Acts of the Apostles - NT survey.pptx

Acts of the Apostles New Testament Survey Volume II The second volume of a complete History of Christian Origins (1st c.), The Acts of the Apostles was later detached from The Gospel of Luke in order to form a collection of the four gospels (2nd c.) Author (No specific reference, author unnamed...

Acts of the Apostles New Testament Survey Volume II The second volume of a complete History of Christian Origins (1st c.), The Acts of the Apostles was later detached from The Gospel of Luke in order to form a collection of the four gospels (2nd c.) Author (No specific reference, author unnamed) Internal Evidence for Luke: – Companion of Paul (“we” passages; 16:10) – Historical perspective (Luke – Acts) – Mark of a physician (cf. Col 4:14) External Evidence for Luke: – Iranaeus (c. 180) – Muratorian Canon (c. 170) – Eusebius (c. 325) DATE Most likely within 10 years after the events of the book conclude. F.F. Bruce suggests somewhere between 64-70 AD RECIPIENTS • Specific Audience: “Theophilus” (1:1) – “lover of God” (Gk) – Public official (“most excellent,” Lk 1:3) – Luke’s patron/publisher? – Gentile? • General Audience: “lovers of God” throughout the 1st century Roman world (and across the ages as well) THEME The continuing acts of Jesus in the lives of his apostles through the power of the Holy Spirit. (cf. Acts 1:1-2) KEY FIGURES/Outline • Peter & the Twelve (Acts 1-7) - “Jerusalem” (Jews) • Philip & the Seven (Acts 8-12) - “Judea and Samaria” (Samaritans) • Paul & his companions (Acts 13-28) - “ends of the earth” (Gentiles) Acts 1:8 “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Luke Je r u s al e m G al il e e Ju de a an d Sa m ar ia Jud ea/ Re gio ns aro un d Jer usa lem Je ru s al e m Th e en ds of the Ear th (Ro me ) Acts Acts 1 • What question are the disciples still asking themselves after Jesus has still spent 40 days with them in his resurrected state? • Restore Jerusalem, right? • Jesus’ answer? - No? Yes? – Even greater awareness of just how strong there expectations are for a Messiah. Instead Jesus answers: – 1. Receive Power when the Holy Spirit comes on you. – 2. Witnesses (echoes of Israel’s role) Acts 1 Acts 1:12-26 • So now what? • WAIT!!! • What does waiting look like? – v. 14 “They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers. ACTS 2 Read 2:1-13 • “Pentecost” (1) = fifty days (after Passover); Jewish harvest festival, “Feast of Weeks.” Disciples have been praying for 7-10 days. • “together in one place” (1) = Upper Room? [this is a key, recurring experience in Acts!] • “wind … fire … Holy Spirit” (2-4) [cf. Lk 3:16] Acts 2 • “other tongues” ? (4) = distinct languages [see 2:6-8, 11;] • • “Jews from every nation under heaven” • “Parthians, Medes …” (8-11) = reversal of the Tower of Babel! • “They have had too much wine” (13) = skeptics – modern problem with the Holy Spirit as well. Acts 2 • 2:14-41 Peter’s Powerful Sermon – Peter stands up to address the Jews on behalf of Jesus, a dramatic reversal to what happened after Gethsemane, only explained by the boldness of the Holy Spirit. – Uses prophecy to demonstrate that this is the meaning of the scriptures and has been God’s plan for a long time. In Psalm 16, David wasn’t talking about himself, but JESUS! • YOU killed him, but he overcame death. • Jesus now sits exalted with God. Acts 2 – The response? • Cut to the heart (37)? • 3000 Baptized in Jesus’ name. Acts 2 • 2: 42-47 • The devoted themselves to…? – Apostles’ teaching – teaching of Jesus. – Breaking of Bread - Just dining, something more? – Prayer *Many were added to their number daily. Acts 3-7 – Opposition and Growth • The disciples continue to tell the message and perform the ministry of Jesus. (Sermons in public places and miraculous healings) • The more the gospel spreads, the more opposition the disciples face. (Pressure, Imprisonment, building to the first martyrdom – The stoning of Stephen) • Saul (Paul) is introduced as a primary persecutor of the Church. Acts 8-12 – The Message Spreads • Philip preaches the Gospel in Samaria and to an Ethiopian. • Saul (Paul), perhaps the Church’s most passionate persecutor, has a dramatic conversion and will become its greatest promoter. • Peter receives a vision, which leads him to baptize a Gentile family into Church. Acts 1:8b “and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 13-28 – To the Ends of the Earth Setting = Read 13:1-3 Paul’s 1st Missionary Journey (13-14): Barnabas and Saul (Paul) are set apart to take the Gospel to the world. God uses them powerfully and many Gentile Christians accept the gospel and receive the Holy Spirit. Map of Paul’s First Missionary Journey Acts 15 – Council in Jerusalem Setting: There is division and confusion in the Church on what to do in regard to new Gentile Christians. Upon until recently, Christian converts have been almost exclusively Jewish, and thus see Christianity as the fulfillment of Judaism. Thus they expect new converts to Christianity to live according to the Mosaic Law. Paul vehemently disagrees. Watch Youtube Video: (start at one minute) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Esl-q-ocwrs Acts 15 – Council in Jerusalem The Church’s leaders hold a meeting to discuss the issue. Read 15:1-21 Conclusion: Church relaxes on enforcing the practices of the Mosaic Law onto new believers. Logic: If God has demonstrated his acceptance by giving them the Holy Spirit, then we shouldn’t put further burdens on them. Acts 16-18: Paul’s Second Missionary Journey Paul and Barnabas go on a second missionary journey. However, after a disagreement, this time they decide to separate and take their own team. Acts 18:23:-21:16 Paul’s Third Missionary Journey Acts 21-28 Despite warnings from fellow Christians, Paul returns to Jerusalem at the conclusion of his 3rd missionary journey. Upon his arrival, he is imprisoned for two years under two different governors, before he finally appeals to Caesar and is sent to Rome (his fourth Acts 27-28 Acts 27-28 describe another wild adventure including a shipwreck, that eventually ends with Paul arriving in Rome. Acts 1:8b “and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the “ACTS 29: The Rest of the Story” Paul • • • Released from prison/house arrest (c. 63) Journey to Spain? (c. 6367) [cf. Rm 15:23-28] Second imprisonment in Roman dungeon [2 Ti] & beheading by Nero (c. 67) *See 1 Clement; Acts of Peter; Muratorian Canon