A -- I can certainly appreciate better your strong emphasis upon the

claims of Paul, and now I see that in his epistles it is not Paul's opinion I

have but still the words of Christ, I feel that I have possibly neglected a

most important part of Holy Scripture.

B -- We will not go further just now.  Give the epistles of Paul a

careful reading, and when we meet again you will be the better able to enter

into the question of Paul's twofold ministry.

A -- When you were speaking of the ministry of the apostle Paul on the

last occasion, I wanted to ask some further questions as to the appointment

of Matthias.

B -- I shall be glad if I can help in any way, what is your difficulty?

A -- Well, there are quite a number of great and good men, leaders in

their several spheres, who believe that Peter made a mistake in Acts 1 as to

the appointing of Matthias, and that he should have waited for the call and

commission of Paul.  In this you differ, and you will pardon me so saying,

you have no such authority as those to whom I refer.

B -- As to the personal side it stands as follows.  Certain great and

good men, leaders in different sects of Christendom (and therefore

practically charging each other with error on sectarian points) charge other,

equally great and good men, leaders in a divinely constituted unity, with

intruding the reasonings of the flesh into the purposes of God.  You will see

therefore that we may omit all reference to the character of those for or

against, and turn afresh to the Word to `search and see'.  In Acts 1:15,16,

we read:

`And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and

said, ... 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.

A -- How are we sure that Peter was using this Psalm aright?

B -- There are two reasons.

(1) In John 13, at the last supper just before Judas betrayed the Lord,

Christ said:

`I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the

Scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with Me hath lifted up

his heel against Me.  Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is

come to pass, ye may believe that I am He.  Verily, verily, I say unto

you, he that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth Me; and he that

receiveth Me receiveth Him that sent Me' (verses 18 -20).

This clearly proves that Psalm 41 speaks of Judas, and moreover this

passage very solemnly declares that the disciples were forewarned, and were

shown the awful responsibility of receiving `whomsoever' the Lord saw fit to

send.  This solemn utterance was only separated from Acts 1 by a few weeks.