NOTES. [N. B. References to the Notes in the "Ministry of Christ" are designated thus:- M., Ministry; C., chapter; N., note. As these Notes will probably be consulted in order, information given with regard to one passage, which is applicable to subsequent passages, is neither repeated nor referred to.] CHAPTER I. Page 1, Note 1. "The Acts of the Apostles" was written by Luke, the author of the Gospel which bears his name, about A. D. 64; but at what place is uncertain. The book is an account-but by no means a complete account- of the Christian communities for the period of about thirty years. The first nine chapters (in the common version) relate to the progress of the gospel among the Jews, chiefly through the ministry of Peter; the remainder of the work is devoted to Paul's labors among the Gentiles. This history is of great value, as it records the fulfilment of the promises of Jesus in the gathering of the primitive church, and the extension of the blessings of Christianity to the Gentiles. The following brief statements of the probable dates of some principal events recorded in the Acts may be of service. A. D. 29. The descent of the Spirit at Pentecost. 29. Cure of the lame man. Death of Ananias and Sapphira. 35. Death of Stephen. 36. Conversion of Paul. 39. Churches free from persecution. 41. Conversion of Cornelius. 42. Barnabas and Paul at Antioch. Disciples first called Christians. 44. Persecution by Herod. Death of Herod. 45-47. First apostolical journey of Paul and Barnabas. 49. Council of the Christians at Jerusalem. 50-53. Paul's second journey with Silas; then with Timothy and with Luke. 60. Paul's defence before Agrippa. 61. Paul arrives at Rome. P. 1, n. 2. "The former treatise,” — i. e. the Gospel by Luke. See Luke i. 1-4. P. 1, n. 3. Theophilus," - probably a Christian, and of Greek origin. "When they were come in." P. 1, n. 6. - Into the city from the Mount of Olives. The account of the ascension is omitted here, because given as the conclusion of the "Ministry of Christ." P. 2, n. 7. "This Scripture."-The quotations from the Psalms, given below. P. 2, n. 8. "Now this man." The sentences beginning with these words, and ending with "field of blood," should be read as a parenthesis. P. 2, n. 9. "Book of Psalms."- Ps. lxix. 25; cix. 8. The quotations are not verbally correct. CHAPTER II. Page 3, Note 1. "Pentecost." - M., C. i. N. 22. P. 3, n. 2. "Out of every nation.". The persons here meant were, probably, proselytes to the Jewish religion, belonging to various countries, and present at Jerusalem to attend the Feast. P. 4, n. 3. "New wine." More properly, "sweet wine," said to have been distilled from the grape before pressed. It was quite strong. P. 4, n. 4. "Third hour.". - M., C. ii. N. 16. P. 4, n. 5. "The prophet Joel.” — Joel ii. 28–32; iii. 15. P. 5, n. 6. "For David," &c.-Ps. xvi. 8-11. As usual in the New Testament, the quotation is made from the Septuagint Greek version, and not from the original Hebrew. P. 6, n. 7. "Christ," - i. e. the Christ, the Anointed, the Messiah. P. 6, n. 8. "The Lord said," &c. - Ps. cx. 1. CHAPTER III. 19. Page 10, Note 1. "For Moses," &c. - Deut. xviii. 15, 18, P. 10, n. 2. "Unto Abraham," &c. - Gen. xii. 3; xvii. 2-10; xviii. 18. P. 10, n. 3. "Sadducees." - M., C. ii. N. 6. "The high-priest."- M., C. i. N. 3. 10 Page 13, Note 1. 1, 2. P. 16, n. 2. P. 16, n. 3. P. 18, n. 4. CHAPTER IV. Why did the heathen," &c. - Ps. ii. "Unclean spirits," &c. - M., C. ix. N. 2. "Judas of Galilee." - These were leaders of insurgents against the Roman government, or professed prophets. Of the latter (Judas), Josephus gives some account. See Livermore, and other commentators. More correctly "Je P. 18, n. 7. "Grecians." - Either Grecians by residence and Jews in religion, or proselytes from among the Greeks to the Jewish faith, or both. "Hebrews," genuine Jews. P. 19, n. 8. "Serve tables." — Exchangers of money in the public places sat at tables; hence this figurative phrase to denote attention to money matters. P. 19, n. 9. "A proselyte," &c. - A Gentile, or foreigner, who had been converted to Judaism. CHAPTER V. Page 20, Note 1. "Libertines.” — Probably Jews, descendants of those who had been Roman slaves and obtained their freedom. The offspring of such persons were called "libertini," the children of freed men. P. 20, n. 2. "Face of an angel.” — See Gen. xxxiii. 10; 2 Sam. xiv. 17; xix. 27. P. 20, n. 3. "And he said, 'Men, brethren,'" &c. - The address of Stephen is a detail of Jewish history, from the time of Abraham to that of Solomon. In several instances, this address does not exactly agree with the narrative as given in the Old Testament. The differences are not of great importance; and the general explanation of them by most critics is, that Stephen followed the account handed down by tradition, rather than the recorded account in the Hebrew Scriptures. For full information on this point (which would occupy too much space for such a manual as this), the reader can consult Livermore's Commentary, or Barnes's Notes. P. 21, n. 4. " Mesopotamia.". - Chaldea, in which Abraham is sometimes said to dwell, was used to include Mesopotamia, on which it bordered. Compare Gen. xi. 28, 29, xii. 1, with Gen. xxiv. 10. P. 21, n. 5. "Land of the Chaldeans," i. e. Mesopotamia. P. 21, n. 6. P. 21, n. 7. remarkable. P. 21, n. 8. trust the more This fact makes Abraham's "A strange land." — Egypt. P. 21, n. 9. "Covenant of circumcision." Circumcision was regarded as the token of the covenant or agreement made by God with the Jews. See Gen. xxii. 15– 19. P. 22, n. 10. "Sychem."-The same as Shechem and Sychar. P. 24, n. 11. "A prophet," &c. Deut. xviii. 15. P. 24, n. 12. "Lively oracles." - Life-giving oracles. Oracles were supposed by the ancients to be communications from the gods. The word is here used to mean the divine instructions given to the Hebrews. P. 24, n. 13. P. 24, n. 14. P. 24, n. 15. P. 24. n. 16. "Turned back.". Ex. xvi. 3; Num. xi. 5. “Made a calf." - Ex. xxxii. "Book of the prophets." — Amos v. 25-27. "The tabernacle."- Shrine containing the image of the god. "Moloch," - derived from the Hebrew |