The words used by Luke and Paul have been tabulated and it has been found that

"every second word in the Gospel of Luke is also used by Paul" and so close is the

language of the Acts of the Apostles to the diction of Paul's epistles, that there is

actually a volume of considerable interest published, entitled "Paul, the author of the

Acts" (H. Heber Evans).  The human authorship of the Epistle to the Hebrews is

problematic, and there are those who maintain that its amanuensis was Luke. This may

have been so, but we have every confidence that Hebrews is one of Paul's fourteen

epistles--yet the closeness of language between Paul and Luke is emphasized by this

The message which was given to the Apostle Paul for the Gentiles, and the ministry of

the reconciliation committed to him, arose out of the failure of Israel (speaking after the

manner of men) to repent and believe the good news of the kingdom. The great teaching

of the Apostle, which included the Gentile within the sphere of the promise of Abraham

(Romans and Galatians), is scarcely suggested by Matthew's Gospel. Matthew's Gospel

is divided into two parts, each part being connected with the relationship and covenants

indicated in Matt. 1: 1. The first part, covering Matt. 4: 7 - 16: 20, is associated with

the kingly title "Son of David"; the second portion, commencing with the announcement

of suffering, death and resurrection (16: 21), is the fulfilling of the title "Son of

Abraham". The second phase of the Lord's ministry could not be made a matter of

public proclamation until the great transaction of Calvary had removed the curse, and

made it possible for the blessing of Abraham to flow out to the Gentiles (Gal. 3: 13, 14).

The Acts opens with a renewed witness concerning the kingdom of Israel and David's

throne, but also links with it the wider covenant made with Abraham. Luke, who wrote

the "Acts", had already written a "former treatise of all that Jesus began to do and teach"

and in that treatise he laid a foundation for Paul's Gospel of the reconciliation. He does

not stay at Abraham when he gives the genealogy of the Lord, but goes back to Adam.

The unfolding of the divine purpose is closely connected with the revelation of Christ

Himself. It will be found that the circle of truth widens and deepens as the time arrives

for some richer title of Christ to come forth. The inner circle, latest in time of revelation,

and first to be fulfilled and exhausted is associated with David. To this the first portion

of Matthew is devoted (1:-16:). The next circle, which goes back in history, and looks

forward beyond the confines of the rule of David, is connected with Abraham. The

second portion of Matthew (17:-28:) and the Acts belong to this section of the