A Brief Introduction to Acts

Παρουσίαση με θέμα: "A Brief Introduction to Acts"— Μεταγράφημα παρουσίασης:

1 A Brief Introduction to Acts
Τὸν μὲν πρῶτον λόγον ἐποιησάμην περὶ πάντων, ὦ Θεόφιλε, ὧν ἤρξατο ὁ ᾿Ιησοῦς ποιεῖν τε καὶ διδάσκειν, ἄχρι ἧς ἡμέρας ἐντειλάμενος τοῖς ἀποστόλοις διὰ Πνεύματος ῾Αγίου οὓς ἐξελέξατο ἀνελήμφθη· οἷς καὶ παρέστησεν ἑαυτὸν ζῶντα μετὰ τὸ παθεῖν αὐτὸν ἐν πολλοῖς τεκμηρίοις, δι᾿ ἡμερῶν τεσσεράκοντα ὀπτανόμενος αὐτοῖς καὶ λέγων τὰ περὶ τῆς βασιλείας τοῦ Θεοῦ· καὶ συναλιζόμενος παρήγγειλεν αὐτοῖς ἀπὸ ῾Ιεροσολύμων μὴ χωρίζεσθαι, ἀλλὰ περιμένειν τὴν ἐπαγγελίαν τοῦ πατρὸς ἣν ἠκούσατέ μου· ὅτι ᾿Ιωάννης μὲν ἐβάπτισεν ὕδατι, ὑμεῖς δὲ βαπτισθήσεσθε ἐν Πνεύματι ῾Αγίῳ οὐ μετὰ πολλὰς ταύτας ἡμέρας.

2 Authorship: Lucan authorship rests on three pillars: The “we” sections in Acts (16:10-17; 20:5-21:18; 27:1-28:16) The universal early tradition

3 Irenaeus wrote in 180 AD: “Thus did the apostles simply, and without respect of persons, deliver to all what they had themselves learned from the Lord. Thus also does Luke, without respect of persons, deliver to us what he had learned from them, as he has himself testified, saying, “Even as they delivered them unto us, who from the beginning were eye-witnesses and ministers of the Word.” (Luke 1:2) (Irenaeus, Against Heresies )

4 Authorship: The “we” sections in Acts The universal early tradition
Lucan authorship rests on three pillars: The “we” sections in Acts The universal early tradition Variant readings in Acts

5 Date: There are two broad categories: 1) Second Century:
Typical of those who reject Lucan authorship. Contrary to all evidence. 2) First Century: After 70 AD Before 70 AD

6 The First Century Position:
Everyone agrees that Acts was written after 62 AD. A post 70 AD date is based on a series of speculative assertions. The evidence seems to weigh heavily in favor of an earlier date: There is no mention in Acts of the fall of Jerusalem. There is no indication of the outbreak of the Jewish War in 66 or of the deterioration of the relationship between the Jews and the Romans. Paul's appeal to Rome becomes hard to understand if Acts is written after the Neronian persecution. The prominence of God fearers in the synagogues is far easier to explain prior to 70 AD. (Acts 10:2ff; Acts 13:16, 43; 17:4)

7 Genre: All kinds of suggestions have been made.
There are some limits that we need to recognize. Acts does not precisely match any contemporary genre. Acts does not precisely match any Old Testament genre. We must remember two things: God is speaking. This means that no human literary convention is going to be completely adequate. The events in Acts are unprecedented. They will necessarily push the boundaries of Old Testament literary convention.

8 Helpful Categories: There are two categories that are helpful:
Ancient Greek Historiography: Luke 1:1-4 The parallels to Josephus and Tacitus are well established. Luke-Acts also bears strong similarities to Old Testament history. Luke-Acts is a fulfillment narrative.

9 Fulfillment Narrative:
Luke-Acts constantly points out that the events being recorded are a fulfillment of scripture. Luke 3:4; 4:21; 7:27; 18:31; 20:17; 21:21-22; 22:37; 24:25, 44, 46 Acts 1:16, 20; 2:15-21; 3:18, 24; 7:51-53; 13:27-29, 33-35, 40-41; 15:15-18; 28:25-27 Luke uses Old Testament parallels. The rejection of Jesus mirrors Israel’s rejection of the prophets. (Luke 4:24-27) The rejection of the apostles mirrors the rejection of the Old Testament prophets. (Acts 7:51-52; 28:25-27)

10 Helpful Categories: There are two categories that are helpful:
Ancient Greek Historiography: Luke 1:1-4 The parallels to Josephus and Tacitus are well established. Luke-Acts also bears strong similarities to Old Testament history. Luke-Acts is a fulfillment narrative. Note Joshua 1:2-3 and 21:43-45. Compare with Acts 1:7-8 and 28:30-31

11 Theme: “Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile an account of the things [fulfilled] among us...” (cf. ASV, LEB, NIV, NKJV, RV) Luke emphasizes fulfillment from beginning to end. Acts continues to emphasize fulfillment: Fulfillment is a central feature of the preaching in Acts. Luke continually points out that these things “must be” or that they are according to God's plan. Luke emphasizes parallels between Jesus and the disciples. They are fulfilling Jesus' example and teaching.

12 Structure: There are some typical structural arrangements:
Character based: Peter (Acts 1-12) Paul (Acts 13-28)

13 Structure: There are some typical structural arrangements:
Progress Reports: Prologue: Foundation for the church and its mission. (Acts 1:1-2:41) The church in Jerusalem (Acts 2:42-6:7) Wider horizons for the church: Stephen, Samaria and Saul (Acts 6:8-9:31) Peter and the first Gentile convert (Acts 9:32-12:24) Paul turns to the Gentiles (Acts 12:25-16:5) Further penetration into the Gentile world (Acts 16:6-19:20) On to Rome (Acts 19:21-28:31)

14 Structure: There are some typical structural arrangements: Geographic:
Luke has used geography for theological ends prior to Acts. (cf. Luke 9:51) The Power of the Presence of God in Jerusalem. (Acts 1:1-7:60) Persecution moves the Gospel throughout all Judea and Samaria. (Acts 8:1-12:24) The Power of the Presence of God to the Remotest Part of the Earth. (Acts 12:25-28:31)

15 Historicity: Good historians have always been concerned with accuracy.
Luke is a good historian. Luke is familiar with Jewish culture and practice: Acts 3:1 / Josephus, Antiquities Acts 2:29 / Josephus, Antiquities Luke is familiar with the Roman political situation: Achaia is ruled by a proconsul. (Acts 18:12) The “leading man” at Malta is also accurate. (Acts 28:7)

16 The Text of Acts: There are two textual traditions in Acts.
The Alexandrian text: Codex Sianaticus ( AD) Codex Vaticanus ( AD) The Western Text: Codex Bezae (circa 400 AD) This tradition is about 10% longer.

17 In Conclusion... Introduction requires analysis. This has some value.
Ultimately the goal is for us to allow the text to analyze us. Some have argued that Acts appears unfinished. In terms of revelation, Acts is complete. In terms of realization Acts is incomplete. We must complete it. The ultimate goal is not to know the story or understand the story; it is to become the story!