Saint Stephen hardly suffered martyrdom before Pilate was recalled from the government of Judea; because, under that procurator, the Jews had not the power of inflicting capital punishments. Now, according to Usher, the year in which Pilate was recalled, was the thirty-sixth of the Christian æra, Saint Stephen's martyrdom therefore probably hap pened after 36. If this be true, Saint Paul's conversion must have happened likewise after 36, and therefore 35 is too early a date. But how long after 36, or whether in 38, cannot be determined. In what manner the chapters iii, iv, v, vi, are to be arranged between 33 and 36, Michaelis cannot determine: for what chronologers have said is mere conjecture, and not calculation. The same uncertainty prevails in respect to ch. viii and x: for we can affirm nothing more, than that the one must be placed before the other, after 36. We are likewise in the dark with respect to ch. xiii, xiv, and several other chapters. Of ch. xvi, we may assert, that it belongs to a period at least six years prior to the fourth epoch, or the year 60: for a year and an half at Corinth, three years at Ephesus, and the time spent on several journeys, can hardly be pressed into a smaller compass than that of six years. To ch. xvi, therefore, the latest date which can be assigned is 54: and it is not improbable that it should be dated still earlier. The Acts of the Apostles, as they appear in our copies, may be divided into three principal parts, viz. PART I. contains the rise and progress of the mother church at Jerusalem from the time of our Saviour's ascension to the first Jewish persecution. (ch. i-viii.) SECT. 1. The transactions before and after Jesus Christ's ascension into heaven. (i.) SECT. 2. The descent of the Holy Spirit on the apostles at the feast of Pentecost, and Peter's discourse to the people in consequence of it. (ii.) SECT. 3. A lame man healed by Peter and John-Peter's discourse to the peopleEvents that befel the apostles in consequence of that miracle. (iii, iv.) SECT. 4. The death of Ananias and Sapphira. Miracles of the apostles,-who are scourged and dismissed. (v.) SECT. 5. The institution of deacons,-the discourse and martyrdom of Stephen,-and the first Jewish persecution. (vi, vii, viii. 1-4.) PART II. comprises the dispersion of the disciples-the propagation of Christianity among the Samaritans-the conversion of Saint Paul, and the foundation of a Christian church at Antioch. (viii. 5-12.) SECT. 1. The planting of the church at Samaria. (viii. 15-25.) SECT. 2. The conversion of the Ethiopian eunuch. (viii. 26-40.) SECT. 3. The conversion, baptism, and first preaching of Saint Paul. (ix.) SECT. 4. Account of two miracles performed by Peter, and the conversion of Cornelius and his family. (x, xi. 1-18.) SECT. 5. The first Gentile church founded at Antioch. (xi. 19-30.) SECT. 6. The apostle James put to death by Herod Agrippa,-relation of his miserable death. (xii.) PART III. describes the conversion of the more remote Gentiles, by Barnabas and Paul, and, after their separation, by Paul and his associates, among whom was Luke himself during the latter part of Paul's labours. (xiii-xxviii.) SECT. 1. The planting of several churches in the isle of Cyprus, at Perga in Pamphylia, Antioch in Pisidia, Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe.-The return of Saint Paul to Antioch. (xiii, xiv.) SECT. 2. Discussion of the question by the apostles at Jerusalem, concerning the necessity of circumcision and of observing the law. Their letter to the churches on this subject. (xv. 1—35.) SECT. 3. Paul's second departure from Antioch. He preaches the Gospel in various countries, particularly at Philippi in Ma cedonia. The conversion of the Philip- SECT. 6. Paul's third departure from An- SECT. 7. The labours of Paul in Greece and SECT. 8. The persecution of Paul at Jerusa The SECT. 9. Paul's arrival at Cæsarea. SECT. 10. Narrative of Paul's voyage from R 2 THE END. |