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Chapter 13. Acts of the Apostles. Key Topics/Themes. A continuation of Luke’s two-part narrative of Christian origins Emphasizes same themes of Luke. Introduction. Volume two of Luke’s two-volume narrative of Christian origins
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Chapter 13 Acts of the Apostles ©McGraw-Hill Higher Education
Key Topics/Themes • A continuation of Luke’s two-part narrative of Christian origins • Emphasizes same themes of Luke ©McGraw-Hill Higher Education
Introduction • Volume two of Luke’s two-volume narrative of Christian origins • Highly selective account concentrating on Christianity’s movement from Jewish roots into Hellenistic cultures • Paul as Luke’s hero of Hellenistic Christianity • Theologically oriented like Luke ©McGraw-Hill Higher Education
The Divine Plan of Humanity’s Salvation • Theme verse: Acts 1:8 • Christianity to spread to “the ends of the earth” • Luke’s major theme: how God’s Spirit is operating in human history to bring God’s promises to Israel to pass ©McGraw-Hill Higher Education
Luke’s Use of Speeches • Parallel to use of speeches in writings of Greek historians • Thucydides a good example ©McGraw-Hill Higher Education
Organization of Acts • Reflects Luke’s interest in showing Christianity moving from its Jewish roots • Moves into Hellenistic cultures • Ends when Christianity’s hero, Paul, comes to Rome preaching the Gospel ©McGraw-Hill Higher Education
Prologue and Account of the Ascension (1:1-11) • Significance of “forty days” • God’s rule to be realized gradually through the spread of the Christian message • Jesus’ ascent into heaven ©McGraw-Hill Higher Education
Founding of the Jerusalem Church (1:12-2:47) • The apostles • The Holy Spirit at Pentecost • The Jerusalem commune ©McGraw-Hill Higher Education
The Work of Peter and the Apostles (3:1-5:42) • Peter’s second speech • Jewish leaders acted “in ignorance” in their condemnation of Jesus • Confrontations between apostles and Jerusalem religious leadership • God intervenes to assure fledgling Church’s success ©McGraw-Hill Higher Education
Persecution of the Hellenist Jewish Christians (6:1-8:40) • Disputes between the Hellenist and Hebrew Christians • Stephen: the first Christian martyr • The Samaritan mission ©McGraw-Hill Higher Education
Preparation for Mission: Paul and Barnabas (9:1-12:25) • Paul’s vision of the risen Christ • Peter’s call to baptize the Gentile Cornelius • The fate of the blasphemer Herod Agrippa I ©McGraw-Hill Higher Education
First Missionary Journey: Jerusalem Conference (13:1-15:35) • Paul teamed with Barnabas at Antioch • Paul and Barnabas make first missionary journey to Asia Minor • The Jerusalem Conference • Paul’s independence of the apostolic church ©McGraw-Hill Higher Education
Second Missionary Journey (16:1-18:21) • Basic themes of second half of Acts • Spirit’s control over the Church’s growth • Favorable response of Gentiles to Gospel • Roman officials familiar with and indifferent toward Christianity • Paul teamed with Silas and Timothy ©McGraw-Hill Higher Education
Second Journey (cont’d.) • New work in Macedonia • Philippi • Thessalonica • New work in Athens • Paul’s attempts in Athens • Corinth ©McGraw-Hill Higher Education
Third Missionary Journey (18:22-20:38) • Emphasis on Paul’s lengthy stay in Ephesus • Influence of religion of John the Baptist • Influence of Apollos • Competition with Artemis cult at Ephesus • Paul resolves to go to Jerusalem ©McGraw-Hill Higher Education
Paul’s Arrest and Imprisonment (21:1-26:32) • Paul’s desire to take offering to Jerusalem • Paul’s presence in Jerusalem Temple sparks a riot • Paul saved by Romans who arrest him • Christianity and the state in Acts • Christians’ political influence in Acts ©McGraw-Hill Higher Education
Paul’s Journey to Rome (27:1-28:31) • Long sea travel section narrated in first- person plural • Paul shipwrecked at Malta • Paul arrives in Rome • Possible reasons Acts ends so abruptly • Paul preaches at Rome “openly and without hindrance” ©McGraw-Hill Higher Education
Summary • Acts a continuation of Luke’s Gospel • Focuses on Peter and Paul • Traces Christianity’s rapid expansion from Jewish roots into Gentile cultures throughout Roman Empire • Acts as Luke’s apologia for the faith ©McGraw-Hill Higher Education
Summary (cont’d.) • Christianity a new religion that is an outgrowth of Judaism • Christianity no threat to the Roman state ©McGraw-Hill Higher Education