The Historical Proofs of Christianity [pp. 223-247]

THE PRINCE TON RE VIEW.
taken both by Jesus and by themselves of their function, are a
strong argument for their credibility.
In inquiring whether the Gospel history is true or not, it is
first of all important to ascertain what view Jesus took of the
life he was leading among men, and also to observe in what
light his career was regarded by his followers. Had his teaching
and the events occurring in connection with his life such a significance in his own eyes that he meant them to be the subject
of testimony? Did he design that they should be remembered,
and be faithfully narrated to those beyond the circle of immediate observers? In other words, had he, and his followers with
him, a "historical feeling" as regards the momentous occurrences, as they proved to be, belonging to his career? This
question is conclusively answered by the fact of a deliberate
selection by him of a body of persons to be with him, who were
deputed to relate what they saw and heard, and who distinctly
understood this to be an essential part of their business. They
were called "The Twelve," and so current was this appellation
at an early day, that Paul thus designates them even in referring
to the time when Judas had fallen out of their number (I Cor.
xv. 5). The idea which they had of their office was explicitly
pointed out by Peter when he stated the qualifications of the
one who should be chosen in place of Judas (Acts i. 21-25). It
may be remarked, before quoting the passage, that if there were
any just ground for suspecting the accuracy of Luke in general,
it could have no application in this place. There is no room for
the bias of a Pauline disciple, since the transaction is one in
which it is Peter who appears as the leader, and the thing proposed is the completion of the number of "the twelve." The
passage reads as follows: "Wherefore of these men which have
companied with us"- that is, travelled about with us-" all the
time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,"-that is,
was in constant intercourse with us,-" beginning from the baptism of John unto that same day that he was taken up from us,
must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection." The resurrection is particularly mentioned as the fact
most prominent in the apostle's testimony. Here is a deliberate consciousness on the part of Peter that he and his fellowapostles were clothed with the responsibility of witnesses, and that
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