The Proofs of Christ's Resurrection; from a Lawyer's Standpoint

by Charles R. Morrison

These precise terms are first used in chapter sixty-seven. The same Memoirs, evidently, in chapter sixty-six, are described as Memoirs “composed” by the Apostles. They are not again referred to in this Apology. They are referred to several times in the Dialogue, chapters one hundred to one hundred and eight, by the following terms: The Memoirs of His Apostles; The Memoirs of His Apostles; The Memoirs of His Apostles; The Memoirs of the Apostles; For in the Memoirs which I say were drawn up by his Apostles and those who followed them; The Memoirs of His Apostles; The Memoirs; The Memoirs; The Memoirs; The Memoirs of the Apostles; The Memoirs of Him; The Memoirs of His Apostles; The Memoirs. Four times he calls them The Memoirs; three times The Memoirs of the Apostles; five times The Memoirs of His Apostles; and once, The Memoirs of Him, i. e., Christ, as Roberts and Donaldson interpret it,[2] and as the context and the whole scope indicate.

It is plain that the same “Memoirs” are intended throughout, under these various terms.

In chapter eighty-eight of the Dialogue, in mentioning the descent of the Holy Ghost upon Jesus at his baptism, Justin says that when he came out of the water, the Holy Ghost lighted on him like a dove, as “the Apostle of this very Christ of ours wrote.” The incident is mentioned in all four of the Gospels.

But for his explanation elsewhere, it would be inferred that all the “Memoirs” were “composed” by the Apostles. But he carefully explains his meaning, so that the “Memoirs,” or some of them, may have been “drawn up” either by the Apostles, or by those who followed them.

It is obvious that these Memoirs were not biographies or sketches by unknown or irresponsible persons, but writings well understood by the Churches to have been “composed” or “drawn up” by the Apostles, or with their approval.

As Mark was understood to be Peter’s interpreter, so Luke was understood to have been Paul’s companion, and to have written under his sanction. And Paul was an Apostle, although not one of the twelve.

Justin had informed the Roman Emperor[3] of the Apostles, and he gave like information to Trypho.[3] He meant that all who should read should know that what he gave of the life and teachings of Christ was not from irresponsible sources, but from writings expressly sanctioned, if not actually written, by those whom Christ had selected as witnesses.

These Memoirs, therefore, were doubtless understood by Justin, and by the church in general, in city and country, to have been the productions of Apostles or their companions. They were read the same as the Prophets, and placed upon the same footing. Justin, in writing to Trypho, speaks of having believed God’s voice spoken by the apostles of Christ.

And since, in speaking of their actual composition, he uses the plural, “Apostles,” we should look for two or more Memoirs, “drawn up,” by Apostles.

Now what were these Memoirs? What writings will answer the description? Matthew[4] and Mark will, according to what the Presbyter said of them. Were there any others? There should be one more at least, that was written by an Apostle, else wherefore, the plural? The four Gospels that have come down to us, answer the description in every particular. To use a legal phrase,—“From the time whereof the memory of man runneth not to the contrary,” two of them have been accepted in the Church as having been composed by Apostles, and two, by companions of Apostles.