"This work is one which places the ministry of St. Paul in a somewhat unaccustomed

light. While, in general, the Apostle of the Gentiles is looked upon as an ambassador for

Christ, sent forth under the dispensation of the Spirit poured out at Pentecost, there has

arisen in recent years, among some teachers, a tendency to regard the Apostle as having

been called to labour for God in another relation. According to this point of view, a new

dispensation was begun at the time indicated at the conclusion of the Acts, when the Jews

rejected the Gospel, and the Apostle turned to the Gentiles (Acts 28:28). The position is

variously expressed, and it is generally held to show that the climax of divine revelation

must be found in the Prison Epistles of St. Paul.

The author of the work before us might not be disposed to follow in detail the

description just given; but as a teacher he must be assigned a place in the class to which

we refer. `To make known the ministry of the Apostle to the Gentiles, to point out its

grace and its glory, to combat the antagonism of those who raise the misleading cry,

`Back to Pentecost', to lead on to the heights and depths of the Epistles of the Mystery'--

is a summary statement of the goal, the raison d'etre of Mr. Welch's volume.

The `Dispensation of the Mystery' is found in the Epistles to the Ephesians,

Philippians, Colossians, and II Timothy. Those who have explained this clause in the

light of Eph. 3 cannot but regard as precarious much of the instruction given in the

volume, which tends to antiquate the ministry of inspired revelation in so far as it

preceded the Prison Epistles.

The volume before us hardly takes us to the heart of the subject; rather it lays the

foundation of another work, which is promised in the Preface. With great diligence,

however, we are taken through the Acts and the Romans, and shown that Reconciliation

dominates those writings. The analytical tables, `structures', and other forms of treating

the text, are profoundly impressive; even where the student has to withhold assent to the

suggested conclusions, he is compelled to admire the laborious research undertaken by

one who throughout lays stress on the inspiration and integrity of Holy Scripture. Even

those who may find ground for criticism will also gladly recognize the keenness with

which Mr. Welch indicates facts and features which are easily overlooked in larger

works of exposition."