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CHRONOLOGY
ACTS
EPISTLES
78
OF
AND
This is a complete list of all the changes in connection with the title `Christ Jesus' that have been made from the
A.V. to R.V. The title occurs many more times, but in these cases it is unchanged in the R.V. and so can easily be
found. It will be observed that the references to `Christ Jesus' in Hebrews and Peter go out, which means that all the
remaining references belong to the ministry of the apostle Paul.
The title seems to stress a new aspect of Christ's position and glory, pointing away to the seated One at the right
hand of God, rather than to the One Who walked the earth, and came only to Israel. In all this, of course, it is
always the same Person; only the title is changed. The title `Son of Man', for example, has no place in the epistles
to the Church, but this does not of course mean that we in any way belittle His perfect humanity. So, in the case of
the title `Christ Jesus', it is again the same Person, but we do well to note that this particular title belongs exclusively
to the ministry of the apostle Paul.
It is of design and with definite reference to the exclusive nature of the position indicated that Ephesians speaks
of those who belong to the Church of the Mystery as being made to sit together in heavenly places `in Christ Jesus'
(Eph. 2:6), that when speaking of the high calling of God to the Philippians Paul adds `in Christ Jesus' (Phil. 3:14),
or that when speaking of the holy calling of those who were chosen before age-times, he should speak of that
purpose and grace that were given to them `in Christ Jesus' (2 Tim. 1:8,9). Just as we have already seen John's
gospel brings one into the family of faith, while Paul's gospel makes one a son, so here, while all blessings that ever
can be enjoyed must flow from the One Mediator between God and man, the distinctive title given to the One
Mediator varies according to the dispensational privileges that are being rehearsed, and that to the Church of the one
Body the title of the Saviour `Christ Jesus' is of peculiar importance and sanctity.
CHRONOLOGY OF THE ACTS AND EPISTLES
It should be stated at the outset that the chronology of the Acts must ever remain somewhat tentative, owing to
the nature of the data provided. The chronology of the book of Genesis can be built up from Adam, all authorities
agreeing on the date of Joseph's death recorded in Genesis 50:26, 1635 B.C. The chief purpose of chronology in the
Bible is to establish an unbroken chain of events that link Adam to Christ. That being accomplished, chronology has
served its purpose, and the dates that do come in the New Testament are isolated, and not links in a chain. However,
that is no reason why we should not use what information we have, in order that the great historic book of the New
Testament namely the Acts should be seen in its relationship both with the outside world and the unfolding of the
Divine purpose. Let us approach the question in its broadest outline first. The reign of four Roman Emperors
covers the period of the Acts.
Just how far the scroll will extend when spread out is now the object of our inquiry.
While these four Emperors and their reigns more than cover the period of the Acts, we have no definite point of
contact recorded either in sacred or secular history where, in A.D .... Paul, or Peter, did so-and-so. We must seek
some definite point of time where the scroll of the Acts can be pinned down to the calendar of the world. If the
wider range of Roman Emperors fails us here, a narrower and lesser dynasty supplies this need. There is one
incident recorded in the Acts, the date of which is known; that is the tragic death of Herod (Acts 12:20-23).