Intro To The Bible: New Testament

1. The Acts of the Apostles

General Analysis of the Message

Introduction: Preparing Jesus’ Followers for the Spirit (1:1-26)

1. Jesus Instructs His Disciples and Ascends to Heaven (1:1-11)

• How did the author relate Acts to his previous volume?
• Why did the author lump all post-resurrection appearances of Jesus into 40 days?
• What was the importance of the Mount of Olives?

1. Awaiting the Spirit: Replacement of Judas (1:12-26)

Why was the replacement of Judas important?

Mission in Jerusalem (2:1-8:1a)

1. The Pentecost Scene; Peter’s Sermon (2:1-36)

• What scene did Acts re-present and what theological insight was added?
• What centered the fundamental gospel?

1. Reception of the Message; Jerusalem Communal Life (2:37-45)

Explain the four features in the communal life of the early believers.

1. Activity, Preaching, and Trials of the Apostles (3:1-5:42)

Describe the Israelite mentality of the early believers.

1. The Hellenists: Toleration; Stephen’s Trial and Martyrdom (6:1-8:1a)

• What cultural and theological differences existed between the two groups?
• Explain the four points of summary offered by Brown.

Missions in Samaria and Judea (8:1b-12:25)

1. Dispersal from Jerusalem; Philip and Peter in Samaria (8:1b-25)

• Please simply read – no questions.

1. Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch En Route to Gaza (8:26-40)

• Please simply read – no questions.

1. Saul En Route to Damascus; Return to Jerusalem and Tarsus (9:1-30)

• Please simply read – no questions.

1. Peter at Lydda, Joppa, Caesarea, and Back to Jerusalem (9:31-11:18)

Describe the two controversial issues. Were these issues resolved – if so, how?

1. Antioch; Jerusalem; Herod’s Persecution; Peter’s Departure (11:19-12:25)

• What term was first used in Antioch?
• Why was the development of the Antioch church important at this time?
• Explain the roles of Peter and James.

Missions of Barnabas and Saul Converting Gentiles; Approval at Jerusalem (13:1-15:35)

1. Antioch Church Sends Barnabas and Saul; Mission to Cyprus and SE Asia Minor (13:1-14:28)

• What was significant about the order of listed names?
• Why was the synagogue sermon of Paul (13:16-41) important?

1. Jerusalem Conference and Approval; Return to Antioch (15:1-35)

What was the result of the Jerusalem Conference?

Mission of Paul to the Ends of the Earth (15:36-28:31)

1. From Antioch through Asia Minor to Greece and Return (15:36-18:22)

In what way(s) did the evangelizing at Philippi show the best and worst of the mission to the Gentiles?

1. From Antioch to Ephesus and Greece, and Return to Caesarea (18:23-21:14)

• Describe the city Ephesus and its role in the early church.
• Explain the concept of “shepherd” used by Paul.

1. Arrest in Jerusalem; Imprisonment and Trials in Caesarea (21:15-26:32)

Describe the parallels between the trial of Paul before Felix and the trial of Jesus before Pilate.

1. Journey to Rome as a Prisoner (27:1-28:14a)

• Please simply read – no questions.

1. Paul at Rome (28:14b-31)

How is the Jewish community in Jerusalem portrayed? Why is this important?

Sources and Compositional Features

Briefly explain what you consider to be the important points for each element of Traditions and/or Sources, Speeches, and Summaries.

“Luke” the Historian

1. Why can it be recognized that Acts’ reports are highly selective?
2. What are the two elements that can contribute to an intelligent evaluation of historicity and how do these elements compare in Acts?

Authorship

1. What were the interconnected assumptions that the author was a companion of Paul?
2. Explain a couple of key points regarding the “we” passages.
3. What is the real challenge of the author’s identity being the “we” companion? How is this challenge resolved?

Ho   How does Brown resolve the issue of authorship?

2. The Acts of the Apostles was written by the same author of the Gospel of Luke. Not surprisingly, there are several parallels that can be found between these two books. Please read one of the following Scripture pairs (one from Luke and one Acts). How are they related?

Pair 1: Luke 1:1-4 and Acts 1:1-2

Pair 2: Luke 2:1-10; 3:21-22 and Acts 1:14; 2:1-4

Pair 3: Luke 4:18-27; 6:20-49; 8:5-18 and Acts 2:14-36; 3:12-26; 14:8-10 (skim)

Pair 4: Luke 4: 38-41; 7:1-17; 8:26-56 and Acts 8:1-9; 5:12-16; 14:8-10 (skim)

Community Life of the First Disciples

Several passages early in Acts summarized the most important features of the community life of the early believers in Jerusalem. Please read Acts 2:42-47. Scholars understand four key characteristics of the early Christian communal life. How are these four characteristics exemplified in Acts 2:42-47?

• 1. apostolic teaching:
  2. community fellowship:
  3. breaking of the bread:
  4. worship and prayer:

Another characteristic of the early Christian community is shared property. Please read Acts 4:32-5:11. How was property shared? What happened if Christians refused to share?

Finally, compare the early Christian church to how you understand the modern Christian church. Any similarities or differences? If so, details please!

Theology Expressed in Sermons and Speeches:

A whole series of speeches and sermons delivered by the apostles in various contexts (esp. by Peter or Paul) summarized the essence of the early Christian preaching about Jesus. From the list below, choose and read 2 (two) passages. Summarize what is being taught about Jesus. To help you, please see the list of key points about Jesus (below) as related in the New Testament.

2:14-41

3:12-26

4:8-12 

5:29-32

7:2-53

8:26-38

10:35-49

13:16-41

16:30-34

17:22-34

19:1-7

20:17-35

22:1-21

23:1-6

24:10-21

26:1-23

28:23-28

Key points about Jesus:

• Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah, the Christ, sent by God,

o    as promised in the Scriptures, as foretold by the prophets,

o    for the forgiveness of sins, for the salvation of the world;

• He was rejected by the people, condemned by the authorities;

o    he suffered, was crucified, died, and was buried.

• Yet God exalted him on high, raised him up to new life;

o    and he will one day return to us in glory.

• In response, people must repent, believe, be baptized,

o    receive the Holy Spirit and join the community of believers.