FEED 260/262 MENTORING THROUGH THE NEW TESTAMENT: The Gospel of John and the Birth of the Churh The Acts of the Apostles Lisa MacEwen, DMiss Some slides are adapted from Dr. Robert MacEwen and Dr. Rick Griffith and revised.

Medical doctor Traveling companion of Paul: “we” sections (16:10-13; 20:5-15; 21:1-18; 27:1-28:16). Articulate historian & writer Medical doctor Traveling companion of Paul: “we” sections (16:10-13; 20:5-15; 21:1-18; 27:1-28:16). Articulate historian & writer

 both written to Theophilus  Acts 1:1 refers to “my former book”  Same theme (the work of Jesus Christ) Common Authorship of Luke & Acts

Date, Origin, Recipients Date Possible date of composition is AD 62 Origin Uncertain. Suggestions Rome, Antioch, Ephesus, Asia Minor, and Achaia. Recipients Theophilus (1:1), a man whose name means “lover of God.”

Recap & Continuation of Luke 24 “He told them, ‘This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high’" (Luke 24:46-49).

ACTS Bridge book that connects the Gospels to the New Testament letters. Genre: Narrative

Acts Key Verse “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.” (Acts 1:8 NIV)

Purposes To give an early history of the church. To give assurance of the truth of the Christian faith (Luke 1:4). To persuade the Roman authorities to tolerate Christianity. To justify the mission to the Gentiles: God’s plan. To provide a model for Christian evangelism, missions, and church life.

1. Geographical Outline “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.” (Acts 1:8 NIV) I. Jerusalem, 1:1–5:42 II. Judea and Samaria, 6:1–11:18 III. The Ends of the Earth, 11:19–28:31

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.”

Acts Witnessing: Expansion of Church Jerusalem Judea and Samaria Ends of the Earth 1:1–5:42 6:1–11:18 11:19 – 28:31 Jews Samaritans (mixed breeds) Gentiles AD (2 years) AD 35 (a few months) AD (27 years)

2. The Peter and Paul Outline I. Peter, chs. 1–8 II. Overlap section, chs. 9–15 II. Paul, chs. 16–28 Peter and Paul El Greco, ca. 1590

3. An Outline Derived from the Summary Statements (F. F. Bruce, in Liefeld, 47-48) I. The birth of the church, 1:1–5:42 II. Persecution and Expansion, 6:1–9:31 III. Acts of Peter: the Gentiles brought in, 9:31–12:24 IV. Church extension from Antioch and apostolic decree at Jerusalem, 12:25–15:35 V. Paul, leaving Antioch, moves to the Aegean world, 15:36–19:20 VI. Paul plans to visit Rome via Jerusalem and achieves his goal by an unexpected way, 19:21– 28:31

I. The birth of the church, 1:1–5:42 A description of the early church: inception, preaching, community living (4:32-37), expansion, and initial opposition by Jewish leaders. Jewish in nature: mainly Jewish Christians, associated with the temple and the synagogues.

Acts 2:1-4: The Spirit Poured out; the Church Established “when the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.”

I. “Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ” (Acts 5:42)

II. Persecution leads to Expansion, 6:1–9:31 First geographical expansion: by the Hellenists to Diaspora Jews, Samaritans, and a proselyte. Steven’s martyrdom is the key to expansion (7:1-8:1a) The Conversion of Paul (9:1-31): a Hellenist, persecutor of Christians becomes leader of the Gentile mission. Evidence of God’s grace.

II. “Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord.” (Acts 9:31)

III. Acts of Peter: the Gentiles brought in, 9:31–12:24 Peter’s ministry to Gentiles Conversion of Cornelius: an act of God (10:1-48) Antioch church (11:19-30): Center for Gentile mission.

III. “But the word of God continued to increase and spread.” (Acts 12:24)

IV. Church extension from Antioch and apostolic decree at Jerusalem, 12:25–15:35 The first geographical expansion into the Gentile world: Paul’s first missionary journey (13:1-14:28) Jews reject the gospel because it includes Gentiles. Jerusalem Council (15:1-35): accepts Gentile Christians - The key to full expansion into the Gentile world.

Acts 15:28, 29: Apostolic decree by Jerusalem Council “It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements: You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things…”

IV. “But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, where they and many others taught and preached the word of the Lord.” (Acts 15:35)

V. Paul, leaving Antioch, moves to the Aegean world, 15:36–19:20 Expansion into the Europe: Paul’s Second Missionary Journey (15:36-18:22) Macedonian call at Troas (16:6-12) Gospel spreads to Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea, Athens, Corinth, and Ephesus

V. “In this way the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power.” (Acts 19:20)

VI. Paul plans to visit Rome via Jerusalem and achieves his goal by an unexpected way, 19:21– 28:31 The events that move Paul and the gospel on to Rome. Paul’s trials: he is declared innocent 3 times: by Felix, Festus, and Agrippa II (21:15- 26:32) Paul’s house arrest in Rome (28:11-31)

VI. “Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Acts 28:31)

Expansion of the Gospel Jesus Christ & the Holy Spirit are the key Persons. God willed the plan of salvation. The Holy Spirit carried it out for the glory of the risen Jesus Christ.

Gospel Progress The progress of the gospel AD3362 ChurchNon-existentThriving Composition of believers 100% JewishMostly Gentiles LocationJerusalemRome Acts 1Acts 28 Central Figure Peter (narrow ministry) Paul (broad ministry)

Summary Statement God's sovereignly directed progress of the message of salvation from Jerusalem Jews to Roman Gentiles in early church history proves God is responsible for His Church and encourages believers to witness everywhere. Acts

If the Gospels give us four portraits of Jesus... Acts gives us a portrait of the early church. What is Luke’s portrait? How does he describe the early church?

Luke’s portrait of the early church Fulfills the Father’s plan through glorifying Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit. A new community of Jews and Gentiles, experiencing God’s promised blessings. Proclaims the gospel throughout the world. Its key leaders are like Jesus: Spirit-filled, boldly proclaiming, performing miracles, and suffering persecution. Shares resources to meet needs in the community. Its key activities: “serves, preaches, teaches, heals, and prays” (Bock, Acts, 41).

Discussion Question In view of Luke’s portrait of the early church’s mission and functions, what should be the mission and functions of the present church? In what area(s) of church missions do you have passion to participate? How will you carry out your passion?

Paul’s Missionary Journeys

(Furloughs in parentheses) Area Acts Reference YrsLettersMen with Paul 1Galatia 12:25–14:28 1.5GalatiansBarnabas, Mark (.5) 2Aegean 15:36–18: , 2 Thess Silas, Timothy, Luke (.5) 3 Ephesus & Aegean 18:23–21:16 4 1, 2 Cor, Romans Timothy, Luke, Titus, Erastus, Aristarchus, Sopater, Secundus, Gaius, Tychicus, Trophimus, Sosthenes (0) * Jerusalem, Caesarea 21:26–26:13 2.8NoneTimothy, Luke (0) *Rome 27:1–28: Eph, Col, Phil, Philem. Timothy, Luke Paul’s Missionary Journeys

Paul’s First & Second Missionary Journeys

Paul’s Third Missionary Journey Paul taught in Ephesus “for two years, so that all of Asia heard the word of the Lord” (Acts 19:10) EPHESUS

Spread of Early Christianity

Luke’s Gospel is written to confirm Theophilus’ faith (Luke 1:3) and other believers’ faith and to answer how the Jewish Savior could be a Savior for Gentiles. Luke continues this universal emphasis in the Book of Acts, which chronicles the progress of the gospel message from its reception by Jews in Jerusalem (1:1–6:7) to Judeans and Samaritans (6:8–8:40) to Gentiles in the uttermost part of the Roman Empire (chs. 9– 28) in order to encourage believers that the responsibility for the growth of the Church is God’s work, not man’s. Recap

Discussion Questions 1.In John 17:3 Jesus says, “This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” a.When does this eternal life begin? (see e.g., John 5:24) b.What is eternal life? (see e.g., John 6:54 and 6:56) c.How are we to live today then? 2.In view of Luke’s portrait of the early church’s mission and functions, what should be the mission and functions of the present church? In what area(s) of church missions do you have passion to participate? How will you carry out your passion? 1.Brainstorm and share what you know about the uniqueness of the epistles in the New Testament (as compared to other kinds of literary works) and derive their significance for us today.