hie being passed over. .tJ.ttestaei()'TI, of the foregoing/acts. "Now touching the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not." 'l'he language approaches to oath-taking. 'l'he facts were so important, as affecting bis independence as an apostle, that ho gives them bis most solemn attestation. v. '!'HE PEnIOD FOLLOWING HIS FIRS'r' VISIT TO JERUSALEM, 1. Unknown O'!J face unto the Churches of Judrea. "'l'ben I camo unto the regions of Syria and (Jilicia . .And I was still unknown by face unto the Churches of Judrea which were in Christ." So far from being sent out by the twelve, the sphere of his labour during this period was far away in Syria and Cilicia. If we are to understand the Churches of Judrea as distinguished from the Church of Jerusalem, it does not exclude visits by Paul to Jerusalem during the period in question. .And it appears that there was one visit by Paul during this period, viz. with contributions for the relief of the brethren in Judrea. The reason for it not being mentioned here is that it was aside from his purpose. It was a visit connected with his work in Syria and Cilicia. It did not affect his relations to the twelve; for it was during a time of persecution, when be only came into contact with the elders, and would have to make a speedy departure. It was still true that be was unknown by face unto the Christian communities of Judaia. 2. What they heard say. '' But they only heard say, He that once persecuted us now preacheth the faith of which he once made havoc; and they glorified God in me." It was only in this way that they had knowledgo of Paul. '!.'he great condition of salvation is used as an equivalent for the religion of Christ. It shows bow largely faith bulked in Paul's preaching. The Churches of Judroa (and they were under the influence of the Church of Jerusalem) ascribed glory to God on account of the marvellous transformation wrouuht on Paul. It showed the good feeling of the twelve towards Paul, so different from the ·reeling of the Judaists. And it showed also how these Chuiches rose above Paul to Goc!.-R. F.
Ver. 1.-.4.poslolic autlzority. St. Paul opens the Epistle to the Galatians with an unusual assertion of his own authority. Generally he describes himself as "the bond- servant" of Jesus Christ, and addresses his converts with affectionate gentleness. But something almost stern marks the beginning of this Epistle, and indeed characterizes the whole of it; and the writer at the outset sets forth the highest claims of apostolic rank. This was necessary because disloyalty to the authority of St. Paul had beeu used as one of the strongest encouragements for unfaithfnlness to the fundamental principles of Christianity. It. is very difficult to know when self-assertion is a duty, and more difficult to perform the duty with modesty. Yet there are occasions-for most of us rare occasions-when the cause of truth and righteousness requires the firm, dignified claim of one's lawful positi\:m.. This is perfectly consistent with unselfishness and humility if the motive is some interest outside ourselves. Herein is the important point, namely, that the self-as~ertion is not to be for our own honour, but for the glory of God, or the good of man, or. the maintenance of right. I. '!.'HE APOSTOLIC AUTHORITY IS CONFERRED. It does not originate in the man who possesses it. He is "one sent," a messenger, a missionary, an ambassador. As the prophet is the man who "speaks for" God, the Divine spokesman, so the apostle is he who is sent by his Lord, the messenger of Christ. Thus the apostolic authority is very different from that of the philosopher which depends entirely on his own intellectual powers, and that of the religious founder which grows out of the man's own spiritual ideas, and all purely personal authority, It is derived from the authority of Christ. Natural gifts can no more make a man an apostle than they can give a free-lance tho right to command a national army, II. THE APOSTOLIC AUTHORITY IS INDEPENDENT OF HUMA.N INFLUENCES. 1. It is not derived from a human origin. It is not "of men." No man and no body of men can -:reate au apostle, To attempt such a creation is to put forth forged credentials; it is like the act of a man who engraves his own notes and passes them in currency as though they had been issued by a bauk. 2. It is not derived through a human medittm. It is not "through man." :Matthias was thought to be appointed by God since he was chosen by lot after prayer for Divine guidance; but he certainly received his apostleship, Buch as it was, throuuh men, for the election of him wa8 arranged by the Church (Acts i. 23-26). This wa~ not the case with St. Paul. The highest authority is independent of all ecclesiastical arrangements and of all official management, 64 THE EPISTLE TO THE GALATIANS. ~OIL L 1-24:,
III. THE APOSTOT.IO AUTHORITY COMES DIRECT FROM CHRIST AND Gon. The 80,·crcign commi~sions his own ministe~. 'l'he office derives its high influence from this origin. 1. It is from God. Therefore the apostle is divinely inspired. The Church order that he establishes and the doctrinal truth that he preaches have both claims upon our reverence, because they come through him from God. 2. It is also from Christ. It is" through" Christ as being received immediately from him but it is also "through" God, for no distinction is here to be made. Christ how'ever is personally concerned. The apostle is a Christian officer. His work is not 'to serve tho general reli~on of faith in God and providence and natural revelation, but to promote the special faith of the gospel. IV. THE APOSTOLIC AUTHORITY IS DEPENDENT ON THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST, God is named as "the Father, who raised him from the dead." St. Paul alone of all the apostles received his commission in the first instance from the risen Christ. But the other apostles were also especially endowed and sent forth by Christ after the resurrection (Matt. xxviii. 16-20). Apart from the importance that attaches itself in many ways to the resurrection of Christ as the proof of his victory, the assurance of our future, etc., ~here is this par_ticular point here of significance that Obrist still live~, that the apostle 1s not merely faithful to a memory, but serves a living Lord, that he is not the successor of Christ, but the servant who carries out the fresh mandates of the living and reigning King.-W. F. A.