1. Luke-Acts June 2, 2007

2. “Liberation through the Power of the Spirit” ► Two-part structure shows how the emergence of the church is a necessary sequel to the ministry of Jesus. ► Luke 1:1-2—”I made the first book…about everything that Jesus began to do and teach until the day when—after giving instruction through the Holy Spirit…he was taken up”

3. Background/Genre ► Written with specific attention to the conventions of historical writing in late antiquity. ► Written to a cultured readership in the Hellenistic world.  Narrate everything kathexes, “in good order” (1:1-4). Entails a well-ordered story that convinces reader of the God’s plan in history (asphaleia).  Significant attention to WOMEN and DELIVERANCE OF POOR (Luke 1:52-53; 10:38-42;15:11-32 [prefigures response of Jews in Acts?].

4. Style/Genre continued ► Septuagintal diction manifests focus on the deep continuity between the OT and the Gospel story presented in Luke.  E.g., Luke’s birth and infancy narratives.  Not so much a focus on fulfillment of prophetic predictions but on the FULFILLMENT OF GOD’S PROMISES TO ISRAEL (Luke 1:54-55). Hence, lack of specific scriptural citations.

5. Luke’s Christology: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me” ► Eclectic portrayal of Jesus—Jesus is part of the larger purpose of God to bring salvation to the world.  He is presented as playing a vital role in bringing God’s salvation to the world, but with an equal emphasis on the role of the HOLY SPIRIT as poured out on the Church.

6. Luke’s Christology: Spirit- empowered servant ► Luke 4:16-21: Spirit-empowered public announcement of messianic vocation.  SEVERAL IMPORTANT LUKAN THEMES HERE: ► PAIS THEOU—”servant of God”; appeal to Isaiah and prophetic line. ► Messiah—’anointed one’ (3:21-22; 4:1, 14) ► Liberation and justice for poor and oppressed—Isa. 61 and Isa. 58: 6-7; 9 ► Call of God directed to all!

7. Luke’s Christology: Prophet like Moses ► More emphasis on Moses as prophetic liberator; LUKE 9:31 (“his exodus, which he was going to fulfill in Jerusalem.”) ► Acts 3:22-23 (mighty works), 25; 7:37 ► Moses sent twice—first time in weakness, second time in power. First leads to rejection out of ignorance, but second time, accompanied by signs, leads to rejection by God.  JESUS “MUST” SUFFER IN LINE WITH MOSAIC PATTERN.

8. Luke’s Christology: Righteous Martyr ► “he has done nothing to deserve death” (3X)--Luke 23:4, 13-15, 22  23:40-41—”this man has done nothing wrong.”  23:47—dikaios ► Isa. 53:11 LXX--speaks of a RIGHTEOUS ONE who will take away the sins of many (cf. Wisdom of Solomon 2:12-13; 17-20). ► ACTS 3:13-15--”his servant Jesus…you rejected the Holy and Righteous One” [ton hagion kai dikaion]. ► ACTS 7:51-52

9. The Church in the Power of the Spirit ► Jesus as paradigm for ministry: “everything that Jesus began to do and teach”—church is called to continue in these teachings and deeds. ► Just as Jesus is anointed by Spirit for service, so Pentecost (Acts 1:8; 2) reflects the empowerment of the church to proclaim the message to all nations. (Luke 24:46-49)

10. Promise and Outpouring of Spirit ► Empowering presence does not stop with apostles as successors of Jesus: Acts 2:17- 18, quoting Joel 2:28-29.  “This promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far off” (2:39).  Gift of Spirit empowers all to SAME VOCATION : PREACH FREEDOM TO CAPTIVES ► Repentance (Luke 3:10-14; Luke 24:47; Acts 2:38) in line w/ prophetic vision of justice in Isaiah.

11. Spirit Empowered ► Just like Jesus, the apostles are now prophets who proclaim good news and call for repentance, release from bondage, perform “signs and wonders” as acts of mercy and warning. ► Compare 9:36-46 and Luke 8:40-42; 49-56 ► Moses, Jesus, Apostles (Acts 2:42-47; 4:32- 37)

12. The New Community: “Great Grace Was Upon Them All” ► Formation of a people, not salvation of individuals:  Luke 1:17; 54-55; 68-79 (Isa. 40:3-5 and Luke 3:1-6)  “Journey Narrative”—9:51-19:44—On his way to Jerusalem, Jesus is forming the true people of God around himself, so that by the time he enters, “the whole multitude of disciples welcome him” (19:37).

13. “Great grace…” cont. ► Acts 2:42-47 ► Acts 4:32-35  With outpouring and mass baptisms on Pentecost, thousands are added to new community: “great grace was upon them all, for there was not a needy person among them” (34-35).  LUKE 4:16-21—FULFILLMENT of Greek ideal of true friendship (Nichomachean Ethics) and Deuteronomy 15.

14. “Great grace…” cont. ► The practice of distributing goods to meet needs is in obedience to Jesus’ teaching throughout Luke; some key texts:  Luke 6:20-25  12:13-21; 16:19-31 (Deut. 15 and Isa. 58!)  Contrasts: 18:18-30 and 19:1-10 ► POSSESSIONS AS SYMBOLS OF RESPONSE TO GOD—(ACTS 5:1-11): UNCOERCED GENEROSITY OR HESITANT STINGINESS?

15. Church and Empire: Turning the World Upside Down ► Sharp depiction of how new community relates to kingdoms of the world: Acts 17:1-9  Concern for outcasts; condemnation of wealthy; critique of unjust and oppressive institutions; call for relationships based on humility and service, and opposition to violence=THREAT TO ROMAN (or, any) ORDER.  Many specific rulers and public officials mentioned by name (Luke 2:1 and 3:1; Acts 26:26).  See Acts 4:19-30 [psalm 2:1-2]; Acts 5:17-42 (“…rather than human authority”); Acts 19:23-41.