Acts – Part 1

Acts

Part 1

I. Introduction

A. Applying Transitional Narratives (What would you do with…?)

1. Paul’s haircut/vow in Cenchrea (Acts 18:18) – Transitional

2. The plan regarding sacrifices (Acts 21:20-24) – Ambiguous (misguided? Same as above?)

3. Choosing “deacons” and helping widows (Acts 6:1-7) – One of many possible examples of larger, timeless principle

B. Timeline of the Writing of Acts

1. Late 50’s, early 60’s: If Mark here, Luke-Acts written no later?

2. A.D. 62: end of events narrated in Acts

3. Late 60’s, or 70’s: If Mark here, Luke-Acts later?

II. An Outline of Acts

A. Introduction: Founding the Church (1:1-2:41)

B. Part One: Christian Mission to the Jews (2:42-12:25)

1. The Church in Jerusalem (2:42-6:7)

2. The Church in Judea, Galilee and Samaria (6:8-9:31)

3. Advances in Palestine and Syria (9:32-12:25)

C. Part Two: Christian Mission to the Gentiles (13:1-28:31)

1. Paul's first journey and the Apostolic Council (13:1-16:5)

2. Paul's second and third journeys (16:6-19:20)

3. Paul's final travels to Jerusalem and Rome (19:21-28:31)

III. Fixed Points in the Chronology of Acts

A. Ascension and Pentecost [A.D. 30] Acts 1-2

B. Stoning of Stephen and conversion of Saul [A.D.32 or 33]

C. Paul's first Jerusalem visit [C.A. A.D. 35]

D. Death of Herod Agrippa I [A.D. 44] Acts 12

E. Height of famine in Judea [A.D. 46] Acts 11:27-30

F. First missionary journey, Apostolic Council, and second missionary journey (1+ years in Corinth) [A.D. 49]

G. Gallio in Corinth [A.D. 51-52] Acts 18:12

H. Third missionary journey [A.D. 52-55]

I. 3 years in Ephesus [A.D. 53-56]

J. Return to Jerusalem/arrest and imprisonment under Felix (2 years) [A.D. 57-59]

K. Accession of Festus [A.D. 59] Acts 24:27

L. Two years in Rome [A.D. 60-62]

IV. Exegetical Notes on Acts 1-2

A. 1:7 – more teaching against date setting

B. 1:8 – key outline of contents of Acts

C. 1:9-11 – exaltation thus far incomplete

D. 1:20 – does not lead to apostolic succession

E. 1:26 – "casting lots" and meaning of "apostles"

F. 2:4 – filling of Spirit as repeated activity

G. 2:6-11 – tongues here neither "glossolalia" nor "xenolalia"

H. 2:17-18 – gifts clearly egalitarian

I. 2:42 – four key elements of what church is to do

J. 2:43-47 – Marx's mistakes: legislate and leave God out

V. Patterns of Salvation in the Book of Acts (or so they appear at first!)

A. Acts 2:38 – belief, baptism, Holy Spirit

B. Acts 8:4-25 – belief, baptism [gap] Holy Spirit

C. Acts 10:44-48 – Holy Spirit [gap] belief, baptism

D. Acts 19:1-7 – belief – baptism, Holy Spirit

VI. A Chiasm in Acts 2:38?

A. Repent

1. Be baptized

2. In the name of Jesus

B. Forgiveness

VII. Exegetical Notes on Acts 3:1-6:7

A. 3:6-10 – interesting interplay in holistic healing

B. 3:21 – against too imminent an eschatology

C. 4:12 – what it does and doesn't prove

D. 4:13 – what the words "do" and "don't" mean

E. 4:19-20 – a key paradigm

F. 4:23-31 – a remarkable prayer

G. 5:1-11 – first and last comments most important?

H. 5:39 – Gamaliel as an errant speaker

I. 6:1-6 – timeless vs. timely "deacon" principles