THE NEW TESTAMENT BY C. T. WINTER SECOND YEAR'S COURSE RIVINGTONS London, Drford, and Cambridge MDCCCLXXIV LESSON I. OF ST. THE GOSPEL OF ST. MARK-BELIEF OF THE EARLY CHURCH IT T was the universal tradition of the early Church that St. Mark became the companion of St. Peter's latter days, and that he wrote the Gospel bearing his name (probably at Rome) under the guidance or superintendence of the Apostle; thus preserving by a written record that oral Gospel which he had heard again and again from St. Peter's own lips, and which has given to that record all the vividness of a narrative by an eyewitness. This tradition is alluded to by early Christian writers. Papias, Bishop of Hierapolis in Phrygia, who died A.D. 169, says :-" Mark, having become Peter's interpreter, wrote accurately all that he remembered; though he did not record in order that which was said or done by Christ. For he neither heard the Lord nor followed Him; but subsequently, as I said, attached himself to Peter, who used to frame his teaching to meet the immediate wants of his hearers, |