©McGraw-Hill Higher Education Chapter 13 Acts of the Apostles

©McGraw-Hill Higher Education Key Topics/Themes A continuation of Luke’s two-part narrative of Christian origins Emphasizes same themes of Luke

©McGraw-Hill Higher Education Introduction Volume two of Luke’s two-volume narrative of Christian origins Highly selective account concentrating on Christianity’s movement from Jewish roots into Hellenistic cultures Paul as Luke’s hero of Hellenistic Christianity Theologically oriented like Luke

©McGraw-Hill Higher Education The Divine Plan of Humanity’s Salvation Theme verse: Acts 1:8 Christianity to spread to “the ends of the earth” Luke’s major theme: how God’s Spirit is operating in human history to bring God’s promises to Israel to pass

©McGraw-Hill Higher Education Luke’s Use of Speeches Parallel to use of speeches in writings of Greek historians Thucydides a good example

©McGraw-Hill Higher Education Organization of Acts Reflects Luke’s interest in showing Christianity moving from its Jewish roots Moves into Hellenistic cultures Ends when Christianity’s hero, Paul, comes to Rome preaching the Gospel

©McGraw-Hill Higher Education Prologue and Account of the Ascension (1:1-11) Significance of “forty days” God’s rule to be realized gradually through the spread of the Christian message Jesus’ ascent into heaven

©McGraw-Hill Higher Education Founding of the Jerusalem Church (1:12-2:47) The apostles The Holy Spirit at Pentecost The Jerusalem commune

©McGraw-Hill Higher Education The Work of Peter and the Apostles (3:1-5:42) Peter’s second speech Jewish leaders acted “in ignorance” in their condemnation of Jesus Confrontations between apostles and Jerusalem religious leadership God intervenes to assure fledgling Church’s success

©McGraw-Hill Higher Education Persecution of the Hellenist Jewish Christians (6:1-8:40) Disputes between the Hellenist and Hebrew Christians Stephen: the first Christian martyr The Samaritan mission

©McGraw-Hill Higher Education Preparation for Mission: Paul and Barnabas (9:1-12:25) Paul’s vision of the risen Christ Peter’s call to baptize the Gentile Cornelius The fate of the blasphemer Herod Agrippa I

©McGraw-Hill Higher Education First Missionary Journey: Jerusalem Conference (13:1- 15:35) Paul teamed with Barnabas at Antioch Paul and Barnabas make first missionary journey to Asia Minor The Jerusalem Conference Paul’s independence of the apostolic church

©McGraw-Hill Higher Education Second Missionary Journey (16:1-18:21) Basic themes of second half of Acts –Spirit’s control over the Church’s growth –Favorable response of Gentiles to Gospel –Roman officials familiar with and indifferent toward Christianity Paul teamed with Silas and Timothy

©McGraw-Hill Higher Education Second Journey (cont’d.) New work in Macedonia –Philippi –Thessalonica New work in Athens –Paul’s attempts in Athens –Corinth

©McGraw-Hill Higher Education Third Missionary Journey (18:22- 20:38) Emphasis on Paul’s lengthy stay in Ephesus Influence of religion of John the Baptist Influence of Apollos Competition with Artemis cult at Ephesus Paul resolves to go to Jerusalem

©McGraw-Hill Higher Education Paul’s Arrest and Imprisonment (21:1-26:32) Paul’s desire to take offering to Jerusalem Paul’s presence in Jerusalem Temple sparks a riot Paul saved by Romans who arrest him Christianity and the state in Acts Christians’ political influence in Acts

©McGraw-Hill Higher Education Paul’s Journey to Rome (27:1- 28:31) Long sea travel section narrated in first- person plural Paul shipwrecked at Malta Paul arrives in Rome Possible reasons Acts ends so abruptly Paul preaches at Rome “openly and without hindrance”

©McGraw-Hill Higher Education Summary Acts a continuation of Luke’s Gospel Focuses on Peter and Paul Traces Christianity’s rapid expansion from Jewish roots into Gentile cultures throughout Roman Empire Acts as Luke’s apologia for the faith

©McGraw-Hill Higher Education Summary (cont’d.) Christianity a new religion that is an outgrowth of Judaism Christianity no threat to the Roman state