Dr. Chris Gnanakan

ACTS OF THE APOSTLES

SYLLABUS

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ACTS OF THE APOSTLESGOD, JESUS’ CHURCH, THE HOLY SPIRIT!Dr. Chris Gnanakan

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SYLLABUSOUR SCOPE Any literature must be studied with respect to its underlying purpose. Acts is no exception. Luke – physician, historian, and theologian – records the origin and expansion of the Church Jesus promised to build. This work demonstrates the unfolding of God’s plan of salvation for “all nations” through Jesus’ Spirit-filled disciples. As an apologia it legitimizes the “Christian” faith and Paul’s mission before the Greco-Roman authorities, thus serves as an evangelistic tract. Beyond providing the background to Paul’s letters to the churches, Acts shows how God guides His people and can be instructive in promoting right doctrine as it addresses several theological issues.

OUR PURPOSETo understand the overall message, history, structure and plot of the Gospel’s expanding witness in the formation of the Church as local faith communities fulfilling the Great Commission. This expository study seeks to demonstrate how the Church is both a living organism and a lasting organization that exists not merely for its community’s wellbeing, but more so for non-members! There is a need for pastor-teachers and missionaries to come to grips with reasons why our secular society is hostile toward Christianity as a counter-culture as they advance the cause of Christ.

RATIONALEThis course is unique in that it examines how evangelism and missions triumph in spite of obstacles and oppositions, in fact, because of them! Suffering for living out faith in Jesus can shape, train, and cause believers to know their Lord better, grow in his enabling grace and show forth his greatness. The role signs and wonders play as “power encounters” between the forces of God and evil, spiritual and structural, further strengthen the link between suffering and mission.

COURSE TEXTSBible Versions. (Choose from KJV, NASB or NIV)Gnanakan Outline Notes: ACTS: Church, Mission & Martyrdom, OTAN

COURSE OBJECTIVESThrough assignments and exams the student will be expected to:

1. Study the Acts of the Apostles as a narrative of the unfolding of Jesus’ Great Commission

2. Examine Luke’s underlying purpose/s, structure, and recurring theological themes

3. Critically assess how the opposition to the Gospel and persecution of believers normally follows ministry, and as a matter of

fact provides more evangelistic opportunities

4. Develop appropriate methods or models for evangelism and local church mission within hostile societies [e.g. humanistic,

pluralistic or postmodern] that promote church planting movements

5. Read the Book of Acts twice, reported on the exams

6. Read Gnanakan’s Outline Notes on Acts four times while preparing for quizzes and exams reported on the exams

7. Answer a list of questions that the instructor provides on the Book of Acts and hand in with the exams

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SYLLABUSPROCEDURES FOR THE COURSE Two quizzes will be given over class lectures and outlines. Students are to read ACTS once each week; along with Gnanakan’s Outline Notes twice each week. Students may discuss in small groups but will have to write out their own answers to the questions from each of the two sections. One exam will be given each week over material covered that week

GRADING (Note: each week = 100 x 2 Weeks = 200 Points) Reading:

Book of ACTS.............................................................................................................................................................................20 x 2Reading: Gnanakan’s Outline Notes (twice each week) 5 Points each read..................................................................................10 x 2Discussion: Two written answers (5x2) due with Final Exam........................................................................................................10 x 2Quiz: (20 questions)....................................................................................................................................................................20 x 2Final Exam:.................................................................................................................................................................................40 x 2 TOTAL.......................................................................................................................................................................................100 x 2

RECOMMENDED BIBLIOGRAPHYNote: When using books in our library, students must use discernment as the presence of a book does not necessarily indicate WOLBI’s agreement with the contents.

Balge, Richard. ACTS, People’s Bible Commentary, St Louis, Concordia, 1997

Barclay, William. The Acts: The Daily Bible Commentary, Bangalore: TBI, 1998

Bence, Philip. Acts: Bible Commentary in Wesleyan Tradition, Indianapolis, 1998

Borgman, Paul. The Way According to Luke: Hearing Luke-Acts, Cambridge, 2008

Carlson, Derek. Faith & Courage: Commentary on Acts, AR: Christian Liberty, 2000

Cook, David. Teaching Acts: Unlocking the Book, Christian Media, Focus, 2007

Couch, Mal (ed.). Bible Handbook to the Acts of the Apostles, Kregel Pub., 1999

Custer, Stewart. Witness to Christ: Commentary on Acts, Greenville: BJU press, 2000

Fernando, Ajith. Acts: The NIV Application Commentary, Zondervan, 1998.

Hamm, Dennis. The Acts: New Collegeville BC, Minnesota: Liturgical Press, 2005

Immanuel, Babu. Repent and Turn to God: Recounting Acts, HIM Intl., Perth 2004

Johnson, Dennis. The Message of Acts in the History of Redemption, NJ: P&R, 1997

Kurz, William. The Acts of the Apostles. NT #5 Collegeville BC, Minnesota: 1983

Larkin, William. Acts. IVP NT Commentary Series, Leicester: IVP, 1995

Marshall, Howard. ACTS, Tyndale NT Commentaries, IVP, 1980

Milne, Bruce. ACTS: Witness To Him, Fearn, Ross-shire: Christian Focus, 2010

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SYLLABUSRECOMMENDED BIBLIOGRAPHY CONTINUEDPacker, J.I. The Acts of the Apostles, Cambridge Bible Commentary, UK, 1966

Phillips, John. Exploring Acts: JP Commentary Series, Grand Rapids: Kregel, 1986

Polhill, John. ACTS NABC: Exegetical & Theological Exposition, Broadman, 1992

Powell, Mark Allan. What are they saying about Acts? NY: Paulist Press, 1991

Robertson, A.T, Word Pictures in the NT, ACTS, Vol. III, Nashville: Broadman, 1930

Robertson, C.K. Conversations with Scripture, Acts, NY: Morehouse Pub., 2010

Scott, John. The Message of ACTS, BST Commentaries, IVP, 1990

Sargent, James. ACTS: Basic Bible Commentary, Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1988

Spencer, Scott. Journeying through ACTS; Literary-Cultural Reading, Baker, 2004

Talbert, Charles. Reading Acts: Literary, Theological, Smyth & Helwys, Macon, 2005

Tremper Longman & Garland (eds.) Luke-Acts: The Expositor’s BC, Zondervan, 2007

Wagner, Peter. Acts of the Holy Spirit, Ventura, CA: Gospel Light Pub., 2000

Walaskay, Paul. ACTS, Westminster Bible Commentaries, Louisville, 1998

Wiersbe, Warren W. Be Dynamic. Wheaton: Victor Books, 1987. (Acts 1-12)

Wiersbe, Warren W. Be Daring. Wheaton: Victor Books, 1988. (Acts 13-28)

Williams, Peter. Acts: Church on the Move, Leominster, One Day Pub., 2004

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SYLLABUSCHAPTER OUTLINE: “FIRST THINGS, FIRST!” Ch. 1 – 1st NT Assembly ‘church’: Jesus’ disciples await His promised Spirit

Ch. 2 – 1st Feast of Pentecost, Sermon: Baptism/pouring of Spirit on all flesh

Ch. 3 – 1st Miracle sign: Apostles cure cripple at the temple in Jesus’ name

Ch. 4 – 1st Persecution by Jewish authorities over Jesus being their Messiah

Ch. 5 – 1st Church Sin of Pretence, (internal) conflict and divine judgment

Ch. 6 – 1st Deacons selected for ‘official’ service and care in local churches

Ch. 7 – 1st Martyr of the Church: Stephen, OT historian; angel-faced deacon

Ch. 8 – 1st Organized persecution and Outreach by evangelist Philip to Samaria

Ch. 9 – 1st resurrection miracle by Peter; Signs spread Christianity into all Judea

Ch. 10 – 1st Vision Guidance: Peter takes Gospel to Cornelius, Gentiles baptized!

Ch. 11 – 1st Explanation of Spirit’ outpouring; Inauguration of mission to Gentiles

Ch. 12 – 1st Apostle to be martyred – James; Last mention of Peter as missionary

Ch. 13 – 1st Global Mission from Antioch in Pisidia; 1st sermon of new leader, Paul

Ch. 14 – 1st Missionary journey ends; Paul (Barnabas) teach-preach-heal like Jesus

Ch. 15 – 1st Church Council at Jerusalem on the Jew-Gentile-Christian controversy

Ch. 16 – 18: Paul’s 2nd Missionary Journey “Turning to the Gentiles…” (15:36 – 18:23)

Ch. 19 – 20: Paul’s 3rd Missionary Journey “Destined to Jerusalem, to die” (18:24 – 21:14)

Ch. 21 – 26: Paul prisoner in Jerusalem witness contending the resurrection (21: 15 – 26:32)

Ch. 27 – 28: Paul’s final defense/witness (to Jews) at Rome; Preaches Gospel unhindered!!