Introduction to Acts PDF

Introduction Created @October 12, 2024 4:43 PM Class Acts Introduction Acts occupies a unique space in NT a narrative, a story - like gospels written after the ascension - like epistles...

Introduction Created @October 12, 2024 4:43 PM Class Acts Introduction Acts occupies a unique space in NT a narrative, a story - like gospels written after the ascension - like epistles it is the only book that pushes the story forward Acts chronicle the decade of the history of the church history of our beginnings how did the things that occurred in, through, to Jesus impact the lives of his followers - the world how did Jesus’ followers understand their identity and their task? 1. Jesus taught KEEP IN MIND a. kingdom of God 1. Jesus is Messiah b. salvation 2. Salvation for all humanity 2. did signs and wonders 3. Fully human and God a. healed blind 4. Died, resurrected and ascended b. rose dead people 5. Miracles and mighty deeds 3. died and resurrected 6. Preached and enacted peace a. defeated death 7. Was sinless Introduction 1  8. Walked with sinners 9. Commissioned others 10. Building his church Background of Acts AUTHORSHIP The author in unnamed - formally does not identify him/herself Clearly personally involved in the events of the narrative (we passages) 3rd person - 1st person Earliest evidence and church tradition points to Luke (AD 170) a gentile, who was educated (doctor?) coworker of Paul, traveled with and extensively with Paul CONNECTIONS BETWEEN LUKE AND ACTS Stylistic and linguistics are similar (well native greek) Deliberate points of parallel between the narratives sections that are missing in Luke come up in Acts Acts should be understood as volume 2 (Luke being vl.1) RECIPIENTS Theophilus unknown individual “most excellent” - suggests status (maybe Luke’s patron) Theophiles - loved by God or loving God, perhaps symbolic of every reader Luke - Acts, not specifically written for one reader DATE Introduction 2  Dating the book of Acts is uncertain unlike the epistles, it is not “occasional” Factors to consider has to be written after Luke’s gospel has to fit within the lifespan of Paul significant ending of Acts? Luke writes up to present day? Best guess (Keener) is early AD 70s Introduction 3