1. Jerusalem Community Acts 2:42 – 5:11

2. Life of the Early Church They devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to the prayers (Acts 2:42) Perseverance in these areas; major themes of the early Christian church (J. Gonzales)

3. Apostles' Teaching – verbal, but also through wonders and miraculous signs (2:43) Fellowship – gathering together, sharing of goods, and meeting needs (2:44-45) Breaking of Bread – a new developing form of Christian worship (2:46) A celebration Prayers – praising God, Jewish traditions (2:47) Life of the Early Church (cont.)

4. Peter Heals a Crippled Beggar Acts 3:1-8 By Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld 1851-60 Engraving

5. Lame Man Healed Acts 3:1-8 Unknown artist

6. Miracle Story: Five Stages Introduction: Peter and John go to Jerusalem Temple; crippled man brought in (3:1-2) Conflict/Delay: Crippled man asks for money; Peter addresses him; he expects money (3:3-6a) Action: Peter tells the man to get up; takes him by the right hand; lifts him up (3:6b-7a) Confirmation: The man jumps up, stands, walks, enters the temple (3:7b-8) Reaction: People notice, observe, are amazed (3:9-10 )

7. Observations John – more proactive in 1 st depiction Crippled man carried to the temple gate Observers inside the temple Man walks and jumps Peter raises his arm in the air – shows that the healing power is of God, not his own Gate called Beautiful – Nicanors gate? Beautiful because it was of burnished bronze

8. Believers Share Possessions (Acts 4:32-37) Share everything (32) No needy person among them People sold their land and houses Placed the money from the sales at the apostles feet Distributed to those in need

9. Why? J. Gonzales: A result of the gift of the Holy Spirit Eschatological expectation One of Lukes themes is helping the poor and giving up ones possessions Eschatological reversal Method for distribution of resources – apostles Ideal community?

10. Barnabas Acts 4:36-37 Positive example By Johann Cristoph Weigel 1695 Woodcut

11. Ananias Acts 5:1-5 Negative example By Caspar Luiken Dutch, 1712 Copper engraving

12. Sapphira Acts 5:1-2, 7-10 Negative example By Nicolas Poussin 1652 Oil on Canvas

13. Sapphira Unknown Artist 1702 Woodcut

14. Observations Money laid at the apostles feet (5:2) Ananias & Sapphira both lie (5:3-4, 8-9) Both are struck dead (5:5,10) Great fear seizes the people (5:5,11) Young men carry out the bodies (5:6,10) Pointing to Ananias & Sapphira, and pointing up Lying to the Holy Spirit / God (5:3,4)

15. Observations (cont.) No young men to carry out Ananias' body Unclear if other men with Peter are apostles or observers Depiction of a dove – reference to Holy Spirit How could you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord? (Acts 5:9) …you have lied to the Holy Spirit… (5:3b)

16. Conclusions Goals and actions of the early Christian church Both Jewish and new practices Miracle – through the power of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles New community – both positive and negative examples The Spirit – love and truth Sin of Ananias and Sapphira = lying Ideal community/Church vs. reality