Theory of the Eldership [pp. 702-759]

1860.] Presbyters in the Synod of Jerusalem.
byters-brethren," and therefore, "the apostles and elders,
brethren were the only individuals officially concerned in this
important transaction." (P. 85.)
Now what are we to understand by all this? Plainly this,
that in order to coerce Presbyterians at least, to admit the
appellative meaning of the term presbyter, as including teaching and ruling presbyters, in this narrative,-to secure, we say,
this theory, Congregationalists, Prelatists, Romanists, and latitudinarian critics, are to be employed to nullify the clearest
possible delineation of representatives of the churches, sitting,
deliberating, and deciding, in this model ecclesiastical court.
But the labour is all lost.
For, 1. The omission of "the brethren" in one verse does not
expunge it from ten other passages in this chapter, nor the
other expressions which are clearly expressive of special delegated office. 2. The reading in our authorized text is not
abandoned, but maintained, by the best critics and the weightiest authorities. "The reading of some old manuscripts,"
says Baumgarten, and he is sustained by Dr. Alexander, and
many more, "must, on closer examination, appear to be an
intentional alteration which had its source in the prejudice that
in these discussions and decrees none but the apostles were concerned."* 3. Romanists will lead to still further expurgation,
and exclude, according to the reading attributed to Clement,
both the words "presbyters and brethren."t 4. But let us
adopt the reading of Dr. Killen, and it only follows that "presbyters" were co-equal and co-ordinate with apostles, and were
therefore ministers and not "a mixed multitude" of different
classes, and of whom some only ruled. 5. Dr. Killen, however, repudiates his own interpretation and reading. He calls
these brethren "deputies commissioned to consult." "The
conclusion," he says, "met the universal approval of the meeting, including the deputies on both sides." "The apostles
and elders, with the whole church, send chosen men of their
* Apost. Hist. vol. ii., p. 33. Alexander on Acts ii. 89. See also Griesbach,
Bloomfield, Wordsworth, Tischendorf, Schaaf, Calvin, &c. It is sustained by
Ebz., E. G., and H., and by the great body of the Cursive MSS., and by the
Syriac, Coptic, and Ethiopic versions, and as Dr. Alexander says " commonly."
t See Baumgarten, as above.
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