Bible Study for Dummies the Rest of Us

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Bible Study for Dummiesthe Rest of Us
I can do this!
A How to Guide for Reading the New Testament
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Acts Lukes Second Volume
Luke 11-4 Many have undertaken to draw up an
account of the things that have been fulfilled
among us, just as they were handed down to us by
those who from the first were eyewitnesses and
servants of the word. Therefore, since I myself
have carefully investigated everything from the
beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an
orderly account for you, most excellent
Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of
the things you have been taught.
Acts 11 In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote
about all that Jesus began to do and to teach
until the day he was taken up to heaven, after
giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to
the apostles he had chosen
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Acts Lukes Second Volume
Acts of the Apostles Peter Chapters 1-12 Paul
Chapters 13-28
Acts of the Holy Spirit Pentecost (Acts
2) Mighty Deeds/Wonders
Acts of the Holy Spirit through People Peter -
Paul - Stephen - Philip - Barnabas - Priscilla
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What is Acts?
History?
Theology?
Theological History Divine Explanation for
On-going Work of Jesus in and through People
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Reading Keys for Acts

• Examples of Divine Explanation
• Apostles need explanation about Nature of
  Kingdom Acts 16
• 2. People need explanation about nature of
  Spirit Acts 212 217-21 237

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Reading Keys for Acts
Examples of Divine Explanation 3. Jewish Leaders
need explanation about Power of God in the
Christian movement Acts 47 538-42 4.
Christian Leaders need explanation about nature
of New Testament Church Acts 1017-21
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Outline of Acts
Chapters 1-12 Primarily Peter Primarily Jewish
Acts 18 But you will receive power when the Holy
Spirit comes on you and you will be my witnesses
in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and in Samaria,
and to the ends of the earth.
Chapters 13-28 Primarily Paul Primarily Gentile
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Outline of Acts
Rome
Ends of the Earth Chs. 13-28
Judea and Samaria Chs. 8-12
Jerusalem Chs.2-7
Jews only
Jews, Samaritans, God-fearers
Jews, Samaritans, God-fearers, Gentiles
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Outline of Acts
Goal 1 Geographic (Rome)
Acts 18 But you will receive power when the Holy
Spirit comes on you and you will be my witnesses
in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and in Samaria,
and to the ends of the earth.
Goal 2 Missionary (Witnesses)
Goal 3 Spirit-Filled Witness
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Unique Contribution of Acts
1. History and Theology in Speeches 30 (300 out
of 1,000 verses) of Acts is in the form of
speeches
Christian Speeches Peter (8 speeches) Paul (9
speeches) Stephen (72-53) James (1513-21)
Non-Christian Speeches Gamaliel (535-39) Ephesus
Town Clerk (1935-40) Festus (2524-27)
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Unique Contribution of Acts
2. The Exalted Christ Began in Volume 1, Luke
?Jesus Words (Luke 91) ? Actual ascension
(Luke 2450-51) Continues in volume 2, Acts
? Luke the Narrator (Acts 11-2) ? Angels (Acts
19) ? Peters Sermon (Acts 233) ?
Stephens Death (Acts 755)
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Unique Contribution of Acts
3. The Holy Spirit Began in Volume 1, Luke
? Birth Narrative of John the Baptist
(Luke 115 117) ? Birth Narrative of
Jesus (Luke 135 141) ? Zechariahs
Prophecy / Song (Luke 167) ? Simeons
Prophecy in Temple (Luke 225 226 227)
? Jesus Baptism (Luke 316 322) ? Jesus 1st
Sermon (Luke 417)
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Unique Contribution of Acts
3. The Holy Spirit Continues in Volume 2,
Acts ? Opening Narrative (Acts 12) ? Jesus
Instruction (Acts 15 8) ? Pentecost (Acts 2)
? Character and ministry of Apostles (Acts
48 63 65 755 1124) ? Guidance (Acts
166 167 2022) ? Prophecy (Acts 2023
214 2110-11) Holy Spirit permeates Christian
life and ministry at every conceivable point
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Unique Contribution of Acts
4. The EMERGING Church Not fixed but dynamic
Jerusalem (Acts 242-47 432-37) Judea
Samaria Philip and Ethiopian
(826-40) Ends of the Earth (Rome) Paul
and Barnabas in Lystra (148-18) Church and
Evangelistic approach must change with culture.
(Cultural Contextualization)
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Unique Contribution of Acts
4. The EMERGING Church Central authority
diverse leadership ? Apostles in Jerusalem
(Acts 2-5) ? Deacons Chosen (Acts
6) Minister (Acts 7-931) BUT Apostles
Oversee (Acts 932-1535) ? Mission to Gentiles
(Acts 12-28) Appointment of Elders
(1421-23) and Gentile churches support
Mother Church in Jerusalem (Collection 1 Cor
161)
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World of Acts
Roman Rule Julius Caesar (d. 44 B.C.) Caesar
Augustus (a.k.a. Octavian) (27 B.C.-A.D.14)
(Luke 21) Tiberius (A.D.14-37) (Luke
31) Caligula (A.D.37-41) Claudius
(A.D.41-54) (Acts 1128 182) Nero
(A.D.54-68) (Acts 2510-12 2724)
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Roman Emperors Roman Emperors Roman Emperors
Dates Names Scriptures
27 BC - AD 14 Augustus (Octavian) Luke 21
14 - 37 Tiberius Luke 31
37 - 41 Caligula (Gaius) -
41 - 54 Claudius Acts 1128 182
54 - 68 Nero Acts 2510 2819
68 Galba -
69 Otho -
69 Vitellius -
69 - 79 Vaspasian -
79 - 81 Titus -
81 - 96 Domitian -
96 - 98 Nerva -
98 - 117 Trajan -
117 - 138 Hadrian  
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World of Acts
Hellenistic World Rome ruled the world through
military might BUT Greece influenced the world
through ideas Language Social
Order Religions No separation of politics /
religion / social world Summary New Testament
Church was not born in a religious or cultural
vacuum.
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Acts 2 - Pentecost
1. The Event of Pentecost (21-13) a. The
Fulfillment of the Fathers Promise Luke
2445-49 / Acts 18
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Acts 2 - Pentecost
1. The Event of Pentecost (21-13) b. The
Description of the event Timing Feast of
Pentecost (50 days after Passover) Celebration
of Harvest (Ex 2316) Celebration of
Giving of Law (Anniversary of Giving of
Law) Jewish tradition associates Mt Sinai
with wind, fire, voice Heb
1218-19 Three Signs Sound like . . . Blowing
wind Sight like . . . Tongues of
fire Speak in other languages (dialects)
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Acts 2 - Pentecost
Tongues Glossolalia Acts 2 vs. 1
Corinthians 12 14 Different in
direction Public Praise to God 211
142 14-17, 28 Different in
Character Understood Unintelligible, by
all needed interpreter Different in
purpose Bearing witness Self -Edification
to outpouring of Building of Church Holy
Spirit
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Acts 2 - Pentecost

• Of prophecy and tongues, which does Paul
  encourage more for the Corinthians (141-2, 5)?
• What is the main draw back to the use of tongues
  in worship, according to 142, 4, 5, 7-12, 13-17,
  19?
• Did Paul speak in tongues (1418)? Do you think
  he was being Tongue in cheek here in reference
  to his ability to speak numerous languages or
  that he really did privately speak in ecstatic
  speech (cf. Rom 826)?
• Under what circumstances did Paul allow the use
  of tongues in public worship?
• Did Paul forbid speaking in tongues?

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Acts 2 - Pentecost
2. The Explanation of Pentecost (214-41) a.
Speeches in Acts Complete Verbatim accounts
or summaries? With many other words he warned
them and he pleaded with them, Save yourselves
from this corrupt generation. (240-41) Summari
es abound in Acts. (247 44 514 67 931
942 1121 1224 1348 165 1920 2830-31)
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Acts 2 - Pentecost
2. The Explanation of Pentecost (214-41) b.
Formation of the Kerygma of Jesus Foretold in
Scriptures 214-21 Jesus life 222 Jesus
Death 223 Jesus Resurrection
224-32 Jesus Exaltation 233-36 Jesus
Salvation 237-39 Jesus New Community
240-41
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Acts 6 Choosing of Deacons
1. Problem Numbers growing, Care
deteriorating Hebrew widows cared for Greeks
overlooked These cultural and social
distinctions perpetuated into the new community
and had to be eliminated (see John 1722 Gal
328 Eph 214-18 Col 311) 2. Solution The
Twelve appoint Seven Note All seven had Greek
names The deacons move the Gospel (67)
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Acts 9 Damascus Road Experience
1. Paul the Persecutor (Acts 81-4, 91-3) Note
18 vs. 81 Jerusalem (Acts 2-7) Judea/Sama
ria (8-12) Ends of the earth (13-28) Note
83-4 Paul attempts to destroy the
church The church was scattered Word to
Samaria Qs. How does this impact our view of
persecution?
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Acts 9 Damascus Road Experience
Who Was Saul (Paul) before meeting Jesus? born
in Tarsus Jew, Pharisee of Pharisee (Phil
34-6) trained by Gamaliel I, in
Jerusalem most likely tri-lingual (Greek,
Hebrew, and Aramaic Acts 221)
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Acts 9 Damascus Road Experience
Why was Saul (Paul) a persecutor of Christians?
(Acts 91-2) 1. Pauls persecution of the
Christian Church could be validated through
scripture! Phil 34-6 Deut 2123 Numbers
251-15
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Acts 9 Damascus Road Experience
2. Pauls persecution of the Church could be
validated through extra-Biblical history! 2
Macc 613 In fact, it is a sign of great
kindness not to let the impious alone for long,
but to punish them immediately! Qumran (Dead
Sea Scrolls) A righteous man shows
unremitting hatred toward all men of ill
repute (1QS 922) The nearer I draw to you,
the more I am filled with zeal against all who
do wickedness (1QS 413)
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Acts 9 Damascus Road Experience
3. Pauls persecution could be validated through
Jewish and Roman public policy! Josephus records
a friendly relationship renewed which makes Rome
overall rulers but the Sadducean high priests
were given authority over most internal matters,
especially in strictly religious matters.
(Antiq XIII, 259-66 XIV 145-48) See Acts
91-2
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Acts 9 Damascus Road Experience

• What Happened on the Road? (Acts 93-6)
• Saw a light from Heaven / Heard a Voice
• 2. Brief Encounter
• Jesus Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?
• Paul Who are you, Lord?
• Jesus I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting

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Acts 9 Damascus Road Experience
Revelation of Christ that Paul was confronted
with 1. Jesus is alive! Must revaluate
everything, since God has raised him from the
dead 2. Paul stands under Gods rebuke! Light
and Voice from heaven corrected him
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Acts 9 Damascus Road Experience
Revelation of Christ that Paul was confronted
with 3. Jesus and His church are one body Why
do you persecute me? 4. Mission to Gentiles No
distinction between Jew and Gentiles
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Acts 10 11 Peter, Cornelius, and the Church

• Peter has responded boldly to challenges of
  sickness and death. (Acts 932-43)
• We have seen Peter at Pentecost, then taking
  gospel to Samaritans, but will Acts 18 be pushed
  further . . . Gospel to the Gentiles?
• How will he respond to the challenge of racial
  and religious discrimination? (Acts 10-11)

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Acts 10 11 Peter, Cornelius, and the Church

• Gentile-Jew Divide
• Not Biblical, but Racial / Cultural for Gods
  purpose has always been
• All nations would be blessed Gen 122-3
• All nations will worship Isaiah 22-3
• Messiah will accomplish this Psalm 27-8

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Acts 10 11 Peter, Cornelius, and the Church

• Gentile-Jew Divide
• Not Biblical, but Racial / Cultural
• To the Jews, gentiles were dogs
• No Jew could enter home of gentile
• All conversation with gentiles was avoided.

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Acts 10 11 Peter, Cornelius, and the Church

• Description of Cornelius (Acts 101-8)
• 2. Vision of Peter (Acts 109-23)
• 3. Answer in the Form of Holy Spirit (Acts
  1023-48, esp. 44-48)
• 4. Peter Understands Gods Agenda, and convinces
  Church (Acts 111-18)

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Acts 15 Jerusalem Council 49 AD
Point of the Issue (151-5) Without
Circumcision, you can not be saved! Compare
Gal 211-15
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Acts 15 Jerusalem Council 49 AD

• Sides
• Believers of the Men of the Pharisees (155)
• Moses first, Grace Second
• Peter (157-11)
• Witness 1 We treat Gentiles as God Does
• Barnabas and Paul (1512)
• Witness 2 God working in and thru Gentiles

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Acts 15 Jerusalem Council 49 AD
Sides 4. James (1513-21) Final Verdict We are
in agreement with Words of Prophets
(1515) Welcome Gentiles as brothers and
sisters Gentiles should respect Jewish law (cf.
Romans 14-15)