I have written this book from my own standpoint as a decided Churchman, but I hope that I have said nothing which can really hurt the feelings of any one who thinks otherwise, or which may tend to widen those differences between Christians which are such a terrible hindrance to the cause of true religion and its progress in the world. I have tried to use the Revised Version consistently throughout my expositions, but I fear that my attempt has been but vain. In my formal quotations I think I have succeeded. But then, in commenting upon Scripture, a writer constantly refers to and quotes passages without formal reference. Here is where I must have failed. The Authorized Version is so bound up with all our earliest thoughts and associations that its language unconsciously colours all our ideas and expressions. Any one who at present makes such an attempt as I have done will find illustrated in himself the phenomena which we behold in writings of the fifth and sixth centuries. St. Jerome published a Revised Version of the Latin translation of the Scripture about the year 400 A.D. For hundreds of years afterwards Latin writers are found using indiscriminately the old Latin and the new Latin translations. St. Patrick's _Confession_, for instance, was composed about the middle of the fifth century. Quotations from both versions of the New Testament are found in that document, affording a conclusive indication of its date; just as the mixture of the Revised and Authorized Versions will form a prominent feature in theological works composed towards the close of the nineteenth century. I have to acknowledge the kind assistance of the Rev. H. W. Burgess, LL.D., who has patiently read all my proofs, and called my attention to many a solecism or mistake which might have otherwise disfigured my pages; and of Mr. W. Etienne Phelps, B.A., deputy keeper of Primate Marsh's Library, who has compiled the index. GEORGE T. STOKES. ALL SAINTS' VICARAGE, BLACKROCK, _May 27th, 1891_. CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. THE ORIGIN AND AUTHORITY OF THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. ACTS i. 1, 2. PAGE Title--Apocryphal Acts--Paul and Thecla--Evidence of Tertullian--His Chronological Position--Modern Analogies--Muratorian Fragment and Bobbio--Epistle from Lyons--Pothinus an Apostolic Man--Marcion and St. Luke--Defects of German Criticism--Growth of New Testament Canon--Newly-discovered Second Century Documents-- Scillitan Martyrs--Primitive Christians and Biblical Criticism--Advantages of Uncertainty on Theology-- Theological Accuracy of St. Luke 1-22 CHAPTER II. THE CONVERSATIONS OF THE GREAT FORTY DAYS. ACTS i. 6-9.