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development, an evolution if you will, of the teaching made known in his earlier epistles. What we have already
seen regarding the dispensational differences between Ephesians and Romans has somewhat shaken this belief, but I
should like, if possible, to get a clearer view of the true position of the Church of the One Body.
B.- I will gladly do all I can to help; and, as the subject will demand our best attention, let us agree to meet once
more with minds fresh and hearts attuned by grace, ready to receive with meekness all that has been written on this
subject for our learning.
CHAPTER 5
THE TWO SETS
PAUL'S EPISTLES
OF
IN RELATION TO
ACTS 28.
A.- As this is our last opportunity, at least for a time, of continuing our studies together, I am anxious to hear
what you consider to be the relationship of the Pauline epistles to one another and to the Acts of the Apostles, and
particularly to the last chapter.
B.- Before we can do this satisfactorily, it will be necessary to make sure that we are agreed as to what epistles
were written by Paul, for, at different times, the authorship of several epistles has been called in question by the
Higher Critics.
A.- There is only one epistle about which I have any doubt, and that is the Epistle to the Hebrews. I should like
to know what are your grounds for believing it to be the writing of the Apostle Paul.
B.- I have many grounds for so believing, but since some would require a close study of the original and a
knowledge of the niceties of grammar, we have not the time to investigate them now. I believe, however, that I can
give you sufficient for our present purpose.
Two things are agreed upon both by the Modernist and the Fundamentalist; first, that 1 Corinthians is a genuine
epistle of Paul, and secondly that, whatever views one may have as to the nature or extent of inspiration, such
Divine superintendence does not obliterate the individuality of a writer's style.
If you will turn to 1 Corinthians 15:27 you will see how Paul handles the quotation from Psalm 8. I will then
read from Hebrews 2:8, and I believe you will agree that the similarity of style is in favour of the Pauline authorship
of Hebrews.
A.- (Reads) :
`For He hath put all things under His feet. But when He saith all things are put under Him, it is manifest that He
is excepted, which did put all things under Him' (1 Cor. 15:27).
B.- (Reads) :
`Thou hast put all things in subjection under His feet. For in that He put all in subjection under Him, He left
nothing that is not put under Him' (Heb. 2:8).
There is more here than appears on the surface, but I think the similarity of style is most marked, is it not?
A.- Yes, and this of itself presents one argument in favour of its Pauline authorship. Have you any further
evidence that is easily presented?
B.- Well, we have Peter's testimony to the fact that Paul had written at least one epistle to `the dispersion' (2 Pet.
3:15), which, while it does not prove that Hebrews is that epistle, removes all possible objection to the idea that Paul
wrote such an epistle. We have, however, in Hebrews itself what amounts to Paul's signature.
A.- Paul's signature! That can hardly be, for its presence would be the end of controversy. You must mean
something other than your words seem to imply.