The Acts of the Apostles

1. The Acts of the Apostles Part I

2. Part I • The Acts of the Apostles • Pivotal Event – Pentecost • Persecution and Growth • The Church in Jerusalem, Galilee and Samaria • Part II • The Missionary Activity of Paul • The Church of Jews and Gentiles • The Church of Rome Overview

3. You may not be able to answer each of these questions “perfectly,” but you should be able to offer some ideas and be able to support those ideas with evidence from Acts. • How did a Jewish messianic movement develop into a Gentile religion? What sequences of events and ideas affected this transformation? • How is it that Paul, who did not know the historical Jesus, became his chief interpreter? • How does Acts show Jesus’ disciples, motivated by the same Sprit that had inspired Jesus, carrying his work into the Greco-Roman world. • Why/How does this new way appeal to the people? • According to Acts, what are the essential elements for becoming a believer. • What is Paul’s contribution to the international mission?

4. A Continuation of Luke’s Gospel • Also addressed to Theophilus • The Purpose • It’s an account of the progression from a Jewish movement to a Gentile faith. • Christianity is a legitimate religion that does not threaten the Roman government. • Many of the events involving the apostles in Acts mirror events involving Jesus in Luke. • Through the proclamation of the risen Lord, God opens the way for “all peoples” to join his flock. Where did Acts come from? St. Luke

5. Rightfully speak of Luke / Acts • Written most likely after 64 AD – Paul is in Rome • Not isolated writing, but rather an integral part in a well-ordered series. • Acts presupposes its readers to know the Gospels Where did Acts come from? St. Luke

6. According to the early Church historian Eusebius, • born in Antioch of Syrian or Greek parents in 31 A.D. • Identifies Luke as the author of the third gospel that bears his name, and the Acts of the Apostles. • One of the first Gentile converts to Christianity • Travelling companion of Saint Paul on his many missionary journeys. Even after everyone else had deserted Paul, Luke was with him in his last days and final imprisonment in Rome. • After 64 AD? Luke was unmarried and wrote his gospel in Greece at Boeotia, where he died at age 84. • Because Luke's gospel was believed to be an accurate account of the life of Christ, and especially of Christ's birth, Luke was taken as one of the patrons of notaries. Luke's is the gospel of the poor and social justice. Who was St. Luke?

7. There is some tradition that Luke met Mary sometime before her death – hence the focus on Mary at the beginning of his Gospel and Acts • Trained as physician, St. Luke is also the patron of medical profession. He was reported to have been a fine painter (although this has not been proven), and is also patron of artists, painters, sculptors, craft workers and lace makers. His feast day is on October 18. • Symbol of St. Luke is an OX or bull taken from the beginning of his gospel where Zachary was in the temple to sacrifice – a bull or ox. The OX actually represents Jesus’ sacrifice on the Cross. Who was St. Luke? Our Lady of Czestochowa

8. Read Acts Chapter 1 • What do we know about the early Church? Acts of the Apostles – Part IThe Church in Jerusalem, Galilee and SamariaBefore Pentecost

9. The Lord Prepares the Disciples ( • The Great Commission • The Ascension • The Lord Re-Establishes 12 Apostles • The devotion to prayer • The Motion of Peter to Choose Another Apostle • Role of Peter as Leader • The criteria for an apostolic replacement • The Development of Tradition - The Method of choosing • Matthias chosen – ranked among Apostles Acts of the Apostles – Part IThe Church in Jerusalem, Galilee and SamariaBefore Pentecost

10. Read Acts Chapter 2 • What happened in that upper room? Acts of the Apostles – Part IThe Church in Jerusalem, Galilee and SamariaPentecost