1. “A History of Christian Origins”, Vol. 2
Erroneously known as ΠΡΑΞΕΙΣ ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΩΝ “The Actions of the Apostles”
THE ALEXAMENOS GRAFFITI, 2nd C
(a.k.a., “graffito blasfemo”)
“Alexamenos worships his god”

2. Christian Origins: the importance
Jesus (Gospels)
WTF?
Paul (Letters)
Author: Dr. Luke
The only Gentile author in the New Testament
Worked under Paul’s supervision
Testified as early as 90 AD (Clement of Rome)
TO: a “God-Lover”
Best date: 60 AD (Before Neronian persecution)
Last words in Acts
He stayed [in Rome] two full years in his own rented quarters and was welcoming all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all openness, unhindered. Acts 28:30-31
For Example
My imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else… Philippians 1:13

3. Christian Origins: the importance
Something Happened!
Uneducated Grits
International Spokespeople
Cowards
Martyrs
HOW?
Criminal
Creator God
120 People
1,000,000 1st C

4. Christian Origins: the importance
Something Happened!
“The Acts of the Holy Spirit Through Many Different Christians”
This is where the ACTION IS…
Intense CONFLICT, met with CONFIDENCE
POWER despite PERSECUTION
Carried by OBSCURE men & women like you & I

5. The Acts: Screaming Headlines
Not a “Vision”
40 Days
Often
Ate Food
Taught Crowds
A Brain-Dead “Legend”!
A Criminal
A Carpenter
NO GAINS!
In my first book I told you, Theophilus, about everything Jesus began to do and teach until the day he was taken up to heaven after giving his chosen apostles further instructions through the Holy Spirit.
During the forty days after his crucifixion, he appeared to the apostles from time to time, and he proved to them in many ways that he was actually alive. And he talked to them about the Kingdom of God. Acts 1:1-3
Excitement Underway…
** Luke can’t WAIT to launch into it
** “~Vision!” He Says…
CONVINCING (Infallable) PROOFS
GOSP: RESEARCH IT

6. The Acts: Screaming Headlines
Liberal “Scholars”
“Ignorant Hick Has a Vision”
“Executed Criminal Rumored Alive”
“Persecution Creates Legend”
In my first book I told you, Theophilus, about everything Jesus began to do and teach until the day he was taken up to heaven after giving his chosen apostles further instructions through the Holy Spirit.
During the forty days after his crucifixion, he appeared to the apostles from time to time, and he proved to them in many ways that he was actually alive. And he talked to them about the Kingdom of God. Acts 1:1-3
Trajan's letter to Pliny: “Christians may be punished by death if they refuse to sacrifice to the gods; however they are to be released if they sacrifice; and anonymous accusations are not to be heard.”

7. The Acts: Screaming Headlines
Like None Other
Conquered DEATH
Lifted the FOG on the afterlife
Authoritative
Propels Xianity Above ALL OTHER Religions
=BEDROCK of Xian Faith: 1Co.15 “Faith..Vain”
** None OTHER:
?? Diff: “Messiah” w/ “IDEAS” & ~Messiah?
?? Diff: Atheist & THEIST just GUESSING?
** DEATH=Greatest TERROR \ PRISON
** of U
** AUTH: U=GREAT FOUNDAT = CONFID!
GOSP: LORD, LIAR, LUNATIC

8. The Acts: Screaming Headlines
Once when he was eating with them, he commanded them, “Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before. John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” Acts 1:4-5
In my first book I told you, Theophilus, about everything Jesus began to do and teach Acts 1:1
Acts tells us the rest of what JC is doing through “the Assembly”
Acts is unfinished
Fulf. GREAT EXPECTATIONS
Pt of the Bible=RELAT.w/G.
** “Baptized” = “IMMERSED”
** HS=G’s STRATEGY 2 Finish JC’s Wrk **
** 2Day=Acts 29 \ XENOS=Wrk.HS
Life of JC=CENTR of AUTHENTIC
~ “Gud Times” / ~ “Friends” / ~ “Coolnss”
Ap: DISCIPLESHIP’s Job

9. The Acts: Screaming Headlines
“the Father sends you the gift He promised…”
Acts 1:4
“I will dwell in them and walk among them; and I will be their god, and they shall be my people.” 2 Corinthians 6:16
Also: Ex.25:8; 29:45,46 Lev.26:12; 1 Ki.6:13; Jer. 31:1; Ez.37:27; Rev.21:3
“PROMISED” = Whole O.T.
** 2Co.=Sample
=HONOR 2b Part of This
AP: U=ENJOY G’s GIFT?
Xian DISCONTENT=SPOILED Brats!!
Take 4 Granted: Esp. XIAN Kids

10. The Acts: Screaming Headlines
“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you…” Acts 1:8
For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:6
God says, ‘I will pour forth of my spirit on all mankind; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; Acts 2:17
"But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days," declares the LORD, "I will put My law within them and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. Jeremiah 31:33
The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you. Romans 8:11
Ressur.Life=G’s Pwr IN U=1st C GROWTH
** Eph.2=MOUNTAINTOP View,
New Perspectiv \ ~Live “UNDER Pile”
**Ro.8 HS=Ur GAS, Powr Src, Motivat
IL: “Good Morning, HS!” \ ~b Draggin’
** Jer.31=INSIDE-OUT Change
= “Wlk.by..Spirit” (Gal.5) \ ~SELF-Chng
** Acts 2=New ViewPt \ Future
GOSP: Be “BORN AGAIN!”

11. The Acts: Screaming Headlines
“And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8
~CONTAIN Movemnt: OF & BY HS
By END of 1st C=Invaded EVERYWH
~Contained by COUNTRY, Political Org,
Man-Made SYSTEMS
~Propaganda, ~MILITARY, ~CENTRAL Authority
~B STOPPED: Persecut, LIES, Substitut (EASTER)
DESTROYD Paganism \ Emp.Worship

12. The Acts: Screaming Headlines
“And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8
"I will build My church” Matthew 16:18
"The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit." John 3:8
JC=OWNS, ~HUMAN ORG ^ Genius,Strength
AP: “Xenos” ~GUARANTEE \ IL: Rev. 3
AP: DENOMINATIONS=GUD=DIVERSITY
** ** TALKING=SIMPLE
HS=Does the REST \ ~Sophist. Propaganda

13. The Acts: Screaming Headlines
God’s Kingdom
Human Kingdoms
The Stain of “Church” History:
So when they had come together, they were asking Him, saying, "Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?" He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority.” Acts 1:6-7
“Stain” = Takeover HS Work
=Institut., POLITIC.Org., MILITARY
**Mt.13=SLOW, G’s Way, “Patient..~Want..Perish”
We Want POWER-CENTERS (We CONTROL)
JEWS=Want EMPIRE= **Bar Kokhba Revolt

14. The Acts: Screaming Headlines
The Great Leveller:
You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere…
HS=Grt. Leveller: \ U=Hv HS Like ME
=SIMPLE! U=Talk, HS=REST (Tlk=POTENT)
@Play: Trust GOSPEL
AP: U=Let HS EMPOWER U? ^Cowardly?
^ Empwrd By “Clever” & “Cute” ??

15. The Acts: Screaming Headlines
The Great Leveller:
You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere…
And the leaders of the church had nothing to add to what I was preaching. (By the way, their reputation as great leaders made no difference to me, for God has no favorites.) Galatians 2:6
Acts=Jamokes Tk. Initiative AWAY Frm “Pillars”
“Apostles” ~Mentiond! (exc.Peter=Ball ROLLING)
IL: Paul, Barn, Philip, Steph, MANY OTHERS
“PILLARS” = Play Catch-Up ** Gal.2:6
Apostolic Success=NO SUCH BEAST!
Denomin=GUD!
Acts=“Wild Gospel” (Will B WILD!)
Bad Sign= “HC is DEAD..Predictabl”
AP: ~Wait on “PILLARS”

16. Cool Books