An Introduction To The Study Of The Acts Of The Apostles

AN INTRODUCTION W THE STUDY OF THE ACTs THE APOSTLES BY J. M. STIFLER, D. D, Author of The Apostle to the Romans NEW YORX CHICAGO Fleming H. Revel Company LONDON AND EDINBURGH Entered according to Act of Congress, in the Fleming H. Revell Company, in the office of the Congress at Washington, D. C. PREFACE This is not a commentary. It does not under take to explain the meaning of the words inscribed by Luke. It assumes that their meaning is already sufficiently obvious. Taking the book of Acts as it exists, this work attempts to trace out the course of thought, and to account logically for all that Luke has written. The question continually be fore the author has been, Why was this said The facts are plain. What were they intended to teach This explanation shows in what sense this book is called an Introduction. It is not concerned with the time or place of the writing of the Acts. It touches no questions outside of Lukes document except as that question is directly related to the historical facts given. The author of the book of Acts wrote with a purpose. That purpose is here in sought It has not been thought best to cumber these pages with learned notes and references, lest the book prove more difficult than to read the treatise that is here explained. As far as possible, in volved sentences have been avoided. Technical terms have been shunned. It has been a study to iv PREFACE write an exposition of Acts that could be read with profit without consulting other books. The King James 1 version is the basis of this In troduction. But this has been constantly com pared with many others, the Revised version, Noyes, T. S. Greens Twofold New Testament, American Bible Union version and withthe ren derings in the commentaries. All the standard expositors have been consulted. They have been serviceable in ascertaining the meaning of the text but, with the exception of Baumgarten, they do not specifically keep the course of thought in view. The original text has been studied with all care, but questions of criticism are not frequently dis cussed. Only such as materially affect the course of thought are treated at length. But doubtful passages are generally noticed, and what is be lieved to be the correct reading is indicated. Grateful acknowledgment is made to Rev. Rob ert Cameron of Denver, Colorado, who read this book in MS. and made many valuable suggestions-J. M. STIFLER. Chester, Pa., March soth, 1892. CONTENTS Introduction . 1 SECTION I The Preliminary Chapter, Acts i. 1-26 . ... S SECTION II The Gift of the Holy Spirit, Acts ii. 1-41 .... 14 SECTION III The New Community, Acts ii. 42-47 23 SECTION IV The Apostles Refuse to be Directed by the Council and find a Spiritual Guidance, Acts iii. 1 iv. 35 . . .33 SECTION V The Sacredness of the Church, Acts iv. 36 v. 16 . . 43 SECTION VI The Divine Endorsement of the Apostles as Authoritative Teachers, Acts v. 17-42 49 SECTION VII The Church Superior to its Internal Difficulties, Acts vi. 1-7 55 SECTION VIII The Broadening of the Church in the Sphere of its Work, Acts vi. 8 ix. 43 58 SECTION IX Preparation of the Church for the Admission of the Gentiles, Actsx. 1 i. IS 81 CONTENTS SECTION X Development of a New Religious Center, Acts xi. 19-80 . 06 SECTION XI The Church in Conflict with the Religious State, Acts xii. 1-34 104 SECTION XII The Evangelization of the Gentiles formally Begun, Acts xii. 25 xiv, 28, 112 SECTIONXIII 4 The Conditions of Salvation for the Gentiles Settled, Acts xv. 1-35 128 SECTION XIV The Gospel in Triumphant Conflict with Heathenism, Acts xv. 36 xviii. 22 147 SECTION XV The baptism of John in Contrast with the Baptism of the Holy Ghost, Acts xviii. 23 xix. 7 178 SECTION XVI Tne Birth of the Purpose to Evangelize the World, Acts xix. 8 xxi. 16 189 SECTION XVII The Gospel Rejected by Jerusalem finds Refuge in the Roman Castle, Acts xxi, 17 xxiii. 35 210 SECTION XVIII The Gospel Rejected by the Jews is Forced to Appeal to Rome, Acts xxiv...