PROLEGOMENA

The history in this book is varied and manifold, and therefore it would not be unreasonable to distribute it into certain members. We shall do this most conveniently in this way. There are two principal members of the whole narration. The first is general, concerning all the Apostles. The second is special, pertaining only to the journeys of Dr. Paul.

The general one is extended to chapter 13. The rest, thereafter to the very end, comprise the history of Paul alone. Both, however, consist of these parts. First, the infancy of the Church is described, as far as it remained within the old limits. That is, it took its beginnings among the Jews, and was increased and propagated to a just number. The principal places of this member: The conversation of Christ for 40 days. His ascension to heaven. Concerning the Apostles’ concordant persistence in one place. Concerning the election of Matthias. Concerning the poured-out Holy Spirit. Peter’s defense that they are not drunk. The fruit of the doctrine. The miracle of Peter, chapter 3. Common goods. Dangers. The history of Ananias and Sapphira. The election of the 7 deacons, chapter 6. The history of Stephen, chapter 7. Up to this point, the Church of Christ is founded and grows among the Jews, specifically in Jerusalem.

II. From chapter 8, the limits of the Church are propagated. For this word of life is disseminated to the nearest Gentiles. The beginning of that part is taken from Saul's ferocity and the burial of Stephen, so that it might be evident by what occasion the faithful were dispersed through Samaria, namely, because of the persecution stirred up by Saul. The more notable places are: concerning Philip teaching the Samaritans, concerning Simon Magus, concerning the eunuch of Queen Candace, concerning the conversion of Paul, chapter 9, concerning Peter, and the rest of his history, teaching among the Gentiles; at Lydda he heals the paralytic Aeneas, the same at Joppa raises Tabitha. He is called to Cornelius, chapter 10, and what he accomplished there. Finally, at Jerusalem, he renders an account of why the grace of God is shared with the Gentiles, chapter 11. Concerning the church at Antioch, to which Barnabas is sent by the Apostles. Concerning Agabus the prophet. Concerning the origin of the name "Christian." Concerning the return of Barnabas and Paul to Jerusalem, and concerning the persecution of Herod, by which James is killed, chapter 12. Up to this point, it seems to have narrated things common to all the Apostles. From this point, it descends to the singular deeds of Paul.

III. From chapter 13, it deals henceforth with Paul alone; for this reason, we shall observe here in order his remaining journeys, to which is joined that final and most grave accusation made at Jerusalem, and finally his journey to Rome. Therefore, chapters 13 and 14, along with a part of the fifteenth, look to this part. This is the first journey, which he undertook with Barnabas: to Seleucia, Cyprus, Salamis, and Paphos, where he converts the Proconsul Sergius Paulus. Here Elymas Bar-Jesus the sorcerer is refuted. They arrive at Antioch in Pisidia, where he teaches for two Sabbaths. Chapter 14: he teaches at Iconium, and heals a lame man at Lystra. Finally, he returns to Antioch. Chapter 15: a question concerning circumcision arises, because of which Paul is sent to Jerusalem to the Apostles.

IIII. At the end of chapter 15, a second journey is instituted, which he undertook with Silas, due to a disagreement between himself and Barnabas over Mark. Therefore, Barnabas seeks Cyprus, having taken Mark. Paul, however, proceeds into Syria with Silas. Chapter 16: he arrives at Derbe, where he circumcises Timothy. He does not teach in Asia, but is ordered to go into Macedonia. At Philippi, he converts Lydia and frees a girl from a Pythonic spirit of divination spirit, from which no small danger is stirred up against the Apostle. Chapter 17: he teaches at Thessalonica for three Sabbaths. Then at Athens also. Chapter 18: at Corinth, where he stays for a year and a half. From here he returns to Ephesus, and from there to Antioch.

V. Chapter 18 begins a third journey through Galatia, Phrygia, etc. Chapter 19: Paul comes to Ephesus, where he baptizes those 12 men who had been instructed by Apollo; he stays here for two years. And he recounts what happened here worthy of memory, such as the affair of the sons of Sceva, and the riot stirred up by Demetrius. Chapter 20: From Ephesus he leaves for Macedonia, then to Troas, where he restores Eutychus. Thence he travels through Assos, Mitylene, Chios, and Samos; he calls the elders of Ephesus to Miletus, with whom he speaks concerning the care and vigilance to be expended upon the Church of Christ. Chapter 21: the remainder of the journey through Chios, Rhodes, Syria, Tyre, Ptolemais, and Caesarea. From here he finally returns to Jerusalem.

VI. Chapter 22 is the first defense of Paul. Since everything there is in turmoil at his arrival, a defense was necessary against the most grave accusations; for this reason, he purifies himself by deed and by speech. Chapter 23: his second defense, which he seems to have spoken from his bonds before the high priest Ananias. The Spirit predicted to him that he must go to Rome. Therefore, the traps that were laid are revealed, so that on this occasion the Apostle might be snatched from the Jews and led to Caesarea as to a safer place, and one more suitable for Apostolic affairs. Chapter 24: Tertullus the orator accuses Paul in the name of the Jews; Paul, conversely, defends himself piously. Felix leaves the pending lawsuit to his successor, Festus. Chapter 25: the same case is ventilated before Festus, the new judge. But when he showed himself more unjust to Paul than to the Jews, he appeals from the unjust judge to Caesar. The same case is, however, soon heard by King Agrippa. Chapter 26: the Apostle defends himself before King Agrippa; he does not find him unjust, for he could have been dismissed freely by his own judgment had he not appealed to Rome. And thus far, it has been acted upon concerning the affairs conducted in Jerusalem by Paul?.