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The Acts of the Apostles

The Acts of the Apostles. Dr. Ken Easley Master of Christian Studies Union University. Historical Concerns (1). Author Anonymous, but almost certainly Luke Similarities to the third Gospel “We passages” Date of writing Late date, about AD 80 or even later

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The Acts of the Apostles

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  1. The Acts of the Apostles Dr. Ken EasleyMaster of Christian Studies Union University

  2. Historical Concerns (1) • Author • Anonymous, but almost certainly Luke • Similarities to the third Gospel • “We passages” • Date of writing • Late date, about AD 80 or even later • Best date, about AD 60-61 (due to abrupt ending and other factors)

  3. Historical Concerns (2) • Place of origin: probably Rome • Destination and Recipient • Unknown place • “Theophilus,” mentioned only in introductions to Luke and Acts • Background and Occasion • Paul’s 2-year detention in Rome (AD 59-61) • A selective account of early Christianity was the necessary conclusion to the third Gospel

  4. Theological Concerns (1) (Author’s Purposes) • Religious: completion of the account of the works of Jesus • Historical: spread of Christianity • Jew to Gentile & Jerusalem to Rome • Christianity arose in real, human, secular history (not made up) • Apologetic: Christianity is the true heir of Judaism (also, to vindicate Christianity in the eyes of the Roman government)

  5. Theological Concerns (2) • Key Concept: Christianity expands from Jerusalem to the “ends of the earth” through the power of the Holy Spirit. • Key Text: Acts 1:8 • Key Word: Acts (praxeis) • Themes: activity of the Spirit; lordship of Jesus in building his churches; concern for the poor and outcast

  6. Literary Concerns (1) • Style of Greek: elegant, literary Koiné; large vocabulary • Literary Features • classical method of dating (11:28; 18:2) • first person narratives: “we” (16:10-17; 20:5-15; 21:1-8; 27:1-28:16) • selectivity (chaps. 1-8 = 3 years; chaps 9-11 = 14 years; chaps 12-28 = 14 years)

  7. Literary Concerns (2)

  8. Literary Concerns (3)(Outline based on 6 summaries) • Prologue 1:1-2:41 • Church in Jerusalem only 2:42-6:7 • Widening horizons 6:8-9:31 • Peter & the first Gentile Ch’ns 9:32-12:24 • Paul turns to the Gentiles 12:25-16:5 • Further Gentile mission 16:6-19:20 • On to Rome 19:21-28:31

  9. Special Issues (1) • Pivotal nature of the Book of Acts • Greek manuscripts of Acts(Western family is 10% longer) • Historical-critical study of Acts • F. C. Baur of Tubingen (1792-1860) • Thesis: Peter and James (Jewish only) • Antithesis: Paul and Apollos (Gentile only) • Synthesis: early Christian orthodoxy

  10. Special Issues (2) • Important German followers • M. Dibelius, R. Bultmann, E. Haenchen • Important British dissenters • F. F. Bruce, I. H. Marshall • Helpful commentaries • F. F. Bruce, 1951, Greek • R. Longenecker, 1981, Expositor’s Bib. Com. • I. H. Marshall, 1980, Tyndale • J. Stott, 1990, IVP, Spirit, Church & the World

  11. Before Paul’s Conversion (1) 1. Preparation for Pentecost 2. Pentecost • coming of the Holy Spirit as permanent gift • power to be and power to do • Peter’s sermon • the first Christian church • teaching, fellowship, Lord’s Supper, prayer

  12. Before Paul’s Conversion (2)The Church’s “Baby Book” 3. First Christian miracle (lame man) 4. First arrest of Christians (Peter & John) 5. First church discipline & first beatings 6. First church committee (deacons?) 7. First Christian martyr (Stephen) 8. Samaritan Pentecost (Philip, Peter, John) • Peter and the “Keys of the Kingdom”

  13. Peter and the “Keys of the Kingdom” KINGDOM OF GOD = rule of God = all the redeemed = the Spirit baptized (in this era) Matt. 21:43 Matt. 16:19 ISRAEL JEWS, Acts 2 SAMARITANS, Acts 8 GENTILES, Acts 10

  14. Paul Phase 1: before the missionary journeys (AD 33-46) 9. Conversion and commission of Paul 10. Gentile Pentecost (Cornelius) 11. First Gentile church (Antioch of Syria) 12. Peter’s miraculous release and Herod’s miraculous death • end of Peter’s active ministry in Acts • The early KERYGMA (proclamation)

  15. The KERYGMA Jesus lived on earth and did good deeds. He was crucified. God raised him from the dead. He fulfilled the Scriptures. You must repent and believe in Him. You will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

  16. Paul Phase 2: three missionary journeys (AD 47-57) 13. Paul in Cyprus and Antioch of Pisidia 14. Paul in Galatia 15. The Jerusalem Council (GALATIANS) 16. Paul’s advance into Europe 17. Thessalonica, Berea, and Athens 18. End of the second journey (1 & 2 THESS.) 19. The Ephesian ministry (1 & 2 COR.) 20. Journey toward Jerusalem (Lk. 9:51) (ROM.) 21. Paul’s arrest in Jerusalem

  17. Paul Phase 3: imprisonment and beyond (AD 57-65) 22. Paul’s defense before the Jewish crowd 23. Paul’s defense before the Council 24. Paul’s defense before Governor Felix 25. Paul’s defense before Governor Festus 26. Paul’s defense before King Agrippa 27. Voyage and shipwreck 28. Rome at last (PRISON EPISTLES) Beyond Acts (PASTORAL EPISTLES)

  18. WE ARE LIVING IN THE 29TH CHAPTER OF ACTS. The Lord GodIs Graciously Building a Kingdom of Redeemed People for Their Joy and for His Own Glory. Therefore . . . God’s people are to join in God’s plan to spread Christianity to the ends of the earth through the power of the Holy Spirit.

  19. The Church in Jerusalem (1) • (1) Preparation for Pentecost • Prologue • Ascension • Selection of Matthias • (2) Pentecost • Coming of the Holy Spirit • Peter’s sermon • The first church

  20. The Church in Jerusalem (2) • (3) The First Christian Miracle • Healing a lame man • Peter’s temple discourse • (4) The First Arrest of Christians • Before the Sanhedrin • The resulting prayer • The resulting unity

  21. The Church in Jerusalem (3) • (5) The First Discipline and the First Beatings • Ananias and Sapphira • Success provokes arrest • Peter’s advice vs. Gamaliel’s

  22. The Church in Jerusalem (4) • (6) The First Deacons • Appointment of the Seven • Stephen’s ministry • (7) The First Christian Martyr • Stephen’s defense • Stephen’s death

  23. Churches in Judea and Samaria • (8) The Samaritan “Pentecost” • Persecution and dispersion • Philip and the Samaritans • Peter uses the “keys” • Philip and the Ethiopian

  24. Churches in Judea and Samaria • (9) The Conversion of Saul • Conversion • Commission • First ministry • Peter in western Palestine

  25. Churches in All the World • (10) The Gentile “Pentecost” • Cornelius’s and Peter’s visions • Peter’s obedience • Peter’s sermon • The Spirit’s descent • (11) The First Gentile Church • Gentile converts approved • The church in Syrian Antioch

  26. Churches in All the World • (12) Approval of the Churches and Judgment of Israel • Peter’s miraculous release • Herod’s miraculous death • (13) Paul in Cyprus and Pisidian Antioch • Commissioning Paul and Barnabas • Evangelization of Cyprus • The move to Pisidian Antioch • Paul’s sermon and its result

  27. Churches in All the World • (14) Paul in Galatia • In Iconium • In Lystra and Derbe • Consolidation and return home • (15) The Jerusalem Council • The problem • The debate • The decree • The proclamation

  28. Churches in All the World • (16) Paul’s Advance into Europe • Follow-up in Galatia • Decision to enter Europe • In Philippi • (17) Thessalonica, Berea, Athens • In Thessalonica • In Berea • In Athens

  29. Churches in All the World • (18) End of the Second Journey • In Corinth • Return to Syrian Antioch • Departure from Antioch • Introduction of Apollos • (19) The Ephesian Ministry • The Paul in Ephesus • Riot of the silversmiths

  30. Churches in All the World • (20) Journey toward Jerusalem • Macedonia, Achaia, Macedonia • Troas and Eutychus • Miletus and the Ephesian elders • (21) Paul’s Arrest in Jerusalem • From Miletus to Jerusalem • Paul’s report and purification • Arrest at the temple

  31. Churches in All the World • (22) Defense before the Crowd • Paul’s address • Imprisonment • (23) Defense before the Sanhedrin • Divide and conquer • A Jewish plot against Paul • From Jerusalem to Caesarea

  32. Churches in All the World • (24) Defense before Felix • Accusation by Tertullus • Defense by Paul • Indecision by Felix • (25) Defense before Festus • The Jews appeal to Festus • Paul appeals to Nero Caesar • Festus confers with Agrippa • Paul appears before Agrippa

  33. Churches in All the World • (26) Defense before Agrippa • Paul’s speech • Agrippa’s response • (27) Voyage and Shipwreck • To Crete • The storm • The shipwreck

  34. Churches in All the World • (28) Rome at Last • Winter in Malta • From Malta to Rome • Paul’s ministry in Rome

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