1. Faith in the Gospels part 3: The Gospel of Luke and Acts
IPM Session 03B
Mike Pascual, MA

2. Goal of the lecture
Consider the themes and insights from the Gospel of Luke (and Acts)

3. The Acts of the Apostles
Luke-Acts 1:1
Based off the introduction, to whom (specifically) was this work written to?
who was the author of this work?
When was it written?
Where was it written?
Who was the audience?
Refer to material and understanding from last year, on your knowledge of the Gospels. Read the Introduction to Acts of the Apostle.

5. What we know…
Because it is written to Theophilus (and the same writing style, theme, and ancient manuscripts), we know:
It was written by the Evangelist Luke
Around 80AD
To a Christian Gentile Audience
Somewhere around Greece

6. The Acts of Apostles
It is the second volume in the two-volume work known as Luke-Acts.
Takes place where the Gospel of Luke left off
Ended with the Promise of the Spirit and the Ascension of Jesus

7. Consider this:
What was the religion of Jesus and his initial followers?
Who is the audience of Luke-Acts?
What do we have in common with the audience of Luke-Acts?

8. We have the same problem!
The author of Luke-Acts is trying to answer the question:
How do we share in the promise of salvation for the Jews?
Jesus is Jewish, we are not.
Jesus preached to the Jews, we are not Jewish.

9. Fun Fact: THE WAY
This is the original name of the group who follow Jesus’ way of living God’s will.
See Acts 9:2
The Essene community at Qumran used the same designation to describe this way of life (footnote from NAB)

10. To answer the question…
Let’s find out the main character of Luke and Acts.

11. Check out these Bible Verses
Luke 1:13-15; 1:34-35; 1:41; 2:25-27
Luke 3:16; 3:22; 4:1
1. Who is the consistent character in the Gospel of Luke.
Acts 1:1-5; 1:8; 1:16
Act 2:1-4; 4:8;
Who is the Consistent character in the Acts of the Apostles?

12. Luke 1:13-15; 1:34-35; 1:41; 2:25-27

13. Luke 3:16; 3:22; 4:1

14. Acts 1:1-5; 1:8; 1:16

15. Act 2:1-4; 4:8;

16. The Main Character of Luke-Acts?
The Holy Spirit!!!

17. The Author of Luke-Acts’ Vision
STORY OF
ISRAEL
JESUS
The Church
WHERE
Old Testament
Gospel of Luke
Acts of the Apostles
Main Character
The Holy Spirit
Main Lead
The Prophets
The Messiah
The Apostles
Recipient of Grace
The Jews
The Jews and
The GENTILES

18. Geographical Theology of Luke-Acts
Time Period
Gospel of Luke
Acts of the Apostles
Time of Reader
Begins
Nazareth
(rural Palestine)
Jerusalem
(capital of Israel)
Rome
(capital of Gentiles)
Ends
N/A
Main Leads
Jesus
Peter/Paul
Successor of Peter/Paul

19. Conclusion
According to Luke-Acts, the Holy Spirit is what connects the Church of today with the early Apostolic Church.
The leadership (Greek: episkopai) today are successors to the Apostles that were sent forth by Jesus.

20. Discussion
What confidence does Luke have for the Institution? Can this be positive or negative?
How can we share this enthusiasm (effectively) to those we minister to?