Ascension and Preparations PDF

Ascension and preparations Created @October 15, 2024 3:35 PM Class Acts INTRODUCTORY COMMENTS The importance of the opening of Acts connects Acts to the Gospel, both narratively and theologically...

Ascension and preparations Created @October 15, 2024 3:35 PM Class Acts INTRODUCTORY COMMENTS The importance of the opening of Acts connects Acts to the Gospel, both narratively and theologically introduces main themes and motifs of acts recounts brief period without Jesus - either person or spirit reconstitutes the twelve apostles - symbolically different locates beginnings in Jerusalem (geographically and theologically the hope of Israel) Prologue Opening words, the content of the former book the Gospel recounted the work of Jesus, Acts will narrate the continuation of the same work connection between what Jesus did and what the disciples will do acts 1 knits these two realities together covering the in-between period between Jesus’ departure and the Holy Spirit coming Jesus and his apostles after his resurrection resurrection appearances “matoria” = witness. “Jesus is alive, I know because I saw him” Ascension and preparations 1  Jesus appeared to, talked to, and ate with apostles Content of Jesus’ teaching the kingdom of God central of the message of the Gospel, at crucial points in Acts KINGDOM OF GOD - central to Jesus’s ministry, talking about and bringing promise fulfillment command and promise command - stay in Jerusalem await fulfillment of the promise promise - baptism of the Holy Spirit Ascension What happens next… The disciples’ kingdom expectations: will Jesus now fulfill them? coming of the spirit connected to Israel’s restoration misguided components: restore, Israel (nation/ethical kingdom) at this time (all at once, at this moment) Jesus’ reply not denial but qualification and correction Jesus commissions the disciples to be his “witnesses…the ends of the earth” Not just Israel but for all believer for all of time promise of power through the holy spirit repeated Jesus ascends a literal or historical event? ancient conceptions of cosmos heaven above, hell below “heaven” - skies Ascension and preparations 2  Luke’s narration is not fantastical Luke emphasizes the importance of eye-witnessing testimony of event Specific purpose of event: resurrection appearances are finished don't wait for more, get on with the next thing The appearance of the two men in white robes who tell them to stop gazing upwards because Jesus will come in the same way meaning? embodied and personal visible and glorious Gathering of believers in Jerusalem From Olivet to Jerusalem, significance of location… Olivet: eschatological expectations associated with the mountain Jerusalem: continuity with the story of Israel Praying in the room upstairs those present: the eleven disciples, certain women their activity: constant prayer together Replacement of Judas Peters words the first of many speeches in Acts Peter’s leadership pre-Pentecost Judas’ betrayal foretold in the scriptures post betrayal fate (historically problematic) passages quoted - Psalm 69:25 and 109:8 the requirements of an apostle must be someone who… accompanied Jesus and those who followed him form his baptism by John to his ascension can bear witness to the resurrection Ascension and preparations 3  Why is the replacement necessary? symbolic power of twelve restoration/renewal of God’s people The choice of Matthias narrowed to two Joseph and Matthias prayer casting lots: OT precedent but does not occur again after Pentecost Matthias added to the eleven but never heard from again Ascension and preparations 4