The Acts of the Apostles

APPENDIX II 37
St. Paul in Ephesus that would direct him to a
definite period of time. Indeed, if we only refrain
from criticising the book according to our modern
standards, we find that it satisfies even more exacting
requirements in relation to chronology, and that when
it gives definite information of this kind it proves
itself trustworthy so far as we have the power of
judging, however much we may deplore the absence
of a guiding thread of systematic chronology running
through the whole work. In short, the reader, even
in regard to chronology, finds himself exceedingly
well informed in a higher degree perhaps than the
author himself consciously intended.
In conclusion, we would direct attention to the
following point. The narratives of chaps, i.—v. and
xiii.—xxviii. run in one direct line of strict succession
of events.^ We may with reason question whether
everything in the succession i.—v. is in correct order,
and in reference to chap. xv. this question has been
already asked (vide supra). But in the chaps, vi.-xii.
the author follows many lines at once. In the first
place, he again and again directs his eye to the
history of the Church of Jerusalem and of the
Apostles (especially St. Peter and his missionary
work). Secondly, in vi. 1 ff., he starts upon a history
of the Hellenistic Christians in Jerusalem and of the
" Seven,'' which from its beginning leads up to the
mission to the Gentiles and the foundation of the
Church of Antioch. Thirdly, he traces the ministry
of St. Philip in Samaria and in the coastlands, and
treats it not as a part of the history of the Hellenists
1 Only the episode of ApoUos falls out of line.