[6] 2. THE "TRAVEL-DOCUMENT." In order to put the reader on his guard, it is only fair to state at the outset that the writer has a definite aim -- viz., by minutely examining the journeys in Asia Minor to show that the account given in Acts of St. Paul's journeys is founded on, or perhaps actually incorporates, an account written down under the immediate influence of Paul him- [7] self. This original account was characterised by a system of nomenclature different from that which is employed by the author of some of the earlier chapters of Acts: it used territorial names in the Roman sense, like Paul's Epistles, whereas the author of chap. ii., ver. 9, uses them in the popular Greek sense; and it showed a degree of accuracy which the latter was not able to attain. 1 In carrying out this aim, it will be necessary to differ in some passages of Acts from the usual interpretation, and the reasons for this divergence can be appreciated only by careful attention to rather minute details. For the sake of brevity, I shall, so far as regard for clearness permits, venture to refer for some details to a larger work, 2 whose results are here applied to the special purpose of illustrating this part of the Acts; but I hope to make the exposition and arguments complete in themselves.

As this idea, that the narrative of St. Paul's journeys, or at least parts of it, had an independent existence before it was utilised or incorporated in Acts, must be frequently referred to in the following pages, the supposed original document will be alluded to as the "Travel..Document" The exact relation of this document to the form which appears in Acts is difficult to determine. It may have been modified or enlarged; but I cannot enter on this subject. My aim is only to investigate the traces of [8] minute fidelity to the actual facts of contemporary society and life, which stamp this part of Acts as, in part or in whole, a trustworthy historical authority, dating from 62 - 64, A.D.

I hope to show that, when once we place ourselves at the proper point of view, the interpretation of the "Travel-Document" as a simple, straightforward, historical testimony offers itself with perfect ease, and that it confirms and completes our knowledge of the country acquired from other sources in a way which proves its ultimate origin from a person acquainted with the actual circumstances. If this attempt be successful, it follows that the original document was composed under St. Paul's own influence, 3 for only he was present on all the occasions which are described with conspicuous vividness.

FOOTNOTES:

1 The general agreement of this view with that stated by Wendt, pp. 23 and 278, is obvious; and certain differences also are not difficult to detect. He dates the composition of Acts between 75 and 100 A.D., and holds that the original document alone was the work of Luke.

2 Historical Geography of Asia Minor, where I have discussed the points more fully.

3 I wish to express his influence in the most general terms, and to avoid any theorising about the way in which it was exercised, whether by mere verbal report or otherwise.