What is the importance of the baptism of Cornelius and his family (Acts 10) for Luke’s story? How did this event influence the work of Saulos Paulos? Describe in your own words how Saulos Paulos approached the disciples on this issue, how the issue was resolved and how that resolution affected the Gentiles of the First Century and today’s age. Exclusively use the Reading Material from Johnson, the Online Lecture and the Acts of the Apostles from the bible to support your argument.
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The Acts of the Apostles Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 Historical Background in Acts Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 Historical Leaders of 1 st Century Tiberius 16 November 42 BC: Tiberius Claudius Nero 19 August 14 AD: Imperator Tiberius Caesar Augustus 16 March 37: natural death Was the ruling Caesar during the ministry of Christ Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 Historical Leaders of 1 st Century Nero 15 December 37: Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus 13 October 54: Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus September (?) 66: Imperator Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus 9 June 68: suicide Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 Historical Leaders of 1 st Century Vespasian 17 November 9: Titus Flavius Vespasianus 1 July 69: Imperator Titus Flavius Vespasianus Caesar 23 June 79: natural death First of many emperors to give favor to the Jewish historian Flavius Josephus Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 Historical Leaders of 1 st Century Vespasian Was in power in 70 AD when his General Titus captured Jerusalem and burned down the Jerusalem Temple during the Jewish revolt Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 Historical Leaders of 1 st Century Titus 30 December 39: Titus Flavius Vespasianus 2 September 70: Imperator Titus Caesar Vespasianus Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 Historical Leaders of 1 st Century Titus 24 June 79: Imperator Titus Caesar Vespasianus Augustus 13 September 81: natural death Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 Historical Leaders of 1 st Century Titus While general under Imperator Titus Flavius Vespasianus Caesar who sacked the Jerusalem temple during the Jewish revolt in 70 AD Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 Rabbinic Judaism Post 70 AD The Jewish people had to pay a high price in suffering and humiliation from the three wars against Rome that took place between 66-135 AD, but the outcome brought into being a Judaism that was basically united and solidified – that is, solidified into what we call Rabbinic Judaism today. Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 Rabbinic Judaism Post 70 AD With the full ruin of Jerusalem in 70 AD the Jewish authorities who maintained the Sanhedrin (the central law courts of the Jews and the body which was responsible for calendar matters and other ritual questions of Jewish religion) moved from the ruined area of Jerusalem to a town near the Mediterranean called Jamnia (which is located in modern day Israel). Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 Rabbinic Judaism Post 70 AD Jamnia was on a parallel line geographically with Jerusalem and gave the authorities a reasonable confidence that their calendar observations and calculations for the maintenance of the Jewish festival seasons would continue to be accurate in accordance with the legislation give by Moses in the Holy Scripture. Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 About Flavius Josephus Flavius Josephus (37-100 AD) was a Jewish historian best known for his histories of the Jews. Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 About Flavius Josephus These histories include a first-hand account of the revolt against the Romans (66-73 AD) and historical confirmation of the existence and ministry of Jesus. Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 About Flavius Josephus Flavius Josephus was a Jew of priestly and royal descent originally named Joseph ben Matthias (or Mattathias). In his early years, “Joseph” was put in charge of Galilee and took part in the 66 AD revolt against Rome. His forces overwhelmed, he surrendered to the Roman Vespasian after a seven-week siege. Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 About Flavius Josephus • “Joseph” won the favor of Vespasian, who became emperor after Nero committed suicide. • Joseph adopted the Roman name “Flavius Josephus” and spent his career under the patronage of Vespasian and his successors (Titus and Domitian). Late in life Josephus wrote his Antiquities of the Jews, first in Aramaic, then Greek. Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 About Flavius Josephus • His Antiquities of the Jews is a history from creation to 66 AD and mentions Jesus, John the Baptist and James, the martyred cousin of Jesus. Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 About Flavius Josephus Although his original texts have been altered over the centuries, most scholars agree that he is one of the best sources of extra-biblical information for the early Christian era. Source: Answers.com Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 Background on Acts Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 Intended Audience To churches affected directly or indirectly by Paul’s mission. Serious proposals center on areas in Greece or Syria. Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 About Acts • Luke-Acts comprises about one third of the New Testament and extends from the annunciation of the birth of John the Baptist to the house arrest of Paul in Rome in Acts 28. • Written between 70 – 90 AD, as the author seems aware about the Siege of Jerusalem in 70 AD. Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 About Acts • Probably written in Rome. • Probably written more as a “history” than anything else. • Luke/Acts are the only books in the New Testament to speak about Jesus’ ascension into heaven… and it is discussed twice (Lk 24: 50-53 and Acts 1: 9-11). Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 About Acts Luke’s special material is quite extensive ◦ Prayer ◦ Compassion, Endurance & Sharing ◦ Gospel of REVERSAL – not only that God acts but that we are to act in the same way ◦ Openness to the outsider Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #0 About Acts • Written for a non-Christian Roman Official (Theophilus, meaning “God lover”) or other cultured non-Christians (e.g. the Hellenists or Gentiles) • Presents the earliest apostles as reluctant to extend the gospel to the Gentiles o Peter’s baptism of the Gentile Cornelius in Acts 9 o The Council of Jerusalem in 49 AD, in Acts 15 (the “center” of the gospel) Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 Key Terms in This Discussion HELLENISTS: Hellenists were Jews born in lands outside of Palestine and took many of their cultural characteristics from the Greek world. Hebrews maintained the cultural traits and customs of the Jews. Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 Key Terms in This Discussion HELLENISTS: When this issue was raised, the apostles suggested finding other men among the believers so they would not neglect their preaching duties. Seven were chosen, including St. Stephen (the recognized first Christian martyr after Christ) and St. Philip. Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 Key Terms in This Discussion GENTILES: All the people who were not Jews were so called by them, being aliens from the worship, rites and privileges of Israel. Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 Key Terms in This Discussion The word GENTILE was used contemptuously by the traditional Jewish faithful. In the New Testament it is used as equivalent to Greek. This use of the word seems to have arisen from the almost universal adaption of the Greek language. Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 About St. Luke • • • • Luke, the “beloved physician” Less well attested: a Syrian from Antioch. Traditional view: travel companion of Paul Debates over the traditional view Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 About the Author An educated Greek-speaker and skilled writer who knew the Jewish Scriptures in Greek and who was not an eyewitness of Jesus’ ministry. He drew on Mark’s gospel and a collection of the sayings of the Lord (Q), as well as some other available traditions, oral or written. Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 About the Author • • • • Knows the Jewish scriptures in their Greek translation (LXX) Well educated and able to imitate various styles – Jewish and Hellenistic. Probably not raised a Jew, but perhaps a convert to Judaism before he became a Christian. Not a Palestinian. Only Gentile New Testament writer Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 About Acts • • Sequel to Luke’s two-part narrative of Christian origins Highly selective account concentrating on Christianity’s movement from Jewish roots into Hellenistic cultures Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 About the Author • Luke is assigned as the author. o The book is addressed to Theophilus (Lk 1: 3; Acts 1: 1, 2), the “God lover,” referencing the “former treatise” • Identical in style to Luke. • Historical sequence to the gospel of Luke. • Written in first-person plural (we). The writer was an eyewitness to what he was writing. (16: 10-17; 20: 5-15; 27: 1; 28: 16) Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 The Book’s Audience • • Intended for a wider reading audience than just Theophilus. Origin of Christianity’s beginning among the Jews. Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 The Book’s Audience • Much of the book is concerned with the transfer of the center of interest from Jerusalem to Antioch. ◦ Luke moves from Bethlehem to Jerusalem ◦ Acts moves from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth ◦ Jerusalem is the center of the narrative Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 The Book’s Audience • • Spreading the gospel through known Gentile world Historical account to meet the need of both Jews and Gentiles (1: 8) Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 Themes in Acts Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 Key Topics/Themes • A continuation of Luke’s two-part narrative of Christian origins in which the risen Jesus states that his disciples will be witnesses for him “to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1: 8) Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 Key Topics/Themes • • Luke’s name for the early Christian movement is The Way, including 9: 2, 17, 27; 18:and 25, 26: 19: 9, 23: 21: 11, 24: 14, 24: 22, 25: 3 26: 13. Emphasizes same themes of Luke but alluding to the early reluctance of the apostles to allow “The Way” to extend into Gentile territory. Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 Key Topics/Themes Historical Motive ◦ See Lk 1: 4 and Acts 1: 5. ◦ Acts gives a history of the continuation of Jesus’ work, by the Holy Spirit, through the Apostles. ◦ The final instruction (1: 8) Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 Key Topics/Themes The Defense Motive ◦ In Acts, every contact with government officials receives a favorable hearing or is ignored. ▪ Acts 13: Sergius Paulus ▪ Acts 16: 35-39: Officials at Philippi ▪ Acts 19: 31: Officials at Ephesus ▪ Acts 24-26: Felix, Festus, and Agrippa Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 Key Topics/Themes The Biographical Motive o Luke divided the Acts historical record into two different sections biographical in nature: ▪ Chs 1-12: history of Peter’s work ▪ Chs 13-28: the apostles’ work with the Gentiles – Paul! Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 The Sequel to the Gospel • The prophetic structuring of Luke’s work is seen in the relationship between his two volumes… First, the Book of Acts both continues the story of the Gospel and fulfills/confirms it. What is found only by way of implication in the story of Jesus is made explicit in the story of the apostles. Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 The Sequel to the Gospel • The pertinence of this for the reader is that, in Acts, Luke provides the first, authoritative interpretation of his Gospel. For understanding the specific shape of Luke’s Gospel, the perspective given by Acts is even more important than that given by Synoptic comparison. Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 The Sequel to the Gospel • Second, the two volumes are parts of a two-stage prophetic model, …moving from a consideration of the prophetic image of the main characters in Acts to the implications of the theme of a “prophet like Moses.” Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 The Divine Plan of Salvation • Luke’s major theme: how God’s Spirit is operating in human history to bring God’s promises to Israel to pass Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 The Role of Jerusalem • The center of his story is the city of Jerusalem. The whole movement of the Gospel of Luke is toward Jerusalem. Thus, the infancy account leads to the presentation of Jesus in the temple (Lk 2: 22) and to his discovery there after being lost (2: 41–51). Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 The Role of Jerusalem • The Lukan temptation account reverses Matthew’s order for the last two temptations, so the climax is reached in Jerusalem (4: 9). The transfiguration at the end of the Galilean ministry explicitly prepares for the journey to Jerusalem and Jesus’ death (9: 31). Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 The Role of Jerusalem • The journey itself begins with a solemn announcement (9: 51), followed by multiple references, during the journey, to Jesus’ destination (13: 22, 33–34; 17: 11; 18: 31; 19: 11, 28). After Jesus’ resurrection, all his appearances take place in the environs of Jerusalem, the last of them ending with his instruction “Stay in the city” (24: 1–49). Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 The Role of Jerusalem • The movement of Acts is away from Jerusalem. Jesus says in Acts 1: 8, “You shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth.” Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 The Role of Jerusalem • This is fulfilled by the narrative: the ministry centered in Jerusalem (Chs 1–7) is followed by the evangelization of Judea and Samaria (Chs 8–12), then Asia Minor and Europe (Chs 13–28). Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 The Role of Jerusalem • Each outward movement, in turn, circles back to Jerusalem before reaching out still further (see Acts 12: 25; 15: 2; 18: 22; 19: 21; 20: 16; 21: 13; 25: 1). Jerusalem is therefore the center of the narrative. Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 The Moses Parallel • Luke has selected and structured the Moses story so that it matches exactly the story of Jesus and his witnesses. Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 The Moses Parallel • The pattern of the Moses story provides the fundamental structure for Luke’s twovolume work. In the Gospel, we read the story of God’s first sending of the prophet Jesus to “visit” his people for their “salvation” (Lk 1: 68; 7: 16; 19: 44); of their initial rejection of the salvation, out of ignorance; and of Jesus’ being “raised up” from death. Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 The Moses Parallel • In Acts, we find his establishment in power signified by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, the sending of his witnesses filled with that Spirit, and the second offer to Israel of salvation “in his name” (Acts 4: 12; 5: 31). This time, the cost of a refusal is separation from God’s people. Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 The Moses Parallel • The pattern also shows us the precise reason the Jerusalem narrative is so dominant and critical: it is in Jerusalem that the first rejection, the empowerment, the second offer, and either acceptance or rejection by the people all occur. Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 Contents & Character • The book, Acts of the Apostles, records for us the history of Christianity’s beginning, growth, and spread during at least the first 30 years from Christ’s Ascension to Paul’s Imprisonment in Rome. Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 Story of “The Way” • The Acts of the Apostles’ primary focus was the story of the Church Movement (or “The Way”) following Christ’s death ◦ What it was, of whom it consisted, its organization, its mission and work, its worship, and its growth and development. Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 Story of “The Way” • We can learn about the church in the beginning when it was under apostolic guidance – as designed and built by God. It must be the same today! Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 Story of “The Way” • Met the problem of false doctrine by appealing to authority. ◦ Acts 15: 1, 5, 22, 40 • Each church edified by its own elders, through its own program of teaching and encouragement from gospel preachers. ◦ Acts 11: 22; 13: 1-3; 16: 40; 20: 1, 32 Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 VIDEO CLIP – About the Apostles (From The History Channel’s “The Story of Paul the Apostle”) Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 The Holy Spirit’s Work • The Spirit’s mission was first promised by Christ. ◦ John 14: 16, 17, 25, 26; 16: 7-15; Acts 1: 8 • Promise fulfilled on Day of Pentecost. ◦ Acts 2: 1-4 ◦ Acts 2: 15-21 ◦ Acts 2: 33 Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 Contents & Character • Reveal the gospel. ◦ Acts 2: 4; 1 Cor 2: 10-13; Eph 3: 3-5 • Confirm the word by miracles. ◦ Mk 16: 15-20 ◦ Acts 6: 6-8; 8: 6-13; 19: 6 ◦ Heb 2: 1-4 Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 Stories of Conversion • Saved by the gospel—because they believed the truth preached. • Faith in the gospel they heard always produced the commanded work of obedience to God’s will! • See next chart… Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 Stories of Conversion Case Believe Repent Confess Jews 2: 36 Samaritans 8: 12 Eunuch 8: 36-37 2: 38 2: 38 8: 12ff 8: 37 Saul Cornelius 10: 43 11: 15 Jailor 16: 31 18: 8 16: 33 Corinthians Baptism Theo210A––TheNewTestament,SessionWeek#09#07 8: 38 22: 16 10: 48 16: 15 16: 33 18: 8 Prayer in Acts • 1: 14 The disciples prepare for gift of the Spirit • 1: 24 Prayer is made in discerning the replacement for Judas • 2: 42-47 Prayer is the context in which care for others/generosity can develop Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 Prayer in Acts • 4: 23-31 Prayer is made in the midst of continuing opposition from the Jewish authorities • 6: 6 The appointment of the deacons for the distribution of bread • 7: 59-60 St. Stephen prays at his death Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 Prayer in Acts • St. Augustine would say in the 6th Century, “Without the prayers of St. Stephen, we would not have St. Paul.” • St. Augustine says this because Saulos Paulos was the Pharisees responsible for gathering and condemning Christians prior to his own conversion. Saul was present and honored during Stephen’s persecution. Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 Prayer in Acts • After Stephen’s death, the same calling was placed upon Saul, who encountered Jesus on the road to Emmaus. As Stephen was called to a martyr’s death, so Saul/Paul would be called to that same fate in 67 AD. Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 Prayer in Acts • Prayer is essential in any process of discernment, embarking on new enterprises, decision making • Is a means of encounter with the Father and the mystery of the inbreaking of the Kingdom • Prayer is a source of power for ministry Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 Prayer in Acts • Intercessory – a means of bringing others to the Lord • The proper context for commissioning others to undertake their ministry Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 Prayer in Acts • Prayer is the means for overcoming opposition, difficulties, persecution and rejection • Prayer is the means by which we can come to terms with the unexpected and unsettling ways in which God can call us to change, grow and adapt • Prayer calls us to not lose heart, to continue with patient endurance Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 Structure of Acts Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 Introduction • Part I: St. Peter’s prominent role in the Church (Acts 1 – 12) • Part II: St. Paul as Luke’s hero of Hellenistic Christianity (Acts 13 – 28) Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 Organization of Acts • Reflects Luke’s interest in showing Christianity moving from its Jewish roots • Moves into Hellenistic cultures Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 Organization of Acts • Ends when Christianity’s hero, Paul, comes to Rome preaching the Gospel • Key Passage – Acts 1: 8… “But you will receive power when the holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 Part One: St. Peter Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 Prologue & Ascension (1: 1-11) • Significance of Jesus ascending to heaven “forty days” after his resurrection (forty is a number of duration in the bible) • God’s rule to be realized gradually through the spread of the Christian message • Luke is he only gospel writer to describe Jesus’ ascension… and he mentions it twice (Lk 24: 50-53 and Acts 1: 2-11) Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 Establishment of Church (1: 12 – 2: 47) • After the Ascension and community prayer, St. Peter announced the need to have one replace Judas Iscariot, quoting Scripture. Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 Establishment of Church (1: 12 – 2: 47) Two men were put forward as qualified candidates, Matthias and Barsabbas. The group then prayed before casting lots, which fell to Matthias. Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 Establishment of Church (1: 12 – 2: 47) • The apostles and their election of Matthias as the twelfth apostle because the number twelve represents the twelve tribes of Israel, so the apostles represented a kind of “new Israel.” (Acts 1: 26) Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 Early Jerusalem Church (1: 12 – 2: 47) • The early Jerusalem Church consisted of Aramaic speaking Jewish Christians & Hellenists • Hellenists were Jews born in lands outside of Palestine and took many of their cultural characteristics from the Greek world. Hebrews maintained the cultural traits and customs of the Jews. Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 Early Jerusalem Church (1: 12 – 2: 47) • When this issue was raised, the apostles suggested finding other men among the believers so they would not neglect their preaching duties. These were called Deacons. Seven were chosen, including St. Stephen and St. Philip. Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 Early Jerusalem Church (1: 12 – 2: 47) • Pentecost was the fiftieth day after the Sabbath of Passover week. It is also called the Feast of Weeks. • When the Holy Spirit fell upon the believers on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2, the Spirit’s presence was indicated when the believers began to speak in tongues. Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 Early Jerusalem Church (1: 12 – 2: 47) • According to Dt 16: 9-12, the feast was celebrated with a freewill offering in accordance to what the Lord had given them. On this particular day of Pentecost, people were bewildered, because the disciples were Galileans. Galileans were not known for being educated. Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 The Journey of St. Peter & St. Philip Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 Persecution of the Hellenist Jewish Christians (6: 1 – 8: 40) • Disputes between the Hellenist (Greek speaking) and Jewish (Aramaic speaking) Christians • St. Stephen: the first Christian martyr (stoned in Acts 7 with Saulos Paulos looking on) Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 About St. Paul the Apostle • Saulos Paulos, who came to be known as Saul of Tarsus and then St. Paul, was a Pharisee oppressor of Christianity who encountered Jesus in a vision and converted to Christianity. Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 About St. Paul the Apostle • Following his conversion, St. Paul devoted his life to the promotion of the Christian faith, especially among the Gentiles. • Thus, St. Paul was also known as The Apostle to the Gentiles Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 About St. Paul the Apostle • St. Paul often is pictured with a sword (as St. Peter is pictured with the keys to the kingdom), which represents his strong defense of the faith against the heretics of his time. Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 St. Paul’s Conversion (Acts 9) • Saulos = Jewish Name. Saul was raised as a Pharisee and most likely was instructed in his vocation during the time of Jesus’ ministry. Most likely witnessed his death. • Paulos = Roman Name. Because Paul’s family assisted a Roman soldier from an earlier generation, Paul’s family was “adopted” into the Roman Culture and he was given this Roman name and status. Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 St. Paul’s Conversion (Acts 9) • Acts 9 states that Saul was “breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord” as he received permission to go to Damascus. On his way, Saul saw a vision of the risen Christ who cried out to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me” (Acts 9: 4). Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 St. Paul’s Conversion (Acts 9) • In the scriptures, St. Paul claims that this encounter with Christ gave him equal status with the other apostles. • After his confrontation with Jesus on the road, he was blind. Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 St. Paul’s Conversion (Acts 9) • Ananias was sent to Saul so that he would see again. Saul was baptized and later had to be secretly sent out of the city. Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 St. Paul’s Conversion (Acts 9) • Saul based his interaction on the road as his qualification for being an apostle, since he had seen the Lord. Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 Questions for Discussion • Read the passage from Acts 9: 1-22 (specifically 9: 17-22). What from the video appears distinct from the gospel text.? What in the gospel text is not found in the video? • In light of 9: 15 and 21, what was the purpose for God choosing this specific man for the ministry? Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 VIDEO CLIP – Saul’s Conversion (Acts 9) (From the Eternal Pictures Video “The Book of Acts”) Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 VIDEO CLIP – Saul Receives His Sight (Acts 9) (From the Eternal Pictures Video “The Book of Acts”) Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 st Baptism of 1 Hellenist (Acts 10) • Cornelius was a Gentile and up to this point all the recipients of the apostles’ preaching were Jewish or converts to Judaism. Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 Baptism of 1 st Hellenist (Acts 10) • In the vision, God told Peter to eat what Peter believed to be unclean, and God responded, “What God has made clean, do not call common.” (Acts 10: 15) Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 st Baptism of 1 Hellenist (Acts 10) • This opened Peter’s eyes to sharing the Good News with this Gentile family. Peter used this vision in his defense for what he did for the church in the eleventh chapter: “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.” Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 Part Two: St. Paul Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 Concerning Paul’s Journeys • 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 Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 Paul & Barnabas’ Mission (9: 1 – 12: 25) • In response to a call of the Holy Spirit, the church in Antioch chose Barnabas and Paul to proclaim the gospel. • Paul’s work in Gentile areas represents the transition of Christianity from a Jewish to a Hellenistic environment. Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 Concerning Paul’s Journeys • After his conversion experience and a period of reflection and prayer in the Christian faith, a disciple named Barnabas was called by the apostles to accompany and train Paul in the ways of faith. Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 Concerning Paul’s Journeys • Barnabas brought Saul to the apostles in Jerusalem (Acts 9: 26-27) but the apostles had been afraid of Saul due to his previous actions against the church. Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 Concerning Paul’s Journeys • Thus, Barnabas was instrumental in bringing Paul to Antioch for a full year. (Acts 11: 25-26) Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 About Paul’s Three Journeys • Because Acts intended its story as more of a commentary on the significance of Paul’s work than objective history, we must be aware that the author chose to focus only on three of this saint’s major journeys, when Paul may have actually made others. Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 1 st Missionary Journey (13: 1 – 15: 35) • They first traveled to Cyprus, then to Antioch in Pisidia, a city in present day west central Turkey. They then went to Iconium, Lystra and Derbe (these three areas collectively were known as Galatia). They then returned through Perga to Antioch… Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 st 1 Missionary Journey (13: 1 – 15: 35) • …When they stopped in each city, they went to the synagogues to preach the coming of Jesus Christ, the messiah as the fulfillment of the promises made in the Old Testament. Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 st 1 Missionary Journey (13: 1 – 15: 35) • The central question of the 1st Journey was whether Gentiles could become Christians without being circumcised. This was a turning point for the early church. The earliest members of the church were Jews or converts to Judaism. Circumcision was a requirement… Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 1 st Missionary Journey (13: 1 – 15: 35) • …However, more and more Gentiles were believing in the Gospel, and some were teaching that circumcision was a requirement for salvation. Paul and Barnabas were outspoken opponents of this teaching • This issue would be resolved at The Council of Jerusalem in 49 AD. Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 The Council of Jerusalem (Acts 15) • The key apostle at this Council was James the Lesser (not James the Brother of John). James the Lesser was called as such because she was shorter in stature than the more famous namesake. Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 The Council of Jerusalem (Acts 15) • As the “spokesperson” for the Jews living in Jerusalem, if James the Lesser accepted this belief in Gentile baptism, then all Christian Jews would follow his lead. Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 The Council of Jerusalem (Acts 15) • In Acts 15: 19-21, St. James the Lesser proclaimed the following to which the apostles assented, instructing Paul and Barnabas to carry this message to the Gentiles… Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 The Council of Jerusalem (Acts 15) • “It is my judgment, therefore, that we ought to stop troubling the Gentiles who turn to God, but tell them by letter to avoid pollution from idols, unlawful marriage, the meat of strangled animals, and blood. For Moses, for generations now, has had those who proclaim him in every town, as he has been read in the synagogues every Sabbath.” Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 1 st Missionary Journey (13: 1 – 15: 35) • The final conclusion of the council was that they should not put needless barriers upon the Gentiles for coming to faith. Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 nd 2 Missionary Journey (16: 1 – 18: 21) • Barnabas and Paul separated over a disagreement concerning John Mark (who possibly was the author of Mark’s Gospel). The disagreement concerned Mark “abandoning” the ministry during Paul’s first journey (Acts 15: 36-40) and whether he was worthy to continue on with this ministry. Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 nd 2 Missionary Journey (16: 1 – 18: 21) • As a result, Barnabas left Paul and took John Mark with him to Cyprus (15: 37), while Paul continued on his own path, recruiting Silas (15: 40) and Timothy (16: 1) to accompany him on his journey. Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 nd 2 Missionary Journey (16: 1 – 18: 21) • From Jerusalem Paul went overland to revisit the churches in Lystra, Derbe and Iconium (Galatia). On this trip Paul had a dream calling him to bring the gospel to Macedonia Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 nd 2 Missionary Journey (16: 1 – 18: 21) • In Acts 16: 10, the narrative shifts from the third person plural to the first person plural. By entering the story, the author is giving a personal account to what is happening from within, acknowledging their presence within the events that are transpiring at that point. Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 nd 2 Missionary Journey (16: 1 – 18: 21) • While travelling through Philippi, Paul and Silas established the first Christian church in Europe. While there, they were wrongfully flogged and imprisoned without a trial. (Acts 16) Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 2 nd Missionary Journey (16: 1 – 18: 21) • He crossed The Aegean Sea to present day Greece. He traveled down the east coast of Greece. Stopping in Athens, Paul was politely invited by the city’s intellectuals to give an address concerning his philosophy at a public forum called the Areopagus. • Paul attempted to proclaim the gospel in Athens, where he was met with polite indifference (Acts 17: 16 – 32). Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 nd 2 Missionary Journey (16: 1 – 18: 21) • He then went to Corinth where he established a church that would give him both great joy and pain (see 1 & 2 Corinthians)…. Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 nd 2 Missionary Journey (16: 1 – 18: 21) • …Traveling back through Ephesus where his successful teaching won many to Christ to the annoyance of the local charm dealers (Acts 19: 21-40). Paul returned to Antioch by way of Jerusalem. • In Acts 18, the Jews in Ephesus levied a claim to the proconsul Gallio that Paul encouraged people to worship God contrary to the law. Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 nd 2 Missionary Journey (16: 1 – 18: 21) • A side note… Gallio is kind of an important historical figure, as archaeologists unearthed a Stone of Gallio in the Mid-20th Century, which placed Gallio’s proconsulship at 51 AD. Comparing this date to the “history” of the scriptures, scholars concluded that Paul converted in 36 AD at age 26. Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 rd 3 Missionary Journey (18: 22 – 20: 38) • On his third and longest journey, Paul went overland through present day Turkey then across The Aegean Sea to Greece. This was a pastoral journey revisiting the churches he had founded to strengthen them and give them further instruction… Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 3 rd Missionary Journey (18: 22 – 20: 38) • …While in Ephesus Paul heard a prophecy that should he return to Jerusalem he would be imprisoned. The churches he visited pleaded to him not to go. But Paul felt called by Christ to continue to meet whatever God willed for him. Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 Arrest & Imprisonment (21: 1 – 26: 32) • Paul’s desire to take offering to Jerusalem • Paul’s nephew warns him against the plot to capture him in Jerusalem – Paul enters the city anyway • Paul saved by Romans who arrest him • Christianity and the state in Acts • Christians’ political influence in Acts Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 Arrest & Imprisonment (21: 1 – 26: 32) • Paul’s presence in the Jerusalem Temple sparks a riot at the temple. Paul was accused of teaching against the laws of Moses and bringing Greeks into holy places of the temple, which was forbidden. Acts never recorded whether the charge of bringing Greeks in were true or not. Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 Arrest & Imprisonment (21: 1 – 26: 32) • A riot occurred and Paul was saved by the Roman occupation soldiers. Paul was given the opportunity to witness to the crowd all that had happened to him, but the crowd still was against him. Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 Arrest & Imprisonment (21: 1 – 26: 32) • According to Luke, even though Paul was arrested and spent some three years in a Roman prison, two different Roman governors personally absolved the apostle of any illegal activity (see Acts 24 and 26: 30-32) Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 Paul’s Journey to Rome (27: 1 – 28: 31) • In Jerusalem Paul was arrested while in the temple and accused of violating the sacred grounds of the temple (Acts 27: 27-36). He was saved from being beaten to death when the Roman tribune intervened and brought him to the barracks… Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 Paul’s Journey to Rome (27: 1 – 28: 31) • …In defending himself Paul claimed his right as a Roman citizen to appeal his case to the Emperor. He was then sent to Rome to have his case resolved. Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 Paul’s Journey to Rome (27: 1 – 28: 31) • Some scholars claim that Luke ends the Book of Acts abruptly after portraying Paul’s arrival in Rome because Paul’s arrival there signals the accomplishment of Luke’s purpose for writing the Book of Acts. Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 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 • Acts possibly ends abruptly in Rome because Paul’s mission was successfully concluded Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 Paul’s Journey to Rome (27: 1 – 28: 31) • Paul preaches at Rome “openly and without hindrance” – two local governors absolve Paul of any wrongdoing Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 VIDEO CLIP – Paul’s Death (From the Eternal Pictures Video “The Book of Acts”) Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 Summary Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09 Summary • Acts a continuation of Luke’s Gospel • Acts primarily focuses on the work of the Apostles Peter (Chs 1-12) and Paul (Chs 13-28) • Traces Christianity’s rapid expansion from Jewish roots into Gentile cultures throughout Roman Empire • Acts as Luke’s apologia for the faith Theo 210A – The New Testament, Week #09
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