Background to the New Testament and Acts 1-2
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Questions and Answers

What is the significance of the term "aphesis" in Luke's program statement?

  • It signifies the release of forgiveness and reconciliation. (correct)
  • It highlights the role of angels in spiritual guidance.
  • It refers to the importance of following Jewish laws.
  • It emphasizes the need for strict adherence to tradition.

    • What is the significance of shaking off the dust of one's feet in Luke-Acts?

  • It represents a gesture of humility and submission.
  • It indicates a need for purification and cleansing.
  • It symbolizes a rejection of the person or community being left behind. (correct)
  • It expresses a deep respect for the authority of the elders.

    • According to the Jerusalem Conference, which of these is NOT a commandment for gentile converts?

  • Refrain from sexual immorality.
  • Refuse to pay taxes to the Roman government. (correct)
  • Avoid participating in idol worship.
  • Abstain from eating blood.

    • Which of these is NOT a characteristic of the Essenes?

    <p>They held a high regard for the power and authority of the priesthood. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary difference between Proselytes and God-fearers?

    <p>Proselytes were circumcised, while God-fearers were not. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why did Paul and Barnabas separate before Paul's second mission?

    <p>They disagreed about whether John Mark should accompany them. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a prohibition of the Nazirite vow?

    <p>Praying three times daily. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to Acts, where were followers of Jesus first designated as "Christians"?

    <p>Antioch (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a main difference between Roman Religion and early Christianity?

    <p>Early Christianity emphasized personal belief and faith, while Roman religion focused on sacrificial practices. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main purpose of the Joseph Smith Translation (JST) of the Bible, as presented in the content?

    <p>To reveal new truths and insights that were not originally present in the Bible. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of scriptio continua?

    <p>Extensive use of punctuation. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the author describe the relationship between Peter and Paul in the book of Acts?

    <p>Peter and Paul are depicted as having complementary roles, with Paul building upon the foundation laid by Peter. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the central theme of Acts 3-8?

    <p>The persecution and martyrdom of the early Christians. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements accurately reflects the author's perspective on the relationship between the Old and New Covenants?

    <p>The New Covenant fulfills and builds upon the principles of the Old Covenant. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of the two men appearing to Jesus in Luke chapters 9 and 24, and also in Acts 1:10-11?

    <p>They represent Moses and Elijah, who came to prepare Jesus for his mission. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the content connect the events in Acts 2 with Joel 2:28-29?

    <p>Joel 2:28-29 predicts the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on all people, which is fulfilled in Acts 2. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Flashcards

    Hellenists

    Greek-speaking Jews from outside Jerusalem.

    Aphesis

    Aphesis means release, forgiveness, or letting go.

    James at Jerusalem Conference

    Jesus's brother, leader of the Church at Jerusalem.

    Jerusalem Conference Commandments

    Four commandments for gentile converts: abstain from idols, blood, strangled animals, and sexual immorality.

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    Paul's Separation from Barnabas

    Paul and Barnabas separated over a disagreement about John Mark's involvement.

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    Essenes

    A Jewish faction known for ritual purity, who wrote the Dead Sea Scrolls and anticipated two messiahs.

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    Sadducees

    A wealthy Jewish faction that controlled the temple, rejecting resurrection and oral traditions.

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    Pharisees

    Jewish faction focused on law observance, fasting, and cleanliness; created extra rules around the Torah.

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    Paul's Mars Hill Speech

    Paul taught knowledge of God is obtained through resurrection and logic, not idols.

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    Agabus

    A prophet who foretold a coming famine and advised collection efforts in Acts.

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    Pax Romana

    A period of peace in the Roman Empire from 27 BC to 180 AD.

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    Scriptio continua

    Ancient writing style with no spaces, all capital letters, limited punctuation.

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    Types of Biblical Changes (JST)

    Five types of changes made by Joseph Smith, including restorations and edits.

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    Role of Peter and Paul in Acts

    Main characters representing the continuity from Jesus to the Church.

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    Church History as Opposition History

    The idea that the Church has faced persecution since its beginning.

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    Fulfillment of Moses' Prophecy

    Jesus is seen as a prophet like Moses, fulfilling Old Testament promise.

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    Purpose of JST

    To show how to receive revelation and clarify scriptural teachings.

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    Study Notes

    Background to the New Testament

    • Early Christians lived in the Roman Empire, a time of relative peace (Pax Romana, 27 BC-180 AD).
    • Roman religion focused on sacrifice, not belief.
    • The King James Version of the Bible is not a neutral translation.
    • The JST (Joseph Smith Translation) altered biblical text in various ways, like restoring original text, adding historical events, improving clarity, harmonizing with other scriptures, and introducing new scripture.
    • The purpose of the JST, according to class discussion, is to show how to receive revelation, using examples from the JST of John.
    • Papyrus and parchment were used for writing materials.
    • Scriptio continua involved writing all capital letters without word spacing or punctuation.

    Acts 1-2

    • Acts connects Jesus's ministry to the early church, with Peter and Paul taking central roles.
    • Luke-Acts follows a geographical order, starting in Palestine and moving to Rome.
    • The two men in Acts 1:10-11 are Moses and Elijah.
    • Twelve apostles were chosen to represent both the previous 12 tribes of Israel and uphold the New Covenant
    • John the Baptist prophesied that Jesus would baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire.
    • God, through the church and Holy Ghost, reversed the curse of Babel.

    Acts 3-8

    • Church history is a history of opposition and persecution.
    • Scriptural fulfillment can be either predicted events or reinterpretations.
    • Jesus is comparable to Moses.
    • Hellenists were Greek-speaking Jews outside Jerusalem who needed Christian services in their language.
    • Stephen's shining face parallels Moses and Jesus's transfiguration.
    • The Ethiopian eunuch could not enter the Jewish temple.

    Acts 9-12

    • Some traditions present Peter and Paul as rivals.
    • "I Am" refers to Jehovah, emphasizing Jesus's divinity.
    • Jewish converts were categorized as proselytes (circumcised gentiles) or God-fearers (uncircumcised gentiles).
    • Followers of Jesus were first called Christians in Antioch.

    Acts 13-15

    • Paul's name change (from Saul) reflects his roles among Jews and gentiles.
    • Aphesis (release/letting go) is a key concept in Luke's program of Acts.
    • Shaking off dust signified the end of the covenant with Israel.
    • The Jerusalem Conference addressed Gentile circumcision requirement for Christians.
    • James, Jesus's brother, led the Jerusalem Conference.
    • Four commandments for Gentile converts were outlined at the Jerusalem Council: abstain from idol sacrifices, blood, strangled meat, and sexual immorality.

    Acts 16-20

    • Women played crucial roles as disciples and supported the Christian mission.
    • Early Christian sources tried to erase women from the narrative.
    • Paul and Barnabas separated due to conflicts over Mark.
    • The "we" sections in Luke-Act's might be from eyewitness accounts.
    • The author of Acts could have been Paul's companion.
    • Paul addressed the philosophers of Mars Hill, arguing that God's knowledge stemmed from the resurrection.
    • Threats to the church originate both within and outside the church's community.

    Acts 21-28

    • Paul emphasized the importance of verification in prophecy
    • Agabus prophesied a famine.
    • Nazirite vows prohibited grape products, contact with the dead, and haircuts until the vow's completion.
    • Four Jewish factions existed: Pharisees, Sadducees, Essenes, and Zealots.
    • The Pharisees were focused on meticulous observance of the law; the Sadducees were a wealthy group opposing the afterlife; the Essenes were an ascetic group near the Dead Sea and rejected the temple while the Zealots were radical insurgents.
    • Paul was a Pharisee, implying potential connections to Jesus.
    • Most Jews avoided formal party affiliation.

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    Description

    Explore the historical context of the New Testament, focusing on early Christians in the Roman Empire and key translations like the JST. Delve into the connections between Jesus’s ministry and the early church as depicted in Acts 1-2, highlighting the roles of Peter and Paul. This quiz covers the essential elements from the class discussions.

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