Welcome to Heroes, Welcome to Heroes, part 2part 2
Welcome to Heroes, Welcome to Heroes, part 2part 2
Episode 24Episode 24
From Jerusalem to the WorldFrom Jerusalem to the World
Th
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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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Ap
ostle
sA
postle
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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Ap
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postle
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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Ap
ostle
sA
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
a historical narrative written in
excellent Koine Greek,
a carefully polished Greek style using a
large vocabulary
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)
Prominence of the themes: the Lordship of Jesus and the activity of the Spirit in
spreading the Gospel and building the Church.
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.
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.
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)
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).
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).
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.
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
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.
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.
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"
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.
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.
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)
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
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.
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).
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.
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)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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”.
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
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.
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
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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