1. The Acts of the Apostles Risen Christ and Restoration of Israel, 1:1-8:3 Mission in Judea and Samaria, 8:4-9:43 Scripture Workshop Episcopal Church of the Resurrection January 13, 2011

2. Introduction, 1:1-1:5 Indicates that this is part 2 of the story Who is Theophilus? Seems to say that Jesus is continuing to work within the community. Deals with what Jesus began Promise of the Father, seems to reference KOG Baptism with water versus the Spirit, seems to link Christian community with John’s community

3. Ascension of Jesus, 1:6-12 Why wouldn’t Jesus tell them when the KOG would appear? Jesus seems to say the HS is a stand-in until the KOG comes HS will give disciples power to witness to all the world – What would it be like for a Jew to hear this? How do you reconcile Mark’s conclusion with the ascension? Ascension is similar to Enoch and Elijah In Luke 24, Ascension is on Easter, in Acts, it’s 40 days later. Why?

4. Restoring the Twelve, 1:13-26 “…together with some women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.” – Women had been first witnesses of resurrection Nucleus of Church is 120 people Matthias (Barsabbas) becomes apostle, though the HS – Why must there be 12?

5. Coming of the Spirit, 2:1-13 Takes place in Jerusalem Pentecost is Greek name for Jewish Feast of Weeks Celebrates Moses receiving Law on Mt. Sinai/harvest festival 12 gathered, fire and shaking recalls Sinai John said Jesus would baptize with water and fire “…too much new wine.” A play on words? Bookends Tower of Babel. Now all understand each other. Greek uses play on words to allude to Babel

6. Peter Explains the Spirit, 2:14-41 Quotes Joel on coming of KOG Interprets David as predicting Jesus and Jesus giving HS and authority to the disciples – Luke does plenty of clever OT interpretation to make his case Conclusion is that people should repent and be baptized and join the KOG “…promise is made to you and to your children and to all those far off, whomever the Lord our God will call.”

7. First Christian Community, 2:42-47 “…to the breaking of the bread and the prayers.” “…had all things in common…” KOG is still connected to the temple Idealized picture of early Christianity

8. Healing, 3:1-26 Healing contrasts power of money/power of God Luke uses puns and allusions to Isaiah in healing. Very sophisticated writing (24) Repeating themes: Reinterpreting OT, criticizing authorities, repent and be baptized Peter’s speech is example of Luke’s writing style – interpreting events in form of a speech Relies heavily on OT predictions Supersessionism?

9. Authorities and Authority, 4:1-22 Re-enacts trial of Jesus, Jesus is cornerstone rejected. Peter does a challenge/riposte “By what power …have you done this?” Challenges the Saducees about res. of the dead Establishing proper religious authority: institution or God? Religious leaders have lost their authority “Healing” can be interpreted widely. Wonderful Greek

10. Prayer and Response, 4:23-31 Responds to persecution with cockiness Prayer asserts great authority, which is confirmed by earthquake and HS Pesher: Creative reinterpretation of OT for new context. Ps 22 in this case

11. Christian Community, 4:32-5:16 More idealization: all things held in common Ananias and Sapphira –Good stewardship threat – Deception was their sin Christian community growing rapidly

12. Testing the Mission, 5:17-42 Repeating themes – “We must obey God rather than men.” – “We are witnesses of these things.” Gamaliel speaks with wisdom about how to put down the Christian movement

13. Hebrews, Helenists & the 7, 6:1-7 Seven and seven others chosen to share food distribution with Greek-speaking Jews These seven are the first diakonia (servers). They are all Greek speakers Church traces ministry of deacons to this passage Belies cultural tension within Judaism

14. Stephen, 6:8-7:60 Large narrative block Trial similar to Jesus’ trial, w/ false witnesses, blasphemy, etc. Stephen’s speech reinterprets whole Israel story Pesher speech associates authorities with Pharaoh and Jesus with Moses. Says they persecuted the prophets Stephen’s attitude at death is like Jesus’ Themes: rejected-one-becomes-savior, follower of Jesus relives story of Jesus

15. Paul Persecutes, 8:1-3 Stephen’s execution sparks widespread persecution, led by Saul/Paul

16. Philip versus Simon, 8:4-25 Samaria: Outside of respectable Judaism Simon tries to buy power of the Spirit. “Simony” This is first of five times that Luke uses euangelizomai

17. Philip and the Eunuch, 8:26-40 “Ethiopian” meant African Philip Pesher’s the whole of scripture Baptism symbolically opened to even more people

18. Paul’s Conversion, 9:1-19 Not really a conversion, since Paul still considers himself Jewish. It’s more of a transformation Paul receives theophany – Epistles claim it is a post-res meeting

19. Saul in Damascus and Jerusalem, 9:19- 31 Paul becomes phenomenal missionary Preaches in synogoues, a patter he repeats Paul is immediately object of persecution Original disciples are skeptical

20. Peter in Lydda and Joppa, 9:32-43 Peter’s healings recall Jesus’ healings and the healings of Elisha and Elijah in 1 Kings

21. Acts, Outline January 20 – Inauguration of Gentile mission (10:1-15:35) January 27 – Mission of Paul to whole earth I (15:36-21:40) February 3 – Mission of Paul to whole earth II (22:1-28:31)