Acts of the Apostles

1. Acts of the Apostles

2. Author and Date • Luke – shortly after he wrote his gospel • The mid-80s

3. Themes • Just as the Spirit led and directed Jesus in Luke’s gospel, so here, the Holy Spirit leads and directs the early Christians; 2) In the Gospel, Luke revealed that Jesus embraced everyone with compassionate love.

4. In Acts, the major turning point is when the Church leaders allow Gentiles to convert to Christianity without Judaism.

5. Plot • Prologue - The Church in Jerusalem -Risen Jesus appears to the Disciples for 40 days – instructing them on their future vocation under the power of the Holy Spirit. - Jesus’ ascension marks the end of his early appearances and a transition to the Church led by the Spirit.

6. For a period of 10 days, the apostles, disciples, Mary prepare themselves for the descent of the Holy Spirit; • Disciples choose Matthias to replace Judas;

7. 12 disciples represent 12 tribes of Israel – the church will be the New Israel created as a result of God’s New Covenant.

8. Descent of the Holy Spirit • In Hebrew Scriptures images of fire and wind describe God’s coming; • Pentecost was a Jewish feast celebrated 50 days after Passover (Thanksgiving feast for harvest of previous year, celebrating God’s covenant); • Jews from all over the Mediterranean come to Jerusalem to celebrate Pentecost (people speak all sorts of different languages)

9. The Holy Spirit descends on the Apostles • Inspire them and give them courage to proclaim the gospel; • They speak in tongs - people from all Mediterranean can understand them.

10. Pentecost • Known as the birthday of the Church – new community is existent under the leadership of the Spirit; - Shortly after – Peter gives a homily: “Peter’s Pentecost Homily”

11. Peter’s Pentecost Homily • Contains kerygma - (life, death, resurrection of Jesus) - Peter reassures audience that disciples are not drunk, but filled with the Holy Spirit;

12. Peter masterfully retells the life of Jesus: • reports the miracles he performed; • demonstrates the reign of God working through him; • tells how people crucified him; • reports how Jesus kept his promise and sent the Spirit.

13. Peter’s Pentecost Homily • Peter calls people for action – through repentance and baptism; • After that they will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

14. Christian Community: Ideal Community 1) teaching, Eucharist, prayer, Christian fellowship; 2) took roots in gospel truth, handed down by apostles and their successors;

15. 3) derived nourishment from the Eucharist and spiritual communion with Lord in prayer; 4) Loved and cared for each other’s needs.

16. How the Churches started 1) Two apostles go into a town to the synagogue and preach to the Jews that Jesus is Messiah; 2) Some convert, most do not; 3) The two apostles go into the town square and preach to the gentiles that Jesus is God; 4) Most convert, some do not; 5) The converts repent, are baptized and receive the Holy Spirit;

17. How the Churches started 6) They form Christian communities called Churches; 7) They choose leaders; 8) One apostle stays to teach the Didiche; 9) The other goes to another town, meets up with another apostle; 10) The cycle continues.

18. Council of Jerusalem – 51 CE 1) Do you have to be a Jewish first and do circumcision and follow dietary laws before being Christian? Answer: No, be baptized and avoid meat sacrificed to idols, from strangled animals or with blood in it, and avoid illicit sexual relations.

19. Council of Jerusalem – 51 CE 2) Should Jewish Christians widows get more food, money and clothing according to need? Answer: no, deacons were appointed to distribute the food, money and clothing according to need.

20. Apostles Peter: apostle to the Jews – preached Jesus is Messiah; Paul: apostle to the Gentiles – preached Jesus is God; James: reduced dietary laws.

21. Paul’s 1st missionary journey13:1 -15: 35 • 45 CE Paul and Barnabas set out for major missionary work in Gentile world; • First: to Jewish synagogues – Gospel of Jesus to Jews; What did they PREACH? • Key events in salvation history; • God’s promises to them; • Recounted death and resurrection of Jesus; • Proclaimed forgiveness in Jesus’ name.

22. Sometimes they were well received like in Antioch; • Other times, they were thrown out of cities.

23. Paul’s 2nd missionary journey 15: 36 - 18: 23 • He goes to: Thessalonica, Philippi, Corinth, Ephesus, Athens. In Philippi: preaches to a wealthy owner of purple dye trade – Lydia; She converted to Christianity, opens her home to missionaries; Paul and Silas: arrested, flogged, thrown in prison.

24. Thessalonica: • First successful, convert prominent citizens; • Jealous Jews charge them with disturbing peace; • They are forced to move on.

25. Athens • Paul shows how God (of Jesus) was invisible, all present, creator, sustainer; • Some accepted ; some ridiculed.

26. Corinth • Preached in synagogues (on Sabbath); • Some were convinced; some not; • City shared both wealthy merchants and poor lower class – prostitutes and criminals.

27. Paul’s 3rd missionary journey18: 24 – 21: 14 Mission to Ephesus: 54 CE – spent two years instructing other preachers; • Preached in synagogues, conferring Spirit, performing exorcisms;

28. Mission to Troas: description how early Christians celebrated Eucharist: • Met at Christian house on Lord’s day • Shared fellowship meal; • Broke bread in Jesus’ name; • There was Christian instruction.

29. From Jerusalem to Rome21: 15 – 28:31 Paul returns to Jerusalem – Jewish enemies incite riot against him; He is charged for speaking against temple; for profaning it by bringing Gentile in. They drag Paul out and begin to beat him – he is taken by Roman procurator and kept by him under house arrest for two years.

30. 61 CE Paul is under house arrest again in Rome; He has considerable freedom: • Speaks with Jewish leaders; • Has visitors to whom he proclaims and speaks truth.

31. Tradition holds: 67 CE Paul is condemned and beheaded in Rome; • Luke wants a happy ending to Acts and states that Spirit remains alive.