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THE APOSTLE OF THE RECONCILIATION 23
an angel (12).
an earthquake (16).
Peter goes immediately to the
Paul goes immediately to the
house of Mary (12).
house of Lydia (16).
Peter said he was ready for prison
Paul said he was ready for
and death for the Lord's sake
prison and death for the Lord's
(Luke 22:33).
sake (21:13).
Peter was not taught by flesh and
Paul conferred not with flesh
blood (Matt. 16).
and blood (Gal. 1:16).
Peter goes to Babylon (1 Pet.
Paul goes to Rome (Acts
5:13).
28:16).
We do not pretend to have exhausted this comparison; but the list is long enough to show that such a comparison
exists as a fact. When we analyse the epistles on the subject, we believe the conclusion will be irresistible that Acts
was written with the one purpose of settling the question, once and for ever, of the absolute equality and
independent apostleship of Paul. Peter's words and deeds are not recorded by Luke for their own sake, so much as
for the sake of their relation to the words and deeds of Paul.
Yet a further, deeper, and more holy comparison is evident upon investigation, and that is the comparison
instituted between the personal ministry of the Lord Jesus and of His servant Paul.
The Parallel between the Lord and His servant, Paul.
The Lord at work in person.
The Lord at work in Paul.
(Luke, or, where stated, other
(Acts)
Gospels)
Paul `as his manner was' went
The Lord `as His custom was'
went into the synagogue and
into the synagogue and
stood up for to read (4:16).
reasoned out of the Scripture
(17:1-3; 18:4).
The Lord healed all that were sick
Paul healed all that were sick
(4:40).
(28:8-10).
Paul enraged his hearers by
The Lord enraged His hearers by
referring to the blessing of
referring to the blessing of
Gentiles (4:20-29).
Gentiles (22:21,22).
The Lord's life is plotted against
Paul's life is plotted against by
by Chief Priests and Scribes
the Jews (23:12-14).
(20:1,2)
The Lord is charged before Pilate
Paul is accused before Felix and
with perverting the nation,
Festus of sedition, and of
forbidding to give tribute to
speaking against Caesar; and, in
Caesar, and saying He Himself
Thessalonica, of teaching that
was King (23:1,2).
there is another King, one Jesus
(17:7; 24:5; 25:8).
The Lord `thrice' prays for
Paul `thrice' prayed for a
deliverance in Gethsemane, but
removal of the thorn in the
was resigned to bear the will of
flesh, but was resigned to suffer
(2 Cor. 12:7).
God (Matt. 26:39,42,44).
The Lord revealed to the twelve
Paul is warned by prophecy that
that He must go up to Jerusalem,
at Jerusalem he will be bound
that the prophets foretold His
and delivered into the hands of
delivery to the Gentiles, His
the Gentiles (21:11).
shameful handling, His death and