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25. Dying Charge to the Future Apostles

Appendix to Chapters 24-26

Page 45 of 55

We append here an analysis of the farewell discourse and accompanying prayer.

Part I—-xiv. 31.

Div. I—Words of comfort to disciples as children, ten (or at most thirteen) sentences in all:—1. First word, xiii. 34, 35:Love one another in my absence. 2. Second word, xiv 1-4: Have faith in God and in me. I will be looking after your interest while absent, and will come for you. 3. Third word, xiv. 15-18: Even while away I will be with you per the Holy Spirit (19-21, enlargement).

Div. II—Children's questions with the answers:—1. Peter's question, xiii. 36-38: Whither goest Thou? 2. Thomas's question, xiv. 5-7: How can we know the way? 3. Philip's request, xiv. 8-14: Show us the Father. 4. Judas's question, xiv. 22-24: How cast Thou appear to us and not to the world?

Part II—, xvi: Dying charge to the future apostles (style changed). 1. Allegory of the Vine, xv. 1-16: The apostles Christ's means of working in the world. They work through His life dwelling in them. 2. Apostolic tribulations and encouragements, xv. 18-27, xvi 1-15: The world will hate, but the Spirit will convince the world, and enlighten them. 3. The little while, and end of discourse, xvi. 16-33: Paradox of seeing and not seeing = physical absence, but spiritual presence. Adieu.

Part III—John xvii: Intercessory prayer. 1. Prays for Himself, vers. 1-5. 2. 2. Prays for disciples, vers. 6-19. 3. 3. Prays for Church, vers. 20-23. 4. 4. Conclusion of prayer, vers. 24-26.

A. B. Bruce, The Training of the Twelve (1871). Public domain. Text from the Christian Classics Ethereal Library.