66

But more than this: it seems manifest that the conversion must be placed not long after the martyrdom of Stephen, and yet at a sufficient interval to leave time for the intervening persecution. Now we have been led by independent reasoning to fix the martyrdom of Stephen either at the Feast of Tabernacles, A.D. 36, or at the Passover or Pentecost of A.D. 37, which would lead us to the summer of A.D. 37 for the conversion. Finally we have the allusion to Saul as a young man (veavías) at the death of Stephen, which must be compared with his description of himself as "Paul the Elder" at the time when he wrote to Philemon from his prison at Rome (A.D. 62)o1 Now we happen to have a distinct definition by Philo, the contemporary of St. Paul, of the limits of age which the Jews denoted by these phrases; according to which Paul might be about 28 in A.D. 37, and about 53 in A.D. 62, so that his birth may be placed approximately in A.D. 9. We are aided in fixing the lower limit by the fact that Aretas was not in possession of Damascus till A.d. 37.

The conclusion, that Paul's conversion took place about the beginning, and his flight from Jerusalem about the middle of Caligula's reign of four years (A.D. 37-41), is in perfect agreement with the occurrence of that interval of rest to all the churches which is mentioned as immediately succeeding his departure from Jerusalem to Tarsus. This interval of rest may be ascribed, not only to the cessation of Saul's persecution, but to the relations of Judæa to the empire under Caligula. It has already been told how that Cæsar's insane attempt to set up his own statue in the sanctuary drove the Jews to the verge of a rebellion, which was only averted by his death;92 and we can well believe that the agitation of the whole people at the impending danger would divert their attention from the Christians. Thus the commotions which have shaken the world and divided the Church's enemies against themselves, have often given her a shelter and a breathing-space, just as she seemed about to succumb to persecution.

* Dr. Howson identifies this visit with that of Galatians ii., and places the collision with Peter at Antioch after it.

+ Mr. Lewin identifies this visit with that of Galatians ii., and places the collision with Peter at Antioch after it.

FROM AFTER THE CONVERSION OF ST. PAUL TO THE DECREE OF
THE FIRST COUNCIL AT JERUSALEM, INCLUDING TEE FIRST
MISSIONARY JOURNEY OF PAUL AND BARNABAS.
A.D. 48 OR 50.

cas.

A.D. 40

§ 1. St. Peter at Lydda and Joppa-Healing of Æneas and raising of Dor§2. Mission of St. Peter to Cornelius-The first Gentile converts-Nature of this transaction-It is confirmed at Jerusalem. § 3. The Gospel preached to the Greeks at Antioch-Mission of BarnabasHe seeks out Saul at Tarsus. § 4. Accession of CLAUDIUS-HEROD AGRIPPA I., King of Judæa-He beheads JAMES and imprisons Peter, who is delivered by an angel-Death of Herod Agrippa I. § 5. Paul's ministry in Syria and Cilicia-Barnabas and Saul at Antioch-The name of CHRISTIAN-Mission of Barnabas and Saul to Jerusalem (his second visit). § 6. Paul's rapture and infirmity. § 7. The Church at Antioch-Separation of Barnabas and Saul for the mission to the Gentiles. § 8. Their FIRST MISSIONARY JOURNEY From Antioch by Seleucia to Salamis in Cyprus - They preach in the Jewish Synagogues-Through Cyprus to Paphos -Judgment on the sorcerer Elymas, and conversion of the proconsul Sergius Paulus. § 9. The

name of PAUL. § 10. The voyage from Cyprus to Perga in Pamphylia-The passage of the Taurus-Desertion of John Mark-His subsequent relations to Paul and Peter-Apostleship of Barnabas. § 11. The Apostles at Antioch in Pisidia - Paul's discourse in the synagogue-Justification by Faith in Christ no merely Pauline doctrine. § 12. The following Sabbath-Opposition of the Jews-"Lo! we turn to the Gentiles"-The Apostles driven from Antioch. § 13. Success and persecution at Iconium-Lycaonia-The miracle and discourse at Lystra-Derbe. § 14. Return of the Apostles. § 15. Ordination of ELDERS. § 16. Judaizing teachers come to Antioch and require the Gentile converts to observe the Law-Mission of Paul and Barnabas, with others, to Jerusalem. § 17. This (third) visit probably that of Galatians ii. -Paul goes up by revelation-Conferences and compact with the other Apostles, James, Peter and John. § 18. Public discussion in the Church-Speech of Peter-Report of Paul and Barnabas-Advice of James. § 19. Decision of the Assembly-Its significance: the emancipation both of Jews and Gentiles, and the universality of the Gospel. § 20. Episode of Paul's subsequent reproof of Peter The Assembly at Jerusalem wrongly called the First CouncilReturn of Paul and Barnabas to Antioch, with Judas and Silas-Silas remains at Antioch-Christianity at Rome.

§ 1. It was in the interval of rest described in the preceding chapter, which we may place in the latter part of Caligula's reign, that Peter made what appears to have been an Apostolical visitation of all the churches already established.' Arriving at Lydda, in the great maritime plain of Sharon," he performed a miracle of healing on a certain Æneas, who had been bedridden with palsy for eight years. Imitating the manner of his Master in the command, "Arise, and make thy bed," he was careful to show the source of the power which accompanied his words by saying, "Jesus Christ maketh thee whole." The miracle was followed by the general conversion of the inhabitants of the city of Lydda and the plain of Sharon.'

Nine miles from Lydda, and on the sea-shore, stands Joppa, the ancient port of Solomon. Here dwelt a disciple, whose

1 Acts ix. 32: diepxóμevov dià ñáv-| των sc. ἐκκλησιῶν.

This name, the Hebrew Lod is still retained by the modern Lidd or Ludd, which probably occupies the same site. It stands in a part of the great maritime plain which anciently bore the name of Sharon. It is 9 miles from Joppa, and is the first town on the northernmost of the two roads between that place and Jerusalem. The water-course outside the town is said still to bear the name

of Abi-Butrus (Peter), in memory of the Apostle. It is, for a Mahometan place, busy and prosperous. Buried in palms, and with a large well close to the entrance, it looks from a distance inviting enough, but its interior is very repulsive on account of the extraordinary number of persons, old and young, whom one encounters at every step, either totally blind, or afflicted with loathsome diseases of the eyes.

3

Acts ix. 32-35.

name TABITHA in Aramaic, in Greek DORCAS, that is, gazelle -generally associated in the East with the perfection of female beauty has become the type of the greater loveliness of that charity with which she clothed the poor by the labor of her own hands. Her death was felt so grievous a loss by the brethren at Joppa, that they sent messengers to Lydda, praying for a visit from St. Peter. His arrival was followed by the crowning miracle which proved that the spiritual gifts conferred by Christ upon his Apostles did not stop short of power over life and death. And in this case also, Peter proceeded after the example given by our Saviour in raising the daughter of Jairus. Putting forth from the chamber, where the corpse was already laid out for burial, the mourners whose lamentations and display of the garments she had made proved at once the reality of her death and the sense of their loss, Peter knelt down and prayed. Then, turning to the body, he said, "Tabitha, arise !" "And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up. And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, he presented her alive.” The news spread through Joppa; many believed on the Lord; and Peter took up his abode for a long time among the converts, in the house of his namesake, Simon a tanner, on the sea-shore."

§ 2. Here it was the Apostle's custom to ascend at noon to the house-top, which looked over the western waters, for solitary prayer; unconsciously blending his devotions with those which a Roman soldier at Cæsarea was continually offering, that new light might be added to what he had learned as a "proselyte of the gate." This soldier was Cornelius, a centurion of the Italian Cohort, 66 a just man, and one that feared God, with all his house, and of good report among all the Jewish nation, who gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway." To this man's devotion, and faithfulness to the light he had, was vouchsafed a vision of an angel, bidding him to send to Joppa for Simon Peter, who should tell him what he ought to do. It was no phantasm of a nocturnal dream, but an open vision, manifest to his waking sense, at three o'clock in the afternoon, as he was praying in his house at the hour of the evening sacrifice.

+ Matt. ix. 25;
5 Acts ix. 36-43.

Mark v. 40-42.

This seems to have been a cohort of Italians, probably volunteers, separate from the legionaries. Such a cohort is mentioned in an inscrip

tion:-"Cohors militum Italicorum voluntaria, quæ est in Syria." See Conybeare and Howson's St. Paul, vol i. p. 143, ed. of 1865; Lewin's Fast. Sac, s. a. 40.