Chapter 13 Acts of the Apostles

Key Topics/Themes A continuation of Luke’s two-part narrative of Christian origins Emphasizes same themes of Luke 2 © 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Introduction Volume two of Luke’s two-volume narrative of Christian origins Highly selective account concentrating on Christianity’s movement from Jewish roots into Hellenistic cultures Paul as Luke’s hero of Hellenistic Christianity Theologically oriented like Luke 3 © 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

The Divine Plan of Humanity’s Salvation Theme verse: Acts 1:8 Christianity to spread to “the ends of the earth” Luke’s major theme: how God’s Spirit is operating in human history to bring God’s promises to Israel to pass 4 © 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Luke’s Use of Speeches Parallel to use of speeches in writings of Greek historians Thucydides a good example 5 © 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Organization of Acts Reflects Luke’s interest in showing Christianity moving from its Jewish roots Moves into Hellenistic cultures Ends when Christianity’s hero, Paul, comes to Rome preaching the Gospel 6 © 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Prologue and Account of the Ascension (1:1-11) Significance of “forty days” God’s rule to be realized gradually through the spread of the Christian message Jesus’ ascent into heaven 7 © 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Founding of the Jerusalem Church (1:12-2:47) The Apostles The Holy Spirit at Pentecost The Jerusalem commune 8 © 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

The Work of Peter and the Apostles (3:1-5:42) Peter’s second speech Jewish leaders acted “in ignorance” in their condemnation of Jesus Confrontations between apostles and Jerusalem religious leadership God intervenes to assure fledgling Church’s success 9 © 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Persecution of the Hellenist Jewish Christians (6:1-8:40) Disputes between the Hellenist and Hebrew Christians Stephen: the first Christian martyr The Samaritan mission 10 © 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Preparation for Mission: Paul and Barnabas (9:1-12:25) Paul’s vision of the risen Christ Peter’s call to baptize the Gentile Cornelius The fate of the blasphemer Herod Agrippa I 11 © 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

First Missionary Journey: Jerusalem Conference (13:1-15:35) Paul teamed with Barnabas at Antioch Paul and Barnabas make first missionary journey to Asia Minor The Jerusalem Conference Paul’s independence of the apostolic church 12 © 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Second Missionary Journey (16:1-18:21) 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 Paul teamed with Silas and Timothy 13 © 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Second Journey (continued) New work in Macedonia  Philippi  Thessalonica New work in Athens  Paul’s attempts in Athens  Corinth 14 © 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Third Missionary Journey (18:22-20:38) Emphasis on Paul’s lengthy stay in Ephesus Influence of religion of John the Baptist Influence of Apollos Competition with Artemis cult at Ephesus Paul resolves to go to Jerusalem 15 © 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Paul’s Arrest and Imprisonment (21:1-26:32) Paul’s desire to take offering to Jerusalem Paul’s presence in Jerusalem Temple sparks a riot Paul saved by Romans who arrest him Christianity and the state in Acts Christians’ political influence in Acts 16 © 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

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 Possible reasons Acts ends so abruptly Paul preaches at Rome “openly and without hindrance” 17 © 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Summary Acts a continuation of Luke’s Gospel Focuses on Peter and Paul Traces Christianity’s rapid expansion from Jewish roots into Gentile cultures throughout Roman Empire Acts as Luke’s apologia for the faith 18 © 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Summary (continued) Christianity a new religion that is an outgrowth of Judaism Christianity no threat to the Roman state 19 © 2009 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.