Historical notes on the apostolic leaders

Preface

These notes were written to accompany the Bible Study Union biographical lessons on the Apostolic Leaders. They were originally published in various weekly papers, and were found so valuable as to warrant their issue in book form for permanent use.

The notes follow the lessons chapter by chapter, but present an interpretation of the origin and development of the Apostolic Church as seen iit the lives of its principal founders, rather than an account of its details. They trace the progress of the church from its beginnings in Jerusalem after the ascension of Christ through its extension to Samaria, throughout Palestine and into Asia Minor, Greece, and Rome. In doing this they place its principal incidents and the principal apostolic teachings in their proper historical environment, and reveal their larger meaning. This enables the reader to gain a true historical perspective of these exceedingly interesting events, and thus to understand each lesson in the light of its relation to the development of the apostolic church as a whole. The notes also suggest with more or less fulness the practical application of the lesson truths to the life of to-day.

Considerably more than one half of the entire volume, chapters 14-48 inclusive, is devoted to the life of the great apostle Paul. These chapters present an exceedingly interesting and valuable outline of his life and work. Each epistle is introduced in its proper historical connections, and an outline of its principal contents is given. In this way a flood of light is thrown upon the meaning of the epistles, and also upon the general historical development of the church.

Dr. Sanders' high reputation as a Biblical scholar guarantees that these notes will be found a great aid toward the correct understanding and best use of the Scripture narrative.

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Table Of Contents

CHAPTER PAGE

1. The Humble Beginnings of the Apostolic Church . 1

2. The Training of the Apostolic Band ... 4

Introduction

CHAPTER PAGE

27. Paul at Ephesus . . . . .103

28. The Riot at Ephesus . . .. . . .107

29 The Primitive Church at School . . . .112

30. The Supreme Gift 116

31. The Great Collection 121

32. Paul's Tender Appeal to the Church at Corinth . 125

33. Paul's Defense of his Apostolic Authority . .128

34. Paul's Letter to the Church at Rome . . .132

35. The Assurance of the Christian Believer . . 136

36. The Last Journey to Jerusalem .... 140

37. Paul's Disappointing Visit to Jerusalem . . 144

38. Paul's Removal to Cassarea .... 148

39. Paul's Grappling with Paganism and Judaism

Alike: A Review 152

40. Paul's Appeal to Caesar . . . . .156

41. Paul's Defense before Agrippa . . .159

42. The Voyage to Rome 164

43. Paul a Prisoner at Rome . . . . .168

44. Paul's Letter to the Church at Philippi . .172

45. Paul's Plea to Philemon on Behalf of Onesimus . 176

46. Paul's Letters to the Churches of Asia . .180

47. Paul's Missionary Career, as Told by Himself . 184

48. The Close of Paul's Career 188

49. The Last Words of Peter on Behalf of the Church. 192

50. The Apocalyptic Vision of the Triumphant Christ . 196

51. The Last Messages of the Apostolic Age . .201

52. The Later Apostolic Age : A Review . . . 205

W

Chapter 1. The Humble Beginnings of the Apostolic Church. Scattered References A* D. 27, 28

The earliest Christian assemblies centered around the apostles. Without the wise and fearless leadership of these men they could not have been maintained. Their personal testimony gave reality to the new faith; their self-sacrifice and indomitable persistence gave it strength; their noble personalities lifted it into dignity and impressiveness and independence. It is consequently appropriate that the historian of the Christian Church should begin his narrative by tracing the steps by which the several apostles were first brought into continuous personal contact with their beloved Master, to whose friendship, instruction and foresight they attributed every element of greatness ever manifested by them.

It is interesting to notice that Jesus laid hold of them strongly at the very first. There was something about Him when He came from Nazareth to be baptized which attracted men of earnest mind. It is far easier to recognize fine and noble character than to explain the process of recognition. The little group of men who transferred their attention from John the Baptist to Jesus on His return from His sojourn in the wilderness may not have been able to explain the impulse which they obeyed to follow the One whom their master had extolled, but they knew Him at a glance as One of commanding spiritual presence, a natural Leader of serious men. He quickly revealed Himself that day as all conversed together. Their convictions answered to the testimony of John. They believed Him to be the long-awaited Messiah.

That afternoon witnessed the real beginning of Christianity. In these ardent yet thoughtful Jewish patriots who had rallied to the summons of the prophet of the wilderness, hoping that he would show them what part to take in the work of preparation for the expected Messiah, Jesus found promptly the responsiveness and the quality which gave Him encouragement and confidence. No longer did He stand virtually alone. He

From a photograph.

The River Jordan, near Jericho.

The place where Peter and John are supposed to have first met Jesus.

became the self-reliant, resourceful, energetic, farsighted Leader of men.

No less revolutionary a change came over the little group that followed Him from the Jordan to Galilee. Their relations with Him rapidly became more than casual, and although not yet permanent, were yet significantly close, affording to these simple, strong natures an assurance of greater revelations through their continued fellowship. The note of expectancy at least was struck.

The leaders of this group did not fail to appear at the very outset. Peter's rugged strength was unmistakable ; John and Andrew were prominent as disciples of the Baptist. It is useless to try to sketch what the Evangelists have failed to record in any way. These disciples were for some time with Jesus. Probably He saw them often at Capernaum before they were taken from their daily toil to follow Him.

One day, however, crowds so pressed upon Him as He walked along the shore of the lake that He stepped into a boat belonging to Peter and from it taught the multitude. When the sermon was finished and the throng had

Chapter 1. Beginnings of the Church 3

dispersed, Jesus directed His familiar friends to try their fortune in the lake. With a protest against the useless labor, they do so and are astonished to find a whole boat load of fish. So evidently was this both a testing and a bid for confidence that Peter, the outspoken, put into words their feeling of awe and fealty. They recognized the great difference, as well as the genuine sympathy, between Him and themselves. But He with gracious and winning tenderness explained the parabolic meaning of His action. With His help they were to enter promptly into a higher sphere of activity. They had been catchers of fish; they should become skilful fishers for men.

This was a new and larger definition of the purpose of life. The Jew was not a natural evangelist, except as he sought to raise his fellow-countrymen to a sense of their manifest duty and opportunity. But Jesus from the outset took the ground that repentance, forgiveness and renewed life were terms which applied in full force to His contemporaries in Judea as well as elsewhere. The great purpose of His followers would be to co-operate with Him in the forming of character and the training of personality.

The quick and unreserved response of these men to the call of Jesus shows that they had long since contemplated the possibility of such a summons, and had made up their minds regarding Him. The words of the Gospels can hardly lead to any other conclusion. They had been prepared in some way for self-surrender and for the cheerful exchange of the old set of duties for the new. It was a momentous change. Henceforth their life was lived for the kingdom. The church had truly begun.

The invitation of Jesus is no less for us than it was for them. These earliest members of the Christian, church to be represented distinct types of personality. Peter, Andrew and John stood for three sorts of temperament. It is well that they did. They represented more strength and resourcefulness and perseverance than three Peters or three Johns could have assured.

The strength of the church of Christ continues to lie in the fact that it welcomes and uses every sort of value. We can trace an unbroken chain of development from the twentieth century back to that first day on the banks of the Jordan. Several men merely followed their convictions and yielded to the influence of the noblest personality they had yet known. It could not have seemed of far-reaching importance to them, but the whole history of Christianity began in their spontaneous loyalty to Jesus. Its continued progress is equally dependent on the fidelity of each Christian to such opportunities.

Chapter 2. The Training of the Apostolic Band. Scattered References. A. D. 28=30

The varied influences which helped to mould the Twelve into far-seeing, courageous, persistent men of settled convictions and sacrificial spirit, true representatives of Jesus, are in a measure suggested by the narrative of each Gospel regarding their call to permanent service. Jesus had been quietly testing the band of followers who had gathered around Him, and had settled in His own mind whom He would summon. The Gospel of Mark in relating the call lays emphasis upon the need of companionship and service, "that they might be with Him and that He might send them forth to preach." The two belong together. Their intimacy with Him gave them that strong sense of hopefulness which enabled them to spread abroad His message with enthusiasm and conviction.

The first Gospel lavs stress upon the need of a sei stance in widespread evangelism. Jesus (Mt. 9:35 ft\) had been making an extensive journeving throughout Galilee, teaching, preachingr and healinsr. He had met multitudes everywhere in bitter need, for whom the national

Chapter 2. Training of the Apostles 5

leaders seemed to have no care, "sheep not having a shepherd." He longed to give them the helpful message of divine love and human friendliness, and seemed to call the Twelve around Him that this might be quickly and widely achieved. No doubt that at this early day the Twelve began to realize the opportunities and the possi-

From <ti

View on the Sea of Galilee.

bilities of such work. They gained that sympathy fo* men and women in spiritual darkness that heartened them for steady serviceableness.

Luke says little about the motive of the call, but he emphasizes its importance. Before Jesus made His momentous choice He spent the whole night in prayer for God's guidance. He realized the significance of this appointment and the greatness of the service to be exacted. The apostles were to become transformed into His likeness, guided by His ideals, fitted to continue His work of soul building.

We thus are impressed with the varied and important outlook before these twelve men. Had they realized at the time what a response to His invitation meant, some of them might have been hesitant. His personality charmed them ; His program attracted them and roused their enthusiasm ; His devotedness kindled their spirit of sacrifice. They responded unreservedly.

There is a long road to be traversed before a disciple becomes a genuine apostle. The apostle is a leader; the disciple a follower. The apostle assumes responsibility and marks out new lines of progress; the disciple is faithful to the work made clear to him. The apostle embodies Christlikeness ; the disciple seeks it. The Twelve were not at once prepared to assume the responsibilities germane to their position. They had first of all to come to know Him as more than a gracious and beloved Teacher, to have absolute confidence in Him as the Messiah who was to redeem Israel. It would seem that they acquired this partly by association, in part by contrasting Him with the leaders of Judaism and again by His own words, so wise, significant and satisfying. They then needed to grasp the real meaning of Messiahship, so different from their inherited conception. Along with it they needed to understand discipleship, particularly divorcing it from any other meaning than humble serviceableness. A year of activity and a year of instruction barely sufficed for these impressions.

Above all other schooling in value was the continuous fellowship with Jesus. He was the embodiment and illustration of all that He taught. In the light of His presence all perplexities were made plain, all unworthiness revealed, all noble impulses glorified. By contact with His unfailing goodness and gentleness and greatness they became friends of all the world, helpers of every type of need, men of spiritual vision, of unflagging enthusiasm, of unquenchable confidence.

Peter and John by nature excelled the rest. Peter would have been a leader in any a^e or place. His strong, rugged character, his fiery enthusiasm and his deep sincerity made him one whom men would love and follow. He readilv assumed responsibility and brought things to pass. The Gospels depict Peter as a man of vast possibilities of development, needing? a broadening of vision, a steadying of purpose, a development of unfaltering confidence in his Master and a shaking of confidence in himself. He needed the severest sort of discipline in order that he might become the srreat leader of the primitive church. His greatest weakness was his self-confidence. When he had substituted for it

Chapter 2. Training of the Apostles 7

an absolute and irreversible confidence in God, he became the natural leader of the apostolic band. Peter's experience of discipline was keen and sweetening. He had an unselfish spirit and a noble personality. The love of Jesus filled his soul and made his transformation sure.

John, the much-loved companion, with whom Jesus had much in common, was a vastly different but equally noble man. He made fewer mistakes than Peter because he was naturally more thoughtful. They found mutual helpfulness in each other, and were inseparable. John clung close to the Master. Capable of being a "son of thunder," as he not infrequently showed, yet he ripened in the close companionship of Jesus into a beautiful, well-balanced, impressive personality, keen of spiritual insight, brave in time3 of peril, strong in conviction of the truth, yet gentle and persuasive in its declaration. We can readily infer the general effect of a long-continued intimacy with Jesus upon his contemplative mind. He had become the bosom friend of the noblest and most perfect person that ever lived, enjoying His confidence, entering into His inner life. It eliminated almost unconsciously those convictions and ideals which were not in accord with those of his Master.

It is instructive to note that a group as diverse as the apostles could really get together for great ends. Each maintained his individuality yet each became Christlike. Through loyalty to Him their diversity of temperament and of gifts became available toward the achievement of a common purpose. There is a continuous value in individuality, provided it be consecrated, unselfish, and co-operative. The more of such men to-day the better. We may become one in general purpose, in service, and in sympathy without doing identical things.

One great quality of these men was their responsiveness to influences. Their experiences trained them into Christlikeness because they were living at their highest level and in their largest way. All life experiences may be made as fruitful for those of us who deliberately do our best to follow His lead.

Chapter 3.— The Ideas of the Apostles Clarified. Scattered References. A. D. 30

Of all the periods during which the apostles were in living contact with Jesus the most important was that which connected the Last Supper with the ascension. Not until then did Jesus have completely intelligent and sympathetic hearers. His death and resurrection made significant much instruction that otherwise would have fallen on unheeding ears. For the first time the Twelve were enabled to take an unprejudiced survey of the past and future and to receive in all its fullness the teaching of the Master.

The evening of sacred fellowship in the upper room did much to prepare them for this later comprehension of the truth. There around the table in familiar intercourse Jesus unveiled His soul. Telling them explicitly that there were many things yet in His mind for them of which He could not speak at the time, since they were not prepared to understand, He talked of the separation that would soon take place, of the close and permanent union which it would make possible, of the continuing sense of His abiding presence filling them with confidence and power, of the peacefulness of spirit which should be the normal expression of their sense of fellowship, of the conquests they would make in their own hearts and in the world through the power of prayer, of their realization of the presence of a Helper at all times of need, and of His work in educating them to a knowledge of the truth, and in supplementing and sustaining their faith. He dwelt upon the love He had manifested for them and had received from them, and urged its continuance as the secret of enduring, sacrificial service in the years to come. Such friendship needed not to cease;' it was rather destined to abide and deepen and become more fruitful. He and they were as truly one as the vine and the branches. He was their beloved Master, but a deeper bond of association had developed. They were His real friends, worthy of sacred confidences, to whom truth would not be

Chapter & Apostolic Ideas Clarified 2

doled out as to dependents, but revealed as to sympathizing supporters and coadjutors. This unreserved, uncalculating friendliness they must make a part of their own personality, manifesting it to one another, as they held Him in affectionate and loyal remembrance.

Not only were they thus to reproduce His personality as they continued to move about among men. They were to await the Holy Spirit, the Helper, who would enter genuinely into their experience to direct, to influ-

5 ". »' ffifWtli

From a photograph.

So-called House of the High Priest, Caiaphas.

ence, to enlighten. Thus they would be far from helpless, when He, their Friend, had apparently disappeared. A heavy responsibility would rest upon them, but along with it would be provided the assistance which would make their lives fruitful.

The disciples could hardly have realized the full significance of these declarations, yet they made a deep impression.

The experiences which followed in quick succession were salutary. Every one forsook Him that night when He was seized by the soldiers. There was not one who could say that he had not flinched in the time of trial. John and Peter recovered quickly from their panic and followed the procession to the palace where the high priest dwelt. Possiblv neither of them dreamed that there could be a fatal ending to this disagreeable episode. As they remained near their beloved Master and the bitterness of spirit manifested by the rulers developed and the danger not alone to Him but to all who were identified with Him became clearer, the testing time came for them. So far as evidence goes John played the part consistently of a brave man. There was nothing that he could do to actually aid his Master. He could only presume upon his acquaintance with those at the palace to enable him and his friend to enter with the rest of the throng and then give Him the support of his presence and sympathy. Even so much called for courage and determination. John may have been accosted very much in the same way as Peter, but without causing him to swerve from his purpose.

Peter in the crowd without in the court, hardly knowing in the excitement of the moment what he did, thrice denied that he was one of the followers of Jesus. At the third denial His Master turned and looked upon him with a tender, penetrating, sorrowful glance that brought the prediction of a few hours before to Peter's remembrance, as well as his indignant denial. Heartbroken he rushed away to grieve over his disloyalty to the One he tenderly and loyally loved. That experience was the making of Peter the apostle. It forever convinced him of his weakness when dependent upon himself and sent him in humility to his knees.

The spectacle of the cross made a deep impression upon the disciple's. Not its cruelty, not the suffering, not the hideous mockery of this cruel execution of the best man that they had ever known, impressive as were these phases of the tragedy, influenced them so much as the commanding fortitude, the unforgettable dignity, the resolute self-sacrifice, the glorious heavenly-mindedness exhibited by Jesus upon the cross. A last uneffaceable impression of what truly God-like character was, He made that day upon their souls.

The resurrection morning was for them the beginning of a new life, one which had no ending, whose significance had no bounds. Their Master was back among them; they were assured of His identity; yet He was not the same. He spoke as their Lord with a note of

Chapter 4. The Day of Pentecost, 11

authority and finality not sounded before. He tenderly forgave their sudden abandonment and knit them to Him by more enduring bonds. He explained to them more fully the work they were to do, and made clear the visions of the past in regard to Himself.

Our Lord is being placed on trial constantly to-day. Must we, in order to become His reliably loyal disciples undergo the experience of a Peter ? While it was worth all it cost to have such a man emerge as leader, yet his fall was due to his blind self-confidence and was wholly unnecessary. The royal road to high service for Christ is not by way of sin and recovery, but by constant and earnest holy living.

When the disciples fully yielded themselves to their Lord, He made a sudden and surprising transformation in them. With such complete obedience His work will always be achieved,

Chapter 4. The Day of Pentecost.

Luke commences his notable history of the rise and progress of the Christian Church by relating in terse but telling fashion the story of the period which followed the resurrection and of the last day spent together by the Lord and His disciples. He implies that it was a busy interval, a time of apostolic instruction, of teaching which so definitely centered upon the kingdom that was to be that the eager disciples longed to be given more definite information regarding its realization. Jesus gently rebuked their eagerness as inappropriate and declared such tidings to be unimportant. Their work was clearly defined by Him. It was to be a bearing of witness to their fellow men of all that they had been privileged to know and see and comprehend. For this service He and they knew that they would need resourcefulness in abundance. This He told them they would realize, gaining a great access of power, wisdom and self-confidence, when the Holy Spirit was given to them. Until it was given they should not leave Jerusalem. Already they had given evidence of earnest discipleship ; they had expressed their consecration in the rite of baptism ; they were now to wait for the baptism by the Holy Spirit, which would endue them with heavenly power for the adequate performance of the vast responsibilities about to be laid upon them. After its manifestation they were to go forth fearlessly to disciple all nations, remembering that their Lord, the source of all authority in heaven and on earth, would be with them until the consummation of their hopes.

It was a stirring program. We may well picture the eagerness and absorption with which the little circle, after their return to the seclusion of the upper chamber in

the sacred city gave themselves by way of preparation to unceasing prayei and consideration of the program they should follow. One item in the work of careful preparation was the choice of an apostle to take the place made vacant by the defection of Judas. They were impelled to this action by a desire to maintain the representative number of their circle as well as by the urgent need of the full number of acknowledged leaders. That witness-bearing was the function they had prominently in mind is suggested by the "requirements formulated by Peter which

The Upper Chamber.

The traditional place of the Last Sapper, and of the descent of the Spirit at Pentecost (see cut on page 14).

Chapter 4. The Day of Pentecost. 13

had to be met. How many of the larger company were eligible is not mentioned. So thoroughly do the Gospels center attention upon the Twelve that one is apt to suppose that no greater number attended Jesus closely. At least a few others, however, had participated in the experiences of discipleship from the very beginning. Matthias was quite as well able as the Eleven to give his testimony concerning the unique personality and life of Jesus.

We have no evidence that the Twelve were unwilling to recognize the leadership of others than themselves. James the Lord's brother, Barnabas, and Saul of Tarsus were eminent examples of the pre-eminence which goes by heritage and by natural fitness. They were made welcome and given the honor which was their due.

The Book of Acts, like other historical portions of the Bible, seems to follow a personal clue. It is the story of the triumphs of the Gospel as preached by Peter and John and by Paul. It may be analyzed geographically as the story of the widening influence of the early Christian Church from Jerusalem to Samaria, to Caesarea, to Antioch, to Asia Minor, to Macedonia, to Greece, and finally to distant Kome herself. Probably that analysis is most satisfactory which makes the aim of Luke the telling of Paul's share in making Christ known to the world. To the author of the book, with his broad sympathies, the most glorious fact regarding Christianity was its extension beyond the walls of Jerusalem or the borders of Palestine, and its welcome to every human being without distinction of race. For this broadening it was chiefly indebted to Paul. With great skill Luke marshalled his facts, portraying first the establishment of the church at Jerusalem, its success, the boldness of its leaders and the consequent persecution; then, indicating the fourfold outcome of this persecution, the conversion of Saul, the scattering of believers, who became self-appointed evangelists, far and wide, the founding of a church at Antioch, and the enlightening of Peter; then following with faithfulness the history of the evangelization for which Saul was commissioned by the Antioch church. Until Saul accepted this commission, Peter, John and James were the three acknowledged leaders of the Church ; within two years the young evangelist had won an ungrudging admittance of his unquestionable mission to the cultured Greeks of Asia and Europe. Within five years he had become the foremost figure in the Church, alike beloved and hated as few others could be.

The starting-point of this thrilling story of the history of Christianity was the outpouring of the Spirit on the day of Pentecost. Expectant as the disciples

Tomb of David.

The room shown as the cenaculum or " upper chamber " is in this building at the point marked X (see cut on page 12).

were, their forecasts were vague. It is not likely that they realized how great a task lay before them. They had no idea of abandoning Judaism, but cherished the hope of making every Jew a believer in Jesus as the promised Messiah. To them on the day of pentecost came a signal and unmistakable token of a divine commission. It gave them a sense of power akin to that felt by their Master after His baptismal vision. The form of expression which this experience took was surprising alike to them and to those who saw them on that

Chapter 4- The Day of Pentecost lo

day. No one can satisfactorily explain the "speaking with other tongues." No one, however, can possibly deny that on that "great and notable" day a new factor was introduced into the religious life of the followers of Jesus. The gift they received was one of which the "speaking" was but a symptom.

Peter's splendid address, of which the words quoted in the second chapter of Acts are only an abstract, reveals his power of leadership. Explaining the phenomena of the day as a fulfilment of familiar prophetic expectation, he declared that Jesus of Nazareth, whose character they had known, had been raised from the dead after His crucifixion, as the Psalmist had declared would be the case, and as His disciples were prepared to testify. This Jesus by the gift of the Holy Spirit was now revealed as the divine Messiah.

The day of Pentecost was not the date when the Spirit of God was first manifested to the world. Yet on that day the era of the Holy Spirit may be said to have begun. Jesus had said that He must depart in order that the Helper should come to His disciples to aid them in dealing with a world of moral beings. Since Pentecost His disciples have been able to definitely realize the presence and help of the Spirit of God and to expect it as a factor in their every-day lives.

The most glorious aspect of this era of the Spirit is its universality. The history of the Church quickly gave evidence that any one could receive spiritual blessings.