The Acts of the Apostles

246 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES
(5) The consideration that chap. xv. seems to have
been based upon a fuller narrative.
(6) The appearance of unity and of gradual development
up to a climax which can be traced through-
out, and distinguishes all the passages assigned to this
source.
(7) The consideration that St. Philip, one of the
" seven,"" plays no part here, though his name is men-
tioned.
(8) The consideration that the actual circumstances
of the story of St. Stephen (a riot in the streets)
can still be discerned behind the representation of
St. Luke, who has placed the scene in the council-
chamber.
(9) The consideration that vii 57—viii. 3 is best
explained as an unskilful shuffling together of two
sources, of which one at least must have been written.
(10) The consideration that St. Barnabas is here
not only treated as of equal authority with St. Paul,
but is even set in the foreground.
(11) The consideration that xv. 40 is discrepant
with XV. 33.^
Not one of these considerations affords a convincing
proof of the written character of the source—it is also
possible to assume later interpolation and editing^
but the impression that part at least of this source,
—
^ The discrepancy is indeed so flagrant that one is inclined to
conjecture a later interference with the text.
^ It is not probable that the conclusion of the speech of St.
Stephen has been curtailed by some later corrector, seeing that a
too sharp attack upon the Temple and " the customs delivered by
Moses" would also to St. Luke himself have seemed wanting in
reverence.