IN THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES

of souls, to redemption from sin and death, and that human powers are worth nothing at all in that kingdom of Christ.

We usefully consider this counsel of the Holy Spirit here, lest we think that he wrote this history on a light occasion.

Luke wrote two books, by the instinct of the Holy Spirit. It is therefore often asked about the difference. We answer briefly: the evangelical history of Luke treats of the person of Christ the Savior, as do the other Evangelists. That is, how he was conceived, born, educated, what he taught, what his miracles were, how finally he died for us, rose again, and ascended into heaven: all of which comprise the praxeis acts/deeds of Christ. Here, however, it concerns the Apostles themselves and their doctrine, constancy, dangers, and the death of some, so that they may rightly be the praxeis acts/deeds of the Apostles, not of Christ, who nevertheless acted in them through the Holy Spirit.

Then, there it is only a promise of many things: here, however, there is an exhibition. And there he promised the Holy Spirit, here it is exhibited: Here he promised his protection, here he exhibits it: there he predicted dangers, here they encroach: there he predicted the Gospel would be propagated to the ends of the earth, here it is fulfilled.

Furthermore, there is the private school of the Apostles, in which they are instructed privately and publicly, they have their Teacher with them bodily, they themselves are engaged in the contemplation of great things: here, however, they are brought into the wrestling ring, they sweat in the contest, and are made truly practical.

Add that there, the kingdom of Christ remained within narrow limits: here it is propagated to the Gentiles. There, Christ was humble, now exalted above the heavens, he powerfully reigns in his own, and overcomes his enemies by the word and Spirit of his mouth.

There, the Apostles were unrefined, here they are courageous and learned for the kingdom of heaven. By doctrine and miracles, they confound the wisest orators and magicians of this world.

How the doctrine of Christ was propagated through the Apostles, by what miracles they confirmed it: what dangers they experienced on account of this testimony, and how God’s liberation was always present to them. He begins the narration from the Assumption of the Lord: hence, how the Apostles were divinely instructed for this task. For they receive the Holy Spirit and are imbued with the virtues necessary for teaching. Hence, what Peter did separately in this cause, what Stephen, what Philip, but especially what Paul did and taught everywhere. He also paints the death of some, such as Stephen and James, and accompanies Paul even to Rome, where he left him in bonds.

From the Ascension of the Lord to Paul's first arrival in Rome, 23 years intervene. For Christ the Son of God suffered and rose again, and was taken up to heaven, in the 34th year of his age. Paul, however, is sent to Rome to Caesar, Nero, in the 57th year after the birth of Christ. It is certain, however, that the beginning of the history is taken here from the Ascension. It is also certain that it ends at Paul’s first arrival in Rome. He does indeed make mention that he taught there for two years with no one hindering him: but he does not explain the matter, what he taught, with what success, whom he had there as disciples, whom as adversaries, what dangers, what miracles he performed, and how finally he was liberated from there. He only conducts Paul to Rome. It is therefore certain that the history described here is only of 23 years. So many years intervene from the year of the Lord 34 to 57.

Furthermore, that Paul was liberated from bonds, and still taught the Gospel through the West for ten or eleven years, histories have produced, up to the year of the Lord 70, which is the 14th year of Nero, from whom he is killed at Rome. Therefore, Paul taught in total for 35 years, from the year of Christ 35, namely, when he was converted, to the year of Christ 70, when he was killed.

Plērōsis Fulfillment. That whatever Christ had predicted either about himself or about the Apostles had been fulfilled to the letter: and especially that the testimony had been exhibited by the Apostles in the whole world, as he had ordered, in good faith and with the greatest diligence. This is the sum of the present writing. Which, so that we may understand, weigh what Christ predicted about himself would soon happen, and likewise what he predicted about the Apostles. About himself, he predicted that it was expedient that he go away: for unless he goes away, the Comforter will not come (John 16). Likewise, "I go to prepare a place for you" (John 14).

About the Apostles, however, he predicted that they would receive another Comforter (John 14, 15, 16); he predicted their persecutions (John 16, Matthew 10); he predicted they would be witnesses of his doctrine and resurrection (Luke 24); he ordered them to teach in the whole world (Matthew 28); he predicted they would perform miracles (Mark 16). How these and similar things were all fulfilled to the letter, he wished to teach here.