Acts of the Apostles Salvation to the Ends of the Earth

Acts of the Apostles Second Volume of Luke-Acts Second Volume of Luke-Acts Compare Luke 1:1-4 and Acts 1:1-2 Compare Luke 1:1-4 and Acts 1:1-2 Author was Luke, a companion of Paul Author was Luke, a companion of Paul Early church accepted author was Luke Early church accepted author was Luke “We” passages “We” passages Acts of Holy Spirit or Acts of Jesus Acts of Holy Spirit or Acts of Jesus Mission “to the ends of the earth” Mission “to the ends of the earth” Why was the mission of the early church so successful? Why was the mission of the early church so successful? History and Theology Combined History and Theology Combined Significance of Acts for today Significance of Acts for today

Date and Location Written between AD 62 and 64 Written between AD 62 and 64 Before Peter and Paul martyred. Before Peter and Paul martyred. Paul had been imprisoned in Rome for two years Paul had been imprisoned in Rome for two years Right up to date Right up to date If written after AD 66, why are deaths of apostles omitted? If written after AD 66, why are deaths of apostles omitted? Historical accuracy of Luke surprising if written later Historical accuracy of Luke surprising if written later Location of writing – Uncertain (Rome?) Location of writing – Uncertain (Rome?)

Chronology of Main Events in Acts 29 AD – Ascension and Pentecost 29 AD – Ascension and Pentecost 35 AD – Martyrdom of Stephen 35 AD – Martyrdom of Stephen 37 AD – Paul’s Conversion 37 AD – Paul’s Conversion 38 AD – Peter and Cornelius 38 AD – Peter and Cornelius 39 AD Paul in Tarsus 39 AD Paul in Tarsus 40 AD Paul’s first visit to Jerusalem 40 AD Paul’s first visit to Jerusalem 43 AD Barnabas in Antioch 43 AD Barnabas in Antioch 45 AD Paul’s First Missionary Journey 45 AD Paul’s First Missionary Journey

Chronology of Acts (cont) 51 AD – Council of Jerusalem 51 AD – Council of Jerusalem 52 AD – Paul’s Second Missionary Journey 52 AD – Paul’s Second Missionary Journey 53 AD – Letters to Thessalonians 53 AD – Letters to Thessalonians 58 AD – Paul arrested in Jerusalem. Imprisonned in Caesarea 58 AD – Paul arrested in Jerusalem. Imprisonned in Caesarea 59 AD – Paul’s journey to Rome 59 AD – Paul’s journey to Rome 60 AD Paul in Rome 60 AD Paul in Rome 62 AD – End of Acts 62 AD – End of Acts

Structure of Acts Major Sections Major Sections  Beginnings of the Church (1-2)  The Church in Jerusalem (3-5)  Expansion (6-9:31)  Beginning of Gentile Mission (9:32-12)  Missionary Journeys (13-20)  Paul’s Arrest and Imprisonment (21-28) A fulfilment of Acts 1:8? A fulfilment of Acts 1:8? Transition Points? Transition Points?

Cultural Background Interest in Judaism Interest in Judaism Unworthy gods Unworthy gods Philosophy tended to be religion-free Philosophy tended to be religion-free Moral rigour of Judaism Moral rigour of Judaism Diaspora Diaspora But ethnic & required circumcision But ethnic & required circumcision God-fearers God-fearers From root of Judaism From root of Judaism But negative aspects – Speech of Stephen. But negative aspects – Speech of Stephen.

Purpose To tell us what happened next – a historical account as a legacy to the church To tell us what happened next – a historical account as a legacy to the church Addressed to Theophilus - “lover of God” Addressed to Theophilus - “lover of God” Acts 1:1-2; Luke 1:1-4 Acts 1:1-2; Luke 1:1-4 Author not an eye-witness Author not an eye-witness Writing to a rich patron? Writing to a rich patron? PR/spin/Propaganda?! PR/spin/Propaganda?! Christianity’s founder had been crucified Christianity’s founder had been crucified Its main spokesman was under house arrest Its main spokesman was under house arrest It seemed to cause disturbance wherever it spread It seemed to cause disturbance wherever it spread

Purpose (cont) Genre of Acts exists in ancient world Genre of Acts exists in ancient world Refutation of Heresy (unlikely) Refutation of Heresy (unlikely) Luke portrays Christianity as a Credible Religion (ie political apologetic) Luke portrays Christianity as a Credible Religion (ie political apologetic) Luke 23:13 Miscarriage of justice Luke 23:13 Miscarriage of justice Appeal to Caesar, cf Nelson Mandela Appeal to Caesar, cf Nelson Mandela Instigators of riots – Religious Jews, tradespeople Instigators of riots – Religious Jews, tradespeople To show how the church, composed of Jews and Gentiles, stands in continuity with Judaism To show how the church, composed of Jews and Gentiles, stands in continuity with Judaism

Luke's Concerns Continuity of God’s purposes The Holy Spirit The mission and message of the church The Role of Prayer in church life Jesus' concern for poor and women Christianity as a Universal Faith – Inclusion of the Gentiles Christianity as a Lawful Religion Jesus as Saviour

Key Themes Jesus – the fulfilment of Israel Jesus – the fulfilment of Israel The Church as the new People of God The Church as the new People of God Life and Structure of the new Community Life and Structure of the new Community The Holy Spirit as agent of Renewal and Mission The Holy Spirit as agent of Renewal and Mission The Mission of God – Salvation to the ends of the earth The Mission of God – Salvation to the ends of the earth Reaching out across Religious and Cultural Boundaries Reaching out across Religious and Cultural Boundaries

The Speeches in Acts About 30% of Acts consists of Speeches. Can we tell what the early Christians preached? About 30% of Acts consists of Speeches. Can we tell what the early Christians preached? Explanations – Acts 2, 3 Explanations – Acts 2, 3 Fit into contexts Fit into contexts  Jerusalem  Athens Quotations from the OT (Acts 2) Quotations from the OT (Acts 2) Reference to culture/history Reference to culture/history Quotations from secular writers (Acts 17:8) Quotations from secular writers (Acts 17:8)

Sermons in Acts Peter Peter Acts 2:14-37; 3:12-26; 4:8-12; 10:34-43 Acts 2:14-37; 3:12-26; 4:8-12; 10:34-43 Stephen Stephen Acts 6 Acts 6 Paul Paul Acts 13:16-41, 46-47; 14:15-17; 17:2-3, Acts 13:16-41, 46-47; 14:15-17; 17:2-3, Testimonies Testimonies Acts 22:3-21; 24:10-21; 26:2-27, 29; 28:23-28 Acts 22:3-21; 24:10-21; 26:2-27, 29; 28:23-28

Kerygma – Acts Sermons The Age of Fulfillment has dawned, the “latter days” foretold by the prophets. The Age of Fulfillment has dawned, the “latter days” foretold by the prophets. This has taken place through the birth, life, ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus. This has taken place through the birth, life, ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus. By virtue of the resurrection, Jesus has been exalted at the right hand of God as Messianic head of the new Israel. By virtue of the resurrection, Jesus has been exalted at the right hand of God as Messianic head of the new Israel. The Holy Spirit in the church is the sign of Christ's present power and glory. The Holy Spirit in the church is the sign of Christ's present power and glory. The Messianic Age will reach its consummation in the return of Christ. The Messianic Age will reach its consummation in the return of Christ. An appeal is made for repentance with the offer of forgiveness, the Holy Spirit, and salvation. An appeal is made for repentance with the offer of forgiveness, the Holy Spirit, and salvation.

A Justification of Paul? Peter and Paul compared Peter and Paul compared  Healing  Vision  Release from Prison  Raising the dead  Bestowing the Spirit

Distinctive Teaching of Holy Spirit Begins in Acts 2 Begins in Acts 2 Ends with Holy Spirit Acts 28:25 Ends with Holy Spirit Acts 28:25 Holy Spirit Empowering Holy Spirit Empowering Jerusalem, Samaria, Caesarea, Ephesus, Paul Jerusalem, Samaria, Caesarea, Ephesus, Paul True Israel – Inspired by Holy Spirit True Israel – Inspired by Holy Spirit Boldness of ordinary men Boldness of ordinary men Power for service Power for service World Mission World Mission

Single Pentecost? Jerusalem, Samaria, Gentile Jerusalem, Samaria, Gentile Subsequent experiences Subsequent experiences Samaritan Pentecost Samaritan Pentecost Acts 8. Philip Acts 8. Philip Peter's power of the keys – Lampe Peter's power of the keys – Lampe Tied into Israel Tied into Israel Pentecost – birthday or coming of age of church? Pentecost – birthday or coming of age of church? A transition phase or a model of ministry for the “last days”? A transition phase or a model of ministry for the “last days”?

Missionary Methods Fulfilling commission in Acts 1:8? Fulfilling commission in Acts 1:8? Breaking the mould Breaking the mould Catalysts for movement Catalysts for movement Persecution and Holy Spirit Persecution and Holy Spirit Focus on Cities, New Regions Focus on Cities, New Regions Preaching & healing Preaching & healing Baptism and Laying on of hands Baptism and Laying on of hands Methods of Proclamation Methods of Proclamation

Churches in Acts We encounter many different churches in Acts. We encounter many different churches in Acts.  Jerusalem  Damascus  Antioch  Corinth  Ephesus  Rome Do they paint a uniform picture – or is there acceptable variation among churches? Do they paint a uniform picture – or is there acceptable variation among churches?

Use of Old Testament Scripture Acts 2 – Joel, Psalms Acts 2 – Joel, Psalms Acts 3 – Deuteronomy, Genesis Acts 3 – Deuteronomy, Genesis Acts 4 – Psalms Acts 4 – Psalms Acts 7 – Genesis, Exodus, Deuteronomy, Amos, Isaiah Acts 7 – Genesis, Exodus, Deuteronomy, Amos, Isaiah Acts 8 – Isaiah Acts 8 – Isaiah Acts 13 – Psalms, Isaiah, Habakkuk Acts 13 – Psalms, Isaiah, Habakkuk Acts 15 – Amos Acts 15 – Amos Acts 23 - Exodus Acts 23 - Exodus Acts 28 - Isaiah Acts 28 - Isaiah

The Council of Jerusalem Acts 15 Acts 15 The Issues The Issues The nature of the church now that Gentiles were being included The nature of the church now that Gentiles were being included Were they expected to obey the Laws of Moses? Were they expected to obey the Laws of Moses? How is the church to relate to Judaism? How is the church to relate to Judaism? What does Acts 15:16-17 tell us about the relationship of the church to the OT expectations of Israel? What does Acts 15:16-17 tell us about the relationship of the church to the OT expectations of Israel?

Christians in Acts The term Christian first occurs in Acts 11:26 The term Christian first occurs in Acts 11:26 The brethren (23x) The brethren (23x) Disciples (21x) – including a woman (9:36) Disciples (21x) – including a woman (9:36) Saints (4x) – Acts 9:13, 32, 41; 26:10 Saints (4x) – Acts 9:13, 32, 41; 26:10 The Church (19x); The Way (10x) The Church (19x); The Way (10x) Those who believe (2:44 etc) Those who believe (2:44 etc) Those who call upon the name (9:14 etc) Those who call upon the name (9:14 etc) Those who are being saved (2:47) Those who are being saved (2:47) Those who received the word (2:41) Those who received the word (2:41)

Community Life Daily Distribution to widows Daily Distribution to widows Care of the dead Care of the dead Church in the home Church in the home Worship and fasting Worship and fasting Hymn singing Hymn singing Hospitality Hospitality Financial giving Financial giving Late, late church Late, late church

Ministry within the Early Church Ministry Gifts Ministry Gifts  Apostles – Acts 1:2  Prophets – Acts 13:1  Teachers – Acts 13:1  Evangelists – Acts 21:9 Church Leadership Church Leadership  Elders – Acts 20:17  Deacons – Acts 6 How do such gifts inter-relate? How do such gifts inter-relate?

Significant Ministry Events in Acts Matthias replaces Judas among the 12 Matthias replaces Judas among the 12 Healing and Preaching Healing and Preaching The Seven chosen to serve The Seven chosen to serve Calling of Saul of Tarsus Calling of Saul of Tarsus Appointment of Elders Appointment of Elders Council of Jerusalem Council of Jerusalem Prisca and Aquila teach Apollos Prisca and Aquila teach Apollos Paul and the Ephesian Elders Paul and the Ephesian Elders The Collection for poor saints in Jerusalem The Collection for poor saints in Jerusalem

Mission and Ministry Theology of the Holy Spirit Theology of the Holy Spirit Ordo Salutis Ordo Salutis Signs and Wonders Signs and Wonders Gospel Proclamation in diverse settings Gospel Proclamation in diverse settings Church growth & church planting Church growth & church planting Missiology Missiology Patterns of Christian Ministry Patterns of Christian Ministry Fresh Expressions of Church Fresh Expressions of Church

The Apostle Paul Disciple of Gamaliel Disciple of Gamaliel Talmud Talmud Grandson of Hillel Grandson of Hillel Native of Tarsus Native of Tarsus Died in Rome under Nero (~AD 66) Died in Rome under Nero (~AD 66) A Pharisee before his conversion (Phil 3:5) A Pharisee before his conversion (Phil 3:5) Missionary extraordinary Missionary extraordinary Great letter writer Great letter writer

Paul the Missionary Planned to visit Spain (Rom 15:24) Planned to visit Spain (Rom 15:24) Worked in a team – Col 4:10-14, Philemon Worked in a team – Col 4:10-14, Philemon Focussed on cities Focussed on cities Trained the next generation – Timothy, Titus Trained the next generation – Timothy, Titus Anthony Thistleton sees Corinth as a “post-modern” city. Paul experienced similar challenges to the ones we face. Anthony Thistleton sees Corinth as a “post-modern” city. Paul experienced similar challenges to the ones we face.

Paul in Prison Locations Locations  Philippi  Jerusalem  Caesarea  Rome Responses Responses  Prayer  Letters  Delegation

Acts in the Church Today A model for church ministry A model for church ministry Only for overseas mission Only for overseas mission A heritage document A heritage document Irrelevant Irrelevant