The Acts of the Apostles

THE SOURCES AND THEIR VALUE 201
concerning Jerusalem and St. Stephen, and the special
veneration shown to St. Barnabas, lead us to conclude
that we have here a writing of high antiquity. With
due precautions we may perhaps go one step further.
We have described the source as " Antiochean." But
we may, indeed we must, also call it " Jerusalem
Antiochean "
; for, as has been shown, the bond of
connection between Jerusalem and Antioch is in it
most carefully noted and recorded, and it includes
accounts concerning the primitive history of the Church
of Jerusalem which are quite unique, important,
and trustworthy, and even more detailed than those
concerning Antioch. It demands, therefore, as its
authority one to whom the connection between the two
Churches was a matter of special importance, to whose
heart Jerusalem and Antioch were equally dear, one
who knew the early history of the Church of Jerusalem,
and was moreover a convinced believer in, and him-
self endowed with, the supernatural gifts of the Spirit.
Now we know that Silas came as an ambassador from
Jerusalem to Antioch, mid stayed for a considerable
time in the latter city^ and that he then, starting from
Antioch, accompanied St. Paul in the so-called second
missionary journey during which he fell in with St.
Luke, and for a time worked together with him.
Nothing can be more probable than that St. Luke owes
these records concerning both Jerusalem and Antioch
to this prophet of Jerusalem who had lived in Antioch,
and who had gladly entered upon the mission to the
Gentles ; nothing at least can be said against such a
supposition. This does not yet amount to a proof;
but we may well venture the conjecture that the
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