The SAME Holy Spirit: The Jewish & Christian Understandings The OT The NT the Trinity had not yet been revealed the “spirit” is described as a separate Person of the Holy Trinity

Pentecost the apostles gathered in hopes to make sense of preceding weeks Jesus had been crucified, died, buried, risen from the dead, and ascended into Heaven Acts 2:2-4 God had sent the Holy Spirit to strengthen and guide them, just as Jesus had promised their mission: to reveal the Lord Jesus Christ to THE WORLD!!!

The Birth of the Church the Holy Spirit gave the apostles the power to act in Jesus’ name to continue his ministry example: Peter, the fisherman, speaks in tongues inspired by the Holy Spirit preached to the Gentiles of the Roman Empire 3,000 new members were added in a single day to the Church

Peter’s Speech @ Pentecost Directions: READ Acts 2:14-47. With the assistance of a partner, ANSWER the following questions in your notebook. What does St. Peter say of Jesus? What does St. Peter tell the masses to do? What do they do?

Inspired To Join The Church “signs and wonders” indicated God at work in the community the Holy Spirit drawing people to new life trust in God/the reign of God a new understanding of freedom, hope, and salvation personal and social conversions an intense form of community

Reflection: To Join or Not to Join Would you join?

ANY QUESTIONS?

New Faces Defending the New Faith Peter & John were arrested & put in jail civil disobedience: in this case… ignored Sanhedrin’s order to stop preaching about JC an angel opened the gates P & J went to the Temple to preach about Jesus were recognized & sentenced to be killed Gamaliel, a wise respected member of the court, saved their lives…Acts 5:38-39 “…if this endeavor or this activity is of human origin, it will destroy itself. But if it comes from God, you will not be able to destroy them; you may even find yourself fighting against God.”

Gentiles: Hellenistic Jews The 1st Christians Jews: Israeli Jews Gentiles: Hellenistic Jews 1st followers of Jesus saw themselves as JEWS followed all Jewish practices worshipped in the Temple/obeyed Mosaic Law/remained Kosher however, they also… observed Sunday’s as the Lord’s Day by celebrating the Eucharist bread & wine became the Body & Blood of Jesus Christ 1st century AD: official religion of the empire-a mix b/w emperor worship & polytheistic religion no satisfaction Gentiles (non-Jews) were drawn to… Judaism's monotheistic faith Jesus’ message

Due to conflicts w/in the Church, the Apostles needed help…enter: deacons St. Stephen St. Philip one of the seven 1st deacons was pronounced a blasphemer after working miracles & was arrested blamed the Sanhedrin for crucifying Jesus became the 1st Christian martyr after being stoned to death Greek for “witness” another one of the seven 1st deacons preached to the Samaritans 1st to bring Christianity OUTSIDE of Judea Peter and John join him to instill the Holy Spirit on the newly baptized Philip = Deacon/Priest… Baptism Peter and John = Bishop… Confirmation

Reflection: Martyrdom Would you die for your faith?

ANY QUESTIONS?

Saul/Paul Saul…his Aramaic name The Conversion of Saul Acts 9:1-22 a Jew from Tarsus who persecuted the followers of Jesus The Conversion of Saul Acts 9:1-22 Paul…his Latin name originally feared by all (obviously) Ananias & Barnabas welcomes him rest of Apostles realized the Holy Spirit was working through Paul

ALL ARE WELCOME Paul’s Conversion Peter’s Vision (Acts 10) Christians would include Gentiles Paul would be the missionary to the Gentiles ANYONE can be Christian and be one with God Peter’s Vision (Acts 10) “What God has made clean, you must not call profane.” (Acts 10:15) Jews (Peter) mixed w/ non-Jews (Cornelius)

ALL ARE WELCOME Antioch 1st Church to welcome both Jews & Gentiles followers of Jesus were known as Christians