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CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE OF THE GOSPEL HISTORY.

SECT.

CONTENTS.

37. Healing of a withered hand on the sabbath. The Pharisees begin to plot his destruction.-Galilee...

38. Jesus withdraws to the Sea of Galilee, and is followed by great multitudes from the surrounding country. He heals many.. 39. He retires to the mountain region, and chooses the twelve apostles; the people follow him.-Near Capernaum

40. The sermon on the mount ...

41. Healing of a Roman centurion's servant.-Capernaum..

42. Jesus raises a widow's son at Nain. His fame spreads through

all the country

43. Mission of inquiry from John the Baptist in prison.-Galilee.. 44. Jesus upbraids the inhabitants of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum for their unbelief..

45. At a Pharisee's house, Jesus is anointed by a penitent woman 46. He heals a blind and dumb demoniac; the scribes and Pharisees charge him with being in league with Satan

47. His remarks upon their demand of a sign

48. His reply when told that his mother and brethren were seeking him

49. At a Pharisee's table, he exposes the hypocrisy of the Pharisees and scribes

50. He warns against hypocrisy, covetousness and unwatchfulness; and reproves for blindness to the signs of the times.

51. His discourse when told of the slaughter of certain Galileans.
Parable of the barren fig-tree...

52. A great multitude collect around him; and he addresses them
out of a boat on the lake. Parable of the sower
53. Other parables: The tares, the grain of mustard seed, the
leaven, the hidden treasure, the pearl of great price, and the
net cast into the sea

54. Jesus crosses the lake with his disciples, and stills a storm....
55. Two demoniacs at Gadara.-South-east coast of Sea of Galilee
56. Feast at Levi's house; discourse respecting association with
publicans

57. Question of John's disciples respecting fasting, and our Lord's reply

....

58. Raising of Jairus's daughter; healing of a woman with an issue of blood

59. Two blind men healed, and a dumb demon cast out.-Capernaum (?)

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9.27-34
13. 54-58

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10. 1,5-42
11. 1

6.7-13

8. 1-3
(see note 4.)
9.1-6

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60. Jesus visits Nazareth, teaches in the synagogue, and is rejected there

61. Jesus makes a second circuit in Galilee, teaching and healing 9. 35-38

62. He sends forth the twelve apostles..

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€3. Herod, hearing of Jesus, supposes him to be John the Baptist,
whom he has just beheaded. Account of John's death...
64. The twelve return to Jesus; he retires with them to a desert
place on the other side of the Sea of Galilee; a great multitude
follow him, whom he teaches; he feeds five thousand
65. He sends the disciples away across the Lake, and at night comes
to them walking upon the water; he goes to Gennesaret, and
many resort to him

66. The multitude who had been miraculously fed seek Jesus, and
find him at Capernaum; he teaches in the synagogue; many
disciples are offended and leave him, Peter's confession ....
PART V.-FROM THE THIRD PASSOVER UNTIL OUR LORD'S
ARRIVAL AT BETHANY, SIX DAYS BEFORE THE FOURTH.
TIME: One year, less one week.

67. Pharisees and Scribes from Jerusalem object to the neglect of the tradition of the elders as to washing hands; our Lord's reply.-Capernaum

68. Jesus goes northward to the region of Tyre and Sidon. A Syrophenician woman obtains deliverance for her daughter.. 69. He returns through Decapolis to the mountain region near the Sea of Galilee: great multitudes follow him; he heals many, and feeds four thousand

70. He sends away the people, and crosses the lake to Dalmanutha. The Pharisees and Sadducees again require a sign

71. He again crosses the lake. The disciples cautioned against the leaven of the Pharisees, etc..

72. A blind man healed.-Bethsaida (Julias)

73. Jesus goes to the region of Caesarea Philippi. Peter and the other disciples again profess their faith in him

74. He foretells his own death and resurrection, and the trials of his followers.-Region of Caesarea Philippi..

75. His transfiguration and subsequent discourse

76. Casting out of a demon which the disciples could not cast out

(3) Robinson places Luke ch, iv.16-20 in Section 27; assuming two different visits to Nazareth; but as Luke's narrative, in ver. 23, implies that Jesus had lived for some time in Capernaum, and had wrought many miracles there, before this visit to Nazareth, it appears more probable that the three narratives all refer to the same event.

14. 1-12

14. 22-36

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SECT.

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77. Jesus again foretells his death and resurrection.-Galilee
78. The tribute-money miraculously provided.-Capernaum
79. The disciples contend who shall be the greatest: Jesus exhorts
to humility, self-denial, and a forgiving spirit..

80. The sending forth of the seventy evangelists-Samaria
81. Jesus finally leaves Galilee, going up to the Feast of Tabernacles
at Jerusalem. A Samaritan village refuses to receive him
(see note 5)..

82. Ten lepers cleansed.-Samaria (?)...

83. Jesus at Jerusalem at the Feast of Tabernacles (about six months after the third Passover). He teaches in the temple; the people are divided in opinion respecting him; the rulers attempt to seize him

84. His judgment is asked on an adulteress.-Jerusalem..

85. Jesus teaching in the temple, declares himself to be the Light
of the world, and asserts his Divine pre-existence; the Jews
seek to stone him

86. Reply to a lawyer's question; parable of the good Samaritan..
87. Jesus at the house of Martha and Mary.-Bethany...
88. The disciples again taught how to pray.-Near Jerusalem
89. The seventy return, having accomplished their mission
90. A man born blind is healed on the sabbath. Questions and
objections. Discourse concerning true and false teachers
and leaders; controversy among the people respecting Jesus.
-Jerusalem...

91. Jesus at Jerusalem at the Festival of Dedication (about three
months after the Feast of Tabernacles: sect. 83). Teaching in
the temple, he asserts his oneness with the Father; the Jews
charge him with blasphemy, and seek to seize him; he retires
beyond the Jordan, and many resort to him

92. He is informed of the sickness of Lazarus, goes to Bethany, and raises Lazarus from the grave

93. Many believe on him, and the Sanhedrim determine to put him to death; he retires with his disciples to Ephraim near the desert..

94. He goes to Judæa, and to the other side of the Jordan, and is followed by multitudes; heals an infirm woman on the sabbath 95. He goes through Perea towards Jerusalem: some Pharisees warn him to escape from Herod's jurisdiction ....

96. He dines with a chief Pharisee on the sabbath, and addresses
the guests; parable of the great supper..

97. He teaches the multitude what is required of true disciples
98. Many publicans and sinners flock to him: the Pharisees mur-
mur. Parables: The lost sheep, the lost piece of silver, and
the prodigal son..

99. Parable of the unjust steward

100. The Pharisees reproved. Parable of the rich man and Lazarus 101. Jesus inculcates forbearance, faith, and humility

102. Reply to the Pharisees concerning the coming of the kingdom of God.

103. Parables: the importunate widow, and the Pharisee and publican

104. Precepts respecting divorce..

105. Jesus receives and blesses little children

106. The rich young ruler who rejected the terms of discipleship. Parable of the labourers in the vineyard

107. On the way to Jerusalem, Jesus a third time foretells his sufferings, death, and resurrection

108. Ambitious request of James and John, and our Lord's discourse thereupon

109. Healing of two blind men near Jericho

110. Visit to Zaccheus―Jericho....

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111. On coming near Jerusalem, he corrects the false expectations of his followers by the parable of a nobleman going to a far country and entrusting ten servants with ten pounds...

112. Jesus is expected at Jerusalem at the Passover, and the rulers
lay wait for him; he arrives at Bethany six days before the
Passover, and many come to him there...

PART VI.-THE LAST PASSOVER WEEK.
TIME: Seven days.

17. 24-27

MATT.

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113. First day of the week. Jesus enters Jerusalem, attended by a 21. 1-11 great multitude; at night he returns to Bethany

114. Second day of the week. He goes into Jerusalem; on his way,

curses the barren fig-tree; expels the traders from the temple; and in the evening again returns to Bethany

115. Third day of the week. He again goes into the city in the morning, passing by the withered fig-tree..

116. He teaches in the temple; the Jewish rulers seek his destruction, but fear the people; they challenge his authority; parables of the two sons, and the vineyard let out to husbandmen

(3) Some would place the passages in the Gospel of John from ch. vii. 2 to ch, xi. 54 between sections 70 and 71. They think that the events there related occurred before Jesus finally left Galilee; and that, probably, after the raising of Lazarus, and the retreat to Ephraim near the desert, he led his disciples northwards, and in the quiet retirement of Caesarea Philippi gave them the

21. 12, 13
18, 19

10.25-37
10. 38-42
11. 1-13

10. 17-24

13.10-21

13. 22-35

14. 1-24
14. 25-95

15. 1-32

16. 1-13

16. 14-31

17. 1-10

17.20-37

18. 1-14

18. 15-17
18. 18-30 |

18. 31-34

18.35
19. 1
19.2-10

19.11-28

7.11-53 8.3-11

8.13-59

9.1-41 141-2

10.23-42

11 1

11.4-54

11.55-57 12. 1,9-11:

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CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE OF THE GOSPEL HISTORY.

ст.

CONTENTS.

7. Parable of the marriage feast

3. Question of the Pharisees and Herodians concerning payment
of tribute to Cæsar

). Question of the Sadducees respecting the resurrection...
1. A lawyer questions Jesus; his reply concerning the two great
commandments..

L. His question respecting the Messiah's parentage
Warnings against the example of the scribes and Pharisees
Commendation of a widow's offering...

Some Gentile proselytes desire to see Jesus; he announces his
approaching sufferings and future glory..

Jesus finally leaves the temple; and on the mount of Olives, on
his way to Bethany, foretells its destruction, and the over-
throw of the Jewish state

He proceeds to speak of his future coming to judgment.
Parables of the ten virgins, and the five talents..
Fourth day of the week (beginning at sunset). The rulers con-
spire to seize Jesus secretly and put him to death. At a supper
at Bethany, he is anointed by Mary. Judas makes his compact
with the chief priests; Jesus remaining at Bethany this day
Fifth day of the week. Jesus sends two disciples into the city
to make preparation for the Passover, and follows them with
the rest of his disciples in the afternoon

.Sixth day of the week (beginning at sunset). He celebrates the
paschal supper with the twelve. They contend who shall be
the greatest

Jesus washes his disciples' feet..

He foretells his betrayal, and points out the traitor; Judas withdraws....

He foretells the fall of Peter, and the dispersion of the twelve . He institutes the Lord's supper.. ..........................(1 Cor. 11. 23-25) His valedictory address to his disciples, and intercessory prayer

His agony in Gethsemane

His betrayal and apprehension

He is brought before the high priest in the night. Peter thrice denies him ....

In the morning, he is brought before the high priest and the council; he declares himself to be the Christ; is condemned and mocked..

The chief priests and rulers take him before Pilate, to obtain
his crucifixion

Pilate pronounces him innocent, but sends him to Herod, and
Herod sends him back to Pilate.

Pilate seeks to release him; the Jews demand the release of
Barabbas and the crucifixion of Jesus: he is scourged and
mocked; the Jews accuse him of claiming to be the Son of God
and making himself a king, and obtain a sentence of death..
Judas repents and hangs himself
Jesus is led away to be crucified
The crucifixion..

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(Acts 1. 18, 19)

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Jesus expires on the cross. The supernatural signs which
accompanied his death; and the centurion's testimony..
The taking down of the body from the cross; the embalmment,
and burial

Seventh day of the week. The guard set at the sepulchre......
PART VII.-OUR LORD'S RESURRECTION, HIS SUBSEQUENT
APPEARANCES TO HIS DISCIPLES, AND HIS ASCENSION.
TIME: Forty days.

First day of the week. The resurrection at early dawn.—Jeru-
salem
The women go to the sepulchre to complete the embalmment:
they find the sepulchre open and the body absent; Mary
Magdalene returns to the city to tell Peter and John.
The other women remaining at the sepulchre see two angels,
who announce to them the Lord's resurrection, and tell them
to carry the tidings to his disciples ...

The women return to the city, and on the way Jesus meets them
Peter and John go to the sepulchre, which they find empty.
Mary Magdalene, having returned to the sepulchre, sees the
Lord, and receives a message to his disciples
Report of the guard on returning into the city.
Jesus is seen by Peter; then by two disciples on the way to
Funnaus
....(1 Cor. 15. 5)
Evening following the first day of the week. He appears to the
eleven apostles, Thomas being absent.. ...(1 Cor. 15.5)
Evening following the first day of the next week. He appears
to them again, Thomas being present...
The apostles having gone to Galilee, Jesus shows himself to
nine of them at the Sea of Tiberias..
He meets five hundred on a mountain in Galilee..(1 Cor. 15. 6)
He is seen by James, and then by all the apostles.-Jerusalem.
(Acts 1. 3-8; 1 Cor. 15. 7)
(Acts 1. 9—12)

He ascends into heaven.-Bethany ....

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HISTORICAL EPITOME-PART III. APOSTOLIC HISTORY.

A.D.

BY THE REV. P. THOMSON, M.A., AND THE EDITOR.

+ The bracketed dates are the revised dates of the Chronological Summary of Bible History.

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THE Apostles awaiting in Jerusalem the Comforter's mission, elect Matthias by lot to Judas apostleship, and to bear witness to Jesus' resurrection. On the 10th day after the Ascension and 50th (Pentecost) after the Resurrection, Jerusalem being full of pilgrims attending the Feast of Firstfruits (or Weeks, see Calendar), the Holy Spirit descends about the time d morning sacrifice in tongues of fire, distributing themselves (not 'cioven", as A. V on the assembled Apostles and disciples, and causes them to magnify God by ecstatic utterances in foreign languages (cp. ch. 11. 15 & 19. 6).

Peter, addressing the Jews and foreign proselytes collected by the news, declares this to be the outpouring of God's Spirit predicted by Joel for the Messianic time ("the lost days”, v.27 and proves from this fact and from Jesus' resurrection (foretold in Ps. 16, and attested as a fact by the Apostles) that he must have been the Messiah. 3000 hearers are baptized. Suppor.ed by's gns, the Church grows daily in numbers, devotion, and popularity.

Peter and John heal a well-known cripple at the Beautiful Gate of the Temple. To the astonished worshippers assembled in Solomon's porch, Peter explains that faith in Jesus as the Christ caused the cure. He appeals to them as heirs of the promises to accept Christ as the fulfilment, and to repent His rejection and murder (see ch. 4. 12). The church now numbers 500, The Sadducees, who said there was no resurrection, fearing the Apostles' influence with the people, bring Peter and John and the healed beggar before the Sanhedrin, and demand by what magic the miracle was done. Peter repeats his statement made in the Temple, and both refuse to be silenced, and thus to obey man rather than God. The Apostles pray for boldness under opposition, and are answered by the descent of the Holy Ghost during an earthquake.

The wealthier converts, esp. Joseph surnamed Barnabas (son of counsel or ecrisolatio, G., of prophecy, Heb.), a Levite of Cyprus, contribute to a common fund, which the Apostles distribute, partly in daily meals. Ananias and Sapphira contributing part as the whole, and proceeding to falsehood, are successively struck dead. This and other great miracles attest the Apostles' teaching. Converts multiply and meet daily in Solomon's porch.

The Sadducees imprison the 12 Apostles, untried; but being miraculously released, the Apostles resume at daybreak their teaching in the Temple. They are brought before the Sanhedrin and civil body of elders (cp. Acts 22. 5), and are accused of trying to fix the gulit of Jesus blood on the nation (see Mat. 27. 25). They reassert Jesus' resurrection. The moderation of Gamaliel, chief of the Pharisees, saves their lives; but they are beaten with rods and discharged The Apostles, rejoicing to suffer for Christ, preach unceasingly in the Temple and privately. To appease discontent among the Greek-speaking i.e. foreign Jews (* Grecians"), the Apostles invite the Church to choose 7 deacons, whom they ordain to distribute alms and food ("serve tables"). The Apostles devote themselves to preaching and prayer. Even priests believe.

The miracles and inspiration of the deacon Stephen prove irresistible. His opponents, viz Libertines (1), Jews of Africa. proconsular Asia (2), and Saul's province Cilicia (3), accuse him uy suborned witnesses before the Sanhedrin of blasphemy against Moses and God, the Temple and Law. In his defence, Stephen reviews Jewish history to shew that God's presence was never confined to Canaan and the Temple : reminds his hearers that Moses himself foretold the missica? of another Prophet typified by himself, and that the prophets foretold the coming of the 'Just One', while the Jewish nation, by unbelief and apostacy had ever opposed the development of | God's purposes; so that the rejection and murder of Christ was but in accord with its whole history. Enraged by the charge that neither they nor their fathers had kept the Law WİKİ they professed themselves so zealous to defend, they interrupt and stone Stephen.

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Saul, a Cilician Pharisee and pupil of Gamaliel (? a member of the Sanhedrin, possibly as a Scribe'), was most prominent (after the witnesses, see Deut. 17. 7) at the mante dom-and in the first gencral persecution which followed. Only the Apostles remain at Jerusslem. The dispersed Christians carry the Gospel to Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch (51 Philip, another deacon, evangelises Samaria long infatuated by Simon Magus' pretensions to divinity supported by magic (one of the false Christs, v. 10). Miracles attest Phimp's mission. The converts receive the Holy Ghost upon the prayers of Peter and John, who are sent from Jerusalem and continue Philip's work. Simon desiring to buy the Apostics" mysterious power. Peter exposes the hollowness of his conversion.-Philip, sent by an arct, toward Gaza, converts and baptizes an Ethiopian proselyte, Q. Candace's treasurer, and preaches in the cities of Philistia, from Azotus (Ashdod) to Casarea (where he is residing, ch. 21. st Pontius Pilate, accused by the Jews of tyranny and cruelty, is sent prisoner to Rome br Vitellius prefect of Syria, who reduces the Jewish taxes, and depesing Coinplas (whom Valerius Gratus the procurator had appointed, A.D. 25) makes Jonathan high priest. Tiberius dies. CALIGULA made Emperor. Vitellius abandons the defence of Herod Antipas against Aretas his father-in-law, king of Petra ie. Nabathwan Arabia, (whose daughter li. Antipas had divorced to marry Herodias his half-brother Philip's wife: cp. Mat. 14.

Saul obtains powers to bring any converts in Damascus-now held by dretas, K. of Arabiabefore the Sanhedrin at Jerusalem. On the way, he is miraculously stopped, has a vision et Jesus (v. 17; cp. 1 Cor. 9. 1 & 15. 8), and is blinded by His glory. He awaits God's bidding in Damascus. After 3 days of abstinence and prayer, Saul's sight is restored through Ananias 1 Jewish convert (ch. 22. 12) of Damascus, according to visions vouchsafed to both. Saul is hap

(1) Libertines, i.e. Freedmen, prob, descendants of Jewish captives [B.C. 63, &c.] freed by Roman masters, having a synagvene as a clam apart. (2) Roman Asia, i.e. Mysia, Caria, Lydia (3) Ronian Cilicia, i.e. Cilicia. Lycia. Pamphylia. Piodia. Traits capital o R.Cydnus (a free city', te. governed by its own elected magistrates, cp. Acts 17.6 & 19, 19, was the university (rd only to Alexandra ara Athens) of Aratus (quoted Acts 17 ) and other prominent Stores; possibly of SS. Earnabas and Luke. Gilcreme, constar 6-k ing and tent cloth, is yet its staple (cp. Acts 18. 3).(4) Gare my voice, Gk, pere, our weighs the objection, that if a Sanrørst, & filĮ must have been marriet (prob, a widower: cp. 1 Cor. 9.5)--(5) ANTIOCH, on R. Orontes, the cradle and metropolis of Gentile Christm capital of the Greek kingdom and Roman province of Syria, and the emporium of the East; a free city, with a Jewish colony.

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A.D.

37. [39.]

Acts 9. 18.

Gal. 1. 15-17.

Acts 9. 23.

26.

Acts 22. 17-21.

Acts 9. 30.

PART III-APOSTOLIC HISTORY.

tized, and immediately preaches in the synagogues the faith he came to destroy; but soon retires into Arabia', i.e. the solitary region S. of Damascus, apparently for communion with God.

The Jews of Damascus, unable to answer Saul on his return with increased strength, threaten his life (aided by Aretas' garrison, 2 Cor. 11. 32); let down the wall, he escapes to Jerusalem, 3 years after his conversion, to see Peter. His conversion being mistrusted, Barnabas introduces him to Peter and James the Lord's brother'. He stays 15 days with Peter (Gal. 1. 18-20). Saul praying in the Temple falls into a trance, and receives from Christ Himself his commission to the Gentiles; and is bidden to leave Jerusalem, because the Jews had rejected his message. At the same time, the Grecians (foreign Jews) are conspiring to kill him; aided by the brethren, he escapes through Cæsarea to Tarsus, apparently settling there for 6-7 years, in which he probably evangelized Syria and Cilicia (Gal. 1.21-24). The Church prospers unpersecuted-as if the Jews' attention diverted by Caligula's attempt to desccrate the Temple with his image; Caligula's death alone averts a rebellion. CLAUDIUS Emperor (mainly through H. Agrippa I.), A.D. 41. Gospel preached to the Gentiles (the uncircumcision'). Peter, during a circuit of Judæa, Galilee, and Samaria, cures Eneas of palsy at Lydda, and restores Tabitha (Dorcas) to life at Joppa. There, while Peter ponders the vision of the sheet, messengers from Cornelius the Rocp. Luke 21. 47. man centurion, an uncircumcised worshipper of the true God, summon him to Cæsarea, pur

38. 41.

32.

Acts 10. 1.

[43.]

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45.

46.

59.

[51.] 51. [50.] 52.

25.

Jos. Ant. 18. 6,7.

Acts 12. 1.

7.

20.

25.

Acts 13. 1.

6.

13.

45. Acts 14. 1.

8-19

2 Cor. 11. 25. Acts 14. 20.

Jos. Ant. 20, 5, 3.

Acts 15. 1.

Gal. 2. 1-10.

suant to another vision. Going at the Spirit's bidding, and hearing Cornelius' vision, Peter recognises the call to preach to Gentiles (ch. 15. 7). In presence of Peter and his 6 companions, the Holy Ghost descends on Cornelius and his assembled friends in the gift of tongues (ch. 11. 15 & cp. 19. 6), and Peter authorises the baptism of these firstfruits of the Gentiles. Returning to Jerusalem, he is accused by the Jewish converts, jealous for Moses' Law, of breaking it by intercourse with Gentiles; but his narrative convinces them that God had removed the barrier of special Jewish privilege, by accounting all mankind clean through Christ, and inviting all to enter Christ's fold by a saving repentance through the Holy Ghost. About the same time, Jewish converts from Cyprus and Cyrene, exiled from Jerusalem by the persecution following Stephen's death, begin to preach to other Gentiles (for Grecians' read 'Greeks', v. 20) at Antioch in Syria, with great success. Barnabas, deputed from Jerusalem, recognises it as God's work. Fetching Saul from Tarsus (? independent work, Gal. 1. 21-24), they co-operate (1 year), and found the first Gentile Church (Christians), which shows faith and brotherhood by collecting for the believers in Judæa, against the famine foretold by Agabus. HEROD AGRIPPA I., a grandson of the Asmonean princess Mariamne, (made king of II. Philip's, Lysanias' and H. Antipas' tetrarchies by Caligula), who had received Judæa and Samaria, i.e. the rest of the kingdom of his grandfather Herod the Great, from Claudius, courted popularity by lavish benevolence and splendour. A strict Jew, he begins a 2nd persecution by executing James (Zebedee's son), and imprisoning Peter, purposing his execution after the Passover (cp. Matt. 26. 4, 5). Peter is released by an angel on the Church's prayers, and conceals himself. Shortly after, Herod, elated by the submission of Tyre and Sidon, addresses the Caesareans, and, accepting the Jews' impious homage, is stricken with a mysterious disease (like Antiochus Epiphanes, 2 Macc. 9. 5-9); and dies. The famine foretold by Agabus taking place in Claudius' 4th year, Barnabas and Saul visit Jerusalem (St. Paul's 2nd visit) with the collection of the Church in Antioch, and return thither with John Mark. [Paul's rapture, &c., Lewin.] Judæa again passes under Procurators (C. Fadus, A.D. 45).

St. Paul's 1st Missionary Journey (with Barnabas and Mark). Barnabas and Saul sent forth by revelation-[Paul's rapture (2 Cor. 12. 2), followed by the mysterious malady, the thorn in the flesh 'l-leave Antioch's seaport, SELEUCEIA, and preaching first to the Jews in their synagogues, traverse CYPRUS (E. to W.) from SALAMIS to PAPHOS. Here, the pro-consul (deputy') Sergius Paulus is converted, notwithstanding the perverting influence of Barjesus, a Jewish false prophet, self-styled Elymas i.e. the wise man (Arabic) or Magus, who is struck blind. Saul is henceforth called Paul.

They cross into PAMPHYLIA, and from PERGA Mark returns to Jerusalem. They pass the Taurus Range into the wild highlands of PISIDIA and LYCAONIA (cp. ch. 15. 38), even beyond the Roman pale. At ANTIOCH in PISIDIA the Gentiles eagerly believe; but the Jews' jealous opposition obliges Paul and Barnabas to declare their commission to the Gentiles. Expelled, they go to ICONIUM, and after a long stay escape to LYSTRA, where Paul heals a cripple, and the simple people mistake him and Barnabas for Mercurius and Jupiter in human form. (?Timothy, his mother Eunice and grandmother Lois, converted, 2 Tim. 1. 2, 5). Their Jewish persecutors from Antioch and Iconium excite the populace, and Paul is stoned, but revives. Paul and Barnabas depart for DERBE, and found a church there; then retrace their steps, encouraging and organising their new converts, to PERGA. Sailing from ATTALEIA to ANTIOCII, they report a door of faith opened to Gentiles.

Disturbances occur (a) in Judæa-between the Jews, Romans, and Samaritans, (b) in Rome, -by the Jews' attacks on Christians ? (at Chrestus' instigation', Suetonius). Claudius makes the licentious and avaricious Felix (brother of his favourite Pallas, and husband of Herod Agrippa I.'s apostate daughter, Drusilla), procurator of Judæa, and expels the Jews from Rome. At Antioch, Pharisaic converts from Judæa revive the question settled 15 years before in Cornelius' case, and assert that, to be saved, Gentile converts must join the Jewish Church by circumcision. Paul and Barnabas opposing are deputed (by revelation), with Titus and others, to consult the Apostles and Church of Jerusalem upon the controversy. (St. Paul's 3rd visit, 14 years after his conversion, in which he first meets St. John, Gal. 2. 9). In private conference, Paul explains his teaching to the chief Apostles, Peter, James, and John. They approve, and recognise the distinct commissions of Peter and Paul, but urge collections for the poor at Jerusalem on the Gentile churches). The Apostles and elders meet to consider the question, and (advised by James the Lord's brother ') decide that Gentile converts need not be circumcised, thus making the Church formally and avowedly universal (1). But the Gentile converts are warned against those usages forbidden in the Mosaic Law which tended to idolatry, cp. 1 Cor. 8. & 10 (being taught consideration for Jews, who were everywhere reminded in their synagogues (1) The earliest great controversy of the Church was, not whether Gentiles might be admitted at all, but whether they might be (admitted without passing through 'the door' of Judaism. Hence the immense importance of this decision, and the 'joy.

Acts 15. 13.

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