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THE APOSTLE OF THE RECONCILIATION
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shameful handling, His death and
resurrection (18:31-33).
The Lord is apprehended while at Paul is apprehended while in
prayer in Gethsemane (22:47-52). the Temple (21:27-30).
The Lord is smitten by those that Paul is smitten on the mouth by
held Him (22:63,64),
order of the high priest (23:2).
The Lord stands before Herod Paul stands before Herod
(23:7).
(23:34,35; 26)
The multitude cry `Away with The multitude cry `Away with
Him' (23:18).
such a fellow' (22:22).
Pilate attests the Lord's innocence Agrippa attests Paul's innocence
(Matt. 27:24).
(26:31,32).
The malefactor said, `This man Agrippa said, `This man doeth
hath done nothing amiss' (23:41). nothing worthy of death or of
bonds' (26:31).
The Lord was forsaken by all His Paul was forsaken by all men at
disciples at His trial (Matt. his first defence (2 Tim. 4:16).
26:56).
Not only is there traced out this living echo of the Saviour's sufferings and testimony; there are also clear verbal
parallels in the two volumes from Luke's pen. For example, the same words occur:
LUKE
ACTS
As His custom was (4:16)
As his manner was (17:2).
Thrust `out of the city' (4:29).
Drew him `out of the city'
(14:19).
Delivered unto the Gentiles
Delivered into the hands of the
(18:32).
Gentiles (21:11).
They sought to destroy Him
They sought to kill him (21:31).
(19:47).
I have found no fault in this man
We find no evil in this man
(23:14).
(23:9).
Nothing worthy of death (23:15).
Nothing worthy of death
(25:25).
`Away' with this man (23:18).
`Away' with such a fellow
(22:22).
This list will speak the more plainly when we have examined the teaching of those epistles connected with the
apostle's `fellowship of his sufferings', and the `filling up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ'. It will be
sufficient to realize that no writer of a work could institute so many parallels without intention; and if intention be
admitted both in the parallel between the two apostles and between the apostle Paul and his Lord, we are well on the
way to realizing the purpose of the Acts.
Apart from Peter there is but one dominant figure in the Acts, namely the apostle Paul. Stephen gives his
testimony, and seals it with his blood; and Saul of Tarsus is thereby sealed unto the Lord, to carry forward the
Gentileward movement so clearly perceived and enunciated by Stephen the Hellenist. Barnabas, Philip, and Mark,
all prepare the way for Paul, and then disappear. Even Peter, when his work is done, `goes to another place' (12:17),
and drops out after introducing Paul in the fifteenth chapter. Matthias is appointed but never again mentioned by