introduction to the acts of the apostles

INTRODUCTION TO THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES

NT2 – Study 1

WHAT SHOULD THE “TITLE” BE?

WHO IS THE “MAIN” APOSTLE?

WHAT’S “THE PATTERN” FOR THE CHURCH?

WHAT’S “THE RIGHT” CHURCH PLANTING STRATEGY?

WHICH PUMP??WHICH PUMP???

References

1.Bruce, F. F. The Book of the Acts. NICNT. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1954.

2.Cook, David. Teaching Acts: Unlocking the book of Acts for the Bible Teacher.

Fearn: Christian Focus, 2007.

3.Marshall, I. Howard. The Acts of the Apostles. TNTC. Leicester: IVP, 1980.

4.Spencer, F. Scott. Journeying Through Acts: A Literary-Cultural Reading.

Grand Rapids: Baker Academic: 2010.

5.Stott, John R. W. The Message of Acts. BST. Leicester: IVP, 1990.

6.Thompson, Alan J. The Acts of the Risen Lord Jesus: Luke’s account of God’s

unfolding plan. NSBT. Nottingham: Apollos, 2011.

7.Witherington, Ben. The Acts of the Apostles: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary.

Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1998.

Outline of this study

1. The importance of Acts2. Authorship3. Structure4. Purpose

1. The importance of Acts

1. Importance of Acts

1.1 Serves as an important LINK ...

JESUS(Gospels)

JESUS(Gospels) APOSTLES

(Epistles)APOSTLES(Epistles)ActsActs

OT(LXX)

OT(LXX)

1. Importance of Acts

1.2 Helps us understand THEOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE of beginnings of Christianity

Its events stand ‘in continuity with the mighty acts of God recorded in the Old Testament and with the ministry of Jesus.’ (I Howard Marshall)

God himself is the primary “Actor-Director”, so everything took place to fulfil his will and purpose as revealed in Scripture (cf. 2:23; 4:27-29)

1. Importance of Acts

1.3 Provides glimpses of early church life

Organisation: Apostles, elders, “G7”, members Community: Apostles’ teaching, fellowship, break

bread, prayer Character: Joyful in sharing & in suffering,

spontaneous in spreading the gospel word

1. Importance of Acts

1.4 Records early Christian preaching (“Kerygma”)

It’s all about JESUS

Death + Raised = Lord + Christ (cf. 2:36)=> Jesus offers salvation

* Forgiveness of sins* Gift of Spirit

1. Importance of Acts

1.4 Records early Christian preaching (“Kerygma”) – cont’d

Not word-for-word, but outlines AUTHENTIC APOSTOLIC GOSPEL + KEY DOCTRINES

‘Its traditional designation, “The Acts of the Apostles”, accentuates the mighty deeds (acts) performed by an esoteric circle of twelve witnesses (apostles) to the ministry and resurrection of Jesus … But …[t]he words of Jesus’ witnesses, implicitly identified with the very “word of God” (4:31; 6:2, 7; 8:14; 12:24) and crystallised into several extended speeches (e.g. 1:15-22; 2:14-40; 3:12-26; 4:8-12), are just as important as their acts, if not more so, in advancing the Christian mission.’ (Scott Spencer)

1. Importance of Acts

1.5 Attention to Peter AND Paul Obvious parallels between Peter (chs 1-12) and Paul

(chs 13-28) Paul as much an APOSTLE as Peter

... Why is this important ??

2. Authorship

2. Authorship

Internal evidence• Matching writing style and interests with the Gospel

of Luke– Cf. David Cook list of comparison

• Ministry of the Spirit• Prayer• God’s interest in outcasts• Gospel is for the world

• The ‘we’ references (16:10-17; 20:5-15; 21:1-18; 27:1-28:16)

2. Authorship

External evidence• Irenaeus (AD80)• Muratorian Canon (end of 2nd century AD)• Anti-Marcionite Prologue to Luke

3. Structure

3. Structure

3.1 Genre• Similarity with OT narrative shows that Luke is not

only writing history, but ‘biblical history’

Source: David Cook, Teaching Acts

3. Structure

3.1 Genre (Cont’d)• NARRATIVE characteristics:

– REPETITIONS -> signals key events and major turning points (e.g. coming of Spirit, chs 2, 8, 10; Saul’s conversion, chs 9, 22, 26; Gentile mission, chs 10, 11, 15; ‘the word of the Lord spread’, chs 6, 12, 13, 19)

– KEYWORDS -> highlights emphases (e.g. δει, ‘it must happen’, used over 40 times in Luke/Acts; direct words of God, mostly urge the church out to the next mission field, 8:26; 9:6, 15; 10:19-20; 13:2; 16:9; 18:9-10; 20:22; 23:11; 27:24)

– STATISTICS -> emphasise growth– ALLOCATION OF SPACE -> e.g. Compare martyrdom of Stephen

vs James: 75 verses vs 1 verse!!– FOCUS OF NARRATIVE -> typically not on human characters,

but always focusing on the gospel

3. Structure

3.2 Outline

3. Structure3.2 Outline – cont’d

1:1-6:7 Beginning in JerusalemThe beginning of the churchThe shape of gospel mission

6:8-12:25 Judea and SamariaGrowth beyond JerusalemSaul’s conversion and commissioningBeginning of Gentile conversion

13-28 To the ends of the earthJerusalem CouncilMissionary journeysPaul’s trials and witness in Rome

4. Purpose

4. Purpose

4.1 History?- An “account” of what has happened (Lk 1:1)- But ...

??? WHY SO MANY OMISSIONS ?????? WHY CHS 21-28 ???

4. Purpose

4.2 Defence (“apologia”)?- Defend against charges by Jewish authorities- A brief for Paul on trial

??? WHY SO MUCH ‘IN HOUSE’ STUFF ?????? WHY SO MANY OTHER INTERESTS ???

4. Purpose

4.3 Encouragement- To give certainty (Luke 1:1-4)- Authenticate basic Christian instruction- Show how events were “fulfilled” events- Inspiration and example to Christians under pressure

.... THEREFORE >>>

4. Purpose

4.4 Witness to the gospel- Continuing from Vol 1 -> confirming the gospel!- 4 aims according to I.H. Marshall:

1. ENCOURAGE believers: gospel is valid & true; Jesus’ mission being followed by the witness of many others, not just the Twelve

2. EVANGELISE unbelievers: Jews, proselytes, Gentiles3. EMPHASISE gospel unity: Jew & Gentiles together

constitute true fulfillment of God’s salvation plan4. ENTRUST unfinished task: unstoppable gospel to the

ends of the earth!

Questions & Answers

JUMPA LAGI !!!