the beginnings of earliest christianity n acts is not the history of early christianity but about...

The Beginnings of Earliest Christianity

Acts is not the history of early Christianity Acts is not the history of early Christianity but about the beginnings of that history but about the beginnings of that history covering from about A.D. 30-60, and even covering from about A.D. 30-60, and even then doing so very selectively.then doing so very selectively.

Acts is the second volume of a two volume Acts is the second volume of a two volume work Luke-Acts, and as such is a historical work Luke-Acts, and as such is a historical monograph.monograph.

The Beginnings of Earliest Christianity

Luke 1:14: Luke 1:14: He will be a joy and delight to He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his you, and many will rejoice because of his birth.birth.

Acts 1:1-2: Acts 1:1-2: In my former book, Theophilus, In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach until the day he was taken up to to teach until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen.Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen.

The Beginnings of earliest Christianity II

It is important to read Acts as it intends to be It is important to read Acts as it intends to be read. If you go to Acts with all our later read. If you go to Acts with all our later interests and agendas about infant baptism, interests and agendas about infant baptism, church order, or apostolic presence after the church order, or apostolic presence after the first generation you are bound to be frustrated, first generation you are bound to be frustrated, as there are a variety of patterns presented. as there are a variety of patterns presented. History is inevitably messy, and Luke is History is inevitably messy, and Luke is chronicling the beginnings of a movement.chronicling the beginnings of a movement.


The title ‘The Acts of the Apostles’ is a The title ‘The Acts of the Apostles’ is a definite misnomer as it tells us almost definite misnomer as it tells us almost nothing about the work of the 12 Apostles nothing about the work of the 12 Apostles other than Peter, and a little bit about John other than Peter, and a little bit about John and James. In deed it focuses on Peter in the and James. In deed it focuses on Peter in the first half of the volume and Paul in the second first half of the volume and Paul in the second half, and yet Paul is never, with one possible half, and yet Paul is never, with one possible exception in Acts 14, called an apostle in this exception in Acts 14, called an apostle in this work. work.


Some have suggested that the title Some have suggested that the title should be the Acts of the Holy Spirit should be the Acts of the Holy Spirit and there is merit to this proposal.and there is merit to this proposal.

Beginnings of Christianity III - Questions

What do we make of the fact that one fourth What do we make of the fact that one fourth of Acts (some 365 verses) is made up of of Acts (some 365 verses) is made up of speeches most of which the author was not speeches most of which the author was not present to hear?present to hear?

Why are several things repeated in an Why are several things repeated in an obviously selective account-- namely the obviously selective account-- namely the conversion of Paul, and the vision/ conversion of Paul, and the vision/ Cornelius visit of Peter?Cornelius visit of Peter?


Why does Peter fade out of the picture after Why does Peter fade out of the picture after Acts 15 and the focus turns almost entirely Acts 15 and the focus turns almost entirely to Paul?to Paul?

Why is it that from Acts 9 on we largely get Why is it that from Acts 9 on we largely get the story of the expansion of the church by the story of the expansion of the church by Paul?Paul?

Why is it that so many things important in Paul's Why is it that so many things important in Paul's letters are not mentioned in Acts or are only letters are not mentioned in Acts or are only mentioned only in passing-- Paul's apostleship, mentioned only in passing-- Paul's apostleship, the collection, Titus, the circumcision party?the collection, Titus, the circumcision party?

Why is it that Paul as letter writer is nowhere Why is it that Paul as letter writer is nowhere mentioned in Acts and that many see the Paul of mentioned in Acts and that many see the Paul of Acts as a very different Paul compared to the Acts as a very different Paul compared to the Paul of the letters?Paul of the letters?


Why in a book which devotes so Why in a book which devotes so much time to Paul does the book end much time to Paul does the book end without revealing Paul's fate in Rome?without revealing Paul's fate in Rome?


Beginnings of Christianity IVThe Textual Issues

There are more significant textual problems in There are more significant textual problems in regard to the book of Acts then any other regard to the book of Acts then any other portion of the Greek NT.portion of the Greek NT.

There were two textual traditions of the book There were two textual traditions of the book of Acts-- one Alexandrian and one Western. of Acts-- one Alexandrian and one Western. In addition there was yet a third textual tradition In addition there was yet a third textual tradition which seems to be a hybrid and stylized which seems to be a hybrid and stylized revision of these other traditions called the revision of these other traditions called the Byzantine text...Byzantine text...


. . .This latter can not be dated earlier than . . .This latter can not be dated earlier than the 4th century A.D. and became the basis the 4th century A.D. and became the basis of the so called Majority text which in of the so called Majority text which in turn is the basis of the Greek NT used by turn is the basis of the Greek NT used by the scholars who produced the KJV about the scholars who produced the KJV about 1611.1611.


Most scholars are convinced that the Most scholars are convinced that the Alexandrian text is older than the Western Alexandrian text is older than the Western text and closer to the original form of the text and closer to the original form of the text for several reasons: text for several reasons:

1) scribes tended to expand not contract the 1) scribes tended to expand not contract the text and the Western text is one tenth longer text and the Western text is one tenth longer than the Alexandrian text; than the Alexandrian text;

2) the extra Western material has certain 2) the extra Western material has certain definite theological and ecclesiological definite theological and ecclesiological tendencies that we know to characterize tendencies that we know to characterize the developing western church namely: the developing western church namely: – 1) the exaltation of Peter;1) the exaltation of Peter;– 2) increasing anti Semitism; 2) increasing anti Semitism;


– 3) an anti-feminist bias such that the roles of 3) an anti-feminist bias such that the roles of women in early Christianity are marginalized women in early Christianity are marginalized (see Acts 18.26ff.);(see Acts 18.26ff.);

– 4) an increasing interest in proper liturgy, ritual 4) an increasing interest in proper liturgy, ritual and confession (see Acts 8.36-38).and confession (see Acts 8.36-38).


Beginning of Christianity - VThe Hermeneutical Issues

The book of Acts is of course a history book The book of Acts is of course a history book but the question becomes how much and in but the question becomes how much and in what regards Luke intends for it to provide a what regards Luke intends for it to provide a pattern for his own and subsequent Christian pattern for his own and subsequent Christian generations of how things ought to be and generations of how things ought to be and ought to be done. Luke 1.1-4 suggests that ought to be done. Luke 1.1-4 suggests that Luke does not just have historical purposes Luke does not just have historical purposes in mind but also pedagogical ones.in mind but also pedagogical ones.


For example, it seems clear that there are For example, it seems clear that there are certain figures in the story that Luke would certain figures in the story that Luke would have us emulate-- a Peter, a Paul, a Barnabas, have us emulate-- a Peter, a Paul, a Barnabas, but at the same time there are various figures but at the same time there are various figures which are portrayed in such a way that the which are portrayed in such a way that the author does not want us to emulate them-- author does not want us to emulate them-- Annanias and Sapphira, Simon Magus and Annanias and Sapphira, Simon Magus and so on. This means that one has to sift the data so on. This means that one has to sift the data to find positive patterns.to find positive patterns.


In some cases Luke would be saying go In some cases Luke would be saying go and do likewise, in some cases go and and do likewise, in some cases go and do otherwise.do otherwise.

The Hermeneutical Issues II

One of the more interesting issues is to One of the more interesting issues is to what degree is Luke suggesting what was what degree is Luke suggesting what was normal for the earliest church, is the norm normal for the earliest church, is the norm for subsequent generations?for subsequent generations?

For example, the earliest Christians met in For example, the earliest Christians met in Solomon's porch in the Temple in Solomon's porch in the Temple in Jerusalem. Is Luke suggesting we should Jerusalem. Is Luke suggesting we should take more trips to the Holy land?take more trips to the Holy land?

The Hermeneutical Issues II Or again, Luke nowhere describes the Or again, Luke nowhere describes the

Lord's Supper ritual happening though he Lord's Supper ritual happening though he certainly talks about fellowship meals. Are certainly talks about fellowship meals. Are we to assume he thought this was of lesser we to assume he thought this was of lesser importance, or that fellowship meals were importance, or that fellowship meals were always the context for the Lord's Supper always the context for the Lord's Supper (as 1 Cor. 11 may suggest?). When does (as 1 Cor. 11 may suggest?). When does normal become the norm?normal become the norm?

On the issue of the relationship of water and On the issue of the relationship of water and spirit baptism or water and conversion we spirit baptism or water and conversion we have at least three patterns in Acts-- water have at least three patterns in Acts-- water before reception of the Spirit, Spirit before before reception of the Spirit, Spirit before the water baptism, and the two closely the water baptism, and the two closely juxtaposed together? Is Luke urging a juxtaposed together? Is Luke urging a particular pattern or simply saying God can particular pattern or simply saying God can do it however God wants to?do it however God wants to?

The Hermeneutical Issues II

Hermeneutical Issues III If we are looking for norms perhaps we need If we are looking for norms perhaps we need

to be looking for either a positive repeated to be looking for either a positive repeated pattern, or when there is only one pattern. For pattern, or when there is only one pattern. For example, in Acts 2.43-47 and Acts 4.32-37 we example, in Acts 2.43-47 and Acts 4.32-37 we have summary statements about what the life have summary statements about what the life of the earliest Christians together was like. It of the earliest Christians together was like. It involves miracles, prayers, praising God, involves miracles, prayers, praising God, eating together, and sharing possessions.eating together, and sharing possessions.

Hermeneutical Issues III There is also the further issue of whether we There is also the further issue of whether we

should take a unique act of God as a pattern for should take a unique act of God as a pattern for our individual spiritual lives or development. our individual spiritual lives or development. By this I mean that certain readings of the By this I mean that certain readings of the telling of Pentecost in Acts 2 have been the telling of Pentecost in Acts 2 have been the basis of whole denominations and basis of whole denominations and denominational theories about when one denominational theories about when one receives the Holy Spirit and the like. But this receives the Holy Spirit and the like. But this text is not about those issues. text is not about those issues.

Hermeneutical Issues III It is about the birthday of the church, the very It is about the birthday of the church, the very

beginning of the life of Christians together, not beginning of the life of Christians together, not some subsequent to conversion experience. some subsequent to conversion experience. Furthermore, the experience of those disciples Furthermore, the experience of those disciples who followed Jesus both before and after Easter who followed Jesus both before and after Easter was clearly unique and could not be repeated. was clearly unique and could not be repeated. After Pentecost it is clear enough that for Luke After Pentecost it is clear enough that for Luke the signature that someone was a Christian is the signature that someone was a Christian is that the presence of the Spirit is seen in their that the presence of the Spirit is seen in their lives (see Acts 10 and Cornelius).lives (see Acts 10 and Cornelius).

The Beginnings of Christianity IV- Chronology

A.D. 30-- Jesus crucified under Pilate's A.D. 30-- Jesus crucified under Pilate's regimeregime

A.D. 31-33-- the events in Acts 3-7 (N.B. A.D. 31-33-- the events in Acts 3-7 (N.B. the first 8 chapters of Acts cover only about the first 8 chapters of Acts cover only about A.D. 30-33)A.D. 30-33)

A.D. 33-34-- Saul is converted on Damascus A.D. 33-34-- Saul is converted on Damascus RoadRoad

A.D. 34-37 or 38-- Saul In Damascus and A.D. 34-37 or 38-- Saul In Damascus and Arabia-- returns to Jerusalem in A.D. 37 for Arabia-- returns to Jerusalem in A.D. 37 for meetingmeeting


A.D. 37-46-- Saul sent of to Tarsus and A.D. 37-46-- Saul sent of to Tarsus and home region. During this time Peter has a home region. During this time Peter has a notable ministry up and down the notable ministry up and down the Mediterranean coast between Lydda, Mediterranean coast between Lydda, Joppa and Casarea involving the conversion Joppa and Casarea involving the conversion of one notable Gentile family leading to a of one notable Gentile family leading to a report to Jerusalem church at an unknown report to Jerusalem church at an unknown date.date.

A.D. 43-- James brother of John is killed A.D. 43-- James brother of John is killed and Peter imprisonedand Peter imprisoned


A.D. 44-- Agabus prophecy in Antioch: A.D. 44-- Agabus prophecy in Antioch: Herod Agrippa I dies. (N.B.--Luke’s info Herod Agrippa I dies. (N.B.--Luke’s info on the period 37-46 is clearly Sketchy)on the period 37-46 is clearly Sketchy)

A.D. 46-48-- famine in JudeaA.D. 46-48-- famine in Judea A.D. 48-- First Pauline missionary journey A.D. 48-- First Pauline missionary journey

and second visit by Paul and Barnabas to and second visit by Paul and Barnabas to Jerusalem for famine relief (Acts 11.29-30)Jerusalem for famine relief (Acts 11.29-30)


A.D. 49--Claudius expels Jews (including A.D. 49--Claudius expels Jews (including Jewish Christians) from Rome; Priscilla and Jewish Christians) from Rome; Priscilla and Aquila go to Corinth; Jerusalem council of Aquila go to Corinth; Jerusalem council of Acts 15Acts 15

A.D. 50-52-- Paul's second missionary A.D. 50-52-- Paul's second missionary journey (Acts 15.36-18.23)journey (Acts 15.36-18.23)

A.D. 51-52-- the Gallio incident in Corinth A.D. 51-52-- the Gallio incident in Corinth (Acts 18)(Acts 18)


A.D. 53-57-- Paul's Third Missionary A.D. 53-57-- Paul's Third Missionary Journey (Acts 18.23-21.26)Journey (Acts 18.23-21.26)

A.D. 57-59-- Paul in custody under Felix A.D. 57-59-- Paul in custody under Felix and then Festusand then Festus

A.D. 59-60-- Paul goes to RomeA.D. 59-60-- Paul goes to Rome A.D. 60-62-- Paul under house arrest in A.D. 60-62-- Paul under house arrest in

Rome.Rome.

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