Gamaliel " (Acts xxii. 3). 
 
 He gave prudent worldly advice to the Sanhedrim concerning the treatment of the fol- 
 lowers of Jesus. " Refrain from these men and let them alone : for if this counsel or this 
 work bo of men it will come to nought : but if it be of God ye cannot overthrow it, lest 
 haply yc be found to fight even against God " (Acts v. 38, 39). His counsel was followed.
 
 INTRODUCTIOX. 29 
 
 Theudas. 
 
 Notice in Acfs. 
 An insurgent mentioned in G.imaliel's speech before the Jewish Council (Acts v. 35—39) 
 at the time of the trial of the Apostles. He appeared, according to Luke's account, at 
 the head of about four hundred men. He boasted himself to be somebody, i.e. professed 
 to be the Messiah. He was slain, and his followers were dispersed. 
 
 Josephus speaks of a Theudas, who played a similar part in the 
 time of Claudius, A.D. 44, i.e. some ten or twelve years after the delivery 
 of Gamaliel's speech. Luke has, therefore, been charged with having 
 committed an anachronism. 
 
 But at the time of the death of Herod the Great, anterior to the 
 rebellion of Judas of Galilee, the Jews were very turbulent, the land 
 being overrun with insurrectionary chiefs or fanatics. Josephus men- 
 tions three of these disturbers by iiajiie ; he passes over the 
 others with a general allusion. Among those whom he has omitted to 
 name may have been the Theudas to whom Gamaliel refers. 
 
 Judas of Galilee. 
 
 Notice in Acfs. 
 The leader of a popular revolt " in the days of the taxing," and referred to by Gamaliel 
 in his speech before the Sanhedrim. Judas himself perished, and his followers were 
 dispersed. 
 
 Josephus records that Judas was a Gaulohite of the city of Gamala, 
 probably taking the name of Galitean from his insurrection taking its 
 rise in Galilee. His watchword was, " We have no Lord or Master 
 but God," thus denying the right of the Romans to tax the Jews. He 
 was the founder of the sect of the Gaulonites. 
 
 Stephen. 
 
 The first martyr. 
 
 Notices in the Acts. 
 I. He was the chief of the Seven (commonly called Deacons), appointed to rectify the 
 complaints in the early ChUrch at Jerusalem made by the Grecians (or Hellenists) against 
 the Hebrew Christians. 
 2 Character {a) " A man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost " (vi. 5). 
 (i) " Full of grace and power " (vi. 8). 
 (c) Of irresistible " spirit and wisdom " (vi. 10). 
 
 (^) " Full of the Holy Ghost " (vii. 55)- 
 
 3. Work {a) "Did great wonders and miracles among the people" (vi. 8), and this ii 
 the first outside the Apostles who is recorded as having worked miracles. 
 
 {d) Disputed with the synagogues of the Libertines, Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and 
 them of Cicilia and Asia, and discomfited them (vi. 9). 
 
 4. Teaching, He maintained that the worship of Jehovah was now no longer to be
 
 30 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 confined locally to one nation, one city, and one temple, and also declared that the 
 Jewish ritual connected with the local worship was now no .longer essentially binding 
 upon all worshippers. 
 
 5. Accusers. The Hellenistic Jews, who, discomfited in argument by Stephen, " stirred 
 up the people, the elders, and the Scribes, and brought him before the Council " (vi. 12). 
 
 6. Charge or accusation. False witnesses declared, " This man ceaseth not to speak 
 blasphemous words against this holy place and the law ; for we have heard him say that 
 Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses 
 delivered us " (vi. 13, 14). 
 
 7. Defence. (For analysis thereof, see pp. 93 — 95.) The framework of the defence is a 
 summary of the history of the Jewish Church. In the facts quoted he is guided by two 
 principles. 
 
 I, He endeavours to prove that even in the previous Jewish history the presence and 
 
 ■ favour of God had not been confined to the Holy Land, or the Temple of 
 
 Jerusalem. 
 
 II. He shows that from the earliest times of the Jewish nation there had been the 
 
 same rebellious, ungrateful, narrow spirit that had appeared in this last stage of 
 
 ^ their political existence. 
 
 It would seem that at the close of his argument Stephen saw a change in the aspect of 
 his judges, as if for the first time they caught the drift of his reasoning. He suddenly 
 breaks off his calm argument, and turns upon them with an impassioned attack. 
 
 8. Fate. His judges "were cut to the heart, and gnashed upon him with their teeth," 
 and when Stephen, turning his face to heaven, declared that he saw " the heavens 
 opened, and the Son of Man standing on the right-hand of God," they broke into a loud 
 yell, clapped their hands to their ears, flew upon him, as with one impulse, and dragged 
 him out of the city to the place of execution. Here he was stoned, the witnesses laying 
 their clothes at the feet of Saul. 
 
 To Stephen the name of " martyr'''' is first applied, "And when the blood of thy martyr, 
 Stephen, was shed" (Acts xxii. 20). 
 
 Philip. 
 
 - First mentioned in the account of the dispute between the Hebrew and Grecian disciples 
 in Acts vi. 
 
 He was one of the seven appointed to superintend the daily distribution of alms (vi. 5). 
 
 He is known as Philip the Evangelist (Acts xxi. 8), or Philip the Deacon. 
 
 Upon the persecution after the death of Stephen, and which persecution naturally fell 
 upon the party of Stephen, Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached the 
 Gospel there. It is recorded that he worked miracles and signs (viii. 5, 6). 
 
 From Samaria he is directed by an angel of the Lord to take the desert road from Jeru- 
 salem to Gaza, and on this road he baptizes the Ethiopian eunuch (viii. 26 — 40). 
 
 He is taken up from the eunuch by the Spirit, and is afterwards found at Azotus 
 (Ashdod), and makes his way to Caesarea, along the coast-line, preaching the word in the 
 cities he passes through. 
 
 The last notice of him in the Acts is in the account of Paul's last journey to Jerusalem. 
 It is to his house at Caesarea, as one well known to them, that Paul and his companions 
 turn for shelter. He had four daughters, who possessed the gift of prophetic teaching. It 
 is in his house that Agabus prophesied of the persecution Paul should undergo at Jerusalem 
 at the hands of the Jews (xxi. 8 — 14). 
 
 Prochorus. 
 
 One of the seven deacons, being" third on the list, and named after Stephen and Philip 
 (vi.S).
 
 INTROD UCTION. i^ i 
 
 Nicanor. 
 
 One of the seven deacons appointed to superintend the " daily ministrations " after the 
 dispute between the Grecian and Hebrew disciples (vi. 5). 
 
 Timon. 
 
 One of the seven deacons appointed to superintend the "daily ministrations" after tho 
 dispute between the Grecian and Hebrew disciples (vi. 5). 
 
 Parmenas. 
 
 One of the seven deacons appointed to superintend the "daily ministrations '' after the 
 dispute between the Grecian and Hebrew disciples (vi. 5). 
 
 Nicolas. 
 
 One of the seven deacons appointed to superintend the " daily ministrations " after the 
 dispute betw-een the Grecian and Hebrew disciples (vi. 5). 
 He was a native of Antioch, and a proselyte to the Jewish faith (vi. 5). 
 
 A sect of Nicolaitanes is mentioned in Rev. ii. 6, 15, against which 
 John speaks in condemnatory' terms. It has been much questioned 
 whether this Nicolas was their founder. There seems, however, to be 
 little trustworthy evidence for connecting this Nicolas with the im- 
 moral and licentious Nicolaitanes. 
 
 Candace. 
 
 A queen of Ethiopia (Meroe) mentioned in Acts viii. 27. 
 
 The name was not a proper name of an individual, but that of a 
 dynasty of Ethiopian queens, as the Pharaohs, kings of Egypt, or the 
 Caesars, emperors of Rome. 
 
 Barnabas. 
 
 A name signifying " son of prophecy " or " exhortation " (or, but not 
 so probably, " consolation," as A.V.), given by the Apostles to Joses 
 or Joseph, a Levite, of the island of Cyprus, one of the early disciples 
 of Christ. 
 
 He had a sister Mary, mother of John Mark, living in Jerusalem 
 (Acts xii. 12). 
 
 His relationship to Mark is recorded (Col. iv. lo), " Marcus, sister's 
 son to Barnabas." 
 
 Notices in Acts. 
 
 1. As selling land and giving the price to the common fund (Iv. 37). 
 
 2. "We find him (Acts ix. 27) introducing the newly-converted Saul of Tarsus to the 
 Apostles at 'Jerusalem, in a way which seems to imply previous acquaintance between 
 them. (Possibly Barnabas, of Cyprus, had visited the famous schools of Tarsus, and there 
 met Saul.)
 
 32 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 3. When tidings came to the Church at Jerusalem that men from Cyprus and Cyrene 
 had been preaching to Gentiles at Antioch, Barnabas (a native of Cyprus) was sent there 
 (xi. 19, 22). 
 
 4. From Antioch he went to Tarsus, to seek Saul, and having found him, he brought 
 him to Antioch (xi. 25, 26). 
 
 5. With Saul he went up to Jerusalem from Antioch, with the relief collected there for 
 the brethren in Judsea during the famine prophesied by Agabus (xi. 29, 30). 
 
 6. On their return to Antioch Saul and Barnabas were ordained by the Church for mis- 
 sionary work, and sent forth (xiii. i — 3). 
 
 From this time Barnabas and Paul are acknowledged as Apostles, Their first missionary 
 journey was confined to Cyprus and Asia Minor, and there is no special mention of 
 Barnabas save that he was called " Jupiter " by the people of Lycaonia, who gave to 
 Paul the name of " Mercurius." 
 
 7. Some time after their return from the first missionary journey they were sent to Jeru- 
 salem to settle the difficult question respecting the necessity of circumcision for Gentile 
 converts (xv. i — 31). 
 
 8. After a stay at Antioch, on their return, a variance arose between Paul and Barnabas 
 on the question of taking with them, on a second missionary journey, John Mark, sister's 
 son to Barnabas. "The contention was so sharp between them that they parted asunder," 
 and Barnabas took Mark, and sailed to Cyprus (xv. 36 — 39). 
 
 There is no further notice of Barnabas in Scripture. 
 
 Tradition states that he went to Milan, and became first bishop 
 there. 
 
 Ananias. 
 
 A Jewish disciple at Damascus to whom the Lord appeared in a vision, and ordered 
 him to seek out Saul at the house of Judas, in the street called Straight, commissioning 
 him to lay hands upon Saul, to restore his sight, to announce his election as a preacher 
 to the Gentiles, and to baptize him (ix. 10, 17). 
 
 Paul describes Ananias as " a devout man according to the law, having a good report of 
 all the Jews which dwelt in Damascus " (xxii. 12). 
 
 Tradition reports that he was afterwards Bishop of Damascus, and 
 that he died by martyrdom. 
 
 .ffineas. 
 
 A paralytic at Lydda, bedridden for eight years, who was healed by Peter (ix. 33, 34). 
 
 Tabitha. (Aramaic) or Dorcas (Greek) = a gazelle, 
 Was a female disciple at Joppa. She was " full of good works and 
 almsdeeds," among which the making of " coats and garments " for 
 the poor is specially mentioned. She fell sick and died, and as Peter 
 was at the neighbouring town of Lydda, the disciples at Joppa sent an 
 urgent message to him begging him to come without delay. On his 
 arrival Peter found Tabitha prepared for burial, and the room full of 
 those upon whom she had bestowed her charity. After the example 
 of the Saviour in the house of Jairus (where Peter had been present), 
 the Apostle *' put them all forth," prayed, and then commanded Tabitha
 
 INTRODUCTION. 2>l 
 
 to arise. She opened her eyes, sat up, and, assisted by the Apostle, 
 rose from her couch. This miracle produced an extraordinary effect 
 at Joppa, and was the cause of many conversions there (ix. 36 — 42). 
 
 Simon, known as the tanner, to distinguish him from other Simons 
 mentioned in Scripture, was a Christian disciple living at Joppa, with 
 whom Peter lodged. He was a tanner (ix. 43), and his house was 
 near the seaside (x. 6). Here Peter was lodging when he saw the 
 vision of the sheet containing all manner of creatures, and it was hence 
 that he was summoned by the messengers of Cornelius to go to visit 
 him at Ca^sarea (x. 17, 18). 
 
 Simon Magus, 
 
 A magician or sorcerer living at Samaria, who by his arts had bewitched the people of 
 Samaria, so that they said of him — "This man is the great power of God'' (viii. 9, 10). 
 Amazed at the miracles of Philip, he became one of his disciples, and was baptized (viii. 
 13^. "When Peter and John came down to Samaria, and the gift of the Holy Ghost was 
 conferred by the laying on of hands, Simon desired to buy this gift for money. The 
 motive evidently was to apply the power to the prosecution of magical aits. His pro- 
 position met with severe denunciation from Peter, followed by a petition on the part of 
 Simon denoting terror rather than repentance. 
 
 From other sources we learn that he was born at Gitton, a village of 
 Samaria, and that he was probably educated at Alexandria. He 
 seems to have been of the Gnostic school. The later history given of 
 Simon represents him as the persistent enemy of Peter, and as following 
 tliat Apostle to Rome for the purpose of encountering him. In all 
 encounters Simon was signally defeated. There are wild and vague 
 traditions concerning his death. According to one account Simon 
 was buried alive at his own request in the confident assurance that he 
 would rise again on the third day. According to another account he 
 endeavourea to prove his supernatural powers by attempting to fly, 
 but fell in answer to the prayer of Peter, breaking his leg, and in 
 vexation committed suicide. 
 
 Cornelius, of the Corneha-gens, one of the best known patrician 
 families or clans of Rome. It included the two Scipios, Africanus and 
 Asiaticus, the Dictator Sulla, the historian Tacitus, and the physician 
 Celsus. Of its women, Cornelia, the mother of the Gracchi, is the most 
 famous. 
 
 Notices in the Acts. 
 A Roman centurion of the Italian band stationed at Crcsarca. His character is 
 described as being "a devout man, and one which feared God, with all his house, 
 which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alvvay " (x. 2), i.e. he was a wor- 
 shipper of the true God, but did not conform to the rites and ordinances of the Law. 
 
 D
 
 34 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 This is conclusively proved by the language of Peter (v. 28), when he declares that it was 
 unlawful for himself, a Jew, toiconsort with Cornelius, a Gentile. He was not, therefore, 
 a complete proselyte. Whilst Cornelius was praying at Ctesarea, an angel appeared 
 unto him, bidding him send to Joppa for Peter, who should instruct him in what he had to 
 do. On Peter's arrival, and after explanation from Cornelius, and an address from Peter, 
 the Holy Ghost descended upon Cornelius and his friends, and they spake with tongues, 
 whereupon Peter caused them to be baptized. Subsequently Peter, before the elders at 
 Jerusalem, defended his action in having Cornelius baptized. 
 
 Cornelius thus became the first-fruit of the Gentile world to Christ. 
 
 Tradition states that he built a Christian Church at Jerusalem. 
 Agabus, a Christian prophet in the ApostoHc age. 
 
 Notices in the Acts. 
 
 1. He came down from Jerusalem to Antioch, "and signified by the Spirit that there 
 should be great dearth throughout all the world" (xi. 28). 
 
 The famine occurred in the reign of Claudius, A.D. 44. 
 
 In consequence of the prediction, the disciples at Antioch sent relief to the brethren at 
 Judzea (xi. 29). 
 
 2. He came down from Jerusalem to Caesarea, when Paul, on his last journey to Jeru- 
 salem, was staying with Philip, the Evangelist, and when he was come, " he took Paul's 
 girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said. Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall 
 the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him unto 
 the hands of the Gentiles" (xxi. 10, 11). 
 
 The brethren endeavoured to persuade Paul not to go up to Jerusalem, but the Apostle 
 persisted in his purpose. 
 
 The prophecy was fulfilled by the Jews seizing Paul in the Temple (xxi. 30). 
 
 The chief captain rescued Paul, and finally sent him to Felix, at Caesarea. Subsequently, 
 when Paul appealed to Cjesar, Festus sent the Apostle to Rome, in which city Paul 
 remained till his martyrdom. 
 
 Claudius, the fourth Roman Emperoi', reigned from 41 — 54'A.D. 
 He owed his nomination to the supreme power mainly through the 
 influence of Herod Agrippa I-, whom he rewarded by bestowing upon 
 him the kingdom of Judsea. After a weak reign he was poisoned by 
 his wife Agrippina, the mother of Nero, A.D. 54. 
 
 Notices ill Acts. 
 
 1. The famine predicted by Agabus "came to pass in the days of Claudius Ca?sar" 
 (xi. 28). 
 
 2. Aquila and Priscilla came to Corinth irom Rome " because Claudius had commanded 
 all Jews to depart from Rome " (xviii. 2). , 
 
 Blastiis. 
 
 The chamberlain of Herod Agrippa I. The people of Tyre and Sidon made him their 
 friend, and employed him as a mediator between them and the anger of Herod (xii. 20). 
 
 As the name implies, most probably Blastus was a Roman. As 
 Herod Agrippa I. had spent many years at Rome, and was high in
 
 INTRODUCTION. 35 
 
 favour with Claudius, the reigning emperor, it is probable that some 
 Romans would take oflice under the Jewish king. 
 
 Mary, mother of Mark, was the sister of the Apostle, Barnabas, 
 " Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas," Col. iv. 10. She had a house 
 in Jerusalem. As her brother had (iv. 37) given up lands for the com- 
 mon treasury, so possibly Mary was possessed of means which enabled 
 her to put a house at the service of the Church for prayer. Peter, on 
 his release from prison, went to the house of Mary. This indicates 
 that there was some special intimacy between Peter and the family of 
 Mary, and this is confirmed by his styling Mark as " his son" (i Peter 
 V, 13). Like Barnabas, Mary must have been of the tribe of Levi, and 
 connected with Cyprus. 
 
 Bhoda, the maid who announced Peter's arrival at the door of 
 Mary's house after his miraculous release from prison. When she 
 recognised Peter's voice "she opened not the gate for gladness but ran 
 in, and told how Peter stood at the gate" (xii. 14). The assembled 
 Christians were incredulous, and did not believe her story till they had 
 opened the door and found that Peter was really there. 
 
 Jolm Mark is probably the same as Mark the Evangelist. 
 
 Notice in the Gospels. 
 None, unless he were the j-oung man with the linen garment mentioned by Mark alone 
 on the night of our Lord's betrayal (Mark xiv. 51, 52). 
 
 Notices in the Acts. 
 
 1. His mother's name was Mary, and she had a house in Jerusalem, to which Ptt:!r 
 came, as to a familiar place, after his miraculous deliverance from prison (Acts xii. 12). 
 The deduction from this event is that Peter was an intimate friend of the family. 
 
 2. JIark accompanied Paul and Barnabas as their " minister " on their first missionary 
 journey, but only proceeded as far as Perga, where he turned back (Acts xiii. 5 ; xiii. ij). 
 
 3. On the second journey he was the occasion of a sharp contention between Paul and 
 Barnabas. "Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark. 
 But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from 
 Paniphylia, and went not with them to the work. And the contention was so sharp 
 between them that they departed the one from the other ; and so Barnabas took Mark, and 
 sailed unto Cyprus. And Paul chose Silas, and went through Sj'ria and Cilicia" (Acts 
 XV. 37—41). 
 
 Notices in the Epistles. 
 I. " Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas " (Col. iv. 10). 
 
 This passage shows that Mark was the nephew of Barnabas ; the 
 relationship will account for the indulgent treatment he received from 
 Barnabas. As Paul speaks of IMark as being with him it is clear that 
 the estrangement was not of long duration. As the Epistle to the
 
 36 THE A CTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 Colossians was written from Rome, it is evident that Mark was Paul's 
 companion during his imprisonment there. 
 
 2. " Marcus, my fellow-labourer" {Philem. 24). 
 
 This passage furnishes a further proof of his reconcihation to Paul, 
 and of his being the companion of the Apostle at Rome during his 
 first imprisonment. 
 
 3. "Take Mark, and brin;f him with thee, for he ij profitable to me for the ministry 
 (2 Tim. iv. 11). 
 
 Therefore, he was with Timothy at Ephesus when Paul wrote to the 
 latter during his second imprisonment at Rome. 
 
 4. " The Church which is at Babylon saluteth you, and so doth Marcus, my son " 
 [i Pet. V. 13). 
 
 Therefore, later he was with Peter at Babylon. This passage con- 
 firms the familiar relationship between Peter and the family of Mark, 
 and supports the theory that Mark was converted by Peter. 
 
 It also confirms the universal tradition of the Church that Mark 
 wrote the Gospel which bears his name under the superintendence of 
 Peter. 
 
 Tradition asserts that he was the companion of Peter at Rome, and that he was sent 
 by Peter on a mission to Egypt. Here he founded the Church of Alexandria, or which 
 Church he was the first Bishop, and where he suffered martyrdom. His body is reported 
 to have been conveyed to Venice, and to have been deposited in the Cathedral in that city 
 which bears his name. The symbol of Mark is " a Lion " (Rev. iv. 7), and the standard of 
 Venice is still " The Lion of St. I\Iaik." 
 
 KINGS AND GOVERNORS. 
 
 HEROD THE GREAT. 
 
 I 
 
 1 i ' i n i. 
 
 Aristobulus. Herod Philip, Archelaus, Herod Antipas, Philip, ■ 
 I first husband of cthnarch of tetrarch of tetrarch of 
 
 I j Herodias. jud;ea, Samaria, Galilee, second Trachonitis 
 Herod Agrippa I. Herodias. ^ ,1 and Iturea. ' husband of and Iturea. 
 
 (Acts xii. I.) Salome. Herodias. 
 
 i 
 
 I I I 
 
 llerod Agrippa II. Bernice. Trusilla. 
 
 (.Acts XXV. 13.) (Acts XXV. 13.) (Acts xxiv. 24 ) 
 
 Herod Agrippa I., grandson of Herod the Great, and son of Aris- 
 tobulus. Pie went to Rome to accuse Ilerod Antipas, and fell under 
 the displeasure of Tiberius for paying open court to Caius Caesar, 
 afterwards the Emperor Caligula. He was imprisoned by Tiberius,
 
 IXTR OD UCTIOX. 3 7 
 
 but on the accession of Caligula was released and presented with the 
 tetrarchy (Trachonitis) of Philip, who had lately died. He was also 
 accorded the title of King. On this Antipas, by persuasion of his wife 
 Herodias, went to Rome to try and obtain the royal title also. Agrippa 
 followed him and managed to get him banished to Spain, and to ob- 
 tain his tetrarchy (Galilee and Pera^a) for himself. Finally, for services 
 rendered to Claudius at the time of Caligula's death, he obtained 
 Samaria and Judiea, and thus ruled over all the kingdom of Herod 
 the Great. 
 
 In the Acts he is mentioned as having beheaded James, the brother 
 of John, and imprisoned Peter, who was miraculously released by an 
 angel. For accepting the impious homage of the people hailing him 
 as God, he was smitten with worms, and died at Ccesarea A.D. 44. 
 
 By Josephus he is described as anxious to be considered a devout 
 Jew. He was extremely careful of the observance of the laws of his 
 country, and never allowed a day to pass without its accustomed 
 sacrifice. This character will abundantly account for his persecution 
 of the Christians, who were so odious to the Jews. 
 
 Herod Agrippa II., son of Herod Agrippa I., was only seventeen at 
 the death of his father, and was not allowed to succeed him at once, 
 the kingdom being placed under procurators. Later on he received 
 the principality of Chalcis, and subsequently the tetrarchy of Tracho- 
 nitis, and was called King by courtesy. He never succeeded to his 
 father's kingdom of Judeea. When the last war broke out he attached 
 himself to the Romans, and after the fall of Jerusalem retired to Rome 
 with his sister Bernice, and there died A.D. 100. He was the last of 
 the Herods. He is mentioned in the Acts as coming to Cassarea with 
 his sister Bernice "to salute" Festus, who had succeeded Felix as 
 procurator. Festus availed himself of the opportunity of consulting 
 Agrippa and obtaining his advice on Jewish law, and so consulted 
 him on the case of Paul. It was before this King that Paul made his 
 defence as recorded in chap. xxvi. 
 
 Bernice, eldest daughter of Herod Agrippa I., sister of Herod 
 Agrippa ,11., and of Drusilla. She was one of the most unprincipled 
 women of the time. She was first married to her uncle Herod, King 
 of Chalcis. After his death she lived with her brother Agrippa II. 
 She subsequently married Polemon, King of Cilicia. The marriage 
 was, however, soon dissolved, and she returned to her brother. She 
 was afterwards the mistress of Vespasian and of Titus. 
 
 In the Acts she is mentioned as accompanying Agrippa II. "to
 
 38 THE A CIS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 salute" Festus. She sat with Agrippa II., and heard the defence of 
 Paul (chap. xxvi.). 
 
 Drusilla was daughter of Herod Agrippa I., and so sister of 
 Agrippa II. and of Bcrnice. She married Azizus, King of Emesa. 
 Fehx, being enamoured of her beauty, persuaded her to leave her 
 husband and hve witli him. She bore him a son Agrippa, and both 
 mother and son perished in an eruption of Vesuvius in the reign of 
 Titus. 
 
 Before Felix and his wife Drusilla Paul " reasoned of righteousness, 
 temperance, and judgment to come" (Acts xxiv. 24, 25). 
 
 Gallio, deputy (proconsul) of Achaia, before whom at Corinth Paul 
 was accused by the Jews of " persuading men to worship God con- 
 trary to the law." Gallio refused to have anything to do in deciding 
 on matters connected Avith the Jewish law, and drove the Jews from 
 his judgment-seat (Acts xviii. 12 — 17). 
 
 Gallio was the brother of the famous philosopher Seneca, who de- 
 scribes him as a most good-natured, popular, and affectionate man. 
 Originally Gallio was called Marcus Annseus Novatus, but, having 
 been adopted by the orator Lucius Junius Gallio, he took the name 
 Junius AnnfEus Gallio. 
 
 Felix, governor (procurator) of Judaea, to whom Paul was sent by 
 the chief captain, Lysias. The Jews, through the orator TertuUus, 
 accused Paul before him. Felix kept Paul a prisoner for two years, 
 during which time the Apostle preached to the governor and his wife 
 Drusilla. At the end of his procuratorship Felix " willing to show 
 the Jews a pleasure left Paul bound " (Acts xxiii. 26 — xxiv. 27). 
 
 His name was Antonius Felix, and he was the brother of Pallas, the 
 freedman and favourite of the Emperor Claudius, by whom he was 
 appointed procurator A D. 52 — 53. He induced Drusilla, the daughter 
 of Herod Agrippa I. and sister of Herod Agrippa II. and of Bernice, 
 to leave her husband and become his wife. He is represented as an 
 avaricious, profligate, and servile man. His avarice was shown by his 
 continuing Paul as a prisoner in the hope " that money should have 
 been given him of Paul that he might loose him '^ ; his profligacy in 
 persuading Drusilla to leave her husband and be his wife ; his slavish 
 temperament by his leaving Paul bound in order to win the favour of 
 the Jews. In this he did not succeed, for on the appointment of his 
 successor Festus, A.D. 60, the Jews of Ca:sarea followed FeHx to 
 Rome, and accused him. He was saved by the influence of his 
 brother Pallas with Nero.
 
 IXTR OD UCTION. 39 
 
 Festus. — Porcius Festus, the successor of Felix in the procurator- 
 ship of Judaea. When he, " willing to do the Jews a pleasure," sug- 
 gested to Paul that he should go up to Jerusalem'and be judged there 
 before him, the Apostle appealed to Caesar. Subsequently, when 
 Agrippa II. and Bcrnice came to Caesarea, Paul made a defence before 
 the King and the Governor (Acts xxv., xxvi.). 
 
 Festus was appointed Governor by Nero A.D. 60, and died in about 
 two years. His character contrasts favourably with that of his prede- 
 cessor, Felix. 
 
 MIRACLES IN THE ACTS. 
 
 Peter. — i. Heals the lame man at the Beautiful Gate of the Temple 
 (iii. 2—9). 
 
 2. Strikes Ananias and Sapphira dead (v^ i — 10). 
 
 3. Heals many by his shadow at Jerusalem (v. 15). 
 
 4. Cures ^'Eneas of palsy, at Lydda, near Joppa (ix. 33, 34). 
 
 5. Raises Dorcas or Tabitha to life at Joppa (ix. 40). 
 
 Paul. — I. Strikes Elymas the Sorcerer blind at Paphos, in the isle of 
 Cyprus (xiii. 11). 
 
 2. Heals the lame man at Lystra (xiv. 10). 
 
 3. Casts out the spirit of divination at Philippi (xvi. 18). 
 
 4. Heals many by handkerchiefs and aprons at Ephesus (xix. 12). 
 
 5. Raises Eutychus to life at Troas (xx. 9, 10). 
 
 6. Is delivered from the viper at Melita (xxviii. 5). 
 
 7. Cures Publius' father of a fever at MeHta (xxviii. 8). 
 Stephen performed miracles (vi. 8). 
 
 Philip the deacon performed miracles at Samaria (viii. 6, 7). 
 
 The Apostles generally performed " wonders and signs " (ii. 43). 
 
 Signs and wonders wrought by Paul and Barnabas at Iconium 
 (xiv. 3). 
 
 The gates of the prison were miraculously opened for Peter and 
 John by the angel (v. 19). 
 
 The gates of the prison again miraculously opened for Peter by an 
 angel (xii. 7), 
 
 ADDRESSES IN THE ACTS. 
 
 Peter. — i. To the one hundred and twenty at Jerusalem on the elec- 
 tion of an apostle (i.). 
 
 2. His address to the Jews on the day of Pentecoit (ii.).
 
 40 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 3. Address to the Jews in Solomon's Porch after healing the lame 
 man (iii.)- 
 
 4. To the Sanhedrim in his defence (iv.), 
 
 5. To Cornelius and his friends at Caesarea (x.). 
 
 6. Defends himself before the elders at Jerusalem when charged 
 with eating with Gentiles (xi. 4 — 18). 
 
 7. His speech at the Council at Jerusalem (xv. 7 — 11). 
 
 Paul. — I. At Antioch, in Pisidia, in the Synagogue, on the Sabbath, 
 to the Jews and Proselytes (xiii, 16 — 47). 
 
 2. At Lystra after healing the lame man (xiv. 15 — 18). 
 
 3. At Athens to the philosophers on Mars Hill (xvii. 22 — 32). 
 
 4. At Miletus, to the Christian Elders of the Church at Ephesus 
 (xx. 18-36). 
 
 5. On the stairs of the Castle of Antonia, at Jerusalem, to the Jews 
 in Hebrew (xxii. i — 21). 
 
 6. At Cffisarea before Felix, the Roman Governor, in answer to the 
 accusation of Tertullus (xxiv. 10 — 21). 
 
 7. Before Festus when he appealed unto Caesar (xxv. 8 — 11). 
 
 8. At Caesarea before Festus, Agrippa, and Bernice (xxvi. i — 23). 
 
 9. Addresses the Jews at Rome, explaining his position (xxviii. 17 
 — 20). 
 
 OTHER ADDRESSES. 
 
 G-amaliel counsels the Sanhedrim to refrain from persecuting the 
 Apostles (v. 34 — 39). 
 
 Stephen. Defence before the Sanhedrim (vii.). 
 
 James sums up the discussion at the Council at Jerusalem on the 
 question of circumcision (xv. 13 — 21). 
 
 Demetrius to the craftsmen at Ephesus, inciting them against Paul 
 (xix. 25 — 27). 
 
 The Town Clerk of Ephesus addresses the multitude excited by 
 the speech of Demetrius, and calms the riot (xix. 35 — 41). 
 
 Tertullus, acting as the prosecutor for the Jews, accuses Paul before 
 Felix (xxiv. 2 — 9). 
 
 Festus (i) explains Paul's cause to Agrippa, and asks his advice 
 (xxv. 14 — 22). 
 
 (2) Further explains the case pubUcly before Agrippa and Bernice 
 on the following day (xxv. 24 — 2^).
 
 IiYTR OD UCTION. 4 1 
 
 APPEARANCES OF OUR LORD. 
 Bodily. 
 
 To the Apostles at the Ascension (i. 4—9). 
 
 To Paul at his conversion (ix.). 
 
 Was seen by Stephen standing at the right hand of God (vii. 56). 
 
 In Visions. 
 
 I Damascus. The Lord, in a vision, spoke to Ananias, and bade 
 him go and baptize Saul (ix. 10). 
 
 Z- Corintll. — " Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, 
 Be not afraid, but speak and hold not thy peace, for I am with thee " 
 (xviii. 9, 10). 
 
 3. Jerusalem — To Paul, in the Temple, on his first visit to that 
 city soon after his conversion, bidding him depart out of Jerusalem, as 
 his testimony will inot be received by the Jews (xxii. 17, 18). 
 
 4. Jerusalem, — To Paul, in the Castle of Antonia, bidding him be 
 of good cheer, and foretelling that he should bear witness of Jesus in 
 Rome (xxiii. 11). 
 
 APPEARANCES OF ANGELS. 
 
 1. At the Ascension. — "Two men stood by them in white apparel" 
 (i. 10). 
 
 2. Jerusalem.— An angel released Peter and John from prison 
 (v. 19). 
 
 3- Samaria. — The angel of the Lord sent Philip from Samaria to 
 Gaza to meet the Ethiopian eunuch (viii. 26). 
 
 4. Caesirea. — An angel appeared to Cornelius, bidding him send to 
 Joppa for Peter (x. 3). 
 
 5. Jerusalem. — The angel appeared to Peter and delivered him 
 from prison out of the hands of Herod (xii. 7). 
 
 6. On board ship during the voyage to Rome. An angel appeared 
 to Paul foretelling the safety of the passengers and Paul's appearance 
 before Caesar (xxvii. 23, 24). 
 
 OTHER VISIONS. 
 
 1. Damascus.— Saul of Tarsus in a vision saw "Ananias coming in 
 and putting his hand on him that he might receive his sight" (ix. 12.) 
 
 2. Joppa. — A vision vouchsafed to Peter of a sheet let down from 
 heaven, containing animals clean and unclean (x. 11, etc.).
 
 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 3. Troai. — A man of Macedonia appearing to Paul and saying, 
 '' Come over into Macedonia and help us " (xiv. 9). 
 
 THE SYNAGOGUE. 
 
 Origin. — Synagogues were buildings set apart for the worship of 
 God. They appear to have originated after the Babylonish Captivity, 
 to meet the necessities of the Jews dispersed throughout the world, 
 millions of them far out of reach of the Temple and its priestly ritual. 
 In our Saviour's time these buildings had so increased in number 
 that there was no town without one or more of them. 
 
 Structure. — The synagogue was simply an oblong chamber. It 
 stood, if possible, on the highest ground in or near the city to which 
 it belonged. It was so constructed that the v/orshippers, as they 
 entered and as they prayed, looked towards Jerusalem. 
 
 Arrangament. — At the upper or Jerusalem end stood an ark, or 
 chest, containing a copy of the Law and the Prophets. At this end 
 sat the Elders of the congregation on seats facing the people. " The 
 chief seats of the synagogue" (Matt, xxiii. 6). Here, too, was a 
 pulpit, in which the reader stood to read the lesson or sat down to 
 teach. The congregation were divided, the men on one side, the 
 women on the other (or in a separate gallery). 
 
 Officers. — I. The Elders, who formed a sort of college, presided 
 over by one who was " the chief of the synagogue." (Crispus and 
 Sosthenes are mentioned as being " chief rulers of the synagogue," 
 Acts xviii. 8, 17). 
 
 2. The Sheliach (= legatus), or delegate, or spokesman, who led 
 the form of prayer. 
 
 3. The Chazzan, or "minister" (Luke iv. 20), whose duties were 
 to look after the building and act as schoolmaster during the week. 
 
 4. The BathiJiim (= otiosi), or men of leisure. Ten in number, 
 who managed the affairs of the synagogue, and corresponded to our 
 churchwardens. 
 
 The order of the Synagogue Service was as follows : — 
 
 1. The Sheliach read the prayers prescribed, the people respond- 
 ing at the close of each with an audible "Amen." 
 
 2. A first lesson from the Law (" Moses was read in the syna- 
 gogues every Sabbath day," Acts xv. 21). 
 
 3. A second lesson from the Prophets (Luke iv. 17). The readers 
 were selected by the Sheliach, and " stood up to read."
 
 LVTR OD UCTION. 43 
 
 4. An exposition by any Rabbi who might be present. The 
 preacher was selected by the Sheliacli, and he seated himself whislt 
 expounding the Scriptures (Luke iv. 20 ; Acts xiii, 15). 
 
 Judicial Functions. — The Elders seem to have exercised a judicial 
 power over the community. We find the following mentioned in 
 Scripture : — 
 
 1. Trying offenders. " They shall persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues " 
 (Luke xxi. 12). 
 
 2. Scourging fhein. " They will scourge j-ou in their synagogues " {Matt. x. 17). 
 
 3. Sending tlie7n io Jerusalem /or trial, Paul had letters to Damascus to the syna- 
 gogues, empowering him to send Christians bound to Jerusalem (Acts ix. 2), 
 
 4. Exco?u7niinicaiing iliem. " They shall put you out of the synagogues " (John xvi. 2). 
 
 The influence of the Synagogue on the Early Christian Church. 
 
 — In the synagogue the Apostles found their readiest means of pro- 
 claiming their doctrines. On arriving at any town they naturally 
 betook themselves to the synagogue. Of their method of proceeding 
 we find a detailed account in the preaching of Paul at Antioch in 
 Pisidia. 
 
 " They (Paul and Barnabas) came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went 
 into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and sat down. And after 
 the reading of the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue 
 sent unto them, saying, Ye men and brethren, if ye have any word 
 of exhortation for the people, say on. Then Paul stood up, and 
 beckoning with his hand, said" (Acts xiii. 14 — 16). 
 
 And. so wherever they went they made use of the synagogue ser- 
 vice so long as the congregation would suffer them. 
 
 If, as at Berea, the elders and congregation listened and were 
 converted, the synagogue at once became a Christian church. 
 
 If, as at Thessalonica and Corinth, the Jews refused to listen to 
 them, then the Apostles withdrew to a neighbouring house belonging 
 to one of the converts, e.g. the house of Jason at Thessalonica, the 
 house of Justus at Corinth. Hence the phrase so often occurring 
 in the Epistles: "The church in thy house." The very name of 
 synagogue was retained: " If there come unto your synagogue" 
 (James ii. 2). 
 
 From the synagogue was borrowed the term "Presbyter," or 
 " Elder" (Acts xi. ■^0 ; xiv. 2}^). 
 
 The " legatus " of the synagogue appears in the "angel of the 
 church at Ephesus " (Rev, ii. i).
 
 44 THE A CTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 THE SANHEDRIM. 
 
 The Sanhedrim was the supreme council of the Jews in the time 
 of Christ. The origin of this assembly is traced to the seventy elders 
 appointed by Moses (Numb. xi. i6, 17.) But the Sanhedrim in the 
 form known in the New Testament was probably instituted by the 
 Maccabees. 
 
 Constitution. — It consisted of chief priests, or the heads of the 
 twenty-four courses or classes into which the priests were divided, 
 elders, men of age and experience, scribes or lawyers, i.e. those 
 learned in the Jewish law. 
 
 The number of members was seventy-two, and the meetings were 
 held in the Temple. Joseph of ArimathcCa, Nicodemus, Gamaliel, 
 and Saul of Tarsus were members of the Sanhedrim. 
 
 The president was styled Nasi, and the office was generally filled 
 by the High Priest. 
 
 While in session the Sanhedrim sat in the form of a half-circle. 
 
 Recorded trials before the Sahnedrim are 
 
 1. Our Lord on the charge of blasphemy. 
 
 2. Peter and John for having preached the doctrine of the resur- 
 rection (Acts v. 2^). 
 
 3. Stephen for having spoken blasphemous words against the 
 Temple and the law (Acts vii. l). 
 
 4. Paul was brought before the Sanhedrim by the chief captain 
 (xxii. 30). 
 
 Judicial Functions.— The Sanhedrim had jurisdiction over all 
 matters, both criminal and social. 
 
 Had the Sanhedrim the ^power of life and death ? 
 
 It is generally supposed that the Sanhedrim lost the power of in- 
 flicting capital punishment when Judaea became a Roman province. 
 This view is supported 
 
 1. By the reply of the Jews to Pilate. " It is not lawful for us to 
 put any man to death " (John xviii. 31). 
 
 2. By a passage from the Talmud to the effect that '' the power of 
 inflicting capital punishment was taken away from the Sanhedrim 
 forty years before the destruction of Jerusalem." 
 
 If so the death of Stephen must have been a tumultuary outbreak. 
 
 In reply it has been argued 
 
 I. That the chief priests consulted how they might put both Jesus
 
 INTRODUCTION. 45 
 
 and Lazarus to death (John xi. 53 ; xii. 10). Therefore they must 
 have had the power of inflicting capital punishment. 
 
 2. That the reply of the Jews to Pilate meant "that it was not 
 lawful for them to put any man to death " at the feast tivie. 
 
 3. That our Lord's special prediction of the manner of His death 
 (Matt. XX. 19), and the careful way in which St. John shows how that 
 prediction came to be fulfilled, seem to imply that if the usual course 
 had been followed the Sanhedrim would have condemned our Lord 
 to be executed by stoning so soon as the Passover Feast was over. 
 
 4. That the priests dared not run the risk of waiting till the con- 
 clusion of the Feast and so forced Pilate to execute Jesus in the 
 Roman manner. The priests evidently dreaded popular feeling, 
 see Matt. xxi. 46 ; xxvi. 5. 
 
 5. That the stoning of Stephen was a judicial proceeding and not 
 a mere tumultuary outbreak ; for, 
 
 {a.) The sentence seems to have been given by regular vote ; for 
 St. Paul alluding to the Christian persecution says : "And when 
 they were put to death I gave my voice [i.e. my vote) against 
 them" (Acts xxvi. 10). 
 {p.') The requirements of the law were all complied with, for 
 (i.) The stoning took place outside the city. 
 (2.) The witnesses cast the first stones. 
 
 (3.) They laid their garments at the feet of Saul who seems to 
 
 have been commissioned to superintend the execution. 
 
 Dean Milman's opinion "that the power of the Sanhedrim, at this 
 
 period of political change and confusion, on this as well as on other 
 
 points, was altogether undefined, " is perhaps the safest conclusion 
 
 to follow {Norris). 
 
 As regards the stoning of Stephen it is clear from the narrative and 
 from the fact of a bloody persecution taking place soon after it that 
 the Jews did by connivance of, or in the absence of the Procurator, 
 administer summary punishments of this kind {Dean Alford'). 
 
 THE TEMPLE. 
 
 Tiie temple stood upon Mount Moriah, a hard limestone rock, 
 nearly surrounded by precipices, on the eastern side of Jerusalem. 
 The summit of the mountain was levelled to make a space suffi- 
 ciently large on which to erect the building, and as the site, even 
 then, was not extensive enough for the temple and its courts, a ter-
 
 46 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 race was raised by building a wall from the valley beneath. The 
 First Temple was raised on the site so elaborately prepared by 
 Solomon. This noble edifice was burned by the Chaldeans after it 
 had existed about four hundred and thirty years. 
 
 The Second Temple was commenced by Zerubbabel after the 
 return from the Babylonish Captivity. This second temple stood for 
 about five hundred years, when, being much decayed, Herod the 
 Great undertook to rebuild it. He employed eighteen thousand 
 workmen for more than nine years in completing the main building ; 
 subsequently other works were undertaken, the courts were enlarged, 
 so that in our Saviour's time the Jews could truthfully state that 
 it had been forty-six years in course of erection. 
 
 It is said that the courts of this vast edifice were sufficiently large 
 to accommodate half a million people. No expense was spared to 
 make this temple equal if not superior in beauty and grandeur to any 
 building of its age. 
 
 The principal entrance to the outer court of the temple — the 
 Court of the Gentiles — was by the east or King's Gate, so called to 
 remind the Jews of Solomon who raised the foundations of the 
 temple from the valley beneath. The piazza on this side of the 
 court was wider than the rest and known as Solomon's Porch, 
 Josephus informs us that no person could look down from the flat 
 roof of this cloister without dizziness, so high was it raised above the 
 valley. 
 
 After passing the buildings immediately about the entrance gates, 
 pens and folds containing cattle, sheep, and lambs for sacrifice met 
 the eye. Here, too, sat the money changers ready to supply Jewish 
 coins, in exchange for foreign money, with which the worshippers 
 from afar might pay the temple dues. Shops for the sale of wine, 
 oil, meal, and other necessaries for use with the sacrifices were also 
 to be found here. 
 
 In this court persons of all nationalities were seen, but none but 
 Jews were allowed to advance further. The piazza, or covered walk 
 surrounding this court, was ornamented with pillars of white marble, 
 and the whole area thus enclosed and paved with variegated marble 
 is said to have been equal to four and a half acres. 
 
 From the Court of the Gentiles the Jews ascended twelve steps to 
 the sacred fence, a wall of lattice work five feet higli broken by 
 several entrances. 
 
 A further ascent of five steps led to the Court of the Women, or
 
 INTRODUCTION. 4; 
 
 Treasury. The eastern entrance to this coiut was the Beautiful 
 Gate {Acts iii. 2), which was overlaid witli plates of Corinthian brass, 
 an alloy of gold, silver, and copper. This court occupied an area of 
 about one and a half acres ; it was entirely surrounded by a piazza, 
 paved with marble, and had four gates. 
 
 In this court were the chests for reception of offerings, and it was 
 the usual place of worship for those who did not bring sacrifices to 
 offer on the altar. 
 
 A further ascent of fifteen steps conducted the worshipper into 
 the Court of Israel. This was no more than a piazza about four- 
 teen feet wide, under which the Jews stood while their sacrifices were 
 being consumed on the altar. The whole area of this court was less 
 than half an acre. 
 
 The Court of the Priests, or inner division of the temple, con- 
 taining about an acre and a half, was nearly filled by the temple 
 proper and the brazen altar. This court was only entered by the 
 people when they came to offer sacrifices. 
 
 The Brazen Altar, which stood on the site of the threshing floor 
 of Araunah, was sixty-two feet square at the base, forty-four at the 
 summit, and eighteen feet high. Ledges, on which the priests 
 walked, ran around the altar, and these ledges were approached by 
 inclined planes. 
 
 Between the altar and the porch of the temple itself was a space, 
 about forty feet wide, which was considered peculiarly sacred. 
 
 The temple itself had a flat roof surrounded by battlements. The 
 east front or Porch was a lofty building, entered by twelve steps. The 
 entrance stood open always, and was not furnished with doors. 
 
 The body of the temple behind this porch was narrower, so that 
 the whole edifice was in the form of the letter y. 
 
 A wall eleven feet thick, pierced in the centre and furnished with 
 two pairs of folding doors, separated the porch from the Holy Place. 
 When these doors were open the entrance was closed by a richly- 
 wrought curtain. The holy place contained the golden candlestick, 
 the table for the shew-bread, and the golden Altar of Iliceuse. 
 
 Two veils so disposed as to form but one partition separated the 
 holy place from the Holy of Holies, where the ark and the sacred 
 books were stored.
 
 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 THE OFFICERS OF THE TEMPLE. 
 
 The duties of the Lsvites were— 
 
 1. To diffuse rehgious and moral teaching throughout the nation. 
 
 2. To take charge of the public records. 
 
 3. To undertake the duties of the temple as porters, guards, 
 singers, and musicians. For this purpose the whole tribe was divided 
 into twenty-four courses, which performed the duties in turn. They 
 also assisted the priests in killing the sacrifices. 
 
 The Priests, who were descended from Aaron, discharged the 
 higher duties of the Jewish ritual. They — 
 
 1. Offered the sacrifices. 
 
 2. Maintained the fire on the altar. 
 
 3. Trimmed the lights in the golden candlestick. 
 
 4. Made the loaves of shew-bread. 
 
 They, too, were divided into twenty-four courses, and their ofBcial 
 costume was provided at the public expense. 
 
 The High. Priest in the New Testament times was changed annu- 
 ally ; he wore splendid garments when officiating in the temple, a 
 full description of which will be found in the book of Exodus, chap 
 xxxix. 
 
 Captain of the Temple, mentioned by Luke (xxii. 4 ; Acts iv. i , 
 V. 24), superintended the guard of priests and Levites who kept 
 watch by night in the temple. 
 
 THE DAILY SERVICES OP THE TEMPLE. 
 
 Having seen that all was safe and in order in the temple and its 
 precincts, the first important daily duty, the preparation for the 
 morning sacrifice of a lamb, was proceeded with ; prayers were then 
 offered to God, the commandments were recited, and the incense 
 burnt on the altar in the Holy Place. After burning the incense the 
 officiating priest stepped out of the Holy Place and solemnly pro- 
 nounced the blessing upon the steps of the porch to the people pray- 
 ing in the courts. 
 
 The daily meat and drink offerings were then offered, at the con- 
 clusion of which the Levites began their song of praise, pausing at 
 times while the trumpets sounded and the people worshipped. 
 
 On the Sabbath day an additional service of praise was performed. 
 
 The mid-day duties of the priests were the offering of the people's
 
 INTROD UCTION. 
 
 49 
 
 sacrifices, which varied in number according to circumstances, being 
 especially numerous at the great festivals. 
 
 The evening service commenced at the ninth hour — three o'clock 
 —and was similar to that solemnised in the morning. 
 
 THE JEWISH FESTIVALS. 
 
 Three times a year the devout Jews from all parts repaired to the 
 temple to keep the great festivals. 
 
 The first of these was the Passover, or Feast of Unleavened Breads 
 which was instituted to remind the Israelites of their deliverance 
 from Egypt. The Passover was observed very strictly. The original 
 mode of celebrating the feast is given in the twelfth chapter of 
 Exodus. 
 
 In the time of our Lord the ceremonial observed was somewhat 
 different : — 
 
 1. The males assembled in the evening, and after washing their 
 hands and feet reclined at table in the customary way. A cup of 
 wine over which a blessing had been pronounced was presented to 
 each, and then the Paschal lamb which had been killed in the temple 
 was eaten with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. 
 
 2. A second course, consisting of bitter herbs and a thick sauce, 
 called " Jiarosefh,'' compounded of bruised palm branches and 
 raisins mixed with vinegar, was taken, followed by a cup of wine. 
 
 3. Next the unleavened bread was blessed and partaken of; and 
 here the youngest present asked the meaning of the rite, and was 
 answered in the words of Exodus xii. 26, 2j . 
 
 4. A third cup of wine — "the cup of blessing" — was now tasted 
 by each, and to conclude the ceremony a fourth cup of wine was 
 taken and the Great Hallel — Psalms cxiii. to cxviii. — was sung. 
 
 The second great festival was the Feast of Pentecost, so called 
 because it was celebrated on the fiftieth day after the first day of the 
 Passover. On this day were presented the first-fruits of the wheat 
 harvest, and the giving of the law from Mount Sinai was com- 
 memorated. 
 
 On this occasion the worshippers from a distance travelled to Jeru- 
 salem in solemn procession, carrying their offerings of first-fruits in 
 splendid baskets ornamented with flowers. 
 
 The Feast of Tabernacles, the third of the great annual festivals, 
 lasted a week, during which time the people dwelt in tents or bowers 
 
 E
 
 50 THE A CTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 made of the branches of trees, and often placed upon the flat roofs 
 of their houses. They carried palm branches in their hands, singing 
 " Hosanna," which means Save, I beseech Thee. 
 
 The Feast of Tabernacles was held in commemoration of the 
 wanderings in the wilderness, and was also the Jewish harvest 
 thanksgiving. 
 
 SECTS AND ORDERS OF MEN. 
 
 The various religious sects and parties among the Jews all appear 
 to have sprung up in the period that intervened between the close of 
 the Old Testament history and the commencement of that of the 
 New Testament. 
 
 The most important sect was that of the Pharisees, so called from 
 the claim of its members to more than ordinary sanctity and strict- 
 ness in religious observances, which for the most part was merely 
 outward show. 
 
 Josephus describes the Pharisees as assuming to greater piety 
 and devotion than other men, which sprang out of their claim to a 
 more strict and accurate interpretation of the law. 
 
 The precise date of the origin of this sect is uncertain, but they 
 rapidly rose to vast reputation and power, till it became a proverbial 
 saying among the Jews that if but two persons were allowed to enter 
 heaven one of them would be a Pharisee. 
 
 The main features of their creed were — 
 
 1. They claimed for the Traditions of the Elders an equal autho- 
 rity with the law. These traditions, many of which related to the 
 most trivial affairs of daily life, were not committed to writing till 
 the second century of the Christian era, when they were embodied 
 in a book called the Mishna. 
 
 2. They held that ceremonial observances were of the utmost im- 
 portance, and not merely means to an end. They prayed while 
 standing at street corners, and caused trumpets to be sounded when 
 they engaged in the work of charity. 
 
 3. They affected many peculiarities in their dress. Their phylac- 
 teries were broader than those of other Jews, the fringes on the 
 borders of their garments were wider, the tassels being particularly 
 large. 
 
 The phylacteries alluded to in the above passage were texts of 
 Scripture written on narrow strips of parchment and worn as a literal 
 interpretation of Deuteronomy vi. 6, 8.
 
 INTRODUCTION. 51 
 
 "And these words which I command thee this day shall be in 
 thine heart : . . . . And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine 
 hand, and they shall be as frontlets between tliine eyes." 
 
 Fringes on their garments all Jews were commanded to wear. 
 
 "And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the chil- 
 dren of Israel, and bid them that they make them fringes in the 
 borders of their garments throughout their generations, and that they 
 put upon the fringe of the borders a ribband of blue : and it shall be 
 unto you for a fringe, that ye may look upon it, and remember all the 
 commandments of the Lord and do them." [Numbers xv. 38 — 39.) 
 
 4. The Pharisees believed in the existence of angels and spirits ; 
 in the resurrection of the dead ; and the transmigration of souls. 
 
 The name Pharisee is derived from the Hebrew Perushi/n = sepa- 
 rated. 
 
 The Sadducees were as careless and profligate in their habits as 
 the Pharisees were over- strict. 
 
 Sochccus, a scholar who flourished about 250 B.C., taught his 
 followers that they should serve God purely from love and gratitude 
 towards Him, and not from an interested desire of reward, or from a 
 servile dread of punishment. 
 
 The Sadducees, in opposition to the Pharisees, taught — 
 
 1. That there was no authority for following the Traditions of 
 
 the Elders. 
 
 2. That there was no future state, and no resurrection from the 
 
 dead. They denied the existence of angel or spirit. 
 
 " The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection " 
 (Matt. xxii. 23). 
 
 " For the Sadducees say that .there is no resurrection, neither angel nor spirit " (Acts 
 xxiii. 8). 
 
 3. They contended for freewill, and denied any particular inter- 
 
 ference of Divine Providence in the affairs of men. 
 
 4. From the circumstance that in arguing with the Sadducees on 
 
 the doctrine of a future life our Lord quoted from the Penta- 
 teuch only, it has been suggested that the Sadducees rejected 
 all the sacred scriptures except the books of Moses. It is 
 generally admitted that this idea is erroneo-us. 
 The Sadducees were not a numerous sect, but made up for their 
 want of numbers by their wealth and influence. Annas and 
 Caiaphas, with the high priestly party, were of the sect of the 
 Sadducees.
 
 52 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 It is worthy of notice that the Sadducees were the earliest opponents 
 of the Apostles. This is explainable by their objection to the teach- 
 ing of the doctrine of the resurrection, as stated, Acts iv. 1,2. " The 
 priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came 
 upon them. Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached 
 through Jesus the resurrection from the dead." 
 
 When Stephen gave a new direction to the teaching of the Chris- 
 tian Church, the Pharisees headed by Saul of Tarsus became bitter 
 opponents of the new doctrines. 
 
 The Sadducees disappeared rapidly from history after the first 
 century, mainly owing to two causes — 
 
 1. The state of the Jews after the capture of Jerusalem by Titus. 
 
 2. The growth of the Christian religion and the universal accep- 
 
 tance of the doctrine of the resurrection. 
 
 THE NAZARITE VOW. 
 
 A Nazarite was a person bound by a vow to be set apart from 
 others for the service of God. The obligation was either for life or 
 for a defined time, 
 
 I. The Nazarite during the time of his vow was bound — 
 
 1. To abstain from all intoxicating drink. 
 
 2. Not to cut the hair of his head. 
 
 3. Not to approach any dead body. 
 
 II. Of Nazarites for life three are mentioned in the Scriptures, 
 Samson, Samuel, and John the Baptist. The only one of these 
 actually called a Nazarite is Samson. 
 
 III. There are two instances of vows in the Acts. 
 
 1. Of Paul it is said "having shorn his head in Cenchrea : 
 for he had a vow " (Acts xviii. 18}. 
 
 2. By the advice of the Elders Paul joined the four men at 
 Jerusalem who had a vow (Acts xxi. 24). 
 
 From the fact that these men shaved their heads there can be 
 little doubt that this was a strictly legal Nazarite vow.
 
 INTRODUCTION. 53 
 
 PASSAGES FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT ftUOTED IN THE 
 ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 Acts i. 20 Let his habitation be de- 
 solate, and let no man 
 
 dwell therein .... Psalm . . . Ixix. 25. 
 And his bishoprick let an- 
 other take Psalm . . . cix. 8. 
 
 ii. 17 And it shall come to pass 
 in the last days, saith God, 
 I will pour out of my Spirit 
 upon all flesh ; and your 
 sons and your daughters 
 shall prophesy, and your 
 young men shall see vi- 
 sions, and your old men 
 shall dream dreams . . 
 
 18 And on my servants and 
 
 on my handmaidens I 
 
 will pour out in those days 
 
 of my Spirit ; and they .^ 
 
 shall prophesy .... . 
 
 19 And I will shew wonders in ^ 
 
 heaven above, and signs 
 in the earth beneath ; ; 
 
 blood, and fire, and va- 
 pour of smoke .... 
 
 20 The sun shall be turned 
 
 into darkness, and the 
 moon into blood, before 
 that great and notable 
 day of the Lord come . . 
 . 21 And it shall come to pass 
 that whosoever shall call 
 on the name of the Lord 
 
 shall be saved .... Joel . . . ii. 28—32, 
 25 I foresaw the Lord always 
 before my face, for he is 
 on my right hand, that I 
 should not be moved . .
 
 54 
 
 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 11 
 
 xiii, 
 
 26 
 
 27 
 31 
 35- 
 
 28 
 
 30 
 
 34 
 
 35 
 
 111. 22 
 vii. 2>7 
 
 23 
 
 25 
 
 IV. n 
 
 Therefore did my heart re- 
 joice, and my tongue was 
 
 glad ; moreover also my 
 
 flesh shall rest in hope . 
 Because thou wilt not leave 
 
 my soul in hell, neither 
 
 wilt thou suffer thine 
 Holy One to see corrup- 
 tion 
 
 Thou hast made known to 
 
 me the ways of life ; thou 
 
 shalt make me full of jo^ 
 
 with thy countenance . Psalm . . . 
 Knowing that God hath 
 
 sworn with an oath to 
 
 him that of the fruit of 
 
 his loins, according to the 
 
 flesh, he would raise up 
 
 Christ to sit on his throne Psalm . . . 
 The Lord said unto my Lord , 
 
 Sit thou on my right hand 
 Until I make thy foes thy 
 
 footstool Psalm . . . 
 
 A prophet shall the Lord 
 
 your God raise up unto 
 
 you of your brethren, like 
 
 unto me ; him shall ye 
 
 hear in all things what- 
 soever he shall say unto 
 
 you Deuteronomy 
 
 And it shall come to pass 
 
 that every soul which will 
 
 nothear that prophet shall 
 
 be destroyed from among 
 
 the people Deuteronomy 
 
 And in thy seed shall all 
 
 the kindreds of the earth 
 
 be blessed Genesis 
 
 This is the stone which was 
 
 set at nought of you buil- 
 
 xvi. 8 — II, 
 
 CXXXll. II. 
 
 ex. I, 
 
 xviii. 15. 
 
 xviii. 19. 
 
 xii. 3, xxii. 18, 
 xxvi. 4, xxviii. 14.
 
 INTR OD UCTIOX. 
 
 55 
 
 25 
 
 26 
 
 26 
 
 2-] 
 
 35 
 28 
 
 Z^ 
 
 33 
 
 ders, which is become the 
 
 head of the corner . . . Psahn . . . cxviii. 22. 
 Why did the heathen rage, 
 
 and the people imagine 
 
 vain things ? 
 
 The kings of the earth stood 
 
 up, and the rulers were 
 
 gathered together against 
 
 the Lord, and against his 
 
 Christ Psalm . . . ii. i, 2. 
 
 Get thee out of thy coun- 
 try, and from thy kindred, 
 
 and come into the land 
 
 which I shall show thee . Genesis . . xii. i. 
 That his seed should so- 
 journ in a strange land ; 
 
 and that they should bring 
 
 them into bondage, and 
 
 entreat them evil four 
 
 hundred years .... 
 And the nation to whom 
 
 they shall be in bondage 
 
 will I judge, said God: and 
 
 after that shall they come 
 
 forth, and serve me in this 
 
 place Genesis . . xv. 13, 14. 
 
 Sirs, ye are brethren ; why 
 
 do ye wrong one to an- 
 other ? Fxodus . . ii. 13. 
 
 Who made thee a ruler and 
 
 a judge over us .'' . 
 Wilt thou kill me, as thou 
 
 diddest the Egyptian yes- 
 terday.^ Exodus . . ii. 14, 
 
 I am the God of thy fathers, 
 
 the God of Abraham, and 
 
 the God of Isaac, and the 
 
 God of Jacob .... Exodus . . iii. 6. 
 Put off thy shoes from thy 
 
 feet ; for the place where
 
 56 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 thou standest is holy 
 
 ground ... . . Exodus . . iii. 5. 
 
 34 I have seen, I have seen 
 
 the affliction of my people 
 
 which is in Egypt, and I 
 
 have heard their groan- 
 ' ing, and am come down 
 
 to deliver them .... Exodus . . iii. 7, 8. 
 40 Make us gods to go before 
 
 us ; for as for this IMoses, 
 
 which brought us out of 
 
 the land of Egypt, we wot 
 
 not what is become of 
 
 him Exodus . . xxxii. I. 
 
 42 O ye house of Israel, have 
 
 ye offered to me slain 
 beasts and sacrifices by 
 the space of forty years 
 in the wilderness ? . . . 
 
 43 Yea, ye took up the taber- 
 
 nacle of Moloch, and the 
 star of your god Remphan, 
 figures which ye made to 
 worship them : and I will 
 carry you away beyond 
 Babylon Amos ... v. 25—27. 
 
 49 Heaven is my throne, and 
 
 earth is my foot-stool : 
 What house will ye build 
 me ? saith the Lord : or 
 what is the place of my 
 rest ? 
 
 50 Hath not my hand made 
 
 all these things ? . . . Isaiah. . . Ixvi. i, 2. 
 viii. 2)^ He was led as a sheep to 
 the slaughter ; and like 
 a lamb dumb before his 
 shearer, so opened he not 
 
 his mouth 
 
 33 In his humiliation his judg-
 
 INTR OD UCTION. 
 
 57 
 
 liii. 7, 8 
 ii. 7. 
 Iv. 3. 
 
 xlix. 6. 
 
 ment was taken away : 
 and who shall declare his 
 generation ? for his life 
 is taken from the earth . Isaiah . 
 xiii. 33 Thou art my Son, this day 
 
 have I begotten thee . . Psalm . 
 34 I will give you the sure 
 
 mercies of David . . . Isaiah . . 
 41 Behold, ye despisers, and 
 wonder, and perish : for I 
 work a work in your days, 
 a work which ye shall in 
 no wise believe, though a 
 man declare it unto you . Habakkuk 
 47 I have set thee to be a light 
 of the Gentiles, that thou 
 shouldest be for salvation 
 unto the ends of the earth Isaiah . . 
 XV. 16 After this I will return, and 
 will build again the taber- 
 nacle of David, which is 
 fallen down ; and I will 
 build again the ruins there- 
 of, and I will set it up 
 17 That the residue of men 
 might seek after the Lord, 
 and all the Gentiles, upon 
 whom my name is called, 
 saith the Lord, who doeth 
 all these things .... Amo's . . 
 xxiii. 5 Thou shalt not speak evil of 
 
 the ruler of thy people. . Exodus . 
 xxviii. 26 Go unto this people, and 
 say, Hearing ye shall 
 hear, and shall not un- 
 derstand ; and seeing ye 
 shall see and not perceive. 
 27 For the heart of this people 
 is waxed gross, and their 
 ears are dull of hearing, 
 
 IX. II, 12. 
 xxii. 28.
 
 5§ THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 and their eyes have they 
 closed ; lest they should 
 see with their eyes, and 
 hear with their ears, and 
 understand with their 
 heart, and should be con- 
 verted, and I should heal 
 them Isaiah . . . vi. 9, 10. 
 
 EXPLANATION OF WORDS. 
 
 Presbyters or Elders. — The appointed overseers or rulers of the 
 local churches during the Apostolic period. This order was probably 
 appointed in the first instance at Jerusalem to provide for the perma- 
 nent direction of the Church, when the Twelve had been dispersed by 
 the second persecution. After this persecution they always appear as 
 managing the affairs of the Church at Jerusalem. 
 
 The missionary apostles are described as appointing presbyters or 
 elders in every church. 
 
 The idea appears to have been adopted by the apostles from the 
 government of the synagogue. 
 
 All through the New Testament they appear to be identical with' the 
 bishops or overseers, for — 
 
 1. They are never contrasted as distinct officers. 
 
 2. The same persons are described by both names. 
 
 {a). St. Paul sent from Miletus to Ephesus for the " elders," but 
 when he meets them he addresses them as the " bishops " 
 (Acts XX. 17 ; XX. 28). 
 
 {b). He tells Titus to appoint " elders," and in the same sentence 
 he describes them as " bishops " (Titus i. 5 and 7). 
 The work of these Presbyter-Bishops included— 
 
 1. The superintendence of the spiritual being of the flock connected 
 with the local church which they governed, " Feed the flock of God 
 which is among you " (i Peter v. 2). 
 
 2. Teaching " That he (the elder) may be able by sound doctrine 
 both to exhort and to convince gainsayers " (Titus i. 9). 
 
 Deacons. — The Third Order in the Christian Ministry. Derived 
 from the Greek word diakone//i=\.o minister. 
 The appointment of the Seven (Actsvi.) is generally regarded as the
 
 INTR OD UCTIOX. 59 
 
 institution of this order, instituted to keep the apostles free for their 
 own special work. 
 
 The Seven are, however, nowhere termed " Deacons," which word, 
 as the title of a distinct office, does not appear in the Acts, but only in 
 Phil. i. I, and i Tim. iii. 8 — 13. But that their appointment was practi- 
 cal!)' the establishment of the order of the Diaconate can scarcely be 
 doubted : for — 
 
 {a.) The first Christian writer who alludes to them (Irenceus) holds 
 them to have been Deacons. 
 
 {b.) Their functions were afterwards those performed by Deacons. 
 
 {c.) Their appointment is evidently recorded not as an isolated in- 
 cident, but as the initiation of a new order of things in the Church. 
 
 The office clearly existed before the name, and the name was after- 
 wards used to describe the office. 
 
 History of the office during the Apostolic period. 
 
 1. The office suggested by the apostles for the regular and syste- 
 matic relief of the Christian poor. 
 
 2. The choice of the Seven by the Church, and their ordination by 
 the apostles " to serve tables." 
 
 3. Being men full of the spirit and wisdom they availed themselves 
 of opportunities to preach. 
 
 4. \\"omen deacons or deaconesses appointed to do the work where 
 men M-ere debarred. Phcebe was a deaconess to the church at Cen- 
 chrea. 
 
 5. Recognised together with the deaconesses as the ministry of a 
 local church as, for instance, at Philippi. 
 
 TABLE REPEESENTINa THE DESCENT OP 
 CHRISTIANITY. 
 
 Tews 
 I 
 
 Hebrews. Hellenists, 
 
 or Grecians. 
 
 Proselytes of Proselytes of the Gate, 
 
 righteousness, uncircumcised heathen. 
 
 circumcised heathen. 
 Christians. 
 
 Circumcised. Uncircumcised. 
 
 Hebraists. Hellenists. I'roselytes of Proselytes Heathen 
 
 righteousness. of the Gate. "Greeks."
 
 6o THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 Hel)rews were home Jews, Jews born and bred in Palestine, speak- 
 ing Aramaic, a dialect of Hebrew = Hebraists. 
 
 Grecians or Hellenists were foreign Jews, or Jews of the Disper- 
 sion, Jews born and bred in foreign parts, speaking Greek, called 
 Hellenists in the New Testament. 
 
 Proselyte, from the Greek proselittos = one who has come over ; 
 always descriptive of a convert from heathenism to Judaism. They 
 were divided into two main classes, viz. : 
 
 Proselytes of Righteousness, known also as Proselytes of the 
 Covenant, perfect Israelites, who had undergone the rite of circum- 
 cision, and kept the whole ritual of Moses. 
 
 Proselytes of the Gate, who were not bound by circumcision, and 
 the other special laws of the Mosaic code. It was enough for them to 
 observe the seven precepts of Noah. 
 
 Greeks, sometimes natives of Greece, as in Acts xviii. 17, but more 
 usually Gentiles as opposed to Jews. 
 
 THE EARLY DAYS OF PAUL, AND LIFE AS FOUND IN 
 ACTS (i.— xii.). 
 
 Name. — His Jewish name was Saul, but after chap. xiii. he is known 
 as Paul. 
 
 Birth Place.— Tarsus, in Cilicia. 
 
 " I am a Jew of Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city" (xxii. 3). 
 
 Date of Birth.— At the martyrdom of Stephen (Acts vii. 58) he 
 is called a young man, and when he wrote the Epistle to Philemon he 
 styles himself " Paul the aged " (Philemon 9). The martyrdom of 
 Stephen probably took place ;3iy A.D., and as Saul was a member of 
 the Sanhedrim he could not have been less than thirty. The Epistle 
 to Philemon was written about 63 A.D. 
 
 We therefore conclude that Paul was born during the first ten years 
 of the Christian era, and probably about A.D. 3. 
 
 Family. — Of it we know nothing except that his father was of the 
 tribe of Benjamin, and a Pharisee, and had acquired by some means 
 the Roman franchise. 
 
 These details are obtained as follows : — 
 
 (i) " Of the tribe of Benjamin " (Phil. iii. 5). 
 
 (2) "I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee" (Acts xxiii. 6). 
 
 (3) " But I was free born " (xxii. 28). 
 
 N.B. — Paul claims the Roman franchise on two occasions. 
 
 («) At Philippi where he says to the sergeants sent to release himself and Silas 
 
 from prison, " They have beaten us openly uncondemned being Romans." 
 i>) To the chief c.iptain in the Tower of Antonia. " Is it la\\-ful for you to scourge 
 a man that is a Roman, and uncondemned ? "
 
 INTRODUCTION. 6i 
 
 Trade. — The learning of a trade was a duty enjoined by the Rabbis 
 on the parents of every Jewish boy. Paul learnt the trade of a •' tent- 
 maker." The chief manufacture at Tarsus was the weaving of goats'- 
 hair cloth, largely used for making tents. Allusion to Paul's trade is 
 made Acts xviii. 3, 4, where Paul is said to have lived at Corinth with 
 Aquila and Priscilla, " because he was of the same craft ... for by 
 occupation they were tent-makers." 
 
 • Education- — At Jerusalem, under the famous Rabbi, Gamaliel. 
 " Brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel" (Acts xxii. 3). 
 
 Saul first appears in Christian history at the martyrdom of Stephen- 
 It is probable that he was one of those of Cilicia, who are described as 
 disputing with Stephen (vii. 9). He was probably a member of the 
 Sanhedrim, for of himself he says, " I also was consenting' unto his 
 (Stephen's) death." He was probably commissioned to superintend 
 the stoning, for " the witnesses laid their clothes at a young man's feet 
 whose name was Saul." 
 
 The subsequent events narrated in Acts occur in the following order. 
 
 1. Saul became an active persecutor of the Christians at Jerusalem, 
 casting men and women into prison (viii. i — 3). 
 
 2. On the dispersion of the Christians to Judaea and Samaria, he 
 obtained letters from the high priest to Damascus to the synagogues 
 for the purpose of arresting Christians in that city, that he might bring 
 them to Jerusalem for trial before the Sanhedrim (ix. i, 2). 
 
 3. His conversion, as related in ix. 3—9. 
 
 4. The visit of Ananias ; the baptism of Saul (ix. 10 — 19). 
 
 5. Saul immediately preaches the gospel in the synagogues, to the 
 amazement of all, who were astounded to find the ;persecutor become 
 preacher (ix. 20 — 22), 
 
 6. As related in Gal. i. 17, 18, Saul departed from Damascus to 
 Arabia, where he remained in retirement three years. 
 
 7. At the end of this period he returned to Damascus and preached. 
 The Jews entered into a plot to kill him, and he only escaped out of 
 their hands by being let down from the city wall in a basket (ix. 
 
 8. He then went up to Jerusalem, where he essayed to join himself 
 to the disciples, but they were afraid of him, and did not believe he 
 was a disciple. Barnabas, however, introduced him to the Apostles 
 (ix . 2627). 
 
 9. From Gal. i. 18, we gather that his stay in Jerusalem lasted only 
 fifteen days. His departure is explained (Acts ix. 28, 29) by the
 
 63 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 enmity of the Grecians, who, confounded in argument, plotted to 
 slay him. 
 
 ID. In consequence of this plot the brethren sent Saul first to 
 C^esarea and thence to Tarsus, where he remained till Barnabas 
 comes for him, after the gospel had been preached to the Greeks at 
 Antioch (xi. 25). 
 
 11. For a whole year Barnabas and Saul preached at Antioch, and 
 on the prophecy of the famine by Agabus, they are selected to go up 
 to Jerusalem to take the contributions of the disciples to the brethren 
 in Judasa (xi. 26 — 30). 
 
 12. After going up to Jerusalem Barnabas and Saul returned to An- 
 tioch (xii. 25), taking with them John. Saul remained at Antioch 
 till ordained by the Holy Spirit to start on his first missionary journey. 
 
 CHEONOLOGY OP THE ACTS (Chaps, i.-xii.). 
 
 The Acts of the Apostles begins with Pentecost, 2,^ A.D., and ends 
 with the close of the imprisonment of Paul in Rome in 63 A.D. Chap- 
 ter xii. ends with the death of Herod Agrippa L in 44 A.D., and the 
 return of Paul and Barnabas to Antioch. We can deduce dates for 
 the intermediate events by referring to contemporaneous history. 
 
 At the death of our Lord in ^iZ A.D., the old kingdom of Herod the 
 Great was still parcelled out into three divisions, viz. : — 
 
 1. Judaea and Samaria, governed by a Roman procurator, Pontius 
 Pilate, who usually resided at Caesarea. 
 
 2. Galilee and Perea, ruled over by Herod Antipas, known in the 
 Gospels as Herod the tetrarch. 
 
 3- Iturea and Trachonitis, ruled over by Herod Philip, known 
 in the Gospels as Philip, tetrarch of Iturea. 
 
 The political situation remained unchanged till ■^'j A.D., vhen 
 Herod Phihp died, and was succeeded by Herod Agrippa I. (the 
 Herod of Acts xii.). In the year 36 A.D. Pontius Pilate was recalled 
 to Rome. The Emperor Tiberius died in 2^"] A.D., and was succeeded 
 by Caligula, a personal friend of Herod Agrippa. There seems to 
 have been no governor appointed during the disorders following upon 
 the death of Tiberius. Herod Antipas was banished in 40 A.D., and 
 his dominions added to those of Herod Agrippa by Caligula. The 
 Emperor Claudius, who succeeded Caligula in 41 A.D., was also a 
 friend of Agrippa, and seems to have recalled the Roman procurator 
 of Judcca and Samaria, and added these provinces to the kingdorn of
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 63 
 
 Agrippa. The death of Herod Agrippa (Acts xii.) took place in 
 44 A.D. These facts, and the inferences drawn therefrom, enable us 
 to construct the following table for the first twelve chapters of the Acts. 
 {N.B. — The only date that can be fixed with absolute certainty 
 is the martyrdom of James, which occurred the Easter of the 
 year i7i which Herod AgriJ>;pa died, viz., m 44 A.D.). 
 
 Emperors. 
 
 Rulers in Palestine. 
 
 High Priests. 
 
 Events in Acts. 
 
 Tiberius 
 
 from 
 
 Pontius Pilate ; from 
 
 Caiaphas appoint- 
 
 2,i A.D. The crucifixion of 
 
 14 A.D 
 
 
 26 A.D. 
 
 Pilate recalled 36 a.d. 
 
 Tiberius died before 
 Pilate reaches 
 Rome. 
 
 No Governor during 
 the disordc rs follow- 
 ing- the death of 
 Tiberius. 
 
 ed 25 A.D. 
 
 our Lord. 
 
 33 A.D. Pentecost. De- 
 scent of the Holy Ghost. 
 
 The growth of the Church 
 at Jerusalem as described 
 in Acts ii. — v. The Sad- 
 ditcces, the opponents of 
 Christianity. 
 
 37 A.D. 
 
 Cali- 
 
 37 A.D. Herod Agrip- 
 
 37 A.D. Jonathan, 
 
 37 A.D. Fiist Persecufion 
 
 gula. 
 
 
 pa I. succeeds to 
 
 son of Ananus. 
 
 by fJie Pharisees and Sad^ 
 
 
 
 the tetn-irchyot He- 
 
 38 A.D. rii.eophilus, 
 
 ducces. IMartyrdom of 
 
 
 
 rod Philip, 
 
 son of Annas, 
 
 Stephen, vii. 59. Disper- 
 sion of the disciples, viii. 4. 
 Missionary journeys of 
 Philip and Peter, viii. 5 — 
 40. Conversion of Saul. 
 
 [40 A.D. 
 
 Cali. 
 
 40 A.D. Antipas goes 
 
 
 38—40 A.D. Peace of the 
 
 gula 
 
 orders 
 
 to Rome to solicit 
 
 
 churches. Conversion of 
 
 his statue to 
 
 the title of King, 
 
 
 Cornelius. Saul after three 
 
 be set 
 
 up in 
 
 but is banished to 
 
 
 years in Arabia returns to 
 Damascus. 
 
 the Temple.] 
 
 Lyons and his te- 
 
 
 
 
 trarchy given to 
 
 
 Saul in Jerusalem. 
 
 
 
 Agnppa. 
 
 
 Saul in Cilicia. 
 
 41 A.D. 
 
 Clau- 
 
 41 A.D. Herod Agrip- 
 
 41 A.D. Simon, son 
 
 Preaching of the Gospel at 
 
 dius. 
 
 
 pa I. obtains Ju- 
 daea and Samaria, 
 and rules over all 
 Palestine. 
 
 44 A.D. Death of 
 Herod. 
 
 of Bcethus, sur- 
 named Cantheras. 
 
 42 A.D. Matthias, 
 son of Annas. 
 
 43 A.D. Elionacus, 
 son of Cantheras. 
 
 Antioch, xi. 19, 20. 
 
 43 A.D. Barnabas at An- 
 tioch. Saul at Antioch. 
 
 44 A.D. Secojid Persecution 
 by Herod. 
 
 Martyrdom of James. 
 Imprisonment of Peter. 
 Paul and Barnabas come to 
 
 Jerusalem. They return 
 
 to Antioch.
 
 64 THE A CTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 ANALYSIS OF THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 Chaps. I .— XII. 
 
 Introduction I. 1—12. 
 
 I. The forty days and the commandments of 
 
 Jesus i. 1—8. 
 
 II. The Ascension 9 — 12. 
 
 The Church in Jerusalem. 
 
 I. The Church of the Upper Chamber. 
 
 The appointment of Matthias . . . . 13 — 26. 
 II. The day of Pentecost. 
 
 1. The descent of the Holy Ghost . . ii. i — 13. 
 
 2. The address of Peter 14 — 36. 
 
 3. The effect on the people. 3,000 
 
 baptized 37 — 41. 
 
 4. The first converts 42 — 47. 
 
 III. Progress of the Church in Jerusalem. The 
 
 Sadducees and the Apostles. 
 
 1. The healing of the lame man at the 
 
 Beautiful Gate of the Temple by 
 
 Peter and John iii. i — 10. 
 
 2. Peter's sermon to the crowd in Solo- 
 
 mon's Porch II — 26. 
 
 3. Peter and John arrested by the party 
 
 of the High Priest, examined and 
 
 dismissed iv. i — 22. 
 
 4. A second outpouring of the Holy 
 
 Spirit 23—31. 
 
 5. The unanimity and charity of the 
 
 Early Church ^t^ — t^j. 
 
 6. False Brethren. The sin and death 
 
 of Ananias and Sapphira .... v. i — 11. 
 
 7. Miracles wrought by the Apostles. 
 
 The Church grows greatly . . . 12 — 16. 
 
 8. Arrest of the Twelve 17, 18. 
 
 9. Miraculous deliverance of the Apos- 
 
 tles from prison by an Angel . . 19 — 21.
 
 INTR OD UCTIOA^. 65 
 
 10. Trial before the Sanhedrim. Coun- 
 
 sel of Gamaliel. The Apostles are 
 
 scourged and then dismissed . . v. 22 — 42. 
 
 11. Beginnings of organization. P^lec- 
 
 tion and ordination of the seven 
 
 Deacons vi. i — 7. 
 
 IV. The First Persecution. 
 
 I. 
 
 The preaching of Stephen. His 
 arrest 
 
 8— 1'>. 
 
 2. 
 
 3- 
 
 4- 
 
 The accusation and trial of Stephen . 
 
 Stephen's Defence 
 
 The death of Stephen 
 
 13-15- 
 vii. 1—53. 
 54— viii, 
 
 The Church beyond Jerusalem iri Judaea and Samaria. 
 
 I. The scattered converts become missionary 
 
 preachers viii. 3 — 4. 
 
 II. Philip's missionary journeys. 
 
 1. To Samaria. 
 
 {a) Philip in Samaria ..... 5 — 8. 
 
 (3) Simon the Sorcerer .... g — 13. 
 
 (r) Mission of Peter and John to 
 Samaria to confirm the dis- 
 ciples baptized by Philip . . 14 — 25. 
 
 2. The baptism of the Ethiopian Eunuch 26 — 40. 
 
 III. The conversion of Saul ix. i — 31. 
 
 IV. Peter's missionary journeys. 
 
 1. Peter at Lydda. Healing of the 
 
 paralytic -(Eneas . ...... 32—35. 
 
 2. Peter at Joppa. The raising of Tabi- 
 
 tha or Dorcas 36 — 43. 
 
 3. .Peter at Caesarea. 
 
 {a) An angel warns Cornelius to 
 
 send for Peter x. i — 8. 
 
 {b) Peter's vision . . ... 9 — 16. 
 
 {c) Peter goes to Caesarea. Descent 
 of the Holy Ghost. Baptism 
 
 of Cornelius 17 — 48. 
 
 F
 
 66 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 4. Peter defends his action of consorting 
 
 with Gentiles xi. i — 17. 
 
 The Church rejoices at the accep- 
 tance of the Gentiles 18. 
 
 The Chui'ch at Antioch. 
 I. The Gospel spreads as far as Antioch.' 
 
 1. Wandering missionaries preach the 
 
 word to Gentiles at Antioch . . . 19—21. 
 
 2. The Church at Jerusalem send Bar- 
 
 nabas to Antioch 22 — 2J. 
 
 3. Barnabas goes to Tarsus for Saul, 
 
 and brings him to Antioch ... 25, 26^ 
 
 4. The disciples are called Christians 
 
 first at Antioch 26. 
 
 II. The famine foretold by Agabus. Rehef sent 
 
 to Jerusalem 27—30. 
 
 The Persecution under Herod Agrippa I. 
 
 I. The martyrdom of James xii. I — 2. 
 
 II. Imprisonment and delfverance of Peter . . 3 — ig. 
 
 III. Death of Herod Agrippa 1 20—23. 
 
 IV. Barnabas and Saul return to Antioch . . 24, 25.
 
 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 Connection of the Acts with St. Luke's Gospel 
 1. The former^ treatise have I made, O 
 
 Treatise (Gk., logos). A 
 modest name for the Gos- 
 pel, indicating rather an 
 authentic account told 
 briefly and naturally than 
 a long and laboured his- 
 tory. 
 
 R.V. Commandment, i.e. 
 commissioned them to do 
 the works of which the 
 Acts is a partial record. 
 
 Apostle (Gk., apostolos) = 
 one sent forth. 
 
 R.V. Appearing unto them by 
 tho space of forty days, i.e. 
 appearing, not continuous- 
 ly, but only now and then 
 during the forty days. 
 
 Passion (Lat., patior), means 
 "suffering." 
 
 Promise, i.e. the comforter 
 (John xiv. i6 — 26 ; Luke 
 xxiv. 49). 
 
 Theophilus = lover of God. 
 The person to whom St. 
 
 Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to 
 do and teach, - Until the day in which he 
 was taken up, after that he through the 
 Holy Ghost had given commandments unto 
 the apostles whom he had chosen : ^ To 
 whom also he shewed himself alive after his 
 passion by many infallible proofs, being 
 seen of them forty days, and speaking of 
 the things pertaining to the kingdom of 
 God : * And, being assembled together 
 with them, commanded them that they 
 should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait 
 for the promise of the Father, which, saith 
 he, ye have heard of me. '' For John truly 
 
 V. 3. — Many Infallible Proofs. 
 
 (i) AValking with the two disciples to Emmaus. Luke xxiv. 13—30. 
 I2) Eating with them at Emmaus. Luke xxiv. 30. 
 
 (3) Showing His hands and feet. Luke xxiv. 39. 
 
 (4) Eating of a broiled fish and honeycomb. Luke xxiv. 43. 
 
 (5) Giving proofs to Thomas. John xx. 26 — 29. 
 
 (6) Appearance at the Sea of Galilee. Second miraculous draught of fishes. John 
 
 xxi. 
 V, 3.— Forty days in Scripture is significant of probation before some g^reat event; thus— 
 (i) Forty days at the flood. Gen. vii. 4. 
 
 (2) Moses was forty days in the Mount receiving the Law. ...Ex. xxiv, t8. 
 
 (3) The spies were forty days searching tho land. Num. xiii. 25. 
 
 (4) Elijah was forty days on Horeb. i Kings xix. 8. 
 
 (5) The time of probation of Nineveh was forty days. Jonah iii. 4. 
 V. 3. — Kingdom of God = the visible Church of Christ on earth. 
 
 As regards the visible Church we find in the Gospels — 
 
 (i) That Jesus has all power in His Church. Matt, xxviii. 18. 
 
 (2) The Commission to preach and baptize. Matt, xxviii. 19, Mark xvi. 15. 
 
 (3) That Jesus will be constantly present with His Church. ]Matt. xxviii. 20. 
 
 (4) " That signs shall follow them that believe."- Mark xvi. 17, 18. 
 
 (5) That our Lord interpreted the Scriptures, and opened the understanding of His 
 
 disciples. Luke xxiv. 27 and 45. 
 
 (6) As the Father had sent Jesus, so He sent His disciples. John xx. 21. 
 V. 4. — They were to remain at Jerusalem for two reasons : — 
 
 (i) That they should receive the Holy Ghost collectively as a body. 
 (2) To fulfil prophecy : " out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of God from 
 Jerusalem."
 
 68 
 
 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 [i. 6—14. 
 
 Luke addresses both his 
 Gospel and the Acts. Of 
 him nothing is known, 
 though the adjective " most 
 excellent" applied to him 
 (Luke i.3) is also applied 
 to Felix (Acts xxiii. 26, 
 xxiv. 3), and ,to Festus 
 (Acts xxvi. 25). V/e may 
 infer that Theophilus was 
 a person of rank, and pos- 
 sibly a Roman officer. 
 
 The apostles were still think- 
 ing that the kingdom of 
 God was to !;£ a restored 
 kingdom of D.tvid, v. 3. 
 
 R.V. Within his own autho- 
 rity, i.e. in his own abso- 
 lute disposal. 
 
 This order of evangelization 
 was exactly carried out. 
 Intro., pp. 61 — 66. 
 
 Two men. Evidently "an- 
 gels" in human form. 
 
 Ye men of Galilee. The 
 apostles, except Judas 
 Iscariot, were Galileans, 
 and were easily distin- 
 guished by their Galilean 
 dialect. Of .St. Peter, see 
 Matt. xxvi. 73. " Surely 
 thou also art one of them, 
 for thy speech bewrayeth 
 thee." 
 
 (St. Luke xxiv. 50) says, " He 
 led them out as far as to 
 Bethany,'' which was on 
 the further side. 
 
 Sabbath day's journey. 2,000 
 cubits, or rather more than 
 a mile. It was the distance 
 between the tabernacle and 
 the farthest part of the 
 camp in the wilderness. 
 
 R.V. The upper chamber. 
 Probably the same upper 
 room (Mark xiv. 15) used 
 for our Lord's last Pass- 
 over. 
 
 R.V. Were abiding. Denot- 
 ing where the apostles 
 usually stayed. 
 
 R.V. Simon the Zealot. 
 
 R.V. Judas the son of James. 
 
 Note! The last mention of 
 the Virgin Mary. 
 
 Note! The Lord's brothers 
 are placed apart from the 
 twelve, and tnerefore were 
 not apostles. 
 
 baptized with water ; but ye shall be bap- 
 tized with the Holy Ghost not many days 
 hence. ^ When they therefore were come 
 together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, 
 wilt thou at this time restore again the king- 
 dom to Israel ? '' And he said unto them. 
 It is not for you to know the times or the 
 seasons, which the Father hath put in his 
 own power. ^ But ye shall receive power, 
 after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you : 
 and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in 
 Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, 
 and unto the uttermost part of the earth. 
 " And when he had spoken these things, 
 while they beheld, he was taken up ; and a 
 cloud received him out of their sight. 1° And 
 while they looked stedfastly toward heaven 
 as he went up, behold, two men stood by 
 them in white apparel ; ^^ Which also said> 
 Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up 
 into heaven ? this same Jesus, which is 
 taken up from you into heaven, shall so 
 come in like manner as ye have seen him 
 go into heaven. ^^ Xhen returned they unto 
 Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, 
 which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's 
 journey. ^^ And when they were come in, 
 they went up into an upper room, where 
 abode both Peter, and James, and John, and 
 Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, 
 and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, 
 and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother 
 of James. ^* These all continued with one 
 accord in prayer and supplication, with the 
 women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and 
 with his brethren. 
 
 V. 10. — Instances of angels described as men are. 
 
 (i) " A young man arrayed in a wliite robe." Mark Xvi 5- 
 
 (2) " Two men in shining garments." Luke xxiv. 4. 
 
 (3) "A man in bright clotning." Acts x. 30.
 
 i. 15—24.] THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 69 
 
 For list of Apostles and account of each, see Introduction, p. 7. 
 
 The Women. The mention of " the women " as a body is peculiar to Luke (see Luke 
 viii. I — 3; xxiii. 49). The women mentioned in the Gospel included Mary Magdalene, 
 Susanna, Joanna, and to these may be added Martha and ^lary of Bethany, and Salome, 
 the wife of Zebedee. 
 
 Brethren. Their names were James, Joses, Simon, and Judas. Mark vi. 3, Matt. xiii. 55. 
 Ihc following sug^^cstions have been made, viz. that they were — 
 (i) Children ot Joseph by a former wife. 
 
 (2) Children of Joseph and Mary after the birth of Christ. 
 
 (3) Children of Mary, a sister of the Virgin, and wife of Cleopas, or Alphseus. 
 
 The first is the best supported theory, and explains the superiority which His brethren 
 always assumed over our Lord. 
 
 Election of Matthias in place of 
 
 1^ And in those daj's Peter stood up in the 
 midst of the disciples, and said, (the number 
 of names together were about an hundred 
 and twenty.) ^^ Men and brethren, this 
 scripture must needs have been fulfilled, 
 which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David 
 spake before concerning Judas, which was 
 guide to them that took Jesus, i'' For he 
 was numbered with us, and had obtained 
 part of this ministry. ^^Now this man pur- 
 chased a field with the reward of iniquity ; 
 and falling headlong, he burst asunder in 
 the midst, and all his bowels gushed out. 
 ^'•* And it was known unto all the dwellers at 
 Jerusalem ; insomuch as that field is called 
 in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to 
 say. The field of blood. 20 ^ox it is written 
 in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation 
 be desolate, and let no man dwell therein : 
 and his bishoprick let another take. 
 -1 Wherefore of these men which have com. 
 panied with us all the time that the Lord 
 Jesus went in and out among us, 2- Begin- 
 ning from the baptism of John, unto that 
 same day that he was taken up from us, 
 must one be ordained to be a witness with 
 us of his resurrection. ^3 And they appointed 
 two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was sur- 
 named Justus, and Matthias, ^i And they 
 
 Judas Iscariot. 
 
 E.V. Brethren. The usual 
 expression for acknow- 
 ledged followers of our 
 Lord. 
 
 The first Christian congrega- 
 tion consisted of about one 
 hundred and twenty per- 
 sons, viz. : — 
 
 1. The eleven. (Judas is 
 dead.) 
 
 2. Certain women, includ- 
 ing the Virgin Marj-. 
 
 3. The brethren of Jesus. 
 
 4. Disciples, i.e. believers 
 in the Messiahship of 
 Jesus. 
 
 Guide. Psalm xli. o. 
 
 E.V. Received his portion in 
 this ministry. 
 
 E.V. Obtained, viz. " The 
 Potter's Field," purchased 
 by the priests with the 
 money bribe paid for the 
 betrayal of Jesus, which 
 Judas, in remorse, threw 
 back to them. 
 
 E.V. Their language, viz. 
 Ar.imruc. Readers igno- 
 rant of it would need the 
 explanation of Aceldama-^ 
 field of blood. 
 
 Ps. Ixix. 25 ; Ps. cix. 8. 
 
 E.V. Office. "Let anofter 
 take his office." Ps. ci^^. 
 
 Qualification of an apostle ^T^ 
 to have been a disciple (^^j^ 
 Jesus, and an eye-witness 
 from the beginning. 
 
 Work and duty of an apostle 
 = to witness to the resur- 
 rection of Jesus. 
 
 E.V. Become. 
 
 Nothing is known of these 
 men, though possibly they 
 were of the .'-Seventy. 
 
 E.V. "Shew of these two 
 the one whom thou hast 
 chosen,"
 
 70 
 
 THE A CTS OF THE APOSTLES. [i, 25— ii. 4. 
 
 K.V. " The place in this 
 ministry and apostleship 
 from -which Judas feU 
 away." 
 
 Lots = tablets. Each one 
 wrote on a tablet the name 
 of one of the candidates. 
 These tablets were placed 
 in a vessel and shaken to- 
 gether until one of the 
 tablets fell out. The name 
 of this tablet signified the 
 elected candidate. 
 
 Barsabas =,son of the oath 
 or of wisdom. 
 
 Uatthias = given by Jehovah. 
 
 prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest 
 the hearts of all ine7i, shew whether of these 
 two thou hast chosen, ^3 jhat he may take 
 part of this ministry and apostleship, from 
 which Judas by transgression fell, that he 
 might go to his own place, ^o ^^d they 
 gave forth their lots ; and the lot fell upon 
 Matthias ; and he was numbered with the 
 eleven apostles. 
 
 This Scripture. Ps. xli., written originally by David of Ahitophel. 
 
 Ahitophel — 
 
 (i) Was the familiar friend of David. 
 
 (2) Sided with Absalom in his rebel- 
 
 lion. 
 
 (3) Hanged himself when the plot 
 failed. 
 
 Judas — 
 
 (i) Was the disciple of Jesus. 
 
 {2) Betrayed our Lord to the chief priests. 
 
 (3) Hanged himself. 
 
 The Death of Judas is also described by St. Matthew. The two accounts differ. 
 
 St. Matthew xxvii. 3 — 10. 
 The chief priests . . . bought the potter's 
 field. 
 He went away and hanged himself. 
 
 Calls the field " the potter's field." 
 
 St. Luke, Acts i. 18, 19. 
 This man (Judas) purchased a field. 
 
 And, falling headlong, he burst asunder 
 in the midst, &c. 
 
 Calls the field "Aceldama," the field of 
 blood. 
 
 There is no satisfactorv explanation of these discrepancies. They are differing accounts 
 of the same events, but do not destroy the historic truth of the events because they differ. 
 
 Instances of lots. 
 
 (i) The selection of the scapegoat. Lev. xvi. 8. 
 
 (2) The detection of Achan's sin. Josh. vii. 16 — 18. 
 
 (3) The division of Canaan among the tribes. Josh. xiv. 2. 
 
 (4) The election of Saul as King of Israel, i Sam. x. 20-21. 
 
 (5) The detection of Jonathan as having tasted food in the pursuit of the Philistines, 
 
 contrary to the oath of Saul, i Sam. xiv. 42. 
 
 (6) The sailors detected Jonah by casting lots. Jonah i. 7. 
 
 Descent of the Holy Ghost at Pentecost. 
 
 Pentecost (Gk., Pentecostos, 
 fiftieth), because it was 
 held on the fiftieth day 
 after the Passover Sabbath. 
 Whit Sunday is the corres- 
 ponding Christian Festival. 
 
 R.V. A sound as of the rush- 
 ing of a mighty wind. 
 
 So the "great and strong 
 wind " that rent the moun- 
 tains on Horeb before 
 Elijah (i Kings xix. 11.) 
 
 R.V. Tongues parting asun- 
 der (among them, margin), 
 i.e. distributingthemselves. 
 
 2- And when the day of Pentecost w^as 
 fully come, they were all with one accord in 
 one place. - And suddenly there came a 
 sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty 
 wind, and it filled all the house where they 
 were sitting. ^ And there appeared unto 
 them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it 
 sat upon each of them. * And they were 
 all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to
 
 ii. 5—13.] THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 71 
 
 speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave 
 them utterance. ^ And there were dwelling 
 at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every 
 nation under heaven. " Now when this was 
 noised abroad, the multitude came together, 
 and were confounded, because that every 
 man heard them speak in his own language. 
 '^ And they were all amazed and marvelled, 
 saying one to another, Behold, are not all 
 these which speak Galila;ans ? ^ And how 
 hear we every man in our own tongue, 
 wherein we were born ? ^ Parthians, and 
 Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in 
 Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappado- 
 cia, in Pontus, and Asia, ^^ Phrygia, and 
 Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of 
 Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, 
 Jews and Proselytes, ^^ Cretes and Arabians, 
 we do hear them speak in our tongues the 
 wonderful works of God. 1- And they were 
 all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one 
 to another. What meaneth this ? ^-^ Others 
 mocking said, These men are full of new 
 wine. 
 
 Jews of the Dispersion who 
 were now permanent resi- 
 dents in Jerusalem. 
 
 Devout men, t.e. reverent 
 men ; men who would treat 
 and discuss sacred things 
 with reverence. SeeSimeon 
 (Luke .ii. 25). The men 
 who carried Stephen to 
 burial (Acts viii. 2). 
 
 R.V. And -when this sound 
 was heard, i.e. as of the 
 rushing mighty wind, pro- 
 bably heard throughout 
 Jerusalem. 
 
 Pentecost was peculiarly fit- 
 ted for the descent of the 
 Holy Ghost — 
 
 1. More strangers were 
 present in Jerusalem at 
 this feast than at the 
 Passover or Feast of Ta- 
 bernacles ; for the dan- 
 gers of travel in early 
 spring or late autumn 
 prevented many from un- 
 dertaking the journey 
 for Passover and Taber- 
 nacles. 
 
 2. As the " feast of harvest 
 — the feast of firstfruits " 
 it was symbolical of the 
 first gathering of con- 
 verts into the Christian 
 Church. 
 
 3. Pentecost was also re- 
 garded by the Jews as a 
 commemoration of the 
 giving of the Law on 
 
 Now God's law 
 
 Sinai. 
 
 was henceforward to be written, " not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of 
 the heart " (2 Cor. iii. 3). 
 Galilaeans. Sec i. 11. 
 K.V. Our own language. Intro., p. 60. 
 
 R.V. Sojourners from Rome = Roman Jews come up to the Holy City to worship. 
 Proselyte (Gk., prosclutos) = one who has come over; always descriptive of a convert from 
 
 hoathi-nism to Juda.'ism. 
 R.V. Mighty works. 
 
 R.V. Were perplexed, i.e. were at a loss to understand what they saw and heard. 
 Original has " sweet wine," i.e. stronger and more intoxicating than lae lighter wines that 
 were ordinarily drunk. 
 
 This is a catalogue of the Jews of the Dispersion. They arc classified into three great 
 sections : — 
 
 (i) Babylon, including Parthians, Mcdes, Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopo- 
 tamia. 
 
 (2) Syria, including Judaea, Cappadoci.i, Pontus, Asia, Phrj-gia, and Pamphylia. 
 
 (3) Egypt, including also " the parts of Libya about Cyrene." 
 
 Pompey's conquest had added a Roman section. Cretes and Arabians are added as 
 finding no place in the above classification. For geographical description, see Intro, 
 pp. 18—21. 
 
 The Jewish hours of prayer were the third (nine o'clock), the sixth (midday), and the 
 ninth (three o'clock).
 
 72 
 
 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. [ii. 14-21. 
 
 PETER'S SERMON. 
 I. Refutation of the Charge of Drunkenness. 
 
 E.V. Spake forth unto them. 
 St. Peter addresses, 
 (i) The Jews dwellers in 
 
 Jerusalem. 
 (2) The Jews sojourners 
 from other parts. 
 
 Third hour = 9 a.m., the first 
 hour of prayer, the hour of 
 mornint; sacrifice, before 
 which the law allowed no 
 Jew to eat or drink. 
 
 Joel ii. 28 — 32. 
 
 Last days = the days of the 
 Messiah. 
 
 The prophecy of Joel was 
 fulfilled. 
 
 (i) Destruction of Jeru- 
 salem by Nebuchad- 
 nezzar. 
 (2) Destruction of Jeru- 
 salem by the Romans. 
 The Christians fled to Pella, 
 and thus escaped the 
 horrors of the siege of 
 Jerusalem. 
 
 " But Peter, standing up with the eleven, 
 lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye 
 men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at 
 Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and 
 hearken to my words : ^^ For these are not 
 drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the 
 third hour of the day. i" But this is that 
 which was spoken by the prophet Joel ; 
 '^'^ And it shall come to pass in the last days, 
 saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon 
 all flesh : and your sons and your daughters 
 shall prophesy, and your young men ^hall 
 see visions, and your 'old men shall dream 
 dreams : ^^ And on my servants and on my 
 handmaidens I will pour out in those days 
 of my Spirit ; and they shall prophesy : 
 ^^ And I will shew wonders in heaven above, 
 and signs in the earth beneath ; blood, and 
 fire, and vapour of smoke : ^o j^g gun 
 shall be turned into darkness, and the moon 
 into blood, before that great and notable 
 day of the Lord come : ^^ And it shall come 
 to pass, that whosoever shall call on the 
 name of the Lord shall be saved. 
 
 Prophesy has two significations. 
 
 (I.) Asregardsthefuture= to foretell ; to predict future events. 
 Examples : — 
 
 Agabus, who, at Antioch (Acts xi. 28), "signified by the Spirit that there should 
 
 be a great famine," which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar. 
 Agabus, at Csesarea (Acts xxi. 11), "took Paul's girdle, and bound his own 
 hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at 
 Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him mto the 
 hands of the Gentiles." 
 
 (II.) As regards the present = to forth tell, to proclaim, to preach, and expound. 
 Examples ; — 
 
 Judas and Silas being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren (Acts 
 
 XV. 321. 
 The twelve men at Ephesus on whom St. Paul laid his hands, " they spake with 
 
 tongues and prophesied " (Acts xix. 6). 
 The daughters of Phiiip, " Four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy" (Acts 
 xxi. 9).
 
 .] THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. ^2, 
 
 Analysis of St. Peter's Sermon. 
 
 He addresses two classes, viz. the mockers (v. 13) and the devout men (v. 5), and so the 
 sermon comprises two main divisions. 
 
 I. The Mockers answered. 
 
 (i) The charfjc of drunkenness is refuted, for it is very unlikely that so many would 
 
 be drunken before nine in the morning. 
 (2) These nun are not under the influence ot wine, but under the influence of tho 
 
 Holy Spirit, foretold by the prophet Joel ^Joel ii. 28). 
 
 II. An explanation is given to the devout men. 
 
 The cause of the outpouring of the Spirit is stated — 
 
 (i) The miracles, crucifixion and death of Jesus arc alluded to as well-known 
 facts. 
 
 (2) The resurrection of Jesus is stated as a proposition to be proved. 
 
 (3) Proof of this resurrection. 
 
 (a) It was foretold by David. Ps. xvi. 8, 9. 
 
 (^) This passage cannot apply to David, for he is dead and buried, and his 
 
 sepulchre remains. 
 (c\ But it does apply to one of the seed of David. Ps. cxxxii. 11. 
 {d) Therefore when David spoke the prophecy (Ps. xvi.) he referred to the 
 
 resurrection of the Christ. 
 (<•) 'Ihe prophecy has been fulfilled in Jesus, for " This Jesus hath God raised 
 
 up, whereof we all are witnesses. 
 
 (4) Further explanation — 
 
 (rt) Jesus has not only risen, but is ascended into heaven. 
 
 \b) Being ascended, " he has received of the Father the promise of the Holy 
 
 Ghost." 
 (c) And now from heaven hath poured forth this (gift of tonnfues), foretold by 
 
 Joel, and " which ye (men of Israel) now see and hear, and are amazed 
 
 and perplexed thereat. 
 ((/) This ascension w'as foretold by David (Ps. ex. i), which prophecy cannot 
 
 apply to David (for he is not ascended), but does apply to Jesus. 
 
 Conclusion of the Argument. Therefore this outpouring of the Holy Spirit, shown in 
 this gift of tongues, is the proof given by God that He has made this same Jesus, whom yo 
 have crucified, both Lord and Christ. 
 
 The Gift of Tongues. 
 
 Instances : — 
 
 (i) The Day of Pentecost, ii. 11. 
 
 (2) The conversion of Cornelius, x. 46. 
 
 (3) The twelve men baptized by St. Paul at Ephesus, six. 6. 
 
 Nature of the Gift. There are two varying accounts given in the New Testament : — 
 '1) A miraculous power of speaking different langu.iges. This is the account given at 
 the Day of Pentecost — " and began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit gave 
 them utterance." 
 {A An ecstatic and unintelligible utterance expressive of praise and adoration. This 
 is -St. Paul's account in the Epistle to the Corinthians — "He that speaketh in an 
 unknown tongue speaketh not unto men but unto God, for no man understandeth 
 him ; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries." i Cor. xiv. 2. 
 
 St. Paul further explains — " Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that 
 believe, but to them that believe not." i Cor. xiv. 22. 
 
 How can we explain this difference ? 
 (i) Were there two gifts of tongues ? — 
 
 («) Given to the Apostles only, for missionarj' purposes. 
 
 {b) Given to Christians of the Apostolic Church for worship. 
 (2) Was the gift of tongues simply an impression made on the hearers, whereby though 
 
 the language spoken was one, each hearer heard in his own ?
 
 74 
 
 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. [ii. 22—29. 
 
 On this it may be said — 
 
 (i) That there is no evidence that the gift was ever used for missionary purposes. 
 
 (2) That St. Paul could not speak at Lystra in the forei§fn tongue of Lycaonia, when 
 it would have been a valuable aid to him. Acts xiv. ii. 
 
 (3) That it was used when the Churches met for worship. 
 
 (4) That the "hearing" supposition does not meet St. Paul's description at all. 
 
 "Wherefore we may conclude that the gift of tongues was an actual gift of languages on 
 the day of Pentecost, given as a " sign," but that afterwards it became the utterance of 
 an ecstatic condition. This agrees with St. Paul's description that it was a "sign " to 
 them that believe not, and this sign was necessary on all these occasions when the gift is 
 recorded, viz. : — 
 
 (i) Day of Peutecost, on the foundation of the Church. 
 
 (2) The conversion of Cornelius, at the admission of the Gentiles into the Church. 
 
 (3) At Ephesus, in orderto make an impression upon the population of that maritime 
 city, the centre of Asia, and resorted to by men from different countries speaking 
 different languages. 
 
 The disappearance of the miraculous element from the gift is only consistent with tho 
 withdrawal of the power to work miracles. 
 
 II. The Resurrection of Jesus a Proof of His Messiahship. 
 
 Approved means " proved," 
 i.e. a man publicly avouch- 
 ed or declared. 
 
 Miracles. R.V. Mighty.works ; 
 indicating the power of the 
 worker. 
 
 Wonders = portents, indicat- 
 ing the astonishment caused 
 to the observers. 
 
 Signs pointing out the divinity 
 of the work'-r. 
 
 Determinate counsel = fixed 
 resolve. 
 
 R.V. By the hand of law- 
 less men. 
 
 R.V. Pangs of death = birth 
 pan^s, denoting that the 
 death of Christ was the 
 life of the world. 
 
 Ps. xvi. 8— II. 
 
 Rest. R.V. dwell = will 
 pitch its tabernacle, i.e. 
 onlv for a time. 
 
 In hell. R.V. Hades, the 
 place of departed spirits, 
 not the Gehenna, the place' 
 of torment. 
 
 R.V. I may say unto you 
 freely. 
 
 Patriarch = "head or prince 
 of a tribe." 
 
 Instances of the use of the 
 word in this meaning are — 
 
 1. Of David, here. 
 
 2. Of Abraham. Heb.vii. 
 4- 
 
 3. Of the twelve sons of 
 Jacob as the founders of 
 the twelve tribes of Is- 
 rael. 
 
 In common usage the title is 
 
 2^ Ye men of Israel, hear these words : 
 Jesus of Nazareth, a man [approved of God 
 among you by miracles and wonders and 
 signs, which God did by him in the midst of 
 you, as ye yourselves also know : 23 jjim, 
 being delivered by the determinate counsel 
 and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, 
 and by wicked hands have crucified and 
 slain : ^^ Whom God hath raised up, hav- 
 ing loosed the pains of death : because it 
 was not possible that he should be holden of 
 it. 25 Pqj- pavid speaketh concerning him, 
 I foresaw the Lord always before my face, 
 for he is on my right hand, that I should 
 not be moved : ^6 Therefore did my heart 
 rejoice, and my tongue was glad ; moreover 
 also my flesh shall rest in hope : ^r Because 
 thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither 
 wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see cor- 
 ruption. 28 Thou hast made known to me 
 the ways of life ; thou shalt make me full 
 of joy with thy countenance. 29 Men and 
 brethren, let me freely speak unto you of 
 the patriarch David, that he is both dead 
 and buried, and his sepulchre is with us
 
 ii. 30—40.] THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 75 
 
 unto this day. ^oxherefore being a prophet 
 and knowing that God had sworn with an 
 oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, 
 according to the flesh, he would raise up 
 Christ to sit on his throne ; •'^ He seeing 
 this before spake of the resurrection of 
 Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, 
 neither his flesh did see corruption. 22 Xhis 
 Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all 
 are witnesses. ^3 Therefore being by the 
 right hand of God exalted, and having re- 
 ceived of the Father the promise of the 
 Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which 
 ye now see and hear. ^4 Yqx David is not 
 ascended into the heavens : but he saith 
 himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit 
 thou on my right hand, ^^ Until I make thy 
 foes thy footstool. '^^ Therefore let all the 
 house of Israel know assuredly, that God 
 hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have 
 crucified, both Lord and Christ. 
 
 assigned especiallyto those 
 whose lives arc recorded 
 in Scripture previous to the 
 time of tribes. 
 
 R.V. Tomb. The tomb ot 
 David was a conspicuous 
 object in Jerusalem. 
 
 R.V. Of the fruit of his loins 
 he would set one upon his 
 throne. 
 
 E.V. The Christ {i.e. the 
 Messiah — tlie anointed 
 one) that neither was Ho 
 left in Hades (v. 27), nor 
 didhisfli-sh sec corruption. 
 
 R.V. Hath poured forth this ; 
 and so fulfilled the pro- 
 phecy of Joel. 
 
 Psalra ex., appropriated to 
 himself by Jesus (Matt.xxii. 
 44, .(5). Lit in Heb., "Je- 
 hovah said unto Adonai," 
 &c. 
 
 To pour contempt on princes 
 taken in battle, the East- 
 erns put their feet on their 
 necks. 
 
 Earliest example — 
 
 " Joshua said to his cap- 
 tains, Come near and put 
 your feet upon the necks 
 of these kings " (Josh. x. 
 24 — 26). 
 
 Lord and Christ = Ruler and 
 Messiah, 
 
 Results of the Sermon. 
 
 ^T' Now when they heard this, they were 
 pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter 
 and to the rest of the apostles. Men and 
 brethren, what shall we do ? 2* Then Peter 
 said unto them, Repent, and be baptized 
 every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ 
 for the remission of sins, and ye shall re- 
 ceive the gift of the Holy Ghost, ^o Por the 
 promise is unto you, and to your children, 
 and to all that are afar off, even as many as 
 the Lord our God shall call. *" And with 
 many other words did he testify and exhort, 
 saying, Save yourselves from this untoward 
 generation. 
 
 Pricked in their heart. Con- 
 viction, like a sword, 
 pierced through their 
 hearts. 
 They were sclf-convictcd of 
 their 
 (i) Blindness, in not re- 
 cognizing Jesus as the 
 Christ. 
 
 (2) Crime, in persecuting 
 Him as a false Christ. 
 
 (3) Cruelty, in crucifying 
 Him. 
 
 What shall we dol i.e. to 
 expiate our sin, and to 
 avert the punishment. 
 
 Mark xvi. 15, 16, " preach the 
 Gospel to every creature. 
 He that believeth and is 
 baptized shall be saved." 
 
 Untoward. R.V. = crooked, 
 penerse.
 
 76 
 
 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. [ii. 41- 
 
 The Conduct of the Early Christians. 
 
 Apostles' Doctrineand Fellow- 
 ship. This indicates that 
 already there were some 
 settled forms of teaching 
 and of Church organiza- 
 tion, which eventually de- 
 veloped into Creeds and 
 settled form of govern- 
 ment. 
 
 R.V. Teaching. 
 
 Breaking of Bread. The 
 earliest title of the Holy 
 Communion (Act xx. 7 ; 
 I Cor. X. 16). 
 
 Community of Goods. In- 
 stances of the same idea — 
 
 1. Plato in his ideal re- 
 public. 
 
 2. Ihe Essenes had no 
 distinctions in property. 
 
 3. Our Lord and His dis- 
 ciples had a common 
 purse. 
 
 Later monastic orders 
 
 ^1 Then they that gladly received his word 
 were baptized : and the same day there were 
 added tcnto them about three thousand 
 souls. ^2 And they continued stedfastly in 
 the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and 
 in breaking of bread, and in prayers. 
 ''^ And fear came upon every soul : and many 
 wonders and signs were done by the apostles. 
 ** And all that believed were together, and 
 had all things common ; ^^ And sold their 
 possessions and goods, and parted them to 
 all men, as every man had need. ^^ And 
 they, continuing daily with one accord in 
 the temple, and breaking bread from house 
 to house, did eat their meat with gladness 
 and singleness of heart, *'' Praising God, 
 and having favour with all the people. And 
 the Lord added to the church daily such as 
 should be saved. 
 
 lived a communistic life. 
 Characteristics of the Apos- 
 tolic Communism — 
 
 1. It did not extend beyond 
 Jerusalem. 
 
 2. It was not compulsory 
 as with the Essenes and 
 monastic orders. 
 
 3. It would seem to have been an attempt under newly roused feelings to realise the 
 ideal felt by their deeper nature. 
 
 4. It ended abruptly in the treachery of Ananias and Sapphira, and this may account 
 for the poverty of the saints at Jerusalem afterwards. 
 
 R.V. To all according as any man had need. 
 
 R.V. And breaking bread at home, they did take their food. 
 
 E.V. Bay by day those that were being saved. 
 
 V. 46. — Continuing daily with one accord in the Temple. The first Christians kept all the 
 religious observances of the Jewish religion, its feasts, its hours of prayer and its ritual, 
 as far as possible consistently with their Christian faith. Thus : — 
 
 (i) The hours of prayer were observed by Peter and John (iii. i) ; by Peter at Joppa, 
 
 fx. 9). 
 (2) The Apostles and disciples were in the Temple (iii. i) (v 12) (v. 21). 
 {3) Paul, though holding the^Iosaic ritual as non-obligatory, kept the Nazarite vow — 
 (i.) At Cenchrea, where he shaved his head because he had a vow (xviii. 18). 
 (ii.) At Jerusalem, on his arrival there after his third missionary journey (xxi. 
 23. 24). 
 (4) St. Paul hastened to be at Jerusalem on the Feast of Pentecost (xx. 16). 
 
 The Cripple at the Beautiful Gate of the Temple made whole 
 by Peter and John. 
 
 v/ent up, better "were going 3 Now Peter and John went up together 
 
 „. ' , , into the temple at the hour of prayer, beiti^ 
 
 Ninth hour = three p.m., , . , , ^ „ . , .^ -^ , "^ 
 
 The last of the three ap- the nmth hoiir, ^ And a certam man lame
 
 lii. 3-12.] THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 from his mother's womb was carried, whom 
 they laid daily at the gate of the temple 
 which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of 
 them that entered into the temple ; ^ Who 
 seeing Peter and John about to go into the 
 temple asked an alms. * And Peter, fasten- 
 ing his eyes upon him with John, said, Look 
 on us. ^ And he gave heed unto them, ex- 
 pecting to receive something of them. 
 ^ Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I 
 none ; but such as I have give I thee : In 
 the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise 
 up and walk. '' And he took him by the 
 right hand, and lifted him up : and imme- 
 diately his feet and ancle bones received 
 strength. ^ And he leaping up stood, and 
 walked, and entered with them into the 
 temple, walking, and leaping, and praising 
 God. ^ And all the people saw him walking 
 and praising God : ^^ And they knew that 
 it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful 
 gate of the temple : and they were filled 
 with wonder and amazement at that which 
 had happened unto him. 
 
 pointed hours of prayer. 
 Also that of the evening 
 sacrifice. 
 Was carried, better "was 
 
 being cnrried." 
 No miracle would so widely 
 afiect the " religious 
 world" of Jerusalem, be- 
 cause the beggar, being 
 laid daily at the Beautiful 
 (jate, would be familiar 
 to all Temple worshippers. 
 Unlike that other cripple 
 from birth at Lystra, in 
 whom " Paul perceived 
 that he had faith to be 
 healed," Peter saw no such 
 symptoms in this one. 
 R.V. In the name of Jesus 
 Christ of Nazareth, -walk. 
 As brief as the soldier's 
 word of command. 
 R.V. Began to walk. How 
 vivid and graphic, yet so 
 detailed! Do we owe this 
 to Luke the Physician's 
 knowledge ot anatomy .' 
 Peter and John had been 
 friends from youth. In the 
 Gospels we find — 
 (i) They had been partners 
 as fishermen on the Sea 
 of Galilee (Luke v. lo). 
 (2) Together they had re- 
 ceived the baptism of 
 John (John i. 41). 
 (3 J They had been sent to- 
 gether to prepare" the 
 Passover Feast (Luke 
 
 xxii. »). 
 
 (4) John takes Peter to the Palace of the High Priest (John xviii. 16). 
 
 (5) Peter and John go in company to the sepulchre on the morning of the resurrection 
 (John XX. 6). 
 
 (6) It was Peter who asked our Lord concerning John " And what shall this man do ? " 
 (John xxi. 21). 
 
 The Jewish hours of prayers were the third hour, or morning prayer ; the sixth hour, or 
 noon ; and the ninth hour, or evening praj-er. So David in the Psalms says, " Evening 
 and morning and at noon will I pray " (Ps. Iv. 17). Daniel is recorded to have prayed 
 "three times a day" ^Dan. vi. 10). 
 
 Beautiful Gate. Probably the magnificent Eastern Gate, adorned andcovered with mas- 
 sive plates of gold and silver, which led up from the Court of the Gentiles to the Court of 
 the Women. 
 
 St. Peter's Address to the Multitude. 
 
 ^1 And as the lame man which was healed 
 held Peter and John, all the people ran to- 
 gether unto them in the porch that is called 
 Solomon's, greatly wondering, i- And when 
 
 Ye men of Isael expresses 
 the whole dignity and glory 
 of the theocratic people in 
 peculiar covenant relation 
 with God. The Hebrew 
 shared the glory of being a
 
 7S 
 
 THE ACTS OT THE APOSTLES. [iii. 13—24. 
 
 descendant of Abraham 
 with the Ishmaelites ; of 
 Isaac with the Edomites ; 
 but of Jacob with no one, 
 it was peculiarly his own. 
 Their descent was traced 
 to Jacob not as Jacob, but 
 as "Israel," "who had 
 power with God and man 
 and prevailed." The ten 
 tribes assumed the title 
 "kingdom of Israel," as 
 one of peculiar honour. 
 
 R, V. Why marvel ye at this 
 man? 
 
 E.V. Godliness. The apostles 
 give all the glory to Jesus, 
 and disclaim all the credit 
 for themselves. 
 
 R.V. Servant Jesus, i.e. not 
 the Son of God, but, the 
 Servant of God (" Behold 
 my Servant whom I have 
 chosen")"! (Matt. xii. i8; 
 Isaiah xlii. i). So Jehovah 
 calls " Moses His servant" 
 (Josh. i. 7). 
 
 Murderer. Barabbas, " who 
 for certain insurrection 
 .... and for murder was 
 cast into prison." 
 
 I wot = I know. Present 
 tense of to wit"; past tense, 
 wist. " As for this Moses, 
 we wot not what is become 
 of him" (Exodus xxxii. 2). 
 "Wist ye not that I must 
 be about my Father's busi- 
 ness (Luke ii. 49). 
 
 Through ignorance. The 
 people sinned through want 
 of instruction and know- 
 ledge of the law. The 
 rulers sinned in spite of in- 
 struction and knowledge 
 of the law. 
 
 E.V. His Christ. 
 
 R.V. And turn again (from 
 your blindness and blood- 
 guiltiness.) 
 
 R.V. That (by your repent- 
 ance) so there may come 
 seasons of refreshing. 
 
 R.V. Restoration. 
 
 For Moses indeed said, i.e. 
 not Moses truthfully said, 
 but it is a fact that Moses 
 said. 
 
 Peter charges the Jews : — 
 (i) Ye delivered Him to 
 trial. 
 
 (2) Ye denied Him before 
 Pilate, a heathen. 
 
 (3) Ye denied His righte- 
 ousness. 
 
 Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, 
 Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this ? 
 or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though 
 by our own power or holiness we had made 
 this man to walk ? ^^ The God of Abraham, 
 and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our 
 fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus ; whom 
 ye delivered up, and denied him in the pre- 
 sence of Pilate, when he was determined to 
 let him go. " But ye denied the Holy One 
 and the Just, and desired a murderer to be 
 granted unto you ; ^^ ^nd killed the Prince 
 of life, whom God hath raised from the 
 dead ; whereof we are witnesses. ^^ And 
 his name through faith in his name hath 
 made this man strong, whom ye see and 
 know : yea, the faith which is by him hath 
 given him this perfect soundness in the pre- 
 sence of you all. ^'' And now, brethren, I 
 wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did 
 also your rulers. ^^ But those things, which 
 God before had shewed by the mouth of all 
 his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he 
 hath so fulfilled. ^'' Repent ye therefore, 
 and be converted, that your sins may be 
 blotted out, when the times of refreshing 
 shall come from the presence of the Lord ; 
 2** And he shall send Jesus Christ, which be- 
 fore was preached unto you : ^i Whom the 
 heaven must receive until the times of re-' 
 stitution of all things, which God hath 
 spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets 
 since the world began. - For Moses truly 
 said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the 
 Lord your God raise up unto you of your 
 brethren, like unto me ; him shall ye hear in 
 all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. 
 23 And it shall come to pass, that every soul, 
 which will not hear that prophet, shall be de- 
 stroyed from among the people. ^^ Yea,
 
 25— iv. 6.] THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 and all the prophets from Samuel and those 
 that follow after, as many as have spoken, 
 have likewise foretold of these days. '^'•' Ye 
 are the children of the prophets, and of the 
 covenant which God made with our fathers, 
 saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall 
 all the kindreds of the earth be blessed. 
 2" Unto you first God, having raised up his 
 Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning 
 away every one of you from his iniquities. 
 
 (4) Ye preferred a mur- 
 derer. 
 
 (5) Ye killed the Prince 
 (or Author) of Life. 
 
 Deuteronomy xviii. 15 ; also 
 quoted by Stephen, Acts 
 vii.37. 
 
 Samuel, the founder of the 
 schools of the prophets. 
 The prophetic period began 
 •with Samuel. " God j;ave 
 unto them judges .ibout the 
 space of 450 years, until 
 .Samuel the prophet" (Acts 
 xiii. 20). 
 
 R.V. All the families (Gen. 
 xii. 3., xxii. 18). 
 
 Solomon's Porch. Magnificent cloisters on the east side of the Temple. They are 
 minutely described by Josephus, who asserts that they were the original work of Solomon, 
 and formed part of the first temple. Hence the name, Solomon's Porch. 
 
 Jesus taught in this porch, and the Jews took up stones to stone him. See John x. 
 23—31- 
 
 Like unto me. The parallelism between Moses and Jesus can be shown thus : — 
 
 Moses was- 
 
 (1) A Deliverer, freeing the Israelites 
 
 from Pharaoh and the Egyptians. 
 
 (2) A Lawgiver, promulgating the Law 
 
 at -Sinai. 
 
 (3) A mediator, at Sinai, where the Is- 
 
 raelites implore Jehovah to speak 
 to them through Moses. 
 
 Jesus was — 
 
 (i) A Deliverer, freeing "his people from 
 their sins." Egypt is a type of the 
 bondage of sin. 
 
 (2) A Lawgiver. " A new commandment 
 
 give I unto you, that ye love one 
 another." 
 
 (3) A mediator. "Jesus, the mediator of 
 
 the new covenant." Heb. xii. 24. 
 
 Peter's Address interrupted through the Jealousy of the 
 Sadducees. 
 
 4. And as they spake unto the people, 
 the priests, and the captain of the temple, 
 and the Sadducees, came upon them, 
 2 Being grieved that they taught the peo- 
 ple, and preached through Jesus the resur- 
 rection from the dead. ^ And they laid 
 hands on them, and put them in hold unto 
 the ne.xt day : for it was now eventide. 
 * Howbeit many of them which heard the 
 word believed ; and the number of the men 
 was about five thousand. ^ And it came 
 to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, 
 and elders, and scribes, ^ And Annas the 
 high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and 
 Ale.xander, and as many as were of the 
 
 Captain of the Temple. The 
 officer in command of the 
 Temple Guard, composed 
 of Levites. 
 
 R.V. Sore troubled. 
 
 R.V. Proclaimed. 
 
 R.V. In ward, i.e. locked 
 them up for the night, to 
 be examined next morning. 
 
 R.V. Came to, i.e. an in- 
 crease of 2,000 since the 
 Day of Pentecost. 
 
 The party of the Sadducees.
 
 8o 
 
 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. [iv. 7—14. 
 
 In the midst. The Sanhe- 
 drim sat in a semicircle, 
 the president being in the 
 middle of the arc, whilst 
 the accused stood in the 
 centre. 
 
 B.V. In -what name? Deu- 
 teronomy xiii. 15, decreed 
 that any one working a 
 miracle in the name of any 
 other God should be put 
 to death. The question 
 admits the fact and reality 
 of the miracle. 
 
 Good deed = act of benefi- 
 cence. The Sanhedrim 
 refer to the miracle con- 
 temptuously as " this 
 thing-," Peter describes it 
 as "a good deed." 
 
 Name. The use of the expres- 
 sion in the Bible " in the 
 nameof" always indicates 
 the individuality, attri- 
 butes, and character of the 
 person named. 
 
 E.V. He is the stone. Psalm 
 cxviii.22. Applied to Him- 
 self by Jesus (Matthew 
 xxi. 42). 
 
 None other name, i.e. none 
 other individual character 
 or individual power. 
 
 The High Priestly families belonged to the Sadduceean'party. They denied the resur- 
 rection (j\Iatt. xxii. 23, " which say there is no resurrection "), and did not believe in the 
 existence of angels (Acts xxiii. 8, " the Sadducees say there is no resurrection, neither 
 angel, nor Spirit "). . ,. 
 
 We notice that whereas the Pharisees were Christ's enemies, the Sadducees are His 
 Apostles' enemies, being specially opposed to the doctrine of the resurrection. When 
 Stephen and the Hellenists gave a new direction to their teaching, the Tharisecs, headed 
 by Saul of Tarsus, once more turned against them. 
 
 The Sadducees had perhaps listened to end of verse 15, and then on mention of the 
 resurrection had gone to call the Trmple Guard. 
 
 On Annas and Caiaphas, both called high priests (Luke iii. 2), see Introduction, p. 27. 
 
 Of John and Alexander nothing is known. 
 
 kindred of the high priest, were gathered 
 together at Jerusalem. ^ And when they 
 had set them in the midst, they asked, By 
 what power, or by what name, have ye done 
 this ? 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy 
 Ghost, said unto them. Ye rulers of the 
 people, and elders of Israel, " If we this 
 day be examined of the good deed done to 
 the impotent man, by what means he is 
 made whole ; i'^ Be it known unto you all, 
 and to all the people of Israel, that by the 
 name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye 
 crucified, whom God raised from the dead, 
 eveti by him doth this man stand here be- 
 fore you whole. ^^ This is the stone which 
 was set at nought of you builders, which is 
 become the head of the corner, i- Neither 
 is there salvation in any other : for there is 
 none other name under heaven given among 
 men, whereby we must be saved. 
 
 The Apostles are Released without Punishment. 
 
 Unlearned and ignorant = 
 
 untutored common fellows, 
 not Rabbis. 
 
 They began to recognise, i.e. 
 the members of the coun- 
 cil began to remember that 
 they had seen these two 
 apostles with Jesus in the 
 Temple. 
 
 The presence of the healed 
 cripple ties the hands of 
 the priests. 
 
 1^ Now when they saw the boldness of 
 Peter and John, and perceived that they 
 were unlearned and ignorant men, they 
 marvelled ; and they took knowledge of 
 them, that they had been with Jesus. 
 " And beholding the man which was healed 
 standing with them, they could say nothing
 
 iv. 15—25.] THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 81 
 
 against it. ^^ But when they had com- 
 manded them to go aside out of the council, 
 they conferred among themselves, '^^ Say- 
 ing, What shall we do to these men ? for 
 that indeed a notable miracle hath been 
 done by them is manifest to all them that 
 dwell in Jerusalem ; and we cannot deny //. 
 *' But that it spread no further among the 
 people, let us straitly threaten them, that 
 they speak henceforth to no man in this 
 name. ^^ And they called them, and com- 
 manded them not to speak at all nor teach 
 in the name of Jesus. ^^ But Peter and 
 John answered and said unto them, Whe- 
 ther it be right in the sight of God to 
 hearken unto you more than unto God, 
 judge ye. -'' For we cannot but speak the 
 things which we have seen and heard. 
 21 So when they had further threatened 
 ihem, they let them go, finding nothing 
 how they might punish them, because of 
 the people : for all men glorified God for 
 that which was done. — For the man was 
 above forty years old, on whom this miracle 
 of healing was shewed. 
 
 A notable miracle. Second 
 ackiiowlc'clgnicnt of tl'.e 
 complete cure of the 
 cripple, and of tlicir re- 
 solve to ignore it as a s'gn 
 from God. 
 
 The Greek means "Let us 
 threaten them \\\(\\ 
 
 threats." 
 
 R.V. Charged. Our Lord 
 charged tlio leper to tell no 
 man (St. Luke v. 14). 
 
 "Absolutely not to utter" — 
 the ver}- name of Jesus was 
 not to pass their lips. 
 
 R.V. Kather than unto Goi. 
 
 They could as-ign no reason 
 for punishment. 
 
 K.V. "Was ■wrought. 
 
 V. 19. — The Apostles' answer. 
 
 Which is right ? To obey God or man ? 
 Judge ye! You may judge for jourselves ! 
 AVe have judged for ourselves. 
 To obey you is impossible. 
 The things our eyes saw and our ears heard speak and^teach we must. 
 
 Peter and John going to the Brethren unite with them in 
 Prayer and are Answered from Heaven. 
 
 2^ And being let go, they went to their 
 own company, and reported all that the 
 chief priests and elders had said unto them. 
 2* And when they heard that, they lifted up 
 their voice to God with one accord, and 
 said. Lord, thou art God, which hast made 
 heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all 
 that in them is : ^3 "Who by the mouth of 
 
 G 
 
 Company impli. s there was 
 a r(COj;niscd place of 
 nieiting. 
 
 Reported. Kvi n if the Judg- 
 ment Hall weieopcn to the 
 general public but few 
 Christians would be pres- 
 ent at the trial. 
 
 With cne accord, i.e. they 
 united in singing the hymn. 
 
 R.V. Thou that didst make 
 the heaven. 
 
 Lord. Greek is not Kyrios
 
 82 
 
 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. [iv. 26-34. 
 
 but Despotes = absolute 
 
 ruler of the universe. 
 R.V. Who by the Holy Ghost, 
 
 by the moiith of our father 
 
 David, thy servant. 
 R.V. Gentiles = Roman 
 
 soldiers. 
 R.V. Peoples = oi Israel 
 
 (Twelve Tribes). 
 Kings = Herod Antipas. 
 Rulers = Pontius Pilate and 
 
 the Jewish rulers. 
 R.V. Servant. 
 
 R.V. While thou stretchest 
 forth thy hand. 
 
 R.V. Servant. 
 
 So after the prayers of Paul 
 and Silas, the prison at 
 Philippi was shaken (xvi. 
 26). 
 
 thy servant David hast said, Why did the 
 heathen rage, and the people imagine vain 
 things ? "'^ The kings of the earth stood 
 up, and the rulers were gathered together 
 against the Lord, and against his Christ. 
 -" For of a truth against thy holy child 
 Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both 
 Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gen- 
 tiles, and the people of Israel, were ga- 
 thered together, ^^ For to do whatsoever 
 thy hand and thy counsel determined before 
 to be done. -^ And now, Lord, behold their* 
 threatenings : and grant unto thy servants, 
 that with all boldness they may speak thy 
 word, "^^ By stretching forth thine hand to 
 heal ; and that signs and wonders may be 
 done by the name of thy holy child Jesus. 
 21 And when they had prayed, the place 
 was shaken where they were assembled to- 
 gether ; and they were all filled with the 
 Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of 
 God with boldness. 
 
 V. 29. — The Apostles' prayer and the answer to their prayer. 
 Petitions of their prayer to God — 
 • I. Look upon their threatenings. 
 
 2. Grant us to speak Th}' word with all boldness. 
 
 3. Stretch forth Thy hand to heal. 
 
 4. Do signs and wonders in the name of Jesus. 
 Answer to their prayer — 
 
 1. The place was shaken wherein they were gathered. 
 
 2. All were filled with the Holy Ghost. 
 
 3. They were filled with boldness to speak the "Word. 
 
 The Unanimity and Charity of the Early Church. 
 
 .R.V. Their witness, i.e. were 
 . rendering their appointed 
 '• testimony. 
 
 /Grace from God, not favour 
 \>'with the people. . — . 
 
 32 And the multitude of them that be- 
 lieved were of one heart atid of one soul : 
 neither said any of thc77i that ought of the 
 things which he possessed was his own ; 
 but they had all things common. ^3 ^^d 
 with great power gave the apostles witness 
 of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus : and 
 great grace was upon them all. ^^ Neither 
 was there any among them that lacked :
 
 iv. 35— V. 8.] 7^HE A CTS OF THE APOSTLES, 
 
 R.V. Joseph. Intro., p. 31. 
 
 R.V. Son of exhortation. He 
 is called a prophet (Acts 
 xiii. i). 
 
 R.V. Afield. 
 
 for as many as were possessors of lands or 
 houses sold them, and brought the prices 
 of the things that were sold, ^^ And laid 
 them down at the apostles' feet : and dis- 
 tribution was made unto every man accord- 
 ing as he had need. ^"^ And Joses, who by 
 the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, 
 (which is, being interpreted, The son of 
 consolation,) a Levite, and of the country 
 of Cyprus, ^"^ Having land, sold //, and 
 brought the money, and laid it at the 
 apostles' feet. 
 
 Un.inimity, unselfishness, and zeal in the Church at this period. 
 Unanimity, or concord. All of one heart and one soul. 
 Unselfishness. All property was for the common use. 
 Zeal. The resurrection was preached with great power. 
 Plenty. There was no one in need. 
 Special examples :— Alany sold their property and paid the price into a common fund, 
 
 to be distributed according to their several needs, as did Barnabas of Cyprus, a 
 
 Levite. 
 
 Account of Ananias and Sapphira. 
 
 5. But a certain man named Ananias, 
 with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, 
 2 And kept hack ^art of the price, his wife 
 also being privy to it, and brought a certain 
 part, and laid // at the apostles' feet. ^ But 
 Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled 
 thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to 
 keep back ;part of the price of the land ? 
 ^ Whiles it remained, was it not thine own ? 
 and after it was sold, was it not in thine 
 own power ? why hast thou conceived this 
 thing in thine heart ? thou hast not lied 
 unto men, but unto God. " And Ananias 
 hearing these words fell down, and gave up 
 the ghost : and great fear came on all them 
 that heard these things. ^ And the young 
 men arose, wound him up, and carried hiui 
 out, and buried Jiiin. "> And it was about 
 the space of three hours after, when his 
 wife, not knowing what was done, came in. 
 ^ And Peter answered unto her. Tell me 
 
 Sapphira, probably derived 
 from Gk. sapphire, the 
 name of a precious stone. 
 
 Possession, called in verse 8 
 "the land." 
 
 The sin was a deliberate act, 
 as shown by the wife being- 
 party to it. 
 
 R.V. Whiles it remained, 
 did it not remain thine own, 
 i.e. to be disposed of as 
 you pleased. 
 
 The young men. The use of 
 the article seems to indi- 
 cate a definite class. Per- 
 haps a la}- organization of 
 helpers. 
 
 R.V. Wrapped him round, I'.r. 
 in his own flowing robes. 
 They became his winding- 
 sheet. In hot clinutcs 
 burial follows quickly alter 
 death.
 
 84 
 
 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. [v. 9—15. 
 
 Yea, for so much. Sapphira 
 confesses her complicity 
 (i) in the sale (2) in the 
 purloining-. 
 
 Tempt, Litin, tentare, has 
 two meanings : (i) to try, 
 to make trial of; (2) to en- 
 tice to sin. Here= to try 
 or test whether the spirit 
 that dwelt in the Apostles 
 really knew the secrets of 
 men's hearts. 
 
 R.V. AU that heard, i.e. 
 those outside the Christian 
 Church. 
 
 whether ye sold the land for so much ? 
 And she said, Yea, for so much. ^ Then 
 Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have 
 agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the 
 Lord ? behold, the feet of them which have 
 buried thy husband are at the door, and 
 shall carry thee out. ^^ Then fell she down 
 straightway at his feet, and yielded up the 
 ghost : and the young men came in, and 
 found her dead, and, carrying her forth, 
 buried her by her husband. '^^ And great 
 fear came upon all the church, and upon as 
 many as heard these things. -' 
 
 But. This paragfraph opens with a But, because it contrasts Barnabas, a single-minded 
 giver, with Ananias, a double-minded giver, who was actuated by ambition, covctousncss, 
 love of praise, and deceit. 
 
 The sin of Ananias and Sapphira. They sold the field and brought part of the money to 
 the Apostles, professing to be bringing the whole sum into the common fund. 
 They were guilty of — 
 
 Vanity, seeking the praise of their fellows for their devotion and sacrifice. 
 Covetousness, in keeping part of the money back. 
 
 Contempt for God, in thinking that their ofFence would not be detected by the Apostles 
 
 acting under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. " They had lied not unto men, but 
 
 unto God." 
 
 The Sin was deliberate, for Sapphira was "privy to it," i.e. Ananias and Sapphira 
 
 had consulted together and arranged their plan of action, so as both to tell the 
 
 same tale. See v. 8. 
 
 Their punishment was necessary — 
 
 (i) to show that their sin was detected. 
 
 (2) To prevent internal corruption of the infant Church, a corruption infinitely more 
 dangerous than any external persecution, had not such a crime been at once 
 severely visited. 
 So was necessary the punishment of the man for gathering sticks on the Sabbath at the 
 early institution of the Sabbath. Num. xv. 32 — 36. 
 
 So was necessary the punishment of Nadab and Abihu at the commencement of the 
 Jewish priesthood. Lev. x. 2. 
 
 Miracles wrought by the Apostles. The Church grows 
 V greatly. 
 
 ^^ And by the hands of the apostles were 
 many signs and wonders wrought among 
 the people ; (and they were all with one 
 accord in Solomon's porch. " ^^d of the 
 rest darst no man join himself to them : but 
 the people magnified them. ^^ And be- 
 lievers were the more added to the Lord, 
 multitudes both of men and women.) '^'^ In- 
 
 Solomon's porch. Seeiii. 11. 
 
 The rest. Terror caused by 
 the sudden death of Ana- 
 nias and Sapphira pre- 
 vented others intruding on 
 the Christians during wor- 
 ship. 
 
 To the lord. By being added 
 to His Church, which is 
 His body.
 
 V. 16—24.] ^^/^ ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 85 
 
 somuch that they brought forth the sick 
 into the streets, and laid /Iictii on beds and 
 couches, that at the least the shadow of 
 Peter passing by might overshadow some of 
 them. ^^ There came also a multitude otct 
 of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, 
 bringing sick folks, and them which were 
 vexed with unclean spirits : and they were 
 healed every one. 
 
 Arrest of the Twelve. 
 
 " Then the high priest rose up, and all 
 they that were with him, (which is the sect 
 of the Sadducees,) and were filled with in- 
 dignation, 1^ And laid their hands on the 
 apostles, and put them in the common 
 prison. 
 
 The "beds" were those of 
 the well-to-do people ; the 
 "couches" were the mats 
 or pallets of the poor. 
 
 Shadow of Peter. A parallel 
 to thisocrurred at Ephesus, 
 "where God wrouj^iit spe- 
 cial miracles by the hands 
 of Paul " (xixi 11). 
 
 The demoniacs. In the Gos- 
 pels they are usually de- 
 scribed as those possessed 
 with a devil. 
 
 Ai.nas, &c. See Intro., pj). 27, 
 28. Josephus tells us that 
 Annas and his five sons 
 were Sadducees. 
 
 R.V. Jealousy included— 
 (0 Zeal against the doc- 
 trine. 
 (2) Envy of the popularity 
 of the Apostles. 
 
 R.V. PubliQ -ward (iv. 3). 
 
 Deliverance of the Apostles. 
 
 ^^ But the angel of the Lord by night 
 opened the prison doors, and brought them 
 forth, and said, 2*' Go, stand and speak in 
 the temple to the people all the words of 
 this life. 21 ji^nd when they heard ///«/, 
 they entered into the temple, early in the 
 morning, and taught. 
 
 This life = the future life, of 
 which the resurrection of 
 Jesus was a promise and a 
 pledge. 
 
 R.V. About daybreak, i.e. 
 as soon as possible after 
 daydawn, 
 
 Trial before the Sanhedrim. 
 
 But the high priest came, and they that 
 were with him, and called the council toge- 
 ther, and all the senate of the childreriVf 
 Israel, and sent to the prison to have thgin/ 
 brought. -2 But when the officers came, 
 and found them not in the prison, they re- 
 turned, and told, -^ saying, The prison 
 truly found we shut with all safety, and the 
 keepers standing without before the doors : 
 but when we had opened, we found no man 
 within. 24 No^v when the high priest and 
 
 Council = Sanhedrim. Intro. 
 
 p. 44. 
 Senate = the whole council 
 
 of representatives of the 
 
 people.
 
 86 
 
 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. [v. 25—34. 
 
 Sec 
 
 Captain of ths Temple, 
 iv. I. 
 
 R.V. Were much perplexed, 
 i.e. at a loss what to do. 
 The Sadducees denied the 
 existence of angels, and 
 therefore the extraordinary 
 nature of the release of the 
 apostles perplexed them. 
 During the examination 
 they put no question as 
 to how the release was 
 effected. 
 
 R.V. We straitly (strictly) 
 charged you. 
 
 R.V. Teaching. Before 
 Pilate the priests cried, 
 "His blood be on us and 
 on our children " (Matt. 
 xxvii. 25). 
 
 R.V. We must obey. Im- 
 plying obligation. 
 
 R.V. Whom ye slew, hang- 
 ing him on a tree. 
 
 Prince, to whom ye owe 
 obedience. 
 
 Saviour, by whom ye must 
 be saved from your sins. 
 
 R.V. Remission of sins. 
 
 the captain of the temple and the chief 
 priests heard these things, they doubted of 
 them whereunto this would grow. ^^ Then 
 came one and told them, saying, Behold, 
 the men whom ye put in prison are standing 
 in the temple, and teaching the people. 
 -'^ Then went "the captain with the officers, 
 and brought them without violence : for 
 they feared the people, lest they should have 
 been stoned. ^7 And when they had brought 
 them, they set them before the council : 
 and the high priest asked them, ^^ Saying, 
 Did not we straitly command you that ye 
 should not teach in this name ? and, be- 
 hold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your 
 doctrine, and intend to bring this man's 
 blood upon us. -^ Then Peter and the other 
 apostles answered and said. We ought to 
 obey God rather than men. ^o j^e God of 
 our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew 
 and hanged on a tree. ^^ Him hath God 
 e.N:alted with his right hand to he a Prince 
 and a Saviour, for to give repentance to 
 Israel, and forgiveness of sins. ^^ And we 
 are his witnesses of these things ; and so is 
 also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given 
 to them that obey him. 
 
 Hanged on a Tree. This is an expression peculiar to St. Peter. He uses it again (\. 
 3) : ""Whom they slew and hanged on a tree." Also (i Pet. ii. 24), " His own self bare 
 our sins in his own body on the tree." 
 Argument of Peter's Reply — 
 
 AVe ought to obey God rather than man. 
 Reasons why 'i because — 
 
 1. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus. 
 
 2. Whom yc slew '-.•oging on a tree. 
 
 3. But God exalted Him to His own right hand. 
 
 /). And God has made Him a Prince and a Saviour. 
 
 5. To give repentance and remission of sins. 
 
 6. And we are witnesses of these things. 
 
 7. So too the Holy Ghost is a witness. 
 
 Speech of Gamaliel. Release of the Apostles. 
 
 Cut = cut through as with a 33 When they heard that, they were cut to 
 
 the heart, and took counsel to slay them. 
 •^^ Then stood there up one in the council, 
 
 saw. 
 R.V. Were minded to slay 
 them, but afraid, therefore 
 they listen to Gamaliel,
 
 -42.] 
 
 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 87 
 
 a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of 
 the law, had in reputation anion';' all the 
 people, and commanded to put the apostles 
 forth a little space ; ^5 And said unto them. 
 Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves 
 what ye intend to do as touching these men. 
 3^ For before these days rose up Theudas, 
 boasting himself to be somebody ; to whom 
 a number of men, about four hundred, 
 joined themselves : who was slain ; and all, 
 as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and 
 brought to nought. ^^ After this man rose 
 up Judas of Galilee in the days of the tax- 
 ing, and drew away much people after him : 
 he also perished ; and all, eiJen as many as 
 obeyed him, were dispersed. ^^ And now I 
 say unto you, Refrain from these men, and 
 let them alone : for if this counsel or this 
 work be of men, it will come to nought : 
 3" But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow 
 it ; lest haply ye be found even to fight 
 against God. ^^ And to him they agreed : 
 and when they had called the apostles, and 
 beaten them, they commanded that they 
 should not speak in the name of Jesus, and 
 let them go. ^ And they departed from the 
 presence of the council, rejoicing that they 
 were counted worthy to suffer shame for his 
 name. *2 And daily in the temple, and in 
 every house, they ceased not to teach and 
 preach Jesus Christ. 
 
 Gamaliel. Intro., p. 28. 
 
 E..V, In honour. 
 
 R.V. Put the men forth a 
 little while, i.r. outside, so 
 that they might not hear 
 the deliberations of the 
 council. 
 
 Theudas. Intro., p. 29. 
 
 R.V. Giving himself out, :'.(?. 
 
 claiming to be the JMcssiah. 
 
 Judas of Galilee. Intro., 
 p. 29. 
 
 R.V. Enrohnent (.St. Luke 
 ii. 2). But the revolt took 
 place not at the enrolment, 
 but at the actual imposition 
 of the tax seven j'ears later. 
 
 R.V. WiU be overthrown. 
 
 Called, /".(".back into thejudg- 
 
 ment hall. 
 R.V. Charged. 
 
 R.V. Dishonour for the Name, 
 
 I.e. the Name before which 
 every knee must bow. 
 
 R.V. And at home. 
 
 R.V. Jesus as the Christ. 
 
 Argument of Gamaliel- 
 He cautious, d-) not proceed to extremities. Why ? — 
 
 1. Theudas' insurrection came to nothing, and himself slain. 
 
 2. Judas of Galilee insurrection met the same fate. 
 
 Conclusion. Refrain from these men— let thera alone ! Time tries all things, and time 
 will show if this movement is of God or man — 
 
 1. If of man, it will fall to pieces. 
 
 2. If of God, it will stand and your efforts will fail. 
 
 Therefore leave it alone — fight not against God. ., '
 
 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 [vi. 1-7. 
 
 Election and Ordination of the Seven Deacons. 
 
 R.V. Was multiplying. 
 
 E.V. Gr.cianJews. As they 
 spoke a foreign language, 
 their widows would be 
 likely to be overlooked. 
 
 E.V. Fit, or pleasing. 
 E.V. Forsake. 
 
 Tables. The bench or counter 
 at which the money was 
 distributed. "The tables 
 of the money-changers" 
 (St. Matt. xxi. 12). 
 
 E.V. Good report. The quali- 
 fications were (i) good cha- 
 racter, (2) wisdom, (3) the 
 " Indwelling Spirit." 
 
 6. And in those days, when the number 
 of the disciples was multiplied, there arose 
 a murmuring of the Grecians against the 
 Hebrews, because their widows were neg- 
 lected in the daily ministration, ^j^gn the 
 twelve called the multitude of the disciples 
 unto them, and said. It is not reason that 
 we should leave the word of God, and serve 
 tables. 2 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out 
 among you seven men of honest report, full 
 of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we 
 may appoint over this business. *But we 
 will give ourselves continually to prayer, and 
 to the ministry of the word. ^And the say- 
 ing pleased the whole multitude : and they 
 chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of 
 the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, 
 and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, 
 and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch : " Whom 
 they set before the apostles : and when they 
 had prayed, they laid their hands on them. 
 '■ And the word of God increased ; and the 
 number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusa- 
 lem greatly ; and a great company of the 
 priests were obedient to the faith. 
 
 The names are all Greek 
 
 names, so probably every 
 
 one of the seren was a 
 
 Grecian Jew. 
 On the names. See Intro., 
 
 PP- 29, 30, 31. 
 Deaojn. From Greek dia- 
 
 konein = to minister. The 
 
 seven are nowhere called 
 
 " Deacons " whicli word, 
 
 as the title of a distinct 
 
 office, does not appear in 
 
 the Acts but only in Phil. 
 
 i. I, and i Tim. iii. 8 — 13. 
 
 For history, &c., see Intro. 
 
 PP- 58, 59. 
 
 The three classes of hearers to whom the Gospel was preached are called" Hebrews," 
 " (irecians," and " Greeks." 
 Hebrews were home-Jews, Jews born and bred in Palestine, speaking Aramaic, a dialect 
 
 of Hebrew. ' 
 
 Grecians were foreign Jews, or Jews of the Dispersion, Tews born and bred in foreign 
 
 parts, speaking Greek, called Hellenists in the Greek Testament. 
 Greeks, sometimes natives of Greece, as in Acts xviii. 17, but more usually Gentiles, as 
 
 opposed to Jews. 
 The word Greek is properly opposed to Jew. 
 The word Grecian is properly opposed to Hebrew. 
 
 Of the seven we hear in future only of Philip (Intro, p. 30) and Stephen (Intro, p. 29). 
 There is a tradition, but founded on no trustworthy evidence, that Nicolas was the 
 originator of the heresy of the Nicolaitanes referred to by .St. John (Rev. ii. 6). "The 
 deeds of the Nicolaitanes which I hate." 
 
 A great number of the Priests. — This mention of the conversion of the priests stands 
 alone, and is important, Ezr.-i tells us (ii. 36) that they numbered four thousand two hun- 
 dred and eighty-nice on the return from Babylon, TUeir numbers at this time were 
 probably greater,
 
 vi. 8—15.] 
 
 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 The Preaching of Stephen. His Arrest. 
 
 B.V. Grace, ?>. of God. 
 
 The first instance of any one, 
 not an Apostle, working 
 
 mirac les. 
 
 Eynagogue. 
 42, 'ii. 
 
 See Intro., pp. 
 
 ^And Stephen, full of faith and power, 
 did great wonders and miracles among 
 the people. "Then there arose certain of 
 the synagogue, which is called the syna- 
 gogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and 
 Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of 
 Asia, disputing with Stephen. i^And they 
 were not able to resist the wisdom and the 
 spirit by which he spake. 
 
 libertines.— Most likely the descendants of Jews, who bad been carried captive to 
 Ri me by Pompey (n.c. 63), and had been made freedmen (libertini). They had been 
 i.xpelkd from Komc by Tiberius. 
 
 Cyrenians.— The district on the north coast of Afiica. Joscphus states that a fourth 
 part of the population ot Cyrcnc consisted of Jews, 
 
 A'cxandria. — Joscphus states that three of the five districts of Alexandria were occupied 
 by Jews. 
 
 Cilicia, in the south-east corner of Asia Minor ; chief town. Tarsus, the birth-place of 
 St. Paul, liad many Jews there, descendants of those Jews whom Antiochus Epiphanes 
 placed there. 
 
 Asia — Here and usually in the Acts implies proconsular Asia, a large and important 
 Roman province, including Mysia, Lydia, Caria, and Phrygia. Ephcsus was the chief 
 town. 
 
 ' The Grecian Jew's, not speaking Aramaic, naturally had synagogues of their own in 
 Jerusalem. The number of synagogues is estimated at four hundred and eighty. 
 
 "Then they suborned men, which said, Suborned, z> procured others 
 
 •' , to take a false oath. 
 
 We have heard hrni speak blasphemous it would appear as if the on- 
 words against Moses, ' and agahisl God. Tot l^'caslf ou't'Cst'of 
 i-And they stirred up the people, and the fury- but planned bcforc- 
 
 . band, 
 
 elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, 
 and caught him, and brought h/in to the 
 council. 
 
 The Accusation against Stephen. 
 
 i^And set up false witnesses, which said. 
 This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous 
 words against this holy place, and the law : 
 ^'For we have heard him say, that this 
 Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, 
 'and shall change the customs which Moses 
 delivered us. ^^And all that sat in the 
 council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his 
 face as it had been the face of an angel. 
 
 False -witnesses. So " the 
 
 chief priests sought false 
 witness against Jesus." 
 
 Sec John ii. 19; Matt. xxiv. 
 
 2. 
 Face of an angel. Describes 
 cither 
 
 (i) The calm and holy as- 
 pert with which he stood 
 before the council, or 
 (2) A supernatural appear- 
 ance glorifying the face 
 of Stephen.
 
 90 
 
 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 [vii. I — 9. 
 
 Analogy between our Lord's trial and St. 
 Our Lord's. 
 
 False ■witnesses. — " At the last came in 
 false witnesses." 
 
 False charge. — That Jesus said " He was 
 able to destroy the temple of God and build 
 it up in three days." 
 
 Prayed for his murderers. — " Father, for- 
 give them; forjthoy know not what they 
 
 do." 
 
 Commended his soul to God. " Father, 
 into tliy hands I conimond my spirit." 
 
 Stephen's; — 
 
 Stephen's. 
 False witnesses. — " And set up false wit- 
 nesses." 
 
 False charge. — "That Stephen spoke blas- 
 phemous words ag-ainst this holy place (z'.(?. 
 the temple) and the law." 
 
 Prayed for his murderers. — " Lord, lay 
 not this sin to their charge." 
 
 Commended his soul to God. 
 
 Jesus, receive my spirit," 
 
 Lord 
 
 These things, i.e. the two 
 charges against Stephen. 
 
 God of Glory. Unusual ad- 
 dress, found only in Psalm 
 xxix. 3. 
 
 K.V. Haran, one day's jour- 
 ney from Orfa or Ur, of the 
 Chaldees. 
 
 Mesopotamia. The country 
 watered by the rivers Tigris 
 and Euphrates. 
 
 This land, i.e. Juda;a. 
 
 Set his foot on, i.e. a foot's 
 breadtli. 
 
 The cave of Machpelah was 
 purchased for a special 
 purpose, not given to 
 Abraham as an inheri- 
 tance. 
 
 Strange land = Egypt (Gen. 
 XV. 13, 14). 
 
 400 years. Ex. xii. 40, Gal. 
 iii. 17, have 430 years. Sec 
 
 note. 
 
 Serve in this place, w/b. Sinai, 
 where God was speaking 
 to Closes (Ex. iii. 12). 
 
 Covenant of circumcision. 
 (liven the year before Isa.ac 
 was born (Gen. xvii. 21). 
 
 Patriarchs = the sons of 
 Jacob,'who were the fathers 
 of the twelve tribes (from 
 
 Stephen's Trial. 
 
 7. Then said the high priest, Are these 
 things so? 2 And he said, Men, brethren, 
 and fathers, hearken ; The God of glory 
 appeared unto our father Abraham, when 
 he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in 
 Charran, ^and said unto him, Get thee out 
 of thy country, and from thy kindred, and 
 come into the land which I shall shew thee. 
 ■* Then came he out of the land of the Chal- 
 d^eans, and dwelt in Charran : and from 
 thence, when his father was dead, he re- 
 moved him into this land, wherein ye now 
 dwelh "And he gave him none inheritance 
 in it, no, not so much as to set his foot on : 
 yet he promised that he would give it to him 
 for a possession, and to his seed after him, 
 when as yet he had no child. ^And God 
 spake on this wise. That his seed should 
 sojourn in a strange land ; and that they 
 should bring them into bondage, and entreat 
 them evil four hundred years. '' And the 
 nation to whom they shall be in bondage 
 will I judge, said God : and after that shall 
 they come forth, and serve me in this place. 
 '^ And he gave him the covenant of circum- 
 cision : and so AbraJiam begat Isaac, and 
 circumcised him the eighth day ; and Isaac 
 begat Jacob ; and Jacob begat the twelve 
 patriarchs. "And the patriarchs, moved 
 with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt : but God
 
 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 Historical Discrepancies. 
 
 V. 2 and 3. — Assert that God appeared to Abraham in Mesopotamia before he dwelt 
 in Haran. 
 
 Objection. — Nothing is said in Gen. xi. 31, of any call that Abraham received in Meso- 
 potamia before he dwelt in Haran. 
 
 Reply. — But it is said, Gen. xv. 7, " I am the Lord that brought thee out of Ur of the 
 Chaldecs to j^ive thee this land." 
 
 And Josh, x.xiv. 3, " I took your father Abraham from the other side of the (loud " [i.e. 
 the river Euphrates). 
 
 And Nehemiah ix. 7, " Thou art the Lord the God who didst choose Alrara, and 
 briju^'litcst him forth out of Ur of the Clialdees." 
 
 And so, according- to Jewish tradition, there were two calls of Abraham, (i), from his 
 country and kindred (Ur) ; (2), from his father's house (Haran). 
 
 V. 4, states that Abraham left Haran when his father Terah was dead. 
 Objection. — Tlie notices of Terah in Genesis are: — 
 
 Gen. xi. 26. "And Terah lived seventy j-ears and begat Abraham, Nahor, and 
 
 Haran." 
 Gen. xi. 32. " And the days of Terah were two hundred and five years, and Terah 
 
 died in Haran." 
 Gen. xii. 4. '' And Abraham was seventy and five years old when he departed out 
 of Haran." 
 From comparison of these notices it appears that Terah lived sixty years after Abraham 
 left Haran. 
 
 Explanation. — (i). Some suppose Abraham a j'ounger son, born sixty years after the 
 eldest. 
 
 (2). The Samaritan Pentateuch in Gen. xi. 32, for 205 reads 145, which has most pro- 
 bably been an alteration to remove the apparent inconsistency. 
 
 (3). The Rabbis, explanation of the inconsistency by making the departure of Abraham to 
 have taken place after the spiritual death of Terah, is plainly a subterfuge to reconcile 
 their tradition to the sacred chronology. 
 
 Reply — Stephen is merely quoting the rabbinical tradition, and his statement would be 
 accepted by his hearers. The discrepancy does not affect the argument. 
 
 v. 6. — 400 years. The statements on this period are : — 
 
 Gen. XV. 13. '■ They shall afflict them four hundred j-cars." 
 
 Ex. xii. 40. " Now the sojourning of the children of Israel who dwelt in Egypt was 
 four hundred and thirty years." 
 Objection. — The Israelites were not in Egypt more than 215 years. 
 
 Reply. — The texts refer to the time that Abraham, the patriarchs, and the Israelites 
 were sojourners in a strange land, for till they entered into Canaan under Joshua they 
 were strangers in the promised land. 
 
 Stephen's argument is that God's favour is not confined to a particular place or nation. 
 It is therefore cnougli for him to show that Abraham .ind the chosen seed were sojourners. 
 I'or a considerable time the land of promise was to them .a strange countrj-. 
 
 In Gal. iii. 17, St. Paul states " that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in 
 Christ, the law which was four hundred and thirty years after cannot disannul." 
 
 The difference of four hundred and four hundred and thirtj' receives three explanations — 
 (i.) One number dates back to the first call, and the second only to the departure 
 
 from Haran. 
 (2.) The one is reckoned from the promise of the land, and the other from the 
 
 covenant of circumcision. 
 (3.) The one is merely a round number, and the other an attempt at greater exact- 
 
 V. 7.— They shall worship me in this place, i.e. in Horeb aiid not in Canaan. 
 Objection. — These words are not in the promise given to Abraham (Gen. xv. 13, 14), but 
 are taken from Ex. iii. 12, where the promise is repeated to Moses at Sinai. ^O/
 
 92 
 
 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. [vii. 10—24. 
 
 Gk. ndrpLa ^ patria, a race, 
 clan, or tr.b;, and Spxeiv, 
 archrin, to rule). 
 R.V. Jealousy, 
 
 E.V. Famine. 
 
 E.V. The first time. Jacob's 
 sons went thrice to £g3'pt, 
 
 ( 1 ) When Simeon was de- 
 tained. 
 
 (2) Joseph made known. 
 
 (3) jfacob accompanied 
 them. 
 
 B.V. Joseph's race became 
 
 manifest unto Pharaoh. 
 See historic note. 
 
 Eychem and Shechem. 
 historic note. 
 
 See 
 
 See historic note. 
 The time, I'.e- of the fulfilment 
 of the promise. 
 
 R.V. God vouchsafed. 
 
 " 600,000 on foot that were 
 men, beside children " 
 came out of Egypt" (Ex. 
 xii. 37. 
 
 Subtillv = craftily. 
 
 R.V. Race. 
 
 R.V. That they should cast 
 out their babes, I'.e. by the 
 orders of the king of Egypt 
 (Ex. i. 15—22). 
 
 R.V. (margin) Fair unto God, 
 f'.c. of extraordinary beauty. 
 
 Cast out = exposed in tl e 
 ark of bulrushes (Ex. ii. 
 I — 10). 
 
 Jewish tradition says that 
 !Moses was designed to suc- 
 ceed Pharaoh, who had no 
 son. 
 
 R.V. Instructed. To learn 
 is still used in some dis- 
 tricts as expressive of in- 
 struction given. 
 
 R.V. Well nigh forty years. 
 
 To visit, I'.t:. with intent to do 
 kirkdness to thcRi (Ex. ii. 
 12). 
 
 was wilh him, i^And delivered him out of 
 all his afflictions, and gave him favour and 
 wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of 
 E,gypt ; and he made him governor over 
 Egypt and all his house. ^^ Now there came 
 a dearth over all the land of Egypt and 
 Chanaan, and great affliction : and our 
 fathers found no sustenance. ^^ But when 
 Jacob heard that there was corn in Egypt, 
 he sent out our fathers first. 1^ And at the 
 second ^/me Joseph was made known to his 
 brethren ; and Joseph's kindred was made 
 known unto Pharaoh. i^Then sent Joseph, 
 and called his father Jacob to /iiw, and all 
 his kindred, threescore and fifteen souls. 
 ^"So Jacob went down into Egypt, and died, 
 he, and our fathers, ^"^ And were carried over 
 into Sychem, and laid in the sepulchre that 
 Abraham bought for a sum of money of the 
 sons of Emmor ^/le father of Sychem. 
 " But when the time of the promise drew 
 nigh, which God had sworn to Abraham, 
 the people grew and multiplied in Egypt, 
 i^Till another king arose, which knew not 
 Joseph. '^The same dealt subtilly with our 
 kindred, and evil entreated our fathers, so 
 that they cast out their young children, to 
 the end they might not live. 20 j^ which 
 time Moses was born, and was exceeding 
 fair, and nourished up in his father's house 
 three months : ^^ And when he was cast out, 
 Pharaoh's daughter took him up, and nou- 
 rished him for her own son. 22 ^^d Moses 
 was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyp- 
 tians, and was mighty in words and in 
 deeds. -^ And when he was full forty years 
 old, it came into his heart to visit his 
 brethren the children of Israel. 24And see- 
 ing one of them suffer wrong, he defended 
 him, and avenged him that was oppressed,
 
 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 93 
 
 Reply. — Stephen combines the two prophecies that he may emphasize his argument 
 whicli is that the Jews are not to imagine that God ran be worshipped only in Jiidaa and 
 at Jerusalem. God Himself had appointed that He should be worshipped by their fore- 
 fathers in the wilderness of Arabia at !Mount Sinai, before any worship was offcrei to Him 
 in the city of Jerusalem. 
 
 V. 14.— Three score and fifteen souls. 
 
 Objection. — This is inconsistent with Gen. xlvi. 27, where it is said that the souls which 
 went down with Jacob into Egypt were seventy. 
 
 Reply. — Stephen quotes from the Scptuagint, which seems to reckon the five sons of 
 Manassch and Ephraim born in Egypt (i Cliron. vii. i^). 
 
 V. iC. — Objection — The statement that Jacob was buried at Sychcm is at variance with 
 the Old Testament account. 
 The facts in the Old Testament are: — 
 
 (i.) Jacob, dying in Egypt, was taken into Canaan and buried in the cave of 
 
 Alachpelah at IMamre. 
 (2.) Joseph, dying also in Egypt, was embalmed and carried into Canann at the 
 
 Exodus, and buried at Shechem. 
 (3.) Of the burial of the other patriarchs thero is no mention. 
 The Jewish traditions were that the patriarchs were buried at Sychem. 
 Josephus states that they were taken and buried at Hebron. 
 
 Explanation. — (i.) Stephen followed the traditions of the rabbis, and in haste or inadvcr- 
 tcncc classed Jacob with the other patriarchs. 
 
 (2.) I he R.V. reads: "and he died himself and our fathers: and they were carried 
 over imto Shechem." If "they" is distinct from Jacob, the difficulty about his burial 
 disappears. 
 
 V. 16. — " Abraham bought for a sum of money of the sons of Emmor, the father of 
 Sychem." 
 
 Objection. — It was Jacob, not Abraham, who purchased this land. 
 
 Old Testament facts are : — 
 
 (i.) Abraham bouyht Machpelah from Ephron the Hittite (Gen. xxiii. 16). 
 (2.) Jacob bought a plot of ground at Sychem, from the sons of Hamor, the father of 
 Shechem, for a hundred pieces of silver (Gen. xxxiii. 19). 
 
 Heply. — (1.) Shechem was one of the resting places of Abraharn, when he came first to 
 Canaan, and that probably he bought a possession there, for he built an altar there. 
 
 (2.) If so, there is no difficulty about there being two princes of Shechem named Hamor. 
 which may have been an hereditary title, as the Pharaohs of Egy^jt. The name Hamor 
 occurs (Judges ix. 28) five hundred years after the death of Jacob. 
 
 (3.) Even the inaccuracy does not invalidate the argument, for whether the burying 
 place were Hebron or Shechem it was not Jerusalem. Stephen probably emphasizes 
 Sychem, because it was in the hated land of Samaria. 
 
 o Stephen's Teaching, Accusation, and Defence. 
 
 STEPHEN'S TEACHING may be gathered from his defence. It is clear that he must 
 have bfcn proclaiming that no longer was the worship of the Almighty to be confined to 
 one nation, one < ity, and one temple. He was following out the declaration of Jesus to the 
 woni.in of Sam.iria : " The hour cometh when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at 
 Jc^rusalem, worship the Father " (John iv. 21). This was construed by the Jews into " blas- 
 phemous words against this holy place." 
 
 It is also clear that ho must have announced that the observance of the Jewish ritual 
 was no longer absolutely necessary for acceptance with God. In this he was in advami' 
 of the Apostles thrmselvrs. This'teaching was construed by the Jews into " blasphemous 
 Words against Moses," or "blasphemous words against the Law." 
 
 THE CHARGE AGAINST STEPHEN is twofold:— 
 
 I. That he had spoken blasphemous words against this holy place {i.e., the Temple). 
 " We have heard him say that this Jesus of jN'azareth shall destroy this place " 
 (vi. i-l).
 
 94 
 
 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. [vii. 25—37. 
 
 / 
 
 Josephus relates the fjreat 
 success and sagacity of 
 Moses as a general. 
 
 They = two men of the He- 
 brews (Ex. ii. 13). 
 
 The Hebrews rejected Moses, 
 as the Jews afterwards re- 
 lected Jesus. 
 
 E.V. Sojourner in the land 
 of Midian (Ex. ii. 15 — 25). 
 
 Two sons. Gcrshom and 
 Eliezer. Tlieir mother was 
 Zipporah, daughter of 
 Jethro. 
 
 R.y. FulfiUed. M.-ikingMoses 
 eighty years old. 
 
 He wondered, &c. Because 
 
 the bush was not consumed 
 (Ex. iii. 2 — 10^. 
 
 R.V. Loose the shoes, i.e. 
 sandals. So Joshua before 
 Jericho (Josh. v. 15). 
 
 R.V. I have surely seen. 
 
 The once rejected Moses is 
 now the ruler and deliverer 
 appointed by God. 
 
 and smote the Egyptian : ^5 For he supposed 
 his brethren would have understood how 
 that God by his hand would deliver them : 
 but they understood not. 2** And the next 
 day he shewed himself unto them as they 
 strove, and would have set them at one 
 again, saying, Sirs, ye are brethren ; why 
 do ye wrong one to another ? 2'' But he that 
 did his neighbour wrong thrust him away, 
 saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge 
 over us ? ^^ Wilt thou kill me, as thou did- 
 dest the Egyptian yesterday? 29ji-,eri fled 
 Moses at this saying, and was a stranger in 
 the land of Madian, where he begat two 
 sons. ^'^ And when forty years were expired, 
 there appeared to him in the wilderness of 
 mount Sina an angel of the Lord in a flame 
 of fire in a bush. ^^ When Moses saw it, 
 he wondered at the sight : and as he drew 
 near to behold it, the voice of the Lord 
 came unto him, '^'^ Saying, I a?n the God 
 of thy fathers, the God of Abraham, and 
 the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. 
 Then Moses trembled, and durst not be- 
 hold, ^^xhen said the Lord to him. Put 
 off thy shoes from thy feet : for the place 
 where thou standest is holy ground. ^^ I 
 have seen, I have seen the affliction of my 
 people which is in Egypt, and I have heard 
 their groaning, and am come down to de- 
 liver them. And now come, I will send thee 
 into Egypt. ^'^ This Moses whom they re- 
 fused, saying. Who made thee a ruler and 
 a judge ? the same did God send to be a 
 ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the 
 angel which appeared to him in the bush. 
 ^^ He brought them out, after that he had 
 shewed wonders and signs in the land of 
 Egypt, and in the Red Sea, and in the wil. 
 derness forty years. ^Tjhisisthat Moses,
 
 vli. 38—39.] THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 95 
 
 II. Tlia*; he had spoken blasphemous words against the law, i.e., the authority of 
 Moses. 
 " Shall change the customs which Moses delivered us " (vi. 14). 
 
 STEPHEN'S DEFENCE is therefore a reply to these two accusations ; thus : — 
 
 I. Blasphemous words against this holy place. 
 To this he replies : — 
 
 ,'(i.) God's earliest revelation of Himself had been to Abraham in Mesopotamia, 
 / not in Canaan. 
 
 ' (2.) For four hundred 3-cars God's people were without a country they could call 
 their own. 
 (3.) jNIoses, their great lawgiver, was born in Egypt, iind owed his education to 
 
 the Egyptians. 
 (4.) Jehovah appeared to Moses in the bush in the wilderness of Sinai. 
 (5.J The Tabernacle, the pattern of the Temple, was erected in the wilderness. 
 (6.) After they entered the Promised Land the Tabernacle was moveable and not 
 
 confined to any one place until the time of Solomon. 
 (7.) No temple was needed from tlie time of Moses to that of Solomon. 
 (8.) A\hen David desired to build a temple God did not allow him to do so. 
 y(9.) Solomon in his pr:iycr at the dedication of tin- Temple declared " That the 
 
 Most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands." 
 TO.) Isaiah the prophet declared that God needs no temple. 
 Therefore his teaching was consistent with God's purpose and dealings with His chosen 
 people, and in harmony with the declarations of their own prophets. 
 
 II. He shows how their fathers had resisted every prophet of God. 
 
 (i.) Joseph (the type of the Messiah) had been sold into Egypt by his brothers 
 
 through en\'>\ 
 (2.) Moses (the type of the Messiah) when endeavouring to assist his oppressed 
 
 brethren had been rejected, and forced to flee to Midian. 
 (3.) The Israelites Lad made and worshipped the golden calf in the wilderness. 
 (4.) " AVhich of the prophets had they not persecuted ? " 
 
 (5.) As they had slain them which showed before of the coming of the Just One, 
 so the)' had been the betrayers and murderers of that Just One Himself. 
 Therefore it was they, not he, who had failed to keep the Law. 
 The speech, in addition to being a defence, is also a direct attack on the Council, thus — 
 
 ^ 
 
 Vi 
 
 History. 
 'Ihe patriarchs rejected Joseph. 
 
 Joseph became the ruler of those who 
 rejected him. 
 
 Your ancestors rejected Moses, the law- 
 giver, and abandoned the law. 
 
 God rejected your fathers. 
 
 Infeken'ce. 
 So j-e have rejected Him of whom Joseph 
 was the type. 
 
 So He whom ye have rejected is your 
 ruler. 
 
 Ye have rejected the Messiah and aban- 
 doned His law. 
 And so He may reject you. 
 The final outburst of indignation was possiblj- evoked because Stephen saw signs of /f 
 disapproval exhibited by the Council. 
 
 K^ 
 
 which said unto the children of Israel, A 
 
 prophet shall the Lord your God raise up 
 
 unto you of your brethren, like unto me; 
 
 him shall ye hear. "**This is he, that was in 
 
 the church in the wilderness with the angel 
 
 which spake to him in the mount Sina, and 
 
 with our fathers : who received the lively R.v. Living. " The word 
 
 oracles to give unto us: 39 to whom our "Ldeu/ fl'^etr '- 1 Pet*! 
 
 fathers would not obey, but thrust //m from .„'-23)- , , ,. 
 
 , 1 .... "^ T 1 -I . I^-V. Would not be obedient. 
 
 them, and in their hearts turned back again After the return of the spies, 
 
 Like unto me. See note iii. 
 22 (Ueut. xviii. 15).
 
 96 
 
 THE ACTS GF THE APOSTLES. [vii. 40-52. 
 
 the people said, " Let us 
 make a captain, and lot us 
 return into Egypt" (N'um. 
 xiv. 4I. 
 
 "When ]Moscs was absent 
 forty days on the jMount 
 (Ex. xxxii. i). 
 
 Calf. In imitation of the 
 sarred bull, Apis. 
 
 Rejoiced. When Mo^es 
 
 came down from the mount 
 he said, "It is not the 
 voice of them that shout for 
 mastery, neither is it the 
 voice of them that cry for 
 bein!? overcome ; but the 
 noise of them that sing 6.3 
 I hear." (Ex. xxxii. i8). 
 
 Amos V. 2,";. 
 
 Moloch. The Phcenician Sa- 
 turn. 
 
 Remphan. O.T., Chiun, the 
 Eijyptian name for Saturn. 
 
 Babylon. O.T., Damascus, 
 but Babydon is the place 
 most closely connected 
 with the captivity, and so 
 Stephen substitutes Bab}'- 
 lon for Damascus. 
 
 R.V. Tabernacle of the tes- 
 timony. 
 
 The Tabernacle contained 
 the ark, and in the ark 
 were (i) the Two Tables of 
 stone, (2) Aaron's rod 
 
 , which budded, (3) the pot 
 of manna. All these were 
 testimonies to God's power 
 and His will. 
 
 R.V. In their turn. 
 
 R.V. Joshua (who carried 
 the tabernacle into Ca- 
 naan) at their taking pos- 
 session. 
 
 R.V. David asked to find a 
 habitation (2 Sara. vii. 2). 
 Permission was asked 
 through Nathan, the pro- 
 p!iet, and at first granted, 
 but afterwards denied. 
 
 Isaiah Ixvi. i, 2. See also 
 Solomon's prayer at the 
 dedication of the Temple 
 ([ Kings, viii. 27). 
 
 Stephen suddenly bic.iks 
 from calm argument to 
 vehement denunciation. 
 
 Stiif-necked. So the Israel- 
 ites are termed " a stiff- 
 necked people " (Ex. xxxii. 
 9 ; Ex. xxxiii. 3). 
 
 tJncircumcised. The same 
 term is applied by Jeremiah 
 ( Jer. vi. 10).' 
 
 R.V. The Righteous One, i.e. 
 one who kept the law. 
 
 into Egypt, ^^ saying unto Aaron, Make us 
 gods to go before us : for as for tliis Moses? 
 which brought us out of the land of Egypt, 
 we wot not what is become of him. " And 
 they made a calf in those days, and offered 
 sacrifice unto the idol, and rejoiced in the 
 works of their own hands. ''-Then God 
 turned, and gave them up to worship the 
 host of heaven ; as it is written in the book 
 of the prophets, O ye house of Israel, have 
 ye offered to me slain beasts and sacrifices 
 by the sj>ace q/ forty years in the wilderness ? 
 *^ Yea, ye took up the tabernacle of Moloch, 
 and the star of your god Remphan, figures 
 which ye made to worship them : and I will 
 carry you away beyond Babylon. ■" Our 
 fathers had the tabernacle of witness in the 
 wilderness, as he had appointed, speaking 
 unto Moses, that he should make it accord- 
 ing to the fashion that he had seen. 
 *5 Which also our fathers that came after 
 brought in with Jesus into the possession of 
 the Gentiles, whom God drave out before 
 the face of our fathers, unto the days of 
 David ; ^^ who found favour before God, 
 and desired to find a tabernacle for the God 
 of Jacob. '*'' But Solomon built him an house. 
 ^* Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in 
 temples made with hands ; as saith the pro- 
 phet, '*^ Heaven t's my throne, and earth /s 
 my footstool : what house will ye build me ? 
 saith the Lord : or what 7S the place of my 
 rest ? ^"Hath not my hand made all these 
 things? ^^Ye stiffnecked and uncircum- 
 cised in heart and ears, ye do always resist 
 the Holy Ghost : as your fathers d/d, so do 
 ye. ^^ Which of the prophets have not your 
 fathers persecuted? and they have slain 
 them which shewed before of the coming of 
 the Just One ; of whom ye have been now
 
 vii. 53-viii. I.] THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 97 
 
 the betrayers and murderers : ^^ who have 
 received the law by the disposition of angels, 
 and have not kept z'/. 
 
 Betrayers. By the treachery 
 
 of Judas. 
 Murderers. By the hands of 
 
 the Roni.ms. 
 K.V. As it was ordained by 
 
 angels. 
 
 Moloch was the Egyptian -.aturn; his image was of brass, with the head of an 
 ox, and outstretched arms of a man, hollow ; and human sacrifices (of children) were 
 offered, by laying- them in these arms and heating the image by a fire kindled within. 
 King Ahaz made his own " son to pass through the fire to Moloch " (2 Kings xvi. 3). The 
 image was in the valley of Hinnom. The worship of Mc'och was strictly forbidden as 
 early as the time of Moses (Lev. xviii. 21). 
 
 Effect of the Speech. 
 
 ^* When they heard these things, they were 
 cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him 
 with ihei'r teeth. ^» But he, being full of the 
 Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, 
 and saw the glory of God, and Jesus stand- 
 ing on the right hand of God, ^^ and said, 
 Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the 
 Son of man standing on the right hand of 
 God. " Then they cried out with a loud 
 voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon 
 him with one accord, ^^ and cast /u?ii out of 
 the city, and stoned ht'j/i : and the witnesses 
 laid down their clothes at a young man's 
 feet, whose name was Saul. ^^And they 
 stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and 
 saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. 
 ""And he kneeled down, and cried with 
 a loud voice. Lord, lay not this sin to their 
 charge. And when he had said this, he fell 
 asleep.<7 
 
 8. And Saul was consenting unto his 
 death. 
 
 Effect of the address of Stephen— 
 
 (i.) On the Judges. Their anguish was unendurable, their hearfr; cut asunder, and 
 
 tlieir anger irrepressible ; they gnashed witli their teeth. 
 {2.) On Stephen. He looked up to heaven and saw — 
 
 (<7) 1 he glory of the God whom he began by appealing to 
 ill) Jesus, not sitting, but standing at God's right hand. 
 (3.) Effect upon Paul.— The teaching of -Stephen made a deep impression on Saul's 
 mind, .as shown — • 
 
 I. Hy the touching allusion, "When the blood of thyraartyr Stephen was 
 shed, I also was standing by, and consenting unto his death " (x.tii. 20). 
 
 H 
 
 Cut to the heart = were sawn 
 through and through. 
 
 Gnashed on him with their 
 teeth, in the frantic rageot 
 brute passion. 
 
 Glory of God. Possibly the 
 Shechinah (Ex. xvi. 10). 
 
 The Son of Man. This title 
 is peculiar to Stephen, and 
 is not found elsewhere, in 
 the Acts nor in the Epistle?, 
 only in the Gospels and 
 Revelation. 
 
 Standing. This description 
 of our Lord's posture is 
 also peculiar to Stephen. 
 See Collect of .St. .Stephen's 
 Day, " O Jesus, who stand- 
 cst at the right hand of 
 God to succour all those 
 that suffer for thee." 
 
 R.V. Their garments, z'.e. 
 their loose outer garments, 
 so as to be the more ready 
 for stoning Stephen. 
 
 Stoning. The punishment for 
 blasphemv. See note. 
 
 Stephen. The name means 
 "a crown," and liercctivcd 
 " a crown of 1-ifc."
 
 98 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. [viii. i— 6. 
 
 2. By the reappearance of so many of Stephen's phrases in the langfuage of 
 
 the Apostle to the Gentiles. Thus — 
 (o) The speech at Antioch reminds us of the defence of Stephen (xiii. 
 
 17—23). 
 (3) In his speech at Athens Paul uses the vor}' words of Stephen, " God 
 
 dwelleth not in temples made with hands" (xvii. 24). 
 (c) Stephen calls his judges " uncircuracised in heart," whilst Paul 
 
 speaks of "the true circumcision of the heart." 
 
 3. Paul, when death approached, praj-ed like Stephen for his enemies, " I pray 
 
 God that it may not be laid to their charge " (2 Tim. iv. 16). 
 
 Stoning. The legal punishment for blasphem}'. As all the legal requirements were 
 complied with, the stoning of Stephen was evidently a judicial act. 
 
 The stoning must take place outside the camp (Lev. xxiv. 14), so Stephen was cast out 
 of the city. 
 
 The first stone must be cast by the witnesses (Deut. xvii. 7), (a regulation laid down to 
 prevent the bringing of hasty charges against a person) ; so the witnesses laid aside their 
 garments to be free to cast the stones. 
 
 The process of stoning was as follows. There was a place, outside the city, set apart 
 for the purpose. The criminal had his hands bound, and was placed on an elevation, 
 whence he was cast down. The witnesses then rolled a stone down upon him, after which 
 all the people present cast stones upon him. 
 
 V. I. — St. Paul refers to this (chap. xxii. 20), "When the blood of thy martyr Stephen 
 was shed, I also was standing by and consenting unto his death." Saul was not less than 
 thirty years of age. He seems to have been a member of the Sanhedrim, for he speaks, in 
 xxvi. 10, of having a vote, and was present at Stephen's death in an official capacity, as 
 shown by his having to take charge of the raiment of the witnesses. 
 
 Persecution 
 
 E..V. And there arose on 
 that day a great persecu- 
 tion, i.e. immediately fol- 
 lowing the stoning of Ste- 
 phen. 
 
 Judsea and Samaria. Thus, 
 accordingto Christ's words 
 (i. 8), the. disciples became 
 "witnesses unto Him in 
 Juda;a and Samaria." 
 
 R.V. Saul laid waste the 
 Church. As a wild beast 
 ravaging a flock. 
 
 Haling. Also spelt hauling 
 = to drag. " Horses haul 
 the barges along the ca- 
 nal.'' The halyards of a 
 ship. 
 
 Except the Apostles.— There 1 
 Jerusalem for twelve years. 
 
 and Flight of the Christians. 
 
 And at that time there was a great per- 
 secution against the church which was at 
 Jerusalem ; and they were all scattered 
 abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and 
 Samaria, except the apostles. ^ And de- 
 vout men carried Stephen to his burial, and 
 made great lamentation over him. ^ As for 
 Saul, he made havock of the church, enter- 
 ing into every house, and haling men and 
 women committed fhe77i to prison. * There- 
 fore they that were scattered abroad went 
 everywhere preaching the word. 
 
 s a tradition that our Lord bade the Apostles remain at 
 
 R.V. Proclaimed unto them 
 the Christ. 
 
 The Gospel spreads to Samaria. 
 
 '' Then Philip went down to the city of Sa- 
 maria, and preached Christ unto them. 
 " And the people with one accord gave heed
 
 viii. 7-18.] THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 99 
 
 unto those things which Phihp spake, hear- 
 ing and seeing the miracles which he did. 
 '' Ror unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, 
 came out of many that were possessed with 
 them : and many taken with palsies, and 
 that were lame, were healed. ^ And there 
 was great joy in the cit}'. ^ But there was 
 a certain man, called Simon, which before- 
 time in the same city used sorcery, and be- 
 witched the people of Samaria, giving out 
 that himself was some great one : "* to 
 whom they all gave heed, from the least to 
 the greatest, saying. This man is the great 
 power of God. " And to him they had re- 
 gard, because that of long time he had 
 bewitched them with sorceries. ^- But when 
 they believed Philip preaching the things 
 concerning the kingdom of God, and the 
 name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, 
 both men and women. ^^ Then Simon him- 
 self believed also : and when he was bap- 
 tized, he continued with Philip, and won- 
 dered, beholding the miracles and signs 
 which were done. 
 
 E.V. Saw the signs. Roth 
 Philip and Stephen wrought 
 miracles. 
 
 Philip, the Deacon (vi. 5). 
 Also called "Philip the 
 Evangelist, which was one 
 of the seven " (Acts xxi. 8). 
 If the Apostle Philip had 
 been the preacher, there 
 would have been no need 
 for Peter and John to come 
 down to ( (infirm (v. 14 — 25). 
 
 Simon. Intro., p. ;j;j. 
 
 R.V. Amazed (v. 11). 
 
 Sorcerer comes, through 
 French sorcier, from Latin 
 sortitor = a caster of lots 
 for the purpose of divina- 
 tion. 
 
 R.V. This man is that power 
 of God which is called Great. 
 
 R.V. Preaching good tidings. 
 JJt. evangelizing. 
 
 R.V. Beholding signs and 
 great miracles wrought ho 
 was amazed. 
 
 V. 9. — Amazed. His magic or conjuring tricks had fairly bewitched the simple Sama- 
 ritans, so that they attributed supernatural power to him, saying, " This man is that power 
 of God which is called great." 
 
 Mission of Peter and Jolm to Samaria. 
 
 1^ Now when the apostles which were at 
 Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received 
 the word of God, they sent unto them Peter 
 and John : ^^ who, when they were come 
 down, prayed for them, that they might 
 receive the Holy Ghost : *" (for as yet he 
 was fallen upon none of them : only they 
 were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) 
 V Then laid they their hands on them, and 
 they received the Holy Ghost. ^^ And when 
 Simon saw that through laying on of the 
 
 R.V. Only they had been 
 baptised. The tense " had 
 been " emphasizes the 
 b.iptism of the converts as 
 being previous to the laying 
 on of lia-.ds. 
 
 They received the Holy Ghost. 
 Ko special signs arc men- 
 tioned as following the gift,
 
 100 
 
 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES, [viii. 19-27. 
 
 as is the case with Cor- 
 nelius {x. 46), and the 
 twelve men at Ephesus 
 (xix. 6), who spake with 
 tongues. 
 
 From this offer of money by 
 
 « Simon, all trafficking- in 
 sacred things has since 
 been called Simony. 
 
 R.V. To obtain the gift of 
 God with money. 
 
 I see that thou art falling 
 into the misery of a poi- 
 soned conscience, and the 
 thraldom of habitual sin. 
 
 7 here are here two meta- 
 phors. The ancients re- 
 garded the gall of veno- 
 mous reptiles as the source 
 of their poison ; so Peter 
 declares to Simon that un- 
 less he repents he will be- 
 come worse and worse till 
 he is all venom. This is the 
 first metaphor. The second 
 metaphor represents Si- 
 mon's iniquity as having 
 so great hold upon him as 
 to cause him to be bound 
 as it were with the iron 
 chains of a habit from which 
 he was unable to free him- 
 self. We may, therefore, 
 paraphrase thus: "Thou 
 
 apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, 
 he offered them money, ^^ saying, Give me 
 also this power, that on whomsoever I lay 
 hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. 
 ^•^ But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish 
 with thee, because thou hast thought that 
 the gift of God may be purchased with 
 money. -' Thou hast neither part nor lot in 
 this matter : for thy heart is not right in the 
 sight of God. " Repent therefore of this 
 thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps 
 the thought of thine heart may be forgiven 
 thee. 2^ For I perceive that thou art in the 
 gall of bitterness, and in the bond of ini- 
 quity. 24 Xhen answered Simon, and said, 
 Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of 
 these things which ye have spoken come 
 upon me. '^ And they, when they had tes- 
 tified and preached the word of the Lord, 
 returned to Jerusalem, and preached the 
 gospel in many villages of the Samaritans. 
 
 art bitter at the very root, ' 
 
 and bound by the force of sinful habits as if chained with fetters." 
 Pray for me. Simon was terrified, but not repentant. He is afraid of punisliment but has 
 
 no horror of guilt. 
 Preached the word. R.V. Spoken. 
 
 The first instance of confirmation by the imposition of hands. We may note— 
 (i.) That it followed baptism. 
 (2.) None but the Apostles could administer it. Philip could baptize, but could 
 
 not confirm. 
 (3.) The rite consisted of — ■ 
 
 ((?) Prayer that the confirmed might receive the Holy Ghost. 
 \b) The laying on of hands. 
 
 Conversion 
 
 Gaza. lntro.,p. 24- There were 
 two ways from Jerusalem 
 to Gaza ; one throur;h As- 
 calon and by the coast to 
 Gaza, the other by Hebron 
 and through desert country. 
 'J h ; latter was probably 
 the road travelled by 
 Philip. 
 
 For to worship. This object 
 proves him to have been a 
 Jew or a proselyte, and this 
 view is confirmed by his 
 
 of the Eunuch of Ethiopia. 
 
 2'^ And the angel of the Lord spake unto 
 Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the 
 south unto the way that goeth down from 
 Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert. 
 27 And he arose and went: and, behold, a 
 man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great autho- 
 rity under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, 
 who had the charge of all her treasure,
 
 viii. 28—40.] THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 and had come to Jerusalem for to worship, 
 2''' was returning, and sitting in his chariot 
 read Esaias the prophet. -■' Then the Spirit 
 said unto PhiHp, Go near, and join thyself 
 to this chariot, ^o And Philip ran thither to 
 him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, 
 and said, Understandest thou what thou 
 readest ? ^i And he said, How can I, ex- 
 cept some man should guide me ? And he 
 desired Philip that he would come up and 
 sit with him. '- The place of the scrip- 
 ture which he read was this, He was led as 
 a sheep to the slaughter ; and like a lamb 
 dumb before his shearer, so opened he not 
 his mouth : ^^ in his humiliation his judg- 
 ment was taken away : and who shall de- 
 clare his generation ? for his life is taken 
 from the earth. ^ And the eunuch answered 
 Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom 
 speaketh the prophet this ? of himself, or of 
 some other man ? ^-^ Then Philip opened 
 his mouth, and began at the same scripture, 
 and preached unto him Jesus. ^"^ And as 
 they went on their way, they came unto a 
 certain water : and the eunuch said, See, 
 here is water ; what doth hinder me to be 
 baptized? s'^ And Philip said. If thou be- 
 lievest with all thine heart, thou mayest. 
 And he answered and said, I believe that 
 Jesus Christ is the Son of God. ^8 And he 
 commanded the chariot to stand still : and 
 they went down both into the water, both 
 Philip and the eunuch ; and he baptized 
 him. ^"^ And when they were come up out 
 of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught 
 away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no 
 more : and he went on his way rejoicing. 
 ■"^ But Philip was found at Azotus : and pass- 
 ing through he preached in all the cities, till 
 he came to Csesajrea, 
 
 study and knowlcJgc of 
 Isaiah. 
 
 Sead, i.e. aloud. A common 
 practice of the Jews. 
 
 R.V. Isaiah. 
 
 The place of the Scripture = 
 tlic section. The Jews 
 divided the law and the 
 prophets into sections, 
 which were read in rcjjular 
 order in the Synagogue 
 service. The section which 
 the Eunuch was reading 
 was the section or lesson 
 appointed for tlic Feast of 
 Tabernacles, and therefore 
 it is supposed he had been 
 attending th;it feast. 
 
 R.V. He besought Philip. 
 
 So eager was he to learn. 
 Isaiah liii. 7, 8. 1 akin from 
 tl.e Septuagint version. 
 
 Who shall declare his genera- 
 tion? i.e. the a<re in which 
 he shall live — the wicked- 
 ness of his own contempo- 
 raries. 
 
 The Hebrew has " for he 
 is cut off from the land 
 of the livintr-" 
 
 Of whom speaketh the pro- 
 phet? This question ot the 
 Eunuch is explained by the 
 fact that the Jews did not 
 apply these words to the 
 Messiah ; their Jlessiah 
 was a conquering captain, 
 not a suffering Saviour. 
 
 R.V. omits this, verse. It was 
 probably wHtten in the 
 margin as an exposition, 
 and thus found its way into 
 the text. 
 
 Into the water. It was al- 
 most the universal practice 
 in the early Church for the 
 person about to be bap- 
 tized to lay aside his gar- 
 ments, to enter the water, 
 to stand there waist deep, 
 and then to 1 e plunged 
 beneath the surface " in 
 the name of the Lord 
 Jesus." 
 
 See I Kings xviii. 12, where 
 Obadiah expects that whilst 
 he is on his way to Ahab 
 Elijah ni.-iy be carried away 
 by the Spirit of the Lord. 
 
 Azotus = Ashdod. Intro., 
 p. 24. 
 
 Caesarea. Intro., p. 2). Here 
 Philip seems to have made 
 ^is home (xsi. 8);
 
 102 
 
 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. [ix. 1—9. 
 
 Ethiopia, called also Meroe = the whole country south of Egypt extending over Nubia 
 and Abyssinia. 
 
 Candace, the common title of the Queens of Moroe as Pharaoh of the Kings of Egypt 
 and Cjesar of the Emperors of Rome. 
 
 In his humiliation, so Phil. ii. 8. " As a man he humbled himself and became obedient 
 unto death, even the death of the cross." 
 
 His judgment was taken away, i.e., His condemnation was set aside by God, ?'.^., He 
 was made perfect through suffering, and exalted through and because of his humiliatiori, >-^ 
 
 The Conversion of Saul, also Chaps, xxii., xxvi. 
 
 9. And Saul, yet breathing out thrcatcn- 
 ings and slaughter against the disciples of 
 the Lord, went unto the high priest, - and 
 desired of him letters to Damascus to the 
 synagogues, that if he found any of this way, 
 whether they were men or women, he might 
 bring them bound unto Jerusalem. ^ And 
 as he journeyed, he came near Damascus : 
 and suddenly there shined round about him 
 a light from heaven : * and he fell to the 
 earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, 
 Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me ? ^ And 
 he said. Who art thou, Lord ? And the 
 Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou perse- 
 cutest : /■/ IS hard for thee to kick against 
 the pricks. ^ And he trembling and asto- 
 nished said. Lord, what wilt thou have me 
 to do ? And the Lord said unto him. Arise, 
 and go into the city, and it shall be told thee 
 what thou must do. '' And the men which 
 journeyed with him stood speechless, hear- 
 ing a voice, but seeing no man. ^ And Saul 
 arose from the earth ; and when his eyes 
 were opened, he saw no man : but they led 
 him by the hand, and brought him into Da- 
 mascus. ^ And he was three days without 
 sioht, and neither did eat nor drink. 
 
 R.V. Hearing the voice ° 
 
 (margin has sound), but not understanding the words spoken to Paul. 
 Seeing no man. R.V. Beholding no man. 
 
 .Saw no man. R.V. Saw nothing. The blindness was complete. 
 Full of strange new ecstasy he held communion with God, secluded from the world of 
 
 sight. Plis mental feelings overpowered the natural craving for food. 
 
 Still in the same mind as 
 when he consented to Ste- 
 phen's death. 
 
 Letters, i.e. written authority 
 or commission from the 
 H igh Priest and Sanhedrim 
 (Acts xxvi. 12). 
 
 R.V. Of the Way = " of the 
 Christian way of belief." 
 
 Of Himself our Lord said, 
 " I am the Way, the Truth, 
 and the Life" (John xiv. 
 6>. 
 
 Damascus. Intro., p. 25. 
 
 A light from heaven. It hap- 
 pened at noon-day, but 
 the light was brighter than 
 the noon glare of the east- 
 ern sun. 
 
 R.V. omits " it is hard for 
 thee to kick against the 
 pricks." 
 
 Kick against the pricks. An 
 old and familiar Jewish 
 proverb. The "pricks" 
 are the goad used to spur 
 on oxen. The goad did 
 but prick the more sharply 
 the more the oxen strug- 
 gled against it. The mean- 
 ing of the proverb there- 
 fore is that it is useless to 
 resist a power superior to 
 our own, and that the more 
 we resist the more we shall 
 suffer for resistance. 
 
 The pricks in Saul's case 
 were the prickings of his 
 conscience, roused perhaps 
 by such events as the coun- 
 sel of Gamalieb the mar- 
 tyrdom of Stephen, or the 
 conduct of the Christians 
 whom he haled into prison. 
 
 This way. For examples of the Christian belief termed " the way " 
 Acts xix. 9. "But spake evil of that way before the multitude," 
 
 '' see —
 
 ix. 10-20.] THE A CTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 103 
 
 Acts xix. 23. " And the samo time there arose no small stir about that way." 
 
 Acts xxii. 4. " And I persecuted this way unto the death." 
 
 Acts xxiv. 14. " }5ut this I confo<;s unto thee that aftJr the way which they call 
 
 heresy, so worsliip I the God fif my fatliers." 
 Acts xxiv. 22. " And when Felix heard these things, having more perfect knowledge 
 
 ol that way." 
 
 How could the Sanhedrim at Jerusalem have any authority over the Jews at Damascus ? 
 Because C. Julius Caisar had made a decree giving the High Priest at Jerusalem a kind 
 of protectorate over all Jews in foreign places. 
 
 1" And there was a certain disciple at Da- 
 mascus, named Ananias ; and to him said 
 the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And lie said, 
 Behold, I am here, Lord. ^^ And the Lord 
 j"^;/c/unto him, Arise, and go into the street 
 which is called Straight, and enquire in the 
 house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus : 
 for, behold, he prayeth, ^^ and hath seen in 
 a vision a man named Ananias coming in, 
 and putting Jiis hand on him, that he might 
 receive his sight. ^^ Then Ananias answered. 
 Lord, I have heard by many of this man, 
 how much evil he hath done to thy saints at 
 Jerusalem : ^^ and here he hath authority 
 from the chief priests to bind all that call on 
 thy name. ^^ But the Lord said unto him. 
 Go thy way : for he is a chosen vessel unto 
 me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, 
 and kings, and the children of Israel : ^^ for 
 I will sliew him how great things he must 
 suffer for my name's sake. ^" And Ananias 
 went his way, and entered into the house ; 
 and putting his hand on him said, Brother 
 Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared 
 unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath 
 sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, 
 and be filled with the Holy Ghost. ^^ And 
 immediately there fell from his eyes as it had 
 been scales : and he received sight forth- 
 with, and arose, and was baptized. ^^ And 
 when he had received meat, he was strength- 
 ened. Then was Saul certain days with the 
 disciples which were at Damascus. -*^ And 
 
 Ananias. Intro , p. 32. He 
 is not mentioned elsewhere 
 (xxii. 12). 
 
 Street = a lane, narrow Lut 
 straight. Such a street 
 Etretct'.ing though Damas- 
 cus still exists. 
 
 Tarsus. Intro., p. 25. 
 
 He hath seen = in anticip.n • 
 tion and preparation for 
 the coming of Ananias. 
 
 Lord, I have heard by many 
 of this man. These words 
 indicate ttie character and 
 duration of the persecution 
 in which Saul had been the 
 leader. It had been severe 
 and long continued, and 
 the Christians who had 
 fled from Jerusalem had 
 evidently spread abroad 
 the tale of the sufferings 
 inflicted by Saul upon the 
 bretliren. 
 
 Saints (Latin, sanctus = set 
 apart). The first time the 
 term is applied to believers 
 in Jesus. 
 
 Chosen vessel, or vessel of 
 election.' 
 
 Kings. At Ca?sarea before 
 Herod Agrippa II. (xxvi. 
 I — 32), and at Rome before 
 Ca;sar. 
 
 R.V. How many things (2 
 Cor. xi. 22 — 28. Note, 
 p. 105). 
 
 Brother £:aul. Words of wel- 
 come spoken to the perjc- 
 cutor 1 y one of the very 
 men he had ccme to drag 
 to Jerus.ilcra. 
 
 Scales, i c. a seal)' substance 
 thrown off in the proce: s 
 of the instantaneous aid 
 miraculous healing. 
 
 It is generally supposed that 
 this blindness left perma- 
 nent effects upon Paul, and 
 that his eyesight was weak 
 for the rest of liis life. 
 
 R.V. And he took food and 
 was strengthened. His ab- 
 stinence then ending.
 
 104 
 
 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 The Acts gives three different accounts of Paul's conversion. 1 hese should be com- 
 pared carefully. They are found in ix. 3 — 8 ; xxii. 6 — 11 ; xxvi. 13 — 18. 
 Italics mark what are given in two narratives ; black letters what are peculiar to one. 
 
 Acts ix. 3 — 9. 
 
 3 And as be journeyed, 
 he came near Damascus ; 
 and suddenly there shined 
 round about him a light from 
 heaven. 
 
 4 And he fell to the earth 
 and heard a voice saying 
 unto him, .Saul, Saul, why 
 persecutest thou me ? 
 
 Acts xxii. 6 — II. 
 
 6 And it came to pass as 
 I made my journey, and 
 ■was co7ne itigh iiiito Da- 
 ■masciis about 710011, sudden- 
 ly there shone from heaven 
 a great light round about 
 
 7 And I fell unto the 
 ground, and heard a voice 
 saying unto me, Saul, Saul, 
 why persecutest thou me ? 
 
 8 And I answered. Who 
 art thou, Lord ? And he 
 said unto mc, I am Jesus of 
 Nazareth, whom thou per- 
 secutest. 
 
 9 And they that were with 
 me saw indeed the light, and 
 were afraid; but they heard 
 not the voice of liim thai 
 spake to 7ne. 
 
 TO And I said, What shall 
 I do, Lord ? And the Lord 
 said unto me, A rise, and go 
 I'/ito Damascus : a/id thei-e 
 it shall be told thee of all 
 things which are appointed 
 for thee to do. 
 
 II And when I could not 
 see for fhe glory of that 
 light, being led by the hand 
 oj them that we7-e with 7ne, 
 I came into Damascus. 
 
 5 And he said. Who art 
 thoii, Lord ? And the Lord 
 said, I am Jesus, whom thou 
 persecutest : it is hard for 
 thee to kick against the 
 pricks. 
 
 6 And he trembling and 
 astonished said, Lord, what 
 wilt tliou have me to do ? 
 And the Lord said unto him) 
 Arise, and go i7tto the city, 
 a/id it shall be told thee 
 what thou 7>inst do, 
 
 7 And the men which 
 journeyed with him stood 
 speechless hearing a voice, 
 but seeing no man. 
 
 8 And Saul arose from 
 the earth ; and when his e^'es 
 were opened, he sa-.v no 
 7!ian ; but t/iey led hi/n by 
 the hand, and brought Iii7ii 
 into Da77iascns. 
 
 q And he was three days 
 without sight, and neither 
 did cat nor drink. 
 
 By comparing the three accounts we gatlier — 
 (i) That they were near Damascus. 
 
 (2) That the time was noon. 
 
 (3) That the light shone above the brightness of the sun. 
 
 (4) That they all frll to the earth. 
 
 (5) That all saw the light and heard a voire. 
 
 (6) That none but Saul s;iw the form, and that S^'Ul alone heard the words. 
 
 (7) That the words were uttered in the Hebrew or Aramaic Ian ;uage. 
 
 (8) That after the vision Saul could not see, but his companions could, 
 (g) That Saul was led by the hand into Damascus. 
 
 (10) That lie was thn e days without sight, and during that time did not cat nor drink. 
 
 (Ii) In chap. xxvi. 17, 18, CI rist's apostolic commission to Saul is related as if it were 
 given him while he lav en the ground ; but probably Paul in the brevity of his 
 speech, anticipated what occurred afterwards in the temple at Jerusalem (xxji, 
 J/— 21), 
 
 Acts xxvi. 12 — 18. 
 
 12 "WTiereupon as I went 
 to Damascus with authority 
 and commission from the 
 chi.f priests, 
 
 13 At 7nidday, O King, I 
 saw in tlie way a light from 
 heaven, above the brightness 
 of the sun, shining round 
 about me and them which 
 journeyed with me. 
 
 14 Aiid when we were all 
 fallen to the earth, I heard 
 a voice speaking unto me, 
 saying in the Hebrew 
 tongue, Saul, Saul, why per- 
 secutest thou me ? it is hard 
 for thee to kick against the 
 pricks. 
 
 15 And I said, Who art 
 thou, Lord .' And he said, I 
 am Jesus whom thou per- 
 secutest. 
 
 ID Rut rise, and stand upon 
 thy feet : for I have appeared 
 to thee for this purpose, to 
 make thee a minister and a 
 witness both of these thingsj 
 which thou hast seen, and ot 
 those things in the which I 
 will appear unto thee : 
 
 1 7 Delivering thee from the 
 people, and from the Gentiles, 
 unto whom now I send thee. 
 
 18 To open their eyes, and 
 to turn them from darkness 
 to light, and from the power 
 of Satan unto God, that they 
 may receive forgiveness of 
 sins, and inheritance among 
 them which are sanctified by 
 faith that is in me.
 
 ix. 21-25.] THE A CIS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 Straightway. He began liis 
 A\<)rk .'it once. 
 
 R.V. Proclaimed Jesus that 
 he is the Son of Gcd. 
 
 Were amazed. All knew why 
 he had come to Damascus, 
 and the miracle of his con - 
 version was ackncwledgci 
 bv all. 
 
 R.V. Made havock (viii. 3). 
 
 On this name. Jesus of Na- 
 zareth. 
 
 Confounded the Jews. Saul, 
 as a trained Rabbi, would 
 be able to refute the Jews 
 more effectually than the 
 other preachers of the 
 Gospel could. 
 
 E.V. Proving that this is the 
 Christ. 
 
 V. 16. — For the sufferings of St. Paul read 2 Cor., xi., 2.i-?7: — 
 
 "Of the Jews five times receive! I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with 
 rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the 
 deep. 
 
 " In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own 
 countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in 
 periTs in the sea, in perils among false brcthien ; 
 
 "In weariness and painfulncss, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings 
 often, in cold and nakedness." 
 
 straightway he preached Christ in the syna- 
 gogues, that he is the Son of God. -^ But 
 all that heaid him were amazed, and said ; 
 Is not this he that destroyed them which 
 called on this name in Jerusalem, and came 
 hither for that intent, that he might bring 
 them bound unto the chief priests ? ^'■^ But 
 Saul increased the more in strength, and 
 confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damas- 
 cus, proving that this is very Christ. ^^ 
 
 C 
 
 Saul flees from Damascus to avoid a Plot against Ms Life. 
 
 23 And after that many days were fulfilled, 
 the Jews took counsel to kill him : -' But 
 their laying await was known of Saul. 
 And they watched the gates day and night 
 to kill him. -■^ Then the disciples took him 
 by night, and let him down by the wall in a 
 basket. 
 
 Many days = three yoa:s 
 
 (Gal. i. 17, 18). 
 R.V. Plot became known 
 
 (2 Cor. xi. 32). 
 R.V. Let him down through 
 the wall, lowering him in a 
 basket, /.f .|through the win- 
 dow of a house on the city 
 wall. 
 So the spies were lowered 
 from the house of Kahab 
 at Jericho (Josh. ii. 15). 
 So Michal let down David, who thus escaped the messengers sent by Saul to slay him 
 
 (i .^am. xix. 12). 
 Basket (?;puris), the same as that mentioned in the " fecdisg of t'to four thousand." It was 
 large enough to contain a man. 
 
 This escape is referred to by St. Paul in 2 Cor. xi. 32-33. "In Damascus the governor 
 under Aretas the king kept the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desirous to 
 apprehend mo. And throufrh a window in a basket was I let down by the wall and escaped 
 his hands." Governor ■— Ethnarch. Intro., p. 56. 
 
 ' How came Aretas, King of Arabia, to have dominion over Damascus? Herod .Antip,-is 
 had been at wr with Aretas en account of the divorce by Herod of Aretas's daughter at the 
 instance of Hcrodias. Herod was defeated by Aretas, and then Tiberius, who favoured 
 Herod, ordered Yitellius, governor of Syria, to march against Aretas. Tiberius died and 
 was succeeded by Caligula, who deposed Antipas and banished 1 im to Lyons. It is con- 
 jectured that Caligula assigned Damascus to Aretas as .a cnmpensarion for injuries 
 received at the hands of Antipas. This conjecture is borne out by the fact that there are 
 no coins of Damascus, of Caligula, or Claudius, but there are coins of their preccdessors 
 and successors,
 
 io6 
 
 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. [ix. 26—32. 
 
 Saul visits Jerusalem. He is shunned and sent away to Tarsus. 
 
 ^f' And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, 
 he assayed to join himself to the disciples : 
 but they were all afraid of him, and believed 
 not that he was a disciple. -'' But Barnabas 
 took him, and brought him to the apostles, 
 and declared unto them how he had seen 
 the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken 
 to him, and how he had preached boldly at 
 Damascus in the name of Jesus. ^^ And he 
 was with them coming in and going out at 
 Jerusalem. ^^ And he spake boldly in the 
 name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against 
 the Grecians : but they went about to slay 
 him. ^f* Which when the brethren knew, 
 they brought him down to C^sarea, and 
 sent hiui forth to Tarsus. ^^ Then had the 
 churches rest throughout all Judaea and 
 Galilee and Samaria, and were edified ; and 
 walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the 
 comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied. 
 
 Saul was in Jerusalem fifteen 
 
 days (Gal. i. t8^, and saw 
 
 Peter aniijames, the Lord's 
 
 brother, only. 
 Assayed = endeavoured to 
 
 join himself. 
 Barnabas, a native of Cyprus, 
 
 mightwellhavebeenknown 
 
 in youth to Saul of Tarsus. 
 
 The schools of Tarsus were 
 
 sjrcatly famed. 
 H s stiy at Jerusilem lasted 
 
 fifteen days (Gal. i. i8) with 
 
 the fiisciples on familiar 
 
 tTms. 
 B.V. Grecian Jews. Greek - 
 
 spc.Tking- Jews (Intro., pp. 
 
 50, 6^) wlio hnd put Steplien 
 
 to d>..th. They now plot 
 
 the death of Saul. 
 In Acts xxii. 17, 18, another 
 
 reason is stated,viz. a vision 
 
 of the Lord, commanding 
 
 him to depart, because they 
 
 would not receive his tes- 
 
 timonv. 
 R.Y. The Church. Thus re- 
 garding- all the separate 
 
 congrcga'ions as one 
 
 Church. 
 
 Edified (aedifico), built up. 
 
 Gal. i. 17, 18, give; particulars. "I went into Arabia and returned again to Damas- 
 cus. Tlien after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter and abode with him 
 fifteen days. But other of the Apostles saw I none, save James, the Lord's brother." 
 
 Cause of the rest. Because the attention of the Jews was at this time drawn away 
 from the Christians by the attempt of Caligula to set up his statue in the Temple at 
 Jerusalem. The opposition of the Jews and the intercession of Agrippa caused the 
 Emperor to desist from his purpose. 
 
 The order of events in Paul's jife at this period seems to have been (see also Intro, 
 pp. 60, 61, 62) — 
 
 (i) The vision on the road to Damascus near tkc town. Saul struck with blindness 
 , (3-8). 
 
 (2) Three days' blindness spent in silent communion with God in the house of Judas 
 
 in the street called Straight (9). 
 
 (3) Visit of Ananias ; sight restored, baptism, received the Holy Ghost (10 — 19). 
 
 (4) Preached Jesus in the synagogues and confounded the Jews (19—22). 
 
 (5) Sudden departure to Arabia, where he was three years (Gal. i. 17, 18). 
 
 (6) Return to Damascus ; conspiracy to slay him, escapes to Jerusalem (23 — 26). 
 
 (7) The disciples are afraid of him, but }?arnabas vouches for his conversion (27) 
 
 (8) Preaches to the Hellenists, and, in consequence, they conspire to slay him 
 
 (28, 29). 
 
 (9) The brethren send him to Csesarea and thence to Tarsus (30), where he remains 
 
 till Barnabas comes to fetch him to Antioch (xi. 25). 
 
 -Slneas the Paralytic made Whole. 
 
 E.V. Parts. 
 
 This was probably a tour of 
 visitation or oversight. 
 
 ^- And it came to pass, as Peter passed 
 througliout all quarters, he came down also
 
 ix. 33—43.] THE A CTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 107 
 
 to the saints wliich dwelt at Lydda. ^3 ^^(j 
 there he found a certain man named ^neas, 
 which had kept his bed eight years, and 
 was sick of the palsy. '^^ And Peter said 
 unto him, ^ncas, Jesus Christ maketh thee 
 whole : arise, and make thy bed. And he 
 arose immediately. 2° And all that dwelt at 
 Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to 
 the Lord. 
 
 Lydda, Intro., p. 25. 
 
 R.V. Palsied, i.e. .1 helpless 
 paralytic, and so bcclridden 
 fur eight years. 
 
 R.V. Healeth thee. "\Miolc 
 is the past participle of tlio 
 verb " to heal." 
 
 R.V. Sharon. The celebrated 
 p'aiii ot that name, extend- 
 ing along the coast from 
 Caesarea to Joppa. Ir.trc, 
 P-25- 
 
 Dorcas raised to Life at Joppa. 
 
 2'' Now there was at Joppa a certain dis- 
 ciple named Tabitha, which by interpreta- 
 tion is called Dorcas : this woman was full 
 of good works and almsdeeds which she did. 
 ^'^ And it came to pass in those days, that 
 she was sick, and died : whom when" they 
 had washed, they laid her in an upper cham- 
 ber. 2* And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh 
 to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that 
 Peter was there, they sent unto him two 
 men, desiring Jiivi that he would not delay 
 to come to them. ^^ Then Peter arose and 
 went with them. When he was come, they 
 brought him into the upper chamber: and 
 all the widows stood by him weeping, and 
 shewing the coats and garments which Dor- 
 cas made, while she was with them. ^^ But 
 Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, 
 and prayed ; and turning Jiivi to the body 
 said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her 
 eyes : and when she saw Peter she sat up. 
 *i And he gave her his hand, and lifted her 
 up, and when he had called the saints and 
 widows, presented her alive. '^- And it was 
 known throughout all Joppa ; and many be- 
 lieved in the Lord. ■'^ And it came to pass, 
 that he tarried many days in Joppa with 
 one Simon a tanner. 
 
 Joppa. ^lodcrn Jaffa. Intro., 
 
 P-.2S. 
 
 Tabitha (Aramaic), Dorcas 
 (Greek) = a gazelle, 'i he 
 name IJcrcas is now com- 
 monly given to sewing- 
 meeiings to make garments 
 for the poor. 
 
 R.V. Fell sick and died, i.e. 
 the attack and death were 
 sudden. 
 
 Distant about nine miles. 
 
 They laid her in an upper 
 chamber. They did not 
 bury hor at once. "Why 
 this delay in the usual 
 rapidity of Dastern fune- 
 rals .' Probably the know • 
 Ic dge that Peter was close 
 at hand, and the hope that 
 the power which had been 
 exerted to heal .'Eneas, 
 might extend even to the 
 further v.-ork of raising the 
 dead. 
 
 r.V. Delay not to come on 
 unto us. 
 
 Widows. The " widows " of 
 tke Church were the object 
 of special provision. 
 
 See vi. i: "The Grecians 
 murmured against the He- 
 brews because their widows 
 were neglected in the daily 
 ministration." 
 
 Coats = close-fitting tunics, 
 worn next the body. 
 
 Garments = the loose outer 
 cloaks worn over them. 
 
 Put them all forth. As Christ 
 had done at the raising of 
 Jairus's daughter (JIatt. 
 ix. 25). 
 
 We may note how Peter 
 copies his M.aster in every 
 detail. As Jesus put out 
 the hired mourners, so
 
 io3 
 
 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 [X. I- 
 
 Peter put all forth. Jesus saj's, " Damsel, I say unto thee, arise." Peter says, " Tabitha, 
 rise." Jesus took the maid by the hand and she arose ; and so Peter gave Tabitha his 
 hand and lifted her up. The prayer is the essential feature by which the raising of 
 Tabitha is distinguished from that of the daughter of Jairus. Jesus acts of His Divine 
 power ; Peter prays his ^Master to grant the power. 
 R.V. Abode. The trade of a tanner was held as abominable by the Jews. 
 
 Instances of raising to life : — 
 
 Old Testament. Elijah raised the son of the widow of Sarepta, i Kings xvii. 17-24. 
 
 Elisha raised the Shunamite's son. 2 Kings iv. 32-37. 
 
 The dead man cast into the grave of Elisha was restored to life, 2 King, 
 xiii. 20-21. 
 New Testament. Christ raised Jairus's daughter. Matt. ix. 2326. 
 
 Christ raised the widow of Nain's son. Luke vii. Ii-i6. 
 
 Christ raised Lazarus. John xi. 43-44. 
 
 St. Peter raised i'abitha at Joppa. Acts is. 36-43. ' 
 
 St. Paul raised Eutychus at Troas. Acts xx. g-io. 
 
 An Angel warns Cornelius to send for Peter. 
 
 10- There was a certain man in Csesarea 
 called Cornelius, a centurion of the band 
 called the Italian band, ^ a devout man, 
 and one that feared God with all his house, 
 which gave much alms to the people, and 
 prayed to God alway. ^ He saw in a vision 
 evidently about the ninth hour of the day an 
 angel of God coming in to him, and sayinof 
 unto him, Cornelius. * And when he looked 
 on him, he was afraid, and said. What is 
 it, Lord ? And he said unto him. Thy 
 prayers and thine alms are come up for a 
 memorial before God. ^ And now send men 
 to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose 
 surname is Peter: "he lodgeth with one 
 Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea 
 side : he shall tell thee what thou oughtest 
 to do. "^ And when the angel which spake 
 unto Cornelius was departed, he called two 
 of his household servants, and a devout 
 soldier of them that waited on him continu- 
 ally ; ® and when he had declared all 
 these things unto them, he sent them to 
 Joppa. 
 
 Whenever centurions are mentioned in the N. T. they arc always referred to in com • 
 jnendatory language, thus :^ 
 
 The centurion at Capernaum whose servant Jesus healed is described as being 
 '' worthy for whom he should do this." Luke vii. ^. 
 
 C;esarea. Intro., p. 24. 
 Cornelius. Intro., p. 33. 
 Centurion. Commander of a 
 
 sixth part of a cohort = 
 
 half a maniple. 
 Cohors Ttalica, i.e., a cohort 
 
 levied in Italy, not in Syria. 
 Devout = religious. 
 K.V. Saw in a vision openly. 
 
 He was not in a trance, as 
 
 Peter was (v. 11). 
 Ninth hour, i.e. 3 p.m. Hour 
 
 of evening prayer 'iii. i). 
 E..V. Fastening his eyes upon 
 
 him (the angel), and being 
 
 affrighted, said. 
 
 Memorial, such as to be re- 
 membered by God, who is 
 cow about to answer them. 
 
 E.V. omits he shall teU thee 
 ■what thou oughtest to do. 
 The passage is supplied 
 from xi. 14. Probably first 
 appeared as a marginal 
 note. 
 
 Devut soldier. 7 he devout 
 centurion has devout sol- 
 diers, thus showing the in- 
 fluence of Cornelius upon 
 his servants.
 
 X. 9— 16.] 
 
 THE A CrS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 109 
 
 The centurion at the cross confessed " Truly tliis was the Son of God." Matt. 
 
 xxvii. 54. 
 Cornelius is described as "a devout man and one that feared God." 
 Julius, the centurion, who had charge of St. Paul on his voyage to Rome was evi- 
 dently of noble and humane character. 
 
 V. 4. — Not abject panic, fear — still less the fear of a coward or of an evil conscience — but 
 such as Peter (Luke v. 8) felt when he fell at Jesus' knees, or Moses when, hearing tho 
 voice from the burning bush, " he hid his face, lor he was afraid to look upon God." Ex. 
 ill. 6. 
 
 V. 5.— By the seasic^e, .Tpart from the town. This was for sanitary reasons and from 
 rel igious scruples of the Jews. The house still shown to visitors occupies that situation. 
 
 V. 8.— Declared R.V. Kehearsed is not a happj- expression, for it looks too much to the 
 past. 1 he mcnning- is rather " expl.iined and advised," i.r., he recounted what had 
 happened, and directed the soldier what to do. The sequel shows how thoroughly the 
 ir.essenger understood tho situation and how wisely he acted on his instructions. 
 
 The Vision of Peter. 
 
 ° On the morrow, as they went on their 
 journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter 
 went up upon the housetop to pray about 
 the si.xth hour : 1° and he became very 
 hungr}', and would have eaten : but while 
 they made ready, he fell into a trance, 
 ^^ and saw heaven opened, and a certain 
 vessel descending unto him, as it had been 
 a great sheet knit at the four corners, and 
 let down to the earth : i- wherein were all 
 manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, 
 and wild beasts, and creeping things, and 
 fowls of the air. ^^ And there came a voice 
 to him. Rise, Peter; kill, and eat. ^^ But 
 Peter said, Not so, Lord ; for I have never 
 eaten any thing that is common or unclean. 
 ^' And the voice spake unto him again the 
 second time, What God hath cleansed, that 
 call not thou common, i" This was done 
 thrice : and the vessel was received up 
 again into heaven. 
 
 R.V. Let down by four cor- 
 ners. Corners = end ot a 
 cord. What Peter saw was 
 the four rope ends attached 
 to the sheet. 
 
 The sheet -= the world. 
 
 The four corners. North, 
 south, cast, and west ( Luke 
 xiii. 29), the directions into 
 which the Gospel was to be 
 preached. 
 
 R.V. Make not thou common, 
 
 I.e. it is not for man to 
 make distinctions, when 
 God himself removes all 
 distinctions and separa- 
 tions. See chap. xi. 5. 
 Thrice. To indent the lesson 
 more effectually on the 
 apostle's mind. 
 
 Housetop. In eastern houses the roofs arc flat and are protected by a parapet. Deut. 
 xxii. 8. 
 
 They were used : — 
 
 (i) For various household purposes, such as drjing corn, hanging up linen. 
 
 Rahab hid the spies at Jericho under flax spread on tlie roof to dry. Josh, ii. 6. 
 (2) For places of recreation in the evening and sleeping places at night. 
 
 David rose from his bod and was walking on the roof when ho saw Bathsheba, 
 
 2 Sam. xi. 2. 
 They spread Absalom a tent on the top of the house. 2 Sam. xvi. 22. 
 Samuel communed with Saul on the top of the house, i Sam. is. 26. 
 
 Housetop. Roofs of Eastern 
 
 houses are flat. 
 Sixth hour. Noon, and the 
 
 second hour of prayer. 
 R.V. Desired to eat. 
 Trance. Literally an ecstasy 
 
 fell upon him. Peter saw 
 
 things mentally, as in a 
 
 dream.
 
 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. [x. 17—24 
 
 (3) For places of devotion and even idolatrous vporship. 
 
 Jeremiah (xxxii. 29, xix. 13) speaks of "the houses upon whose roofs they have 
 
 offered incense unto Baal." 
 Zephaniah (i. 5) speaks of " them 'that worship the host of heaven upon the 
 
 house tops." 
 Josiah removed " the altars that were on the top of the upper chamber of Ahaz." 
 
 2 Kingfs xxiii. 12. 
 " Peter went up upon the housetop to pray." Acts x. g. 
 
 The Arrival of the Messengers interprets the Vision. 
 
 E.V. Much perplexed. Peter 
 evidently felt be had been 
 taught a lesson, but what 
 the lesson was he scarcely 
 knew. Was it that hence- 
 forth he should eat what he 
 had before thought un- 
 clean, or had it a wider 
 application ? 
 
 The gate = at the porch, 
 where they called on some 
 one from the house to come 
 forth. 
 
 Three men = the two ser- 
 vants and the soldier sent 
 by Cornelius (v. 7). 
 
 These words of the Spirit 
 sweep away the doubts of 
 Peter, and explain the 
 vision. 
 
 E.V. omits which were sent 
 unto him from Cornelius. 
 The addition was evidently 
 inserted to make the text 
 quite clear. 
 
 R.V. Righteous. 
 
 One that feareth God. An 
 expression commonly used 
 to denote a proselyte of the 
 gate, who worshipped Je- 
 hovah in Jewish fashion, 
 but had not become a lull 
 proselyte. Cornelius and 
 the Ethiopian Eunuch were 
 such proselytes. 
 
 To hear words = to receive 
 commandment. 
 
 Six brethren (xi. 12). They 
 were of the circumcision, 
 (v. 45), i.e. Jews, and were 
 taken by Peter to be wit- 
 nesses of what might 
 occur. Peter appeals to 
 their testimony (xi. 12). 
 
 R.V. Cornelius was waiting 
 for them, having called to- 
 gether, &c. 
 
 ^'' Now while Peter doubted in himself 
 what this vision which he had seen should 
 mean, behold, the men which were sent 
 from Cornelius had made inquiry for 
 Simon's house, and stood before the gate, 
 1^ and called, and asked whether Simon, 
 whicli was surnamed Peter, were lodged 
 there. ^'^ While Peter thought on the vision, 
 the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men 
 seek thee, ^o Arise therefore, and get thee 
 down, and go with them, doubting nothing : 
 for I have sent them. ^^ Then Peter went 
 down to the men which were sent unto him 
 from Cornelius ; and said, Behold, I am he 
 whom ye seek : what is the cause wherefore 
 ye are come ? "- And they said, Cornelius 
 the centurion, a just man, and one that 
 feareth God, and of good report among all 
 the nation of the Jews, was warned from 
 God by an holy angel to send for thee into 
 his house, and to hear words of thee. 
 2^ Then called he them in, and lodged 
 the7n. And on the morrow Peter went 
 away with them, and certain brethren from 
 Joppa accompanied him. -•' And the mor- 
 row after they entered into Csesarea. And 
 Cornelius waited for them, and had called 
 together his kinsmen and near friends. 
 
 Instances of heavenly warnings : — 
 
 An angel appeared to Joseph in a dream telling him not to fear to take Mary his 
 
 wife. Matt. i. 20. 
 The wise men of the east were warned not to return to Jerusalem. Matt. ii. 12. 
 Joseph warned by an angel in a dream to flee to Egypt with the young child Jesus. 
 
 Matt. ii. 13.
 
 X. 25—33-] '-THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 Joseph instructed by an angel in a dream to return to Judx-a on the death of Herod 
 the Great. Matt. ii. 19. 
 
 V. 24. — The morrow after they entered into Caesarea. The distance from Ca;sarea to 
 Joppa was 30 Roiiian miles, about ^^\ Englisli miles. The double journey took four days 
 (sec V. 30), taken up .as follows : — • 
 
 The vision of the angel appeared to Cornelius at the ninth hour (3 p.ra.).V He 
 despatched the messengers the same evening. They stayed at Apolltmia 
 (probably) for the night, arriving at Joppa at noon on the second daj'. They 
 stayed with Peter that night, and left for Ca;sarea on the third d;iy, ami break- 
 ing their journey at ApoUonia, arrived at the house of Cornelius at 3 o'clock on 
 the fourth day. 
 
 Peter arrives at Csesarea. 
 
 "^ And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius 
 met him, and fell down at his feet, and 
 worshipped him. -^ But Peter took him up, 
 saying, Stand up ; I myself also am a man. 
 2^^ And as he talked with him, he went in, 
 and found man}'' that were come together. 
 2^ And he said unto them. Ye know how 
 that it is an unlawful thing for a man that 
 is a Jew to keep company, or come unto 
 one of another nation ; but God hath 
 shewed me that I should not call any man 
 common or unclean, ^o Therefore came I 
 zcnto yo2i without gainsaying, as soon as I 
 was sent for : I ask therefore for what in- 
 tent ye have sent for me ? . ^^ And Cornelius 
 said, Four days ago I was fasting until this 
 hour ; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my 
 house, and, behold, a man stood before me 
 in bright clothing, ^i and said, Cornelius, 
 thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had 
 in remembrance in the sight of God. ^- Send 
 therefore to IJoppa, and call hither Simon, 
 whose surname is Peter ; he is lodged in 
 the house of o}ie Simon a tanner by the sea 
 side : who, when he cometh, shall speak 
 unto thee. "^ Immediately therefore I sent 
 to thee ; and thou hast well done that thou 
 art come. Now therefore are we all here 
 present before God, to hear all things that 
 are commanded thee of God. 
 
 From verse 27 it is clear that 
 Comeliuswent out and met 
 Peter outside the house. 
 
 Fell down at his feet. Com- 
 mon enough in the Fast, 
 but unknown in the AVcst, 
 except in adoration of their 
 gods. In a Roman officer 
 such conduct carried but 
 one meaning, {.e. religious 
 worship to the apostle as 
 God's messenger. Peter 
 refuses this worship. 
 
 Took him up = E.V. Baised 
 him up. 
 
 As he talked implies a long 
 conversation outside the 
 house. 
 
 The strict Jew would not 
 enter a Gentile's house, 
 nor sit on the same couch, 
 nor cat or drink out of the 
 same vessel. 
 
 Peter now learns and pro- 
 pounds the lesson which the 
 vision had taught hira. 
 
 "Without gainsaying = with- 
 out having a word to say 
 against it, without object- 
 ing. 
 
 E.V. Four days ago until this 
 hour I was keeping the 
 ninth hour of prayer. 
 
 Thy prayer is heard. The 
 singular number denotes 
 that the prayer of Corne- 
 lius was for some deiinite 
 blessing. The coming ot 
 Peter and the revelation by 
 his mouth was the ans^ver 
 to his prayer. His desire, 
 therefore, was evidently for 
 more light, for further 
 teaching. He cou'.d not 
 rest satisfied as he was. He 
 felt the need for something, 
 he knew not what. 
 
 R.V. omits who when he 
 cometh shall speak unto 
 thee. 
 
 R.V. Forthwith therefore. Soldier-like, he obeyed promptly and sent at once.
 
 THE A CTS OF THE APOSTLES. [x. 34-43. 
 
 Peter's Speech. 
 
 The appcaratice of the angel 
 to Cornelius, and the vision 
 vouchsafed himself con- 
 vince St. Peter that God is 
 now making himself known 
 to all workers of righteous- 
 ness whether Jew or Gen- 
 tile. 
 
 R.V. Acceptable to him is 
 everyone possessing two 
 qualifications — 
 Ci) Fearing God, 
 (2) Working righteous- 
 ness. 
 
 E.V. That saying ye your- 
 selves know, i.e. Ye (Gen- 
 tiles) know the facts and 
 teaching. 
 
 Jesus commenced His minis- 
 try in Galilee after John the 
 Baptist was put in prison 
 (Matt. iv. 12 ; Mark i. 14). 
 
 So Nicodemus confessed, 
 " No man can do these 
 miracles that thou doest 
 except God be with him " 
 (John iii. 2]. 
 
 R.V. Gave him to be made 
 manifest. Christ was not 
 openly shown, but by many 
 proofs was made manifest 
 to His disciples. 
 
 B.V. Charged. Two truths 
 
 about Jesus. 
 
 (i) His justice— He is to 
 judge, to discover if men 
 possess the two qualifi- 
 cations. 
 
 (2) His mercy — through 
 His name is remission 
 of sins. 
 Is.xlix. 6 ; Joel ii. 32. 
 
 3^ Then Peter opened Jiis mouth, and 
 said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no 
 respecter of persons : ^^ but in every na- 
 tion he that feareth him, and worketh right- 
 eousness, is accepted with him. ^ The 
 word which God sent unto the children of 
 Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ : 
 (he is Lord of all :) 2'' that word, / say, ye 
 know, which was published throughout all 
 Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the 
 baptism which John preached ; '^'^ how God 
 anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy 
 Ghost and with power : who went about 
 doing good, and healing all that were op- 
 pressed of the devil ; for God was with him. 
 ^^ And we are witnesses of all things which 
 he did both in the land of the Jews, and in 
 Jerusalem ; whom they slew and hanged on 
 a tree : ''*' Him God raised up the third day, 
 and shewed him openly ; ^^ not to all the 
 people, but unto witnesses chosen before of 
 God, eve7i to us, who did eat and drink 
 with him after he rose from the dead. 
 *2 And he commanded us to preach unto 
 the people, and to testify that it is he which 
 was ordained of God to be the Judge of 
 quick and dead. ^^ To him igive all the 
 prophets witness, that through his name 
 whosoever believelh in him shall receive 
 remission of sins. 
 
 V. 41.— Who did eat and drink with him. The recorded instances are : — 
 
 (i.) "And they gave him apiece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. And he 
 took it and did eat before them." Luke xxiv. 42, 43. 
 
 2.) With the two disciples at Emmaus. " And it came to pass as he sat at meat 
 with them he took bread, and blessed it," &C. Luke xxiv. 30. 
 
 (3.) At the Sea of Galilee after the miraculous draught of fishes it is most probablo 
 that Jesus dined with His disciples, though it is not actually stated that he did 
 do so. John xxi. 12-15.
 
 44— xi. 7-] THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 113 
 
 Descent of the Holy Ghost. Baptism of Cornelius. 
 
 *■* While Peter yet spake these words, the 
 Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the 
 word. ^^And they of the circumcision 
 which believed were astonished, as many 
 as came with Peter, because that on the 
 Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the 
 Holy Ghost. ^'^ For they heard them speak 
 with tongues, and magnify God. Then 
 answered Peter, *" Can any man forbid 
 water, that these should not be baptized, 
 which have received the Holy Ghost as 
 well as we ? '^^ And he commanded them 
 to be baptized in the name of the Lord. 
 Then prayed they him to tarry certain days. 
 
 The gift of the Holy Ghost 
 came upon Cornelius and 
 on his friends in the very 
 way it had come on the 
 earliest disciples, without 
 any human inter\xntion, 
 and made itself manliest in 
 the same way. There was 
 no difference between Jew 
 and Gentile. 
 
 The six Jews who accom- 
 panied l\tor. 
 
 E..V. Were amazed (v. ^5). 
 
 The Pentecostal gifts, prov- 
 ing that Cornelius and l.i.; 
 friends were acceptable to 
 God. 
 
 Peter does not baptize them 
 himself. Paul also refrained 
 from baptizing converts, 
 and he assigns a reason 
 (i Cor. i. 12 — 16), i.e. lest 
 men should call themselves 
 by the names of some one 
 of the apostles, and thus 
 forin factions. 
 
 Peter, accused of consorting with Gentiles, satisfies his 
 Accusers. 
 
 11. And the apostles and brethren that 
 were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had 
 also received the word of God. -And when 
 Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that 
 were of the circumcision contended with 
 him, 3 saying, Thou wentest in to men un- 
 circumcised, and didst eat with them. 
 * But Peter rehearsed the matter from the 
 beginning, and expounded // by order unto 
 them, saying, ^I was in the city of Jop[)a 
 praying : and in a trance I saw a vision, A 
 certain vessel descend, as it had been a 
 great sheet, let down from heaven by four 
 corners ; and it came even to me : ^ upon 
 the which when I had fastened mine eyes, T 
 considered, and saw fourfooted beasts of 
 the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping 
 things, and fowls of the air. ''And I heard 
 a voice saying unto me, Arise, Peter ; slay 
 
 I 
 
 The admission of uncircura- 
 ciscd Gentiles was an event 
 so new and startling that 
 the neu s of it spread rapidly 
 and created great stir 
 among the brethren. The 
 words of the text imply that 
 news came to Jerusalem 
 before Peter had Kft 
 Ca^sarea. 
 
 They of the circumcision . The 
 believers who were Jews, 
 and clung to the Mosaic 
 system. 
 
 Men uncircumcised, i.e. Gin- 
 tiles. heathens, not Jews. 
 
 R.V. Began and expounded. 
 
 Didst eat with them. The 
 charge brought aaainst 
 Peter is not that he 
 preached to the Gentile^, 
 but that he as:oci.:tcl 
 faniili;uly with them, and 
 especially that he did cat 
 witli them. 
 
 The differences ;n the re;'e i • 
 tion of tlie vision a id addi- 
 tional vividness to the nar- 
 rativef thus, Even unto tne 
 (5); / co'i.sidi'tcd and saw 
 (6J ; ]Vere drawn up (10) ;
 
 114 
 
 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. [xi. 8-18. 
 
 These six brethren (12) ; 
 Whereby thou and all thy 
 house shall be saved (14) ; 
 As 1 began to speak (15) ; 
 Then remembered I (16). 
 
 Common or unclean. Accord- 
 ing to the Levitical law of 
 clean and unclean, things 
 clean might be eaten, but 
 unclean things not. In v. 
 8, Peter shows that he had 
 not yet realised that the 
 old ceremonial law is no 
 longer of necessity. 
 
 Again. R.V. the second 
 tims. 
 
 E.V. Make not thou common. 
 
 E.V. Making no distinction, 
 i.e. treating Jew and Gen- 
 tile exactly alike. 
 
 As on us. Without human 
 intervention, and accom- 
 panied by the same mani- 
 festations. Peterwas deep- 
 ly impressed with the fact 
 that the descent of the 
 Holy Ghost on the house- 
 hold of Cornelius was in all 
 respects the same as the 
 outpouring at Pentecost. 
 
 The beginning = day of Pen- 
 tecost. 
 
 Then remembered I the word 
 of the Lord. The special 
 promise is contained in 
 chap. i. 5. When uttered, 
 it seemed to refer to the 
 disciples onl}', and to have 
 received its fulfilment on 
 the day of Pentecost. But 
 the descent of the Spirit 
 upon Cornelius taught that 
 the promise had a wider 
 range, that the gift might 
 be bestowed on those who 
 were not of Israel, and who 
 were not called to come 
 outwardly within the cove- 
 nant of Israel. 
 V. 17 contains the conclusion 
 ot the argument. If the 
 Gentiles had received the 
 
 and eat. ^ But I said, Not so. Lord : for 
 nothing common or unclean hath at any 
 time entered into my mouth. '^ But the 
 voice answered me again from heaven, 
 What God hath cleansed, that call not 
 thou common. ^''And this was done three 
 times : and all were drawn up again into 
 heaven, ii And, behold, immediately there 
 were three men already come unto the 
 house where I was, .sent from Caesarea unto 
 me. I'-And the spirit bade me go with 
 them, nothing doubting. Moreover these 
 six brethren accompanied me, and we en- 
 tered into the man's house: I'^and he 
 shewed us how he had seen an angel in 
 his house, which stood and said unto him, 
 Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, 
 whose surname is Peter; "who shall tell 
 thee words, whereby thou and all thy house 
 shall be saved. ^^ And as I began to speak, 
 the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at 
 the beginning. '^^ Then remembered I the 
 word of the Lord, how that he said, John 
 indeed baptized with water ; but ye shall 
 be baptized with the Holy Ghost. " Foras- 
 much then as God gave them the like gift 
 as he did unto us, who believed on the 
 Lord Jesus Christ ; what was I, that I could 
 withstand God ? '^ When they heard these 
 things, they held their peace, and glorified 
 God, saying, Then hath God also to the 
 Gentiles granted repentance unto life. 
 
 baptism of the Holy Ghost, 
 it was clear that, as the greater includes the less, they were admissible to the baptism of 
 water, and therefore, " I," says Peter, " enjoined that they be baptized." 
 Held their peace and glorified God. The Greek tenses make the scene more vivid — a breath- 
 less pause and then a continuous utterance of praise. Luke is particular to note this as 
 being a complete answer to the Judaizcrs, for — 
 
 (i) Peter, the chief of the Apostles, had admitted the Gentiles. 
 
 iz) The admission had been under direct guidance from above. 
 3) And it had received formal approval and expressions of gratification by the mem- 
 bers of the Church at Jerusalem, themselves of the circumcision. 
 
 They that were of the circumcision. AVere not all Christians circumcised men at this 
 time? Yes, at the time of which St. Luke is writing, but not at the time when he
 
 xi. 19—26.] THE A CTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 "5 
 
 wrote. At the time when he wrote the Judaizers were a distinct party, and had been the 
 bitter opponents of St. Paul, so from later habit St. Luke uses the phrase, " they of the 
 circumcision," as though the Gentile element of which Cornelius was the first fruits were 
 already in existence. 
 
 The Gospel spreads as far as 
 
 "^^ Now they which were scattered abroad 
 upon the persecution that arose about Ste- 
 phen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cy- 
 prus, and Antioch, preaching the word to 
 none but unto the Jews onl}'. 20 And some 
 of them>were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, 
 which, when they were come to Antioch, 
 spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord 
 Jesus. -^And the hand of the Lord was 
 with them : and a great number believed, 
 and turned unto the Lord. -- Then tidings 
 of these things came unto the ears of the 
 church which was in Jerusalem : and they 
 sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as 
 far as Antioch. ^sa^yj^q, when he came, 
 and had seen the grace of God, was glad, 
 and exhorted them all, that with purpose of 
 heart they would cleave unto the Lord. 
 "^ For he was a good man, and full of the 
 Holy Ghost and of faith ; and much people 
 was added unto the Lord. -^ Then departed 
 Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul : 
 ^ and when he had found him, he brought 
 him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, 
 that a whole year they assembled them- 
 selves with the church, and taught much 
 people. And the disciples were called 
 Christians first in Antioch. 
 
 Antioch. 
 
 R.V. Tribulation (Acts viii.i). 
 
 E.V. Phoenicia. Intro., p. 26. 
 
 Cyprus,;Cyrene. Intro., p. 20. 
 
 Antioch. Intro., p. 23. • 
 
 K.V. Speaking the word to 
 none save only to Jews. 
 
 R.V. Greeks, i.e. Gentiles. 
 To the Greek-speaking 
 Jews the Gospel had al- 
 ways been preached. 
 
 R.V. And the report con- 
 cerning them, I.e. concern- 
 ing the Gentile converts. 
 
 R.V. Sent forth £arnabas 
 as far as Antioch. 
 
 Barnabas (Intro., p. 31), a 
 native of Cjprus, would be 
 well known to the C3-prians 
 preaching at Antioch. 
 
 The character of Barnabas 
 is described in the same 
 words as applied to Ste- 
 phen (vi. s). 
 
 And now that the Gospel is 
 beingpreached to the Gen- 
 tiles Barnabas fetches Saul, 
 who had been marked (ix. 
 15) as a "chosen vessel" 
 to preach the Gospel to 
 the Gentiles. 
 
 Whole year. Paul's first 
 work as the Apostle of the 
 Gentiles was at Antioch, 
 and continued for a whole 
 year. Hence his constant 
 return to Antioch at the 
 conclusion of each mission- 
 ary journey. 
 The New Testament names 
 for the followers of Jesus 
 were — T/ie Smuts, Actsix. 
 41 ; The Brethren, A cts xi. ; 
 Those cf the Way, Acts i.x. 
 2 ; The disciples. Acts ix. 
 I ; The faithful, Eph. i. i. 
 
 Speaking the word to none save only to Jews. At the earlier period of their exile the 
 disciples observed our Lord's rule, " I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of 
 Israel" (!Matt. xv. 2)). But later on some from Cyprus and Cyrene break through 
 this rule and speak to Greeks, i.e., heathen. 
 
 It is difficult to fix the time of this preachihg to the Greeks, but on the clrcumst.-.nce 
 beincr reported no objection is made at Jerusalem as was done (chap, xi.) against Peter for 
 receiving Gentiles ; on the contrary Barnabas, a man of Cyprus, was commissioned to help 
 the movement. 
 
 Hence it may be inferred that the news of the preaching of the Gospel to the Greeks or 
 heathen did not reach the church at Jerusalem until after the contention of the Jews with 
 Peter as recorded, xi. 1-18.
 
 ii6 
 
 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES, [xi. 2;— xii. 4. 
 
 Christians. — The word occurs three times only in the N. T. 
 
 1. The disciples were called Christians first in Antioch. Acts xi. 26. 
 
 2. Agrippa says to Paul, "Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian." Acts 
 
 xxvi. 28. 
 
 3. " If any man suffer as a Christian let him not be ashamed." i,Pet. iv. 16. 
 By whom was the name given .' 
 
 Not by the disciples of Jesus, for they never give it to themselves. 
 
 Not by the Jews, for the title would imply the Messiahship of Jesus. The Jews 
 
 always styled the disciples of Jesus as (Jalilaeans or Nazarenes. 
 Most probably by the heathen, and in ridicule and scorn of the humble occupation 
 
 of Christ and his followers. 
 Reason of the new term. Hitherto the disciples had been Jews only, but now thoy 
 
 are a mixed body of Jews and Gentiles, and so some new appellation is needed. 
 The term at first applied in ridicule and taunt soon became a title of honour and 
 
 a name in which to glory. 
 
 Famine foretold by 
 
 These days, i.e. during the 
 year's ministry of Barnabas 
 and Saul. 
 
 Prophets. See note p. 72. 
 
 Agabus. Intro., p. 34. He 
 also foretold Paul's im- 
 prisonment at Jerusalem 
 and Rome (xxi. 10, 11). 
 
 E.V. Great famine. It raged 
 in Jud.xa a.d. 44 — the 
 fourth year of Claudius. 
 
 It is probable that the visit of 
 liarnabas and Saul to Jeru- 
 salem took place after the 
 events recorded in xii. i — 
 23. This visit is omitted in 
 Gal. i. 18; ii. I. 
 
 Elders = presbyters, the first 
 time this term is used. 
 Intro., p. 58. 
 
 Agabus. Relief sent to Jerusalem. 
 
 -'' And in these days came prophets from 
 Jerusalem unto Antioch. ^s ^jj^j there stood 
 up one of them named Agabus, and signi- 
 fied by the spirit that there should be great 
 dearth throughout all the world : wliich 
 came to pass in the days of Claudius 
 Caesar. ^^ Then the disciples, every man 
 according to his ability, determined to send 
 relief unto the brethren which dwelt in 
 Judaea : ^o which also they did, and sent it 
 to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and 
 Saul. 
 
 The 12th chapter is a huge parenthesis describing events going on in Jerusalem when 
 Paul and Barnabas visited it. They probably delivered their mission and immediately 
 returned to Antioch. The shortness of their stay (due to persecution going on) may 
 account for their visit not being mentioned by St. Paul in Galatians. 
 
 Persecution by Herod. Imprisonment of Peter. 
 
 13. Now about that time Herod the king 
 
 Herod Agrippa I. See Intro., 
 
 p. 36. 
 About that time, i.e. of the 
 
 famine, .K.v>. 44. 
 R.V. Afflict. 
 James. Intro., p. 6. The 
 
 only martyrdom of an 
 
 apostle mentioned in the 
 
 New Testament. 
 
 Days of unleavened bread = 
 the Passover feast. 
 
 R.V. After f e PaJ=sover. 
 
 stretched forth his hands to vex certain of 
 the church, ^^^d he killed James the 
 brother of John with the sword. ^ And be- 
 cause he saw it pleased the Jews, he pro- 
 ceeded further to take Peter also. (Then 
 were the days of unleavened bread.) "'And 
 when he had apprehended him, he put hi?ii 
 in prison, and delivered him to four quar- 
 ternions of soldiers to keep him ; intending 
 after Easter to bring him forth to the
 
 xii. 5—15.] THE A CTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 117 
 
 people. " Peter therefore was kept in 
 prison : but prayer was made without ceas- 
 ing- of the church unto God for him. "And 
 when Herod would have brought him fortli, 
 the same night Peter was sleeping between 
 two soldiers, bound with two chains : and 
 the "keepers before the door kept the prison. 
 ^And, behold, the angel of the Lord came 
 upon him, and a light shined in the prison : 
 and he smote Peter on the side, and raised 
 him up, saying. Arise up quickly. And his 
 chains fell off from his hands. *And the 
 angel said unto him. Gird thyself, and bind 
 on thy sandals. And so he did. And he 
 saith unto him. Cast thy garment about 
 thee, and follow me. ^And he went out, 
 and followed him ; and wist not that it was 
 true which was done by the angel ; but 
 thought he saw a vision. ^"^ When they 
 were past the first and the second ward, 
 they came unto the iron gate that leadetli 
 unto the city ; which opened to them of his 
 own accord : and they went out, and passed 
 on through one street ; and forthwith tlie 
 angel departed from him. ^^And when 
 Peter was come to himself, he said. Now I 
 know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent 
 his angel, and hath delivered me out of the 
 hand of Herod, and from all the expecta- 
 tion of the people of the Jews. ^- And when 
 he had considered the thing, he came to 
 the house of Mary the mother of John, 
 whose surname was Mark ; where many 
 were gathered together praying. ^'^ And as 
 Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a 
 damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda. 
 "And when she knew Peter's voice, she 
 opened not the gate for gladness, but ran 
 in, and told how Peter stood before the 
 gate. i''And they said unto her, Thou art 
 
 R.V. Earnestly, i.e. instant, 
 intense, and probably with- 
 out intermission. 
 
 Four quaternions, i.e. four 
 parties of four soldiers 
 each, one set for each 
 watch of the night. The 
 prisonerwas chained to two 
 of tliem, whilst the otlior 
 two kept watch at the doors 
 of the prison, forming^ the 
 first and second wards 
 (ifuards of v. 10^, 
 
 R.V. Stood by hun. 
 
 R.V. In the cell, i.e. in which 
 Peter was coiihiicd. 
 
 R.V. And awoke him, i.e. 
 awoke hira from sU ep, not 
 that he helped him tu rise. 
 
 Gird thyself, i.e. bind up the 
 loose garments so as to Le 
 ready for quick movement. 
 See Ex. xii. ir. Elijah 
 (i Kings, xviii. 46); Gehazi 
 (2 Kings, iv. 2^). 
 
 Wist (ii. 17). 
 
 "Ward. The warders or guards, 
 stationed probably one at 
 the door of the cell, the 
 other at the outer door of 
 the prison. Tlie iron gate 
 formed the exit from the 
 pnmises. Theprison seems 
 to have been in the midsc 
 of the city. 
 
 His. R.V., its. His was 
 good English use when 
 A.V. was made, but is now 
 obsolete. i;ee Shakespeare, 
 Julius Ccesar. "And that 
 same eye .... did lose his 
 lustre." — Act I. so. ii. 124. 
 
 Mary. Sister of Barnabas. 
 Intro., p. 35. 
 
 John Mark. Intro., p. 35. 
 
 Door = the wicket opened to 
 admit anj'onc. 
 
 Gate = porch into which this 
 wicket gave admission. 
 
 R.V. To a'.swer. I\ tcr's 
 voice was well known 
 (Matt. xxvi. 73). 
 
 A damsel -~ a maid servant. 
 The portress in Jewish 
 houses was commonly a 
 maid servant. Compare 
 John xviii. !>, where an- 
 other maid who kept the 
 doorrecognised Peter when 
 John brought him into the 
 palace of the high priest. 
 
 Ehcda = rose.
 
 ii8 
 
 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES, [xii. 16-20. 
 
 mad. But she constantly affirmed that it 
 was even so. Then said they, It is his 
 angel. ^•'But Peter continued knocking: 
 and when they had opened flie door, and 
 saw him, they were astonished, i' But he, 
 beckoning unto them with the hand to hold 
 their peace, declared unto them how the 
 Lord had brought him out of the prison. 
 And he said, Go shew these things unto 
 James, and to the brethren. And he de- 
 parted, and went into another place. ^^ Now 
 as soon as it was day, there was no small 
 stir among the soldiers, what was become 
 of Peter. ^^ And when Herod had sought 
 for him, and found him not, he examined 
 the keepers, and commanded that they 
 should be put to death. And he went down 
 from Judsea to Cassarea, and there abode. 
 
 Intro., 
 
 E.V. Confidently, i.e. with 
 determination. 
 
 The whole scene is so vivid 
 that an eye-witness, prob- 
 ably Mark himself, must 
 have told it to Luke. 
 
 B/.V. Were amazed. 
 
 James. The same who is 
 afterwards described as 
 presiding over the Council 
 at Jerusalem (xv. 13), " the 
 Lord's brother." Intro., 
 p. 6. 
 
 The guards were alarmed, 
 knowing they would pro- 
 bably answer with their 
 lives (a-! they did, v. 19) 
 for the life of Peter, 
 
 Another place. We know 
 not where. Roman Catho- 
 lic writers assert that Peter 
 went to Rome at this time 
 and founded the Church 
 there, but there is no war- 
 rant for the statement. 
 Others suggest Antioch, 
 but (see Gal. ii. 12) there 
 are no traces of his pres- 
 ence there till after the 
 Council at Jerusalem (xv.). 
 
 B,.V. The guards. 
 
 Csesarea. Herod Agrippa I. 
 received in order — 
 
 {l^ The Tetrarchies of Herod Philip and Lysanias. 
 (2) The Tetrarchy of Antipas and the title of king, 
 (j) The districts of Judxa and Samaria. 
 
 So Herod, and not a Roman governor, was in power at Cffisarea at this time. 
 P- 36. 
 
 Why did Herod Agrippa I. persecute the Church ? 
 
 Joscphus records that he was desirous of being esteemed a devout Jew. Hence his 
 
 eagerness to put down the Christians and his desire to please the Jews. 
 James, the brother of John, and the son of Zebcdcc, who had declared his willingness 
 " to drink of the cup that Christ drank of, and to he baptized with his baptism." 
 He now drinks the cup of persecution and is baptized with the baptism of 
 martyrdom. 
 v. 4. — After Easter. Peter was arrested at the commencement of the Passover, and it 
 was Herod's intention to execute him at the conclusion of the Feast. Peter would there- 
 fore be in piiion 8 days, and so it was necessary to take careful precautions for guarding 
 him. 
 
 V. 15.— It is his angel, i.e. his guardian angel in the likeness of Peter, a doctrine 
 believed in by the Jews at that period, which was that each man had a guardian angel 
 assigned to him. 
 
 V. 17. — Tell these things unto James, showing that James was the chief of the brethren 
 at Jerusalem, 
 
 Came with one accord = sent 
 .a combined embassy. 
 
 Tyre and Sidon. Intrc, p. 26. 
 
 Blastus (Intro., p. 34) is a 
 Roman name. As Herod 
 Agrippa 1. was in favour at 
 
 Death of Herod. 
 
 20 And Herod was highly displeased with 
 them of Tyre and Sidon : but they came 
 with one accord to him, and, having made 
 Blastus the king's chamberlain their friend,
 
 xii. 21—25.] THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. 
 
 119 
 
 desired peace ; because their country was 
 nourished by the king's country. -'And 
 upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal 
 apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an 
 oration unto them. — And the people gave 
 a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, 
 and not of a man. -■'^And immediately the 
 angel of the Lord smote him, because he 
 gave not God the glory : and he was eaten 
 of worms, and gave up the ghost. 
 
 V. 22. — The voice of a gol. Josephus writes that Herod did not rebuke this impious 
 flattery but accepted it. J?ut later, when suffering- violent pain, he reproved their lying 
 words and acknowledged God's providence and his approaching end. 
 
 Eaten of worms. Josophus is not so particular in his description of the cause of death, 
 though lie attributes it to a swift and fatal disease on the stomach. 
 
 The samcpainlul death occurred to Antiochus Epiphanes (2 Jlacc. ix. 5). 
 Josephus gives a similar account of the death of Herod the Great. 
 
 Rome, it is probable he 
 would have some Komans 
 as his confidential officers. 
 
 Peace better reconciliation. 
 There was not open war, 
 but Herod was not on 
 friendly terms with them. 
 
 E.V. Was fed, i.e. Tyre drew 
 its supplies of corn from 
 Judrca (Ezek. xxvii. 17). 
 
 Set day. The events here 
 described took place in the 
 Theatre at Cnesarea, when 
 Herod was celebrating fes- 
 tive and votive games in 
 honour of Claudius. 
 
 Bamabas and Saul return to Antioch. 
 
 2^ But the word of God grew and multi- 
 plied. 25 And Barnabas and Saul returned 
 from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled 
 their ministry, and took with them John, 
 whose surname was Mark. 
 
 R.V. Their ministration, i.e. 
 the banding over to the 
 Church at Jerusalem the 
 contributions of the dis- 
 ciples at Antioch for the 
 support of their brethren 
 in Juda-a, during the fa- 
 mine foretold by Agabus 
 (xi.28). 
 
 The first portion of the Acts closes with the establishment of the Gospel in Jerusalem", 
 in Judaea, and Snmaria, and in Palestine.
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 QUESTIONS SELECTED FROM THE OXFORD AND 
 CAMBRIDGE LOCAL AND COLLEGE OF PRE- 
 CEPTORS' EXAMINATION PAPERS. 
 
 REFEREiSrCES. 
 O. L. J. = Oxford Local Junior Examination. 
 O. L. S. = Oxford Local Senior Examination. 
 C. L. J. = Cambridge Local Junior Examination. 
 C. L. S. = Cambridge Local Senior Examination. 
 C. of P. = College of Preceptors' Examination. 
 
 N.B. — The figures after the initials give the date when each question was set. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 1. Compare the accounts of the Ascension in the Acts and in the Gospels. — 
 O. L. S., 1886. 
 
 2. Give an account of the way in which Matthi^is was chosen to be an ^ 
 Apobtle.— C. L. J., 1887. 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 1. Give an outline of Peter's speech on the day of Pentecost. How docs \fC 
 he .'how that David in the Psalms " spake of the Resurrection of Christ ? " — 
 
 C. L. J., 1883. 
 
 2. What words of prophecy were quoted by Peter on the day of Ptuteco?t ? 
 IIo V did he expbin their fulfilment ? — C. L. J., 1885. 
 
 V CO 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 J. Describe the healing of the lame man. What were the immediate j. 
 isequences of it ? — O. L. J., 1888. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 I. "Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John." How and 
 under \\hat circumstances was this boldness shown ? — C. L. J., 1887. 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 I. What was the nature of the sin of Ananias and Sapphira ? — O. L. S., 
 1884.
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 I. AVliat led to the appointment of the seven deacons ? What is the menn- 
 ing of the word deacon ? — C. L. J., 1887. 
 
 CHAPTER Vn. 
 
 1. Trace the argument of Stephen's speech, and state the successive steps 
 by which the Gentiles were admitted to full membeiship in the Christian 
 Church.— O, L. S., 1883. 
 
 2. "Who have received the Law by the disposition of angels ?" Where do 
 these words occur in the Acts, and where does a similar expicbsion occur else- 
 where in the New Testament ? Explain the meaning of the words in both 
 passages. — O. L. J., 1884. 
 
 3. To what charges was Stephen's speech an answer } Show in what way 
 he met the charger.— O. L. S., 1884. 
 
 4. What were the charges brought against Ste]>hen .^ Quote that part of 
 his speech which relates to the Temple. — C. L. J., 1883. 
 
 5. What was Stephen trying to prove in his speech } Illustrate your 
 answer by quotations fiom it. — C. L. S., 1S83. 
 
 6. Comment on the difficulties contained in the following words : "Jacob, 
 anJ our fathers, were curled over into Sychcm, and laid in the sepulchre that 
 Abraham bought for a sum of money of the sons of Emmor, the father of 
 Sych-m."— C. L. S., 1883. 
 
 ^ 7. Give exactly Stephen's lat wojd--, and naiTate the circumstances under 
 which he is first mentioned. — C. L. J., 1885. 
 
 8. Relate briefly what we are told about Stephen after he became a 
 deacon.— C. L. J., 1887. 
 
 9. What was the object of Stephen's apology? Why, when his heaiers 
 •'heard these things," were they cut to the heart ? — C. of P. C, 1885. 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 I. Stale the occasions on which Paul's conversion is spoken of in the Acts. 
 -C. of P. C, 1884. 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 1. Give the substance of Peter's speech at the house of Cornelius, and show 
 how the argument diflfers from a speech to a Jewish audience. — O. L. J., 1884. 
 
 2. Give the substance of Peter's address in the house of Cornelius, and his 
 later defence of his proceedings there. — O. L. S., 1888.
 
 122 APPENDIX. 
 
 3. Narrate the circumstances of Peter's vision at Joppa, and explain its 
 meanin;;. — C. L. J., 1883. 
 
 4. Describe the vision by which Peter was taught that he must not despise 
 the Gentiles. How was he at once called upon to apply the lesson ? — 
 C. L. J., 1887. 
 
 CHAPTER XH. 
 
 1. Which of the Apostles was put to death by " Herod the King " ? How 
 did this Herod come to be a king; and of what district was he king? 
 Why did he put Peter in prison ?— C. L. J., 1887. 
 
 2. Relate the circumstances that led to Peter's imprisonment. — C. of P., 
 M. 1886. 
 
 EXPLANATIONS. 
 
 1. Explain — " The baptism of John." 
 
 " The Tabernacle of Witness." 
 
 *' This way." 1 
 
 " The respecter of persons." — O. L. J., 1886. 
 
 2. Explain the words : — "Pentecost," " Captain of the Temple," " Syna- jk 
 gogue," "Suborned," " Jilinistry ; " and quote for each term a passage in 
 which it occurs. — C. L. J., 1887. 
 
 PLACES. 
 
 1. Give short notices of the following places : — Lydda, Cyprus. — O. L. J., VV 
 1884. ^ 
 
 2. Where are the following places, and what events are mentioned in the 
 Acts as liappening there : — Jrppa, The Mount of Olives, Cypius, Caesarea .?— \/ 
 O. L, J., 1888. 
 
 3. Describe by map or otherwise the situation of Antioch, Chanan, 
 Damascus, Joppa, Taisus: and say briefly how they are mentioned in Acts 
 i._xii._C. L. J., 1885. 
 
 4. Where are Antioch, Azotus, Csesarea, Damascus, Joppa .' In connection / 
 with what persons or incidents are they mentioned in Acts i.—xii. .'' — C. L. J,, 
 188-. 
 
 BIOGEAPHY. 
 
 1. "WHiat do you know of the following: — u^ineas and Theudas .? — O. L. S., 
 1881. 
 
 2. Give short notices of the following persons :— Candace, Gamaliel, 
 Blastus.— O. L. J., 1884.
 
 APPENDIX. 123 
 
 3. Tell shoitly what you know of Cornelius, James the Son of Zebedee, ». 
 y Gamaliel, Agabus.— O. L. S., 1884. 
 
 4. "What do you know ofiEncas, Agabus, Gamaliel, Nicolas? — O. L. J.,^/ 
 1886. 
 
 y AVhat do you know about Agabus, Gamaliel, Nicolis, Phiiip ?— O. L. S , 
 1886. 
 
 6. AVhnt is said cf Philip the Deacon, Blastus, Simon Magus, Thcudas, 
 in Acts i.— xii. ?— O. L. J., 1888. 
 
 7. "What is recorded in Acts i. — xii. of the life of Barnabas and of Saul ? 
 -C. L. J., 1883. 
 
 8. State shortly what you know of the following : — Gamaliel, Simon ^Ia[,us, 
 Herod the King.-C. L. S., 1883. 
 
 9. "Barnabas took him and brought him to the Apostles." To whr.t dees 
 this refer ? "What is said of the character of Barnabas, and of his history 
 before he was called to be an Apostle .''— C. L. J., 1885. 
 
 10. Give an account of the following names : — Simon of Samaiia, Tabiiha. 
 C. of P., M. 1882. 
 
 ir. Who were Ananias (both of this name) .?— C. of P., C. 1889. 
 
 CONTEXT. 
 
 t. Explain, by reference to the circumslauces under which it was spoken, 
 the following : — 
 
 " God is no respecter of persons." — O. L. S., 1883. 
 
 2. Mention the context of the following and explain briefly : — ^ 
 
 " Cloven tongues like as of fire." 
 
 " There arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the PIcLrews." 
 
 " I will carry you away beyond Babylon." 
 
 " God is no respecter of persons." — O. L. J., 1884. 
 
 3. Give the context and explanation of: — 
 
 " Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through 
 Jesus the resurrection from the dead." 
 *' Then said they, It is his angel." 
 "Their widows were neglected in the daily ministration." — 
 
 O. L. S., 1S86. 
 
 4. What is the meaning of the following phrases, and in what connect'ons 
 are Ihey used } — 
 
 " Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel "^ " 
 
 " The lot fell upon Matthias." 
 
 " Their country was nourished by the king's countiy." — O. L. J., 1888.
 
 124. APPENDIX. 
 
 5. Explain with reference to the context in which the words are used i^ 
 
 " The promise of the Father." V J 
 
 " When he had said this, he fell asleep." ^^ , / 
 
 "It is his angel." / (^ ^ 
 
 " He departed to Tarsus, for to seek S:iul."— O. L. S., 1S88. \ 
 
 6. Explain the following pissages, and stale in what connection they 
 o:cur : — 
 
 " His bishoprick let another take." 
 
 " After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the da} s of the taxing." 
 " There arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews."— 
 
 C. L. J., 1883. 
 
 7. By whom and under what circumstances were the following passages 
 spoken .' — 
 
 " Silver and gold have I none." 
 
 " Understandest thou what thou readest ? " 
 
 " It is the voice of a god, and not of a man."— C. L. J., 1883. 
 
 8. Comment on the following passages, stating where they occur : — 
 
 " The Lord added to the Church daily such as should be saved." 
 
 " Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived 
 that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled." 
 
 " Which also our Others that came after brought in with Jesus into the 
 possession of the Gentiles." 
 
 " It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks." 
 
 "They desired peace; because their countiy was nourished by the 
 king's country." — C. L. S., 1883. 
 
 9. In what connection do the following passages occur in the Acts ? — 
 
 " Understandest thou what thou readest ? " 
 
 " God is no respecter of persons. "^C. L. J., 1885. 
 
 10. Explain the meaning of the following pa'sngcs, and slate the connec- 
 tion in which they are found : — ■ 
 
 " The gate of the Temple which is called Beautiful." 
 " Which also our fathers that came after brought in v\ ith Jesus in'.o 
 the possession of the Gentiles." 
 
 " It is the voice of a god, and not of a man." — C. L. J., 1S87. 
 
 I r. To what does the following passage refer ? — 
 " It is his angel."— C. of P., M. 1883. 
 
 12. Explain briefly the following passage, and state to what it refeis : — • 
 
 "What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common." — • 
 
 C. of P., C. 1883, 
 
 13. To what does the following refer : — 
 
 " Loid, lay not this sin to their charge." — C. of P., IM. 1884,
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 125 
 
 14. To what does the following passage refer ? Complete the quotation : — 
 " I perceive that God is no respecter of persons." — C. of P., C. 1884. 
 
 15. Give the context and the occasion of the following passages : — 
 y ' " Ye denied the Holy One and the Just." 
 
 "Cast thy garment about thee." — C. of P., M. 1885. 
 
 ^' Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this } " — C. of P., C. 18S5. 
 
 " It is but the third hour of the day." 
 
 "Full of good works and alms-deeds." — C. of P., ^I. 1886. 
 
 " He was numbered with us.*' 
 
 "Of whom speaketh the prophet this?"— C. of P., C. 1886. 
 
 16. Explain the following passages : — 
 
 "Thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with 
 money."— C. of P., C. 1887. 
 
 "Thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God." 
 
 "What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common." — 
 
 C. of P., M. 1888, 
 
 " It is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or 
 come into one of another nation." — C. of-P., C. 1888. 
 
 "If this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nounht." 
 
 C. of P., C. 1889. 
 
 17. " Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover, 
 also, my flesh shall rest in hope." Coinplete the passage. By whom were 
 these words quoted in the Acts, from what book of the Old Testament, and 
 for what purpose ? — O. L. J., 1886. 
 
 18. "Yea, ye took up the tabernacle of Moloch, and the star of your god 
 Remphan, figures which ye made to worship them : and I will carry you 
 away beyond Babylon." Whence is this quoted, and with what differences 
 from the original in our version ? — O. L. S., 1886. 
 
 GENEEAL aUESTIONS 
 
 1 . What events in Peter's life are recorded in the Acts of the Apostles ? 
 
 O. L. S., 1882. 
 
 2. Show how far our Lord's directions, as to the order in which the Gospel 
 should be preached, were carried out by the Apostles. — O. L. J., 1884. 
 
 3. Write an account of Paul, from his conversion to his fir^t mission:.ry 
 journey. — O. L. J., 1884. 
 
 4. What special point of doctrine respecting the Lord did the first pi caching 
 of the Apostles chiefly dwell upon ? Give quotations in your answer. — 
 O. L. S., 1884. 
 
 5. What persecutions of the Church are recorded in these chapters? By 
 what class of opponents were they raised.'* — O. L. S., 1884.
 
 126 APPENDIX. 
 
 6. What answers to prayer are recorded in these chapters ? — 0. L. S., 1884. 
 
 7. Give instances of baptism recorded in these chapters. — O. L. J., 1886. 
 
 8. What is said about the Holy Ghost in these chapters ? — O. L. J., 1886. 
 
 9. Trace the spread of the Gospel and the increase in the number of the 
 disciples recorded in Acts i.-xii. — O. L. J., 1886. 
 
 10. What proofs are found in the Acts of the writer's acquaintance with 
 Jewish customs and localities ? — O. L. S., 1886. 
 
 11. What appearances of angels are mentioned in the hrst twelve chapters 
 of the Acts ?— O. L. J., 1888, 
 
 12. Give some account of the writer of the Acts, and his object in writing. 
 — O. L. S., 1888. 
 
 13. What church officials are mentioned iu the fir^t part of the Acts of the 
 A postlcs ? Can you gather anything from the early chapters of the book as 
 to the organization of the Early Christian community, and the routine of its 
 religious life .?—0. L. S., 1888. 
 
 14. INIention some of the chief Old Testament prophecies that aie declared 
 in the first twelve chapters of the Acts to have been fultilled by Christ and His 
 work.— O. L. S., 1888. 
 
 15. "Ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem and in all Judsea, 
 and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." Trace the 
 gradual fulfilment of these words in the period of time embraced by Acts i.-xii. 
 To what fact did the Apostles bear special witness, and why ? — C. L. S., 1883. 
 
 16. Who are the chief persecutors of the disciples of Jesus, mentioned in 
 the Acts i.-xii. .-' For what reasons did they persecute them ? By what 
 names are the disciples called ? On what occasions are the Grecians men- 
 tioned, and what do you understand by the word ? — C. L. S., 18S3. 
 
 17. Give as nearly as you can the dates of the events recorded in (i) Acts i., 
 an 1 (2) Acts xii. How are these dates determined ? — C. L. S., 1883. 
 
 i3. Show from the early history in the Acts that the Apostles constantly 
 b re witness to the Resurrection. — C. L. J., 1885. 
 
 19. Mention the different occasions on which we read (in Acts i.-xii.) about 
 the baptism of one person, or of a number of persons. — C. L. J., 18S7. 
 
 20. What were Luke's objects in writing the book of the Acts ? — 
 
 C.ofP., M. 1885. 
 
 21. Give briefly the "acts" of Peter as nan-ated in the Acts of the 
 Apostles.— C. of P., M. 188- 
 
 22. Give briefly the " acts of Barnabas, as related in the Acts of the 
 Apostles.— C. of P., C. 1887. 
 
 23. What do you know of the family of Heiod the Great ?—C. of P., M. 1888,
 
 APPENDIX. 12; 
 
 COLLEGE OF PRECEPTORS. 
 
 Midsummer^ 1890. 
 
 "Who were the following ? — Cyrenius, Caiaphas, Chuza, " the Grecians," 
 Simon Magus, Herod Agrippa. 
 Explain the following : — 
 
 " What God hath cleanseJ, that call thou not common." 
 
 CAMBRIDGE LOCAL EXAMINATION. 
 
 1890. 
 
 Junior. 
 
 A. 
 
 r. "Ye shall be witness«?5 unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and 
 in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth," Show, very briefly, 
 how this Older in preaching the Gospel was observed. 
 
 2. Quote the words of Peter : — 
 
 (a) When commanded not to teach in the name of Jesus. 
 (J) To Ananias after his false assertion. 
 
 3. Explain the words printed in italics in the following passages : — 
 
 (rt) " The Lord added to the Church daily such as should he savedP 
 {b) " He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day." 
 Plow arc these passages lendered in the Revised Version } 
 
 B. 
 
 1. (a) What were the several charges brought against Stephen } 
 
 From what Christian doctrines might they have originated } 
 
 {b) What was the substance of the teaching of Saul at Damascus } 
 
 2. Narrate the story of Simon lilagus. 
 
 3. In what connection do the following passages occur : — 
 
 {a) " A prophet shall the Loid your God raise up unto you of your 
 brethren." 
 
 {b) " Understandest thou what thou readest }" 
 
 C. 
 
 1. What is recorded of Barnabas in Acts i.-xii. } 
 
 2. Explain — "they that were of the circumcision." State biiefly Peter's 
 reply to the charge of eating with men uncircumcised. 
 
 3. Explain — "the synagogue of the Libertines," "the Grecians," "the 
 Italian band."
 
 128 APPENDIX. 
 
 OXFORD LOCAL EXAMINATION. 
 
 Midsicinine)', 1890. 
 
 Junior. 
 
 1. Quote the Preface to the Acts of the Apostles. What evidence does it 
 afford as to the authorship ? 
 
 2. "What is the main drift of Stephen's speech ? Mention the circumstances 
 of his martyrdom. 
 
 3. What is told in these chapters of Gamaliel, Ananias of Damascus, Bar- 
 nabas and Agabus ? 
 
 • 4. Give, as nearly as you can, in the words of Scripture, either — 
 (i) The conversion of St. Paul; or, 
 (2) The release of Peter from the prison in Jerusalem. 
 
 5. Collect the references to the Holy Spirit in Acts i.-xii. 
 
 6. Explain the following, and refer in each case to the context ; — 
 
 (i) " Sirs, ye are brethren." 
 
 (2) " What was I that I could withstand God .?" 
 
 (3) " And now. Lord, behold their threatenings." 
 
 (4) " The times of refreshing." 
 
 (5) " This man is the great power of God," 
 
 Senior. 
 
 r. " Ye shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judjea, and 
 Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." Show how this com- 
 mand of our Lord was fulfilled. 
 
 2. What were the two charges brought against Stephen .' Show accurately 
 how his speech answered them. 
 
 3. Give the context of the following passages, and explain them : — 
 
 " After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing." 
 
 " Ye took up the tabernacle of Moloch." 
 
 " This man is the great power of God." 
 
 " It is the voice of a God, and not of a man." 
 
 " Lord, wilt thou at this time restore the kingdom to Israel .'' " 
 
 4. What are the events in the life of Peter recorded in this part of the Acts ? 
 
 5. Explain terms: — "Solomon's porch," " Akcldama," "Italian band," 
 " serving tables," " Pentecost." 
 
 6. In what connection do the names — Barnabas, Barsabas, Gamaliel, 
 Agabu-, Rhoda occur ? 
 
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