BS 690

Luke-ActsPart Two: The Book of Acts

Craig A. Evans

Acadia Divinity College

Contents 1: Acts and Paul• Acts—First Phase: Judaic Christianity

• Acts—Second Phase: Gentile Mission

• Paul’s Early Letters: Thessalonians and Corinthians

• Paul’s Soteriological Letters: Galatians and Romans

• Paul’s Prison Letters: Eph, Phil, Col

• The Pastoral Letters: 1–2 Tim, Titus

Contents 2: Judaic Writings

• Hebrews

• James

• 1 Peter

• Jude and 2 Peter

• 1–3 John

• Revelation

The Order of the Books of the New Testament—A Footnote

• The Logic—Judaic Faith and Proclamation, then Gentile Mission and Discipleship, as seen in Acts.

• Therefore, NT contents should be Gospels, Acts, James, 1 Peter, Jude, 2 Peter, Hebrews, Paul, 1–3 John, Revelation.

• Just a thought . . .

Acts and Judaic ChristianityTraditional Interpretation of Acts: In the early Church it was assumed that the Book of Acts provides an accurate historical report of the history of the founding of the Church. Luke’s accuracy was never questioned.

Critical Interpretation of Acts: In the nineteenth and twentieth centuries it was concluded among many critics that the narrative of Acts was idealized, perhaps even romanticized, in its portrait of the early Church. It was believed that there were many errors and historical blunders. Most often pointed out was the (supposed) fact that the Lukan portrait of Paul differed radically from that we have in Paul’s own letters. For example, in Paul’s letters the apostle makes frequent mention of his weakness, fear, and troubles; and yet in Acts one is left with the impression that Paul was a mighty miracle-worker.

Recent Interpretation of Acts: Although evangelical scholars (such as F. F. Bruce and W. Ward Gasque) have long maintained that Acts is historically reliable, in recent years other scholars have begun to give Luke higher marks (such Martin Hengel of Tübingen).

A papyrus fragment of Acts P.Oxy. 4496

verso recto

Themes and Purposes of ActsThemes in Acts:

Apostles glorified as miracle workers; prayers answered.Church is portrayed as unified (Jew-Gentile conflicts settled).Apostles are portrayed as unified (Paul and Jerusalem apostles).Church is portrayed as moving beyond Palestine to Roman Empire.

Major Purposes in Writing Acts:1. Politically: To show the Roman public that Christianity is peaceful and law-abiding. This is seen in how time after time the author shows how troubles occurred because of riots inspired by certain jealous Jews and “base” types.2. Ecclesiastically: To show the Church that it was unified that its gospel was firmly rooted in Jesus and the Jerusalem Church and that its Pauline version was orthodox. This is seen in how the author takes great care to show the similarities in the lives and teachings of Peter and Paul. The parallels below reveal this theme clearly.

A Defense of Paul?

• John W. Mauck, Paul on Trial: The Book of Acts as a Defense of Christianity (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2001). Argues that Acts was written primarily to defend Paul in his forthcoming trial in Rome (Acts 25:6–12; 28:16–22). The incipits of Luke and Acts support Mauck’s thesis.

• Heike Omerzu, Der Prozeß des Paulus: Eine exegetische und rechthistorische Untersuchung der Apostelgeschichte (BZNW 115; Berlin: de Gruyter, 2002). Argues that Acts 21–25 provide an historically plausible account of Paul’s arrest, interrogation, detention, and appeal to the Roman emperor. Although not making the same argument as Mauck, Omerzu’s thesis supports aspects of Mauck’s thesis.

Back to the Incipits of Lk-Acts

Progress and Unity in Acts The Peter–Paul Parallels

Peter Activity Paul3:1–10 A lame man is healed 14:8–103:11–26 Historical sermon 13:16–414:1–22 Brought before religious leaders 22:1–225:17–20 Miraculous release from prison 16:19–348:9–24 Encounter with a magician 13:4–1210:1–48 Evangelization of Gentiles 13:44–5211:1–18 Prominence at a Jerusalem Council 15:1–35

Comment: These parallels are intended by the author to demonstrate that Paul, the “Apostle to the Gentiles,” was not an innovator. His ministry to the Gentiles had precedent in Peter’s ministry (as well in the ministries of other Jerusalem-Palestine based Jewish Christians). The author shows how every aspect of Paul’s ministry in reality only followed in the steps of Peter, the “Apostle to the Jews,” as is seen in the analysis on the next slide:

Peter–Paul Parallels: Analysis 1

1. In Acts 6 seven “deacons” are chosen. This is significant because they are not part of the original Twelve and yet two of them (Stephen and Philip) become involved in evangelism. In fact, in Acts 8 Philip takes the gospel to a Gentile. Thus, precedent has been established, before Paul is even converted, that a person who was not among the original apostles could become an evangelist (if not an apostle). 2. In Acts 8 the gospel is preached to Samaritans (half-Jews). The Spirit is poured out upon these new converts as evidence of the reality of their conversion. In the last part of the chapter Philip converts the Ethiopian official thus making it clear that the gospel has now gone to the Gentiles. 3. In Acts 9 Paul is converted and begins speaking the gospel boldly, but there is no hint that his Gentile ministry has begun (the “Hellenists” of 9:29 are non-Palestinian [i.e., Greek-speaking] Jews). 4. In Acts 10 Peter receives his vision that the Gospel may go to the Gentiles. Soon after Peter takes the gospel to the household of Cornelius. They too, like the Samaritans in chapter 8, have the Spirit poured out upon them.

Peter–Paul Parallels: Analysis 2 5. In Acts 11 the Church holds its first Council, in Jerusalem, in order to decide the validity of Gentile (and Samaritan) conversion. Peter’s testimony carries the day: If God has chosen to pour out his Spirit on these people who are we Jews to question it? It might also be mentioned that in 11:25–26 it was Barnabas who brought Paul to Antioch and got him involved in the ministry there, thus paving the way for his trip to Jerusalem (11:27–30) and his later call to the mission field. 6. In Acts 13 Paul and Barnabas, having returned from Jerusalem, are commissioned by the church of Antioch to undertake the first missionary journey. The ministry begins with no intention of going to the Gentiles, but because the Jews reject the gospel, Paul and Barnabas turn to the Gentiles.

Summary: The way Acts 6–13 is written it is clear that the author wished to portray Paul’s Gentile ministry as having both necessity and precedent. Paul is not to be understood as a “maverick” apostle, but as an apostle with Jerusalem links.

Outline of Acts 1–12The Jewish Mission: The First Phase

1:1–5:42 The Birth of the Church1:1–26 The Forty Days2:1–13 The Day of Pentecost2:14–36 Peter’s Sermon2:37–47 The First Christian Church3:1–5:42 Miracles and Preaching

6:1–9:31 Persecution leads to Expansion6:1–15 Appointment of Seven Deacons7:1–8:1a Stephen’s Defense and Martyrdom8:1b–25 Philip and the Samaritans8:26–40 Philip and the Ethiopian Official9:1–31 The Conversion of Saul of Tarsus

Outline of Acts 1–12The Jewish Mission

9:32–12:25 Peter and the Admission of Gentiles into the Church

9:32–43 Peter heals the sick10:1–48 Peter and Cornelius11:1–18 Peter’s Action approved by Jerusalem Council11:19–30 The First Gentile Church12:1–24 Herod Agrippa and the Church12:25 Barnabas, Saul, and Mark assemble at Antioch

Studies in the First Phase• “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom

[a)pokaqista&neij th_n basilei/an] to Israel?” (1:6)

• The replacement of Judas with Matthias (1:15–26):

“Brethren, the scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David, concerning Judas who was guide to those who arrested Jesus:

For it is written in the book of Psalms, ‘Let his habitation become desolate, and let there be no one to live in it’ [Ps 69:25]; and ‘His office [th_n e0piskoph_n au)tou~] let another take’ [Ps 109:8].”

Ps 109:8 (Hebrew): “May his days be few; may another seize his goods [wOtd@FqUp@;]!” hdqp pequdah can mean either property or office (i.e., oversight).

Ps 109:8 (Greek = LXX 108:8): “May his days be few; and may another take his office [th_n e0piskoph_n au)tou~ ].” The word “bishop” (e0pi/skopoj) is cognate. Restoration of Israel cannot continue, until the Twelve Apostles/ Bishops are restored. The Greek translator understands pequdah as office.

Jerusalem

Jerusalem (1860), with view of the Damascus Gate

The Ascension

“And after he had said these things, he was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received him out of their sight” (Acts 1:9).

Mount of Olives

Pentecost and Proclamation

• Wind, fire, tongues and the giving of the Law at Sinai

• The prophecy of Joel 2:28–32

• The prophecy of Psalm 16:8–11

Pentecost

“And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent, rushing wind . . . and there appeared to them tongues of fire . . . and they were filled with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:2–4).

Peter heals the lame man

“I do not have silver and gold, but what I have I give to you: In the name of Jesus Messiah, the Nazarene—walk!” (Acts 3:6). “But many of those who heard the word believed; and the number of the men came to about five thousand” (Acts 4:4).

Peter preaching“Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this?”

“. . . that they had been with Jesus”

• 5 On the morrow their rulers and elders and scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem, 6 with Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. 7 And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, 9 if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a cripple, by what means this man has been healed, 10 be it known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by him this man is standing before you well. 11 This is the stone which was rejected by you builders, but which has become the head of the corner. 12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

• 13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they wondered; and they recognized that they had been with Jesus. 14 But seeing the man that had been healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition (Acts 4:5–14).

“Everything in common”

• 32 Now the company of those who believed were of one heart and soul,

and no one said that any of the things which he possessed was his

own, but they had everything in common. 33 And with great power the

apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and

great grace was upon them all. 34 There was not a needy person among

them, for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them,

and brought the proceeds of what was sold 35 and laid it at the apostles’

feet; and distribution was made to each as any had need. 36 Thus

Joseph who was surnamed by the apostles Barnabas (which means,

Son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, 37 sold a field

which belonged to him, and brought the money and laid it at the

apostles’ feet (Acts 4:32–37).

Ananias . . .

“Why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit?” (Acts 5:3).

. . . and Sapphira

“Why is it that you have agreed together to put the Spirit of the Lord to the test?” (Acts 5:9).

Apostles released from prison

“An angel of the Lord during the night opened the gates of the prison, and taking them out he said, ‘Go your way, stand and speak to the people in the temple the whole message of this life’” (Acts 5:19–20).

Advice of Gamaliel

“Men of Israel, take care what you propose to do with these men . . . I say to you, stay away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or action should be of men, it will be overthrown; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them; or else you may even be found fighting against God” (Acts 5:35, 38).

Appointment of Deacons

• 1 Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, the

Hellenists murmured against the Hebrews because their widows were neglected

in the daily distribution. 2 And the twelve summoned the body of the disciples

and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to

serve tables. 3 Therefore, brethren, pick out from among you seven men of good

repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this duty. 4 But

we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 5 And what

they said pleased the whole multitude, and they chose Stephen, a man full of

faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and

Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. 6 These they set

before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands upon them (Acts 6:1–

6).

• What is the significance of these names?

• Stephen = “crown”; Philip = “horse lover”

Stephen before council

“They cried out with a loud voice, and covered their ears, and they rushed upon him with one impulse” (Acts 7:57).

Martyrdom of Stephen

“Lord, do not hold this sin against them!” (Acts 7:60).

Philip the evangelist

“Do you understand what you are reading?” (Acts 8:30).

Simon Peter and Simon Magus

Now there was a certain man named Simon, who formerly was practicing magic in the city, and astonishing the people of Samaria, claiming to be someone great; and they all, from smallest to greatest, were giving attention to him, saying, “This man is what is called the Great Power of God.” And they were giving him attention because he had for a long time astonished them with his magic arts.

Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was bestowed through the laying on of hands, he offered them money . . . but Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! . . . Therefore, repent of this wickedness of yours!” (Acts 8:9–11, 18, 20, 22). This encounter gave rise to a Simon Magus legend.

Simon meets Simon

“Therefore, repent of this wickedness of yours!” (Acts 8:22).

the legend of Simon

Some of the Simon Magus legend is preserved in the apocryphal Acts of Peter.

An apocryphal contestThe two Simons before Nero

The legendary encounter is found in the Acts of Peter.

The Latin wording reads: S[an]c[tu]s Petrus (“Saint Peter”).

Simon Magus accuses Simon Peterbefore Nero; Peter tortured

Simon Peter defeats Simon Magus

“And behold, when (Simon) was lifted up on high, and all beheld him raised up above Rome . . . Peter said, ‘O Lord, let him fall from the height and be disabled.’ And he fell from the height and broke his leg in three places” (Acts of Peter 32).

<—Magus up

<—Magus down

Fall of Magus depicted in stone relief on cathedral.

Conversion of Saul of Tarsus

“And suddenly a light flashed from heaven . . . and he heard a voice saying to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’ And he said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And he said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting!’” (Acts 9:3–5).

Saul escapes Damascus

“His disciples took him by night, and let him down through the wall, lowering him in a basket” (Acts 9:25).

Peter raises Tabitha

“Peter knelt down and prayed, and turning to the body, he said, ‘Tabitha, arise!’ And she opened her eyes” (Acts 9:40).

Peter’s vision

“And again a voice came to him a second time, ‘What God has cleansed, no longer consider common’” (Acts 10:15).

Jopa (a.k.a. Jaffa)

Jaffa (1900)

Caesarea Maritima

Caesarea (1912)

Caesarea Maritima Then

Herod’s Palace atCaesarea Maritima

Second Phase of Acts:The Gentile Mission

Introduction: In the second half of the Book of Acts (chaps. 13–28) the author tries to show how a Jewish Palestinian religion spreads throughout the Roman Empire and how a Jewish faith can have relevance for Gentiles. In the first half of Acts (chaps. 1–12) the author showed how the Gentile mission had been introduced by the Jerusalem apostles, led by none other than Peter himself. This paves the way for Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles, about whom the second half of Acts is almost entirely concerned.

Outline of Acts 13–28The Gentile Mission

13:1–15:35 Antioch becomes a Missionary Church – Paul’s First Journey13:1–12 The Evangelization of Cyprus13:13–41 Paul’s Address at Pisidian Antioch13:42–52 Reaction to the Gospel at Pisidian Antioch14:1–28 Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe15:1–35 The Second Jerusalem Council

15:36–18:21 The Gospel goes to Greece – Paul’s Second Journey15:36–16:5 Word of the Jerusalem Council is Spread

(Paul and Barnabas split up)16:6–40 The Gospel in Philippi17:1–15 The Gospel in Thessalonica and Berea17:16–34 Paul in Athens18:1–18a Paul in Corinth18:18b–21 Paul departs from Corinth for Ephesus

Outline of Acts 13–28The Gentile Mission

18:22–19:41 The Gospel goes back to Asia Minor – Paul’s Third Journey18:22–23 Paul journeys through Asia Minor18:24–28 Apollos in Corinth19:1–41 Paul in Ephesus and the silversmith riot

20:1–28:31 Paul’s Journey to Rome20:1–38 Paul sets out for Palestine21:1–14 Miletus to Caesarea21:15–23:35 Paul in Jerusalem24:1–26:32 Paul in Caesarea27:1–28:31 Paul’s Journey to Rome

Major Theme in Acts 13–28: The Gospel has gone to the Gentiles because the Jews refuse to hear it and obey it. This theme is seen at the beginning of the section (13:16b–52) and at the end (28:23–28). Their refusal is due to their hearts being “hard” (see Acts 13:40–41; 28:25–27), a condition prophesied by Scripture.

Death of Agrippa I

“And immediately an angel of the Lord struck him because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and died” (Acts 12:23). “He felt a stab of pain in his heart. He was also gripped in his stomach by an ache . . . after five days . . . he departed from this life in the fifty-fourth year of his life” (Josephus, Ant.19.343–50; cf. 2 Macc 9:8–12).

The Church in Antioch

Paul’s first and second Journeys

The Island of Cyprus

Paphos on Cyprus

Roman Ruins on Cyprus

Elymas the magician

“‘You who are full of all deceit and fraud, you son of the devil . . . And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and not see the sun for a time.’ And immediately a mist and a darkness fell upon him” (Acts 13:10–11).

Iconium (Turkey)

Lystra (Turkey)

Paul and Barnabas worshipped

“Men, why are you doing these things? We are also men of the same nature as you, and preach the gospel to you in order that you should turn from these vain things to a living God!” (Acts 14:15).

Why were they worshiped?

• “Gods wander even through the cities. They come in many forms, and have the appearance of strangers from a foreign country” (Homer, Odyssey 17.484–86).

• “On account of these things then Moses was loved by the masses, and was deemed worthy of godlike honor by the priests and called Hermes, on account of the interpretation of the sacred letters” (apud Eusebius, Praep. Ev. 9.27.6).

Of special interest to Lystra

• Ovid (Metamorphoses 8.626–724) tells the story of two gods who visit Phrygia, which is near Lystra. According to the story, the locals fail to show respect and hospitality to the gods. The story is later updated in Greek tradition and the two gods are identified as Zeus and Hermes. The story may well have been known to the people of Lystra. If so, then in a pagan sense the arrival of Paul and Barnabas fulfills the old legend: “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!” (Acts 14:11).

• Bibliography: L. H. Martin, “God’s or Ambassadors of God? Barnabas and Paul in Lystra,” NTS 41 (1995) 152–56.

On to Philippi (Greece)

The Forum

Philippi — the Facilities

Theatre

Public toilets

The Philippian jail and the jailer

“He drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. But Paul cried out with a loud voice, saying, ‘Do yourself no harm, for we are all here!’ . . . and he said, ‘Sirs, what must I do to be saved?’” (Acts 16:27– 30).

Philippi

The jail of Philippi?

Paul in Athens

The Acropolis

Paul at Mars Hill (in Athens)

“Men of Athens, I observe that you are very religious . . . while I was passing through and examining the objects of your worship, I found an altar with this inscription: ‘To an Unknown God’” (Acts 17:22–23).

Mars Hill

The Acropolis

The Pnika—Birthplace of Democracy

Paul’s third journey and his journey to Rome

Paul in Corinth

Apollo’s Temple in Corinth

The Judgment Seat in Corinth

Paul in Ephesus

The Library of Ephesus

Ephesians burn books of magic

“Many of those who practiced magic brought their books together and were burning them in the sight of all; and they counted up the price of them and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver” (Acts 19:19).

P.Duke 526, pictured above, is a magical papyrus, originally carried in an amulet. Below are samples of ancient Egyptian amulets.

Paul and the Ephesian elders

“Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the Church of God, which he purchased with his own blood” (Acts 20:28).

Paul Speaks to the Jews of Jerusalem

• 37 As Paul was about to be brought into the barracks, he said to the tribune, “May I say something to you?” And he said, “Do you know Greek? 38 Are you not the Egyptian, then, who recently stirred up a revolt and led the four thousand men of the Assassins out into the wilderness?”

• 39 Paul replied, “I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city; I beg you, let me speak to the people.”

• 40 And when he had given him leave, Paul, standing on the steps, motioned with his hand to the people; and when there was a great hush, he spoke to them in the Hebrew language, saying:

• 22:1 “Brethren and fathers, hear the defense which I now make before you.”

• 2 And when they heard that he addressed them in the Hebrew language, they were the more quiet. And he said:

• 3 “I am a Jew, born at Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamali-el, educated according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God as you all are this day. 4 I persecuted this Way to the death . . . (Acts 21:37–22:4).

• More on Paul’s early life . . .

Paul charged before Felix

“But this I admit to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I do serve the God of our fathers, believing everything that is in accordance with the Law, and that which is written in the Prophets” (Acts 24:14).

Paul before Agrippa II“You almost persuade me to become a Christian!”

“And Paul said, ‘I would to God, that whether in a short or long time, not only you, but also all who hear me this day, might become such as I am, except for these chains!’” (Acts 26:29).

Paul shipwrecked

“And the soldiers’ plan was to kill the prisoners, that none should escape; but the centurion, wanting to bring Paul safely through, kept them from their intention, and commanded that those who could swim should jump overboard first and get to land, and the rest should follow, some on planks, and others on various things from the ship. And thus it happened that they all were brought safely to land” (Acts 27:42–44).

“Paul encouraged them all to take some food, saying, ‘ . . . not a hair from the head of any of you shall perish.’ And having said this, he took bread and gave thanks to God in the presence of all; and he broke it and began to eat. And all of them were encouraged, and they themselves also took food” (Acts 27:33–36).

Paul unharmed by the viper

“When Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat, and fastened on his hand. And when the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they were saying to one another, ‘Sure this man is a murderer, and though he has been saved from the sea, justice has not allowed him to live.’ However, Paul shook the creature off into the fire and suffered no harm” (Acts 28:3– 5).

“We found out that the island was called Malta” (Acts 28:1)

Malta’s Harbor

Malta’s Neolithic Ruins

Neolithic Temple of Hagar Qim

Paul in Rome

“. . . and thus we came to Rome” (Acts 28:14).

Rome

Models of ancient Rome

“Some were persuaded by the things spoken, but others would not believe.”

• Acts ends with Paul’s ominous citation of Isa 6:9–10 “Go to this people and say, ‘You will keep on hearing, but will not understand; and you will keep on seeing, but will not perceive’; for the heart of this people has become dull, and with their ears they scarcely hear, and they have closed their eyes . . .”

• Accordingly, Paul declares: “Let it be known to you therefore, that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will also listen” (Acts 28:28).

• Paul’s prophetic warning recalls dominical tradition (cf. Mark 4:11–12 and parallels).

Preaching the Kingdom of God

“And Paul stayed 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 Messiah with all openness, unhindered” (Acts 28:30–31).

Time for Q & A