episode 24: from jerusalem to the world

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The life and times of the followers of the Way in the earliest Christian community as recorded by the Acts of the Apostles. Visit www.bibleheroes.net for more information.

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Page 1: EPISODE 24: FROM JERUSALEM TO THE WORLD
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Welcome to Heroes, Welcome to Heroes, part 2part 2

Welcome to Heroes, Welcome to Heroes, part 2part 2

Page 3: EPISODE 24: FROM JERUSALEM TO THE WORLD
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Episode 24Episode 24

From Jerusalem to the WorldFrom Jerusalem to the World

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Like the Gospel Like the Gospel according to according to

Luke, this Luke, this book is book is

anonymous.anonymous.

On the other On the other hand, popular hand, popular

Christian Christian tradition tradition

affirms that affirms that Luke wrote Luke wrote

both.both.

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sHISTORICALHISTORICAL

volume two of a volume two of a two-part work: two-part work: the first part the first part

told what Jesus told what Jesus “began to do “began to do and teach” and teach” (1:1); the (1:1); the

second part is a second part is a selective record selective record

of what Jesus of what Jesus continued to do continued to do

through His through His Spirit and His Spirit and His

apostles.apostles.

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sTHEOLOGICALTHEOLOGICAL

shows that shows that Christianity and Christianity and the Church had the Church had

become the become the legitimate heir legitimate heir of Israel and of of Israel and of

Israel’s Israel’s Scriptures, seen Scriptures, seen especially in the especially in the

biblical biblical quotations used quotations used by the apostles by the apostles (2:16-21; 15:16-(2:16-21; 15:16-17; 28:25-28).17; 28:25-28).

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postle

s Theophilus, a Gentile whose Theophilus, a Gentile whose

residence is unknown. residence is unknown.

The name could be a “generic term” The name could be a “generic term” for any believer: one who loves God for any believer: one who loves God

or is beloved of God.or is beloved of God.

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DATE OF WRITING Around AD 61 to 62

The events described The events described in this book in this book

happened during the happened during the church’s first church’s first

decades, AD 30 to decades, AD 30 to 6161

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a historical narrative written in

excellent Koine Greek,

a carefully polished Greek style using a

large vocabulary

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a careful theological interpretation, including summaries of important early Christian speeches,

giving examples of a variety of speakers (Peter, Stephen, Paul), audiences (Jewish, Greek, Christian),

and circumstances (friendly, hostile)

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Prominence of the themes: the Lordship of Jesus and the activity of the Spirit in

spreading the Gospel and building the Church.

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Two central characters:

Peter (ch. 1-12) and Paul (ch.13-28), entrusted with different

responsibilities but equally

empowered and equally obedient to their specific commissions.

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Provides a firm basis for understanding the origins of Christianity and a solid historical context for understanding the letters of St.

Paul and the other pastoral letters.

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Key text (Acts 1:8)

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come

upon you, and you will be My

witnesses in Jerusalem, in all

Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the

earth.”

Provides a useful organizational structure for

the book:+ the apostles proclaim Jesus

in Jerusalem (ch. 1-7)+ the apostles proclaim Jesus in Judea and Samaria (ch. 8-

10)+the apostles proclaim Jesus

to “the ends of the earth” (ch. 11-28)

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The author of the Acts of the Apostles portrays Peter as an extremely

important figure within the early Christian community,

with Peter delivering a significant open-air

sermon during Pentecost. According to the same

book, Peter took the lead in selecting a replacement

for Judas Iscariot (Acts 1:15). He was twice arraigned, with John,

before the Sanhedrin and directly defied them (Acts

4:7–22, Acts 5:18–42).

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He undertook a missionary journey to Lydda, Joppa and Caesarea (Acts 9:32–10:2), becoming instrumental in the decision to evangelize

the Gentiles (Acts 10).

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A fleeting mention of Peter visiting Antioch is

made in the Epistle to the Galatians (Galatians 2:11-14) where Paul

rebuked him for treating Gentile converts as

inferior to Jewish Christians. Historians have furnished other evidence of Peter's sojourn in Antioch.

Subsequent tradition held that Peter had been the first Patriarch of Antioch.

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At the council of Jerusalem (c 50), the early Christian church, Paul and the leaders of

the Jerusalem church met and decided to embrace

Gentile converts.

Acts portrays Peter as successfully opposing the Christian Pharisees who insisted on circumcision

and the rest of the Mosaic law

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About halfway through, the Acts of the Apostles turns its attention away from Peter and to the

activities of Paul, and the Bible is fairly silent on what occurred to Peter

afterwards.

It is believed by a long It is believed by a long tradition that Peter, after a tradition that Peter, after a

ministry of about thirty ministry of about thirty years, traveled to Rome years, traveled to Rome and met his martyrdom and met his martyrdom there. He was crucified there. He was crucified

upside down because he upside down because he said that he was not said that he was not

worthy to die as Jesus did.worthy to die as Jesus did.

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Church tradition ascribes the epistles First and Second Peter to Saint

Peter, as does the text of 2 Peter itself. First Peter

refers to the author being in Rome ("Babylon").

[ Most scholars regard First Peter as not

authored by him, and there is still considerable debate about the Petrine

authorship of Second Peter. However the Greek in both books are similar, leading one to conclude

of single authorship.

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According to tradition, he According to tradition, he was the first formal was the first formal leader or bishop of leader or bishop of

Jerusalem, the author of Jerusalem, the author of the letter of James in the the letter of James in the New Testament, and the New Testament, and the

first of the Seventy of first of the Seventy of Luke 10:1-20. Luke 10:1-20.

He is described in the He is described in the New Testament as a New Testament as a

"brother of Jesus""brother of Jesus"

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Acts of the Apostles, in later Acts of the Apostles, in later chapters, provides evidence chapters, provides evidence

that James was an that James was an important figure in the important figure in the Christian community of Christian community of Jerusalem. When Peter, Jerusalem. When Peter,

having miraculously having miraculously escaped from prison, must escaped from prison, must flee Jerusalem, he asks that flee Jerusalem, he asks that James be informed (12:17). James be informed (12:17).

When the Christians of When the Christians of Antioch are concerned over Antioch are concerned over whether Gentile Christians whether Gentile Christians need be circumcised to be need be circumcised to be saved, and they send Paul saved, and they send Paul

and Barnabas to confer with and Barnabas to confer with the Jerusalem church there.the Jerusalem church there.

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James played a prominent James played a prominent role in the formulation of role in the formulation of

the council's decision the council's decision (15:13ff). Indeed, after (15:13ff). Indeed, after

Peter and Paul have made Peter and Paul have made their case, it is James who their case, it is James who

finally delivers what he finally delivers what he calls his "judgement"-- the calls his "judgement"-- the original sense is close to original sense is close to

"my ruling"-- and "my ruling"-- and afterwards, all accept it. afterwards, all accept it. James, in other words, is James, in other words, is shown in charge of the shown in charge of the

Jerusalem group.Jerusalem group.

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Paul further describes James Paul further describes James as being one of the persons as being one of the persons

the risen Christ showed the risen Christ showed himself to (1 Corinthians himself to (1 Corinthians 15:3-8); then later in 1 15:3-8); then later in 1

Corinthians, mentions James Corinthians, mentions James in a way that suggests James in a way that suggests James had been married (9:5); and had been married (9:5); and in Galatians, Paul lists James in Galatians, Paul lists James with Cephas (better known with Cephas (better known as Peter) and John, as the as Peter) and John, as the

three "pillars" of the Church, three "pillars" of the Church, and who will minister to the and who will minister to the

"circumcised" (in general "circumcised" (in general Jews and Jewish Proselytes) Jews and Jewish Proselytes) in Jerusalem, while Paul and in Jerusalem, while Paul and his fellows will minister to his fellows will minister to the "uncircumcised" (in the "uncircumcised" (in

general Gentiles)general Gentiles)

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According to a passage in According to a passage in Josephus's Jewish Antiquities, Josephus's Jewish Antiquities, (xx.9) "the brother of Jesus, (xx.9) "the brother of Jesus,

who was called Christ, whose who was called Christ, whose name was James" met his name was James" met his

death after the death of the death after the death of the procurator Porcius Festus, procurator Porcius Festus,

yet before Lucceius Albinus yet before Lucceius Albinus took office (Antiquities 20,9) took office (Antiquities 20,9) — which has thus been dated — which has thus been dated

to 62. The High Priest to 62. The High Priest Ananus ben Ananus took Ananus ben Ananus took advantage of this lack of advantage of this lack of

imperial oversight to imperial oversight to assemble a Sanhedrin who assemble a Sanhedrin who condemned James "on the condemned James "on the

charge of breaking the law," charge of breaking the law," then had him executed by then had him executed by

stoningstoning

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The Epistle of James has The Epistle of James has been traditionally been traditionally

attributed to James the attributed to James the Just. A number of modern Just. A number of modern Biblical scholars,, while Biblical scholars,, while

admitting the Greek of this admitting the Greek of this epistle is too fluent for epistle is too fluent for

someone whose mother someone whose mother tongue is Aramaic, argue tongue is Aramaic, argue

that it expresses a number that it expresses a number of his ideas, as rewritten of his ideas, as rewritten either by a scribe or by a either by a scribe or by a follower. Other scholars follower. Other scholars argue that the historical argue that the historical

James could have had such James could have had such fluency in Greek, and could fluency in Greek, and could conceivably have authored conceivably have authored

the Epistle himself.the Epistle himself.

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After Jesus’ Ascension and the descent After Jesus’ Ascension and the descent of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost, John, of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost, John, together with Peter, took a prominent together with Peter, took a prominent part in the founding and guidance of part in the founding and guidance of the church. He is with Peter at the the church. He is with Peter at the

healing of the lame man in the Temple healing of the lame man in the Temple (Acts 3:1ff.). With Peter he is also (Acts 3:1ff.). With Peter he is also

thrown into prison (Acts 4:3). He is also thrown into prison (Acts 4:3). He is also with Peter visiting the newly converted with Peter visiting the newly converted

in Samaria (Acts 8:14).in Samaria (Acts 8:14).

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Apparently, John in common with the other Apparently, John in common with the other Apostles remained some 12 years in this Apostles remained some 12 years in this

first field of labour, until the persecution of first field of labour, until the persecution of Herod Agrippa I led to the scattering of the Herod Agrippa I led to the scattering of the Apostles through the various provinces of Apostles through the various provinces of

the Roman Empire (cf. Acts 12:1-17). It does the Roman Empire (cf. Acts 12:1-17). It does not appear improbable that John then went not appear improbable that John then went

for the first time into Asia Minor and for the first time into Asia Minor and exercised his Apostolic office in various exercised his Apostolic office in various

provinces there. provinces there.

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Such a sojourn by John in Asia in this first period Such a sojourn by John in Asia in this first period was neither long nor uninterrupted. He returned was neither long nor uninterrupted. He returned

with the other disciples to Jerusalem for the with the other disciples to Jerusalem for the Apostolic Council (about A.D. 51). Paul, in Apostolic Council (about A.D. 51). Paul, in

opposing his enemies in Galatia, names John opposing his enemies in Galatia, names John explicitly along with Peter and James the Just as a explicitly along with Peter and James the Just as a "pillar of the Church" and refers to the recognition "pillar of the Church" and refers to the recognition that his Apostolic preaching of a gospel free from that his Apostolic preaching of a gospel free from the Law of Moses received from these three, the the Law of Moses received from these three, the

most prominent men of the messianic community most prominent men of the messianic community at Jerusalem (Galatians 2:9)at Jerusalem (Galatians 2:9)

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Of the other New Testament writings, it is only from the Of the other New Testament writings, it is only from the three Letters of John and the Book of Revelation that three Letters of John and the Book of Revelation that

anything further is learned about John. Both the Letters and anything further is learned about John. Both the Letters and Revelation presuppose that John belonged to the multitude Revelation presuppose that John belonged to the multitude of personal eyewitnesses of the life and work of Jesus (cf. of personal eyewitnesses of the life and work of Jesus (cf. especially 1 John 1:1-5; 4:14), that he had lived for a long especially 1 John 1:1-5; 4:14), that he had lived for a long time in Asia Minor, was thoroughly acquainted with the time in Asia Minor, was thoroughly acquainted with the

conditions existing in the various messianic communities conditions existing in the various messianic communities there, and that he had a position of authority as leader of there, and that he had a position of authority as leader of this part of the church. Though many say he was 95 when this part of the church. Though many say he was 95 when

he died, sources say he was most likely 104. He died of age.he died, sources say he was most likely 104. He died of age.

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Christian tradition Christian tradition identifies him as the identifies him as the

author of several author of several New Testament New Testament

works: the Gospel of works: the Gospel of John, the Epistles of John, the Epistles of John and the Book of John and the Book of

Revelation. But Revelation. But many modern many modern

scholars believe that scholars believe that John the Apostle, John the Apostle,

John the Evangelist, John the Evangelist, and John of Patmos and John of Patmos

refer to three refer to three separate individuals. separate individuals.

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The author of the The author of the Gospel of St John and Gospel of St John and

the First Epistle of John the First Epistle of John is known as St. John is known as St. John the Evangelist or St. the Evangelist or St. John the Theologian John the Theologian

(alternately rendered (alternately rendered St. John the Divine or St. John the Divine or St. John the Beloved). St. John the Beloved). The Second and Third The Second and Third Epistle of John had the Epistle of John had the same author; he has same author; he has been identified with been identified with

the enigmatic John the the enigmatic John the Presbyter. The Book of Presbyter. The Book of Revelation was written Revelation was written by St. John of Patmos.by St. John of Patmos.

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According to Acts 1, in the days According to Acts 1, in the days following the Ascension of Jesus, following the Ascension of Jesus, Peter proposed to the assembled Peter proposed to the assembled

disciples, who numbered about one disciples, who numbered about one hundred and twenty, that they hundred and twenty, that they

choose one to fill the place of the choose one to fill the place of the traitor Judas in the apostolate. They traitor Judas in the apostolate. They

cast lots, and the lot fell to cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the Matthias; so he was added to the

eleven apostles.eleven apostles.

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Philip the Evangelist appears several Philip the Evangelist appears several times in the Acts of the Apostles. He times in the Acts of the Apostles. He

was one of the Seven Deacons chosen was one of the Seven Deacons chosen to care for the poor of the Christian to care for the poor of the Christian community in Jerusalem (Acts 6). He community in Jerusalem (Acts 6). He preached and performed miracles in preached and performed miracles in

Samaria, converted Simon Magus, and Samaria, converted Simon Magus, and met and baptised an Ethiopian eunuch met and baptised an Ethiopian eunuch in Gaza, traditionally marking the start in Gaza, traditionally marking the start

of the Ethiopian Church (Acts 8). of the Ethiopian Church (Acts 8).

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Acts tells the story of how Acts tells the story of how Stephen was tried by the Stephen was tried by the Sanhedrin for blasphemy Sanhedrin for blasphemy

against Moses and God (Acts against Moses and God (Acts 6:11) and speaking against 6:11) and speaking against

the Temple and the Law the Temple and the Law (Acts 6:13-14) and was then (Acts 6:13-14) and was then stoned to death (c. A.D. 34–stoned to death (c. A.D. 34–

35) by an infuriated mob 35) by an infuriated mob encouraged by Saul of encouraged by Saul of

Tarsus, the future Saint Paul: Tarsus, the future Saint Paul: "And Saul entirely approved "And Saul entirely approved

of putting him to death" of putting him to death" (8:1). . Stephen's final (8:1). . Stephen's final speech is presented as speech is presented as making an accusation making an accusation

against the Jews of against the Jews of continuing to persecute continuing to persecute prophets who spoke out prophets who spoke out

against their sins.against their sins.

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According to the Acts According to the Acts of the Apostles, his of the Apostles, his

conversion took place conversion took place as he was traveling as he was traveling

the road to Damascus, the road to Damascus, he experienced a he experienced a

vision of the vision of the resurrected Jesus. He resurrected Jesus. He

was temporarily was temporarily blinded. Paul asserts blinded. Paul asserts that he received the that he received the

Gospel not from man, Gospel not from man, but by "the revelation but by "the revelation

of Jesus Christ”.of Jesus Christ”.

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First missionary journey - "Antioch First missionary journey - "Antioch Phase”Phase”

Paul’s first missionary journey begins in Acts 13 in Antioch in Paul’s first missionary journey begins in Acts 13 in Antioch in approximately 47 CE. During this period the Christian church approximately 47 CE. During this period the Christian church here grew in prominence partially owing to Jewish Christians here grew in prominence partially owing to Jewish Christians

fleeing from Jerusalemfleeing from Jerusalem

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Second missionary journey - "Aegean Second missionary journey - "Aegean Phase"Phase"

FFollowing a dispute between Paul and Barnabas over ollowing a dispute between Paul and Barnabas over whether they should take John Mark with them, they go on whether they should take John Mark with them, they go on separate journeys (Acts 15:36–41) — Barnabas with John separate journeys (Acts 15:36–41) — Barnabas with John

Mark, and Paul with Silas.Mark, and Paul with Silas.

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Third missionary journeyThird missionary journeyPaul continued his preaching, usually called his "third Paul continued his preaching, usually called his "third

missionary journey" (Acts 18:23–21:26), traveling again missionary journey" (Acts 18:23–21:26), traveling again through Asia Minor and Macedonia, to Antioch and backthrough Asia Minor and Macedonia, to Antioch and back

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Final missionary journey to RomeFinal missionary journey to Romein an appeal to be tried in Rome as a Roman citizen. in an appeal to be tried in Rome as a Roman citizen.

Circumstances of his imprisonment and eath in Rome remain Circumstances of his imprisonment and eath in Rome remain vague.vague.

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