The Records of the Early The Records of the Early Church: The Church: The PeriodPeriod of Expansion of Expansion

I. The Founding of the Church (Acts 1:1-8:3)I. The Founding of the Church (Acts 1:1-8:3)                Preliminary questions: only in ActsPreliminary questions: only in Acts1.      How did Jesus’ disciples, mostly uneducated Galileans, 1.      How did Jesus’ disciples, mostly uneducated Galileans,

influence the entire Roman world?influence the entire Roman world?2.      What changed these men, 2.      What changed these men, who fled in fear at the arrest who fled in fear at the arrest and death of Jesus, into fearless and death of Jesus, into fearless advocates for worshiping Jesus advocates for worshiping Jesus as Lord and God?as Lord and God?

The Records of the Early The Records of the Early Church: The Period of ExpansionChurch: The Period of Expansion            3.      How could these men set in motion ideas that changed 3.      How could these men set in motion ideas that changed

the culture of the Western world? the culture of the Western world? 4. How did the original teachings of the Christians take 4. How did the original teachings of the Christians take

shape?shape? 5. What is the relationship of the letters of the NT to the 5. What is the relationship of the letters of the NT to the Gospels?Gospels?    6. How did an entirely Jewish group become a mostly Gentile 6. How did an entirely Jewish group become a mostly Gentile movement?movement?

> The book of Acts, the only > The book of Acts, the only existing link between the existing link between the ministry of Christ and the ministry of Christ and the Christianity of NT.Christianity of NT.

The Records of the Early The Records of the Early Church: The Period of Expansion Church: The Period of Expansion B. The Record: Acts (“volume two” to Luke)B. The Record: Acts (“volume two” to Luke)

1. Introduction—1. Introduction—a. Theophilus as patron, just as Luke.a. Theophilus as patron, just as Luke.b. V. 1, “all that Jesus began to b. V. 1, “all that Jesus began to do and to teach,” description do and to teach,” description of the contents of Luke.of the contents of Luke.c. Acts, same purpose as Luke—c. Acts, same purpose as Luke—

””to give confidence about the historical to give confidence about the historical accuracy of the events involving the accuracy of the events involving the followers of Jesus in the years after his followers of Jesus in the years after his

death and resurrection”.death and resurrection”.

The Records of the Early The Records of the Early Church: The Period of ExpansionChurch: The Period of ExpansionC. C. Outline: Outline: three methods of organization.three methods of organization.

1. Geographical outline suggested in Jesus’ directive to his 1. Geographical outline suggested in Jesus’ directive to his apostles: apostles:

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth ends of the earth (1(1::8).8).I. Beginnings: Jerusalem (1:12-8:3)I. Beginnings: Jerusalem (1:12-8:3)II. Transition: Samaria (8:4-11:18)II. Transition: Samaria (8:4-11:18)III. Expansion to Gentiles: Paul (11:1-21:16)III. Expansion to Gentiles: Paul (11:1-21:16)IV. Paul in Prison in Rome (21:17-28:31)IV. Paul in Prison in Rome (21:17-28:31)

The Records of the Early The Records of the Early Church: The Period of ExpansionChurch: The Period of Expansion2. Record of growth of the church.2. Record of growth of the church.

a. beginning--about 120 members in Jerusalem (1:15)a. beginning--about 120 members in Jerusalem (1:15)b. about 3,000 in one day (2:41);b. about 3,000 in one day (2:41);c. 5,000 men (4:4); continued to grow (5:14);c. 5,000 men (4:4); continued to grow (5:14);d. grew rapidly in Jerusalem, priests (6:7), etc. d. grew rapidly in Jerusalem, priests (6:7), etc.

3. Key individuals—3. Key individuals—a. Peter in chapters 1-5, first public preachinga. Peter in chapters 1-5, first public preachingb. Stephen in 6 and 7, first Christian martyrb. Stephen in 6 and 7, first Christian martyrc. Barnabas and Philip (and Saul) in 8-12, firstsc. Barnabas and Philip (and Saul) in 8-12, firstsd. Paul through the end of the book: missionary expansion. d. Paul through the end of the book: missionary expansion.

The Records of the Early The Records of the Early Church: The Period of ExpansionChurch: The Period of Expansion

>At every point in which modern archeology has provided >At every point in which modern archeology has provided information to test the accuracy of Luke’s information, he has information to test the accuracy of Luke’s information, he has been upheld.been upheld.

            C. Content: theme--the growth of the church—geographically C. Content: theme--the growth of the church—geographically and numerically--especially from Judaism to the Gentile world and numerically--especially from Judaism to the Gentile world 1. Geographic: not exhaustive1. Geographic: not exhaustive

a. Luke’s own experience a. Luke’s own experience (“we” sections).(“we” sections).b. Jerusalem (Antioch, b. Jerusalem (Antioch, Ephesus, MacedoniaEphesus, Macedonia and Greece), eventually and Greece), eventually

to Rometo Rome. .

The Records of the Early The Records of the Early Church: The Period of ExpansionChurch: The Period of Expansion

2.Historic: Paul, leader of the mission to the 2.Historic: Paul, leader of the mission to the

Gentiles.Gentiles.

a. time period--ascension of Jesus, AD 29, to a. time period--ascension of Jesus, AD 29, to

Paul’s imprisonment in Rome, AD 60. Paul’s imprisonment in Rome, AD 60.

b. The proconsulship of Gallio (Acts 18:12) has been b. The proconsulship of Gallio (Acts 18:12) has been definitely dated at AD 52-53, and the rest of the events are definitely dated at AD 52-53, and the rest of the events are

determined in relationship to that informationdetermined in relationship to that information

The Records of the Early The Records of the Early Church: The Period of ExpansionChurch: The Period of Expansion3. Ethnic: the first Gentile church was at Antioch, 3. Ethnic: the first Gentile church was at Antioch,

a. Disciples were first called “Christians.” a. Disciples were first called “Christians.”

b. Barnabas went there, enlisted the help of Saul, who had b. Barnabas went there, enlisted the help of Saul, who had returned to his home in Tarsus. returned to his home in Tarsus.

c. From Antioch the first preachingc. From Antioch the first preaching

mission to the Gentile world set out mission to the Gentile world set out

d. All activities were guided by the d. All activities were guided by the

Holy Spirit.Holy Spirit.

The Records of the Early The Records of the Early Church: The Period of ExpansionChurch: The Period of Expansion4. The book also has an apologetic character:4. The book also has an apologetic character:

a. shows the relationship between the churcha. shows the relationship between the church

and local government in a positive light. and local government in a positive light.

b. Whenever civil unrest occurred, it was not b. Whenever civil unrest occurred, it was not

the Christian community at fault, the Christian community at fault,

c. Numerous Roman officials acknowledged. c. Numerous Roman officials acknowledged.

d. Luke shows that the new revelation of God’sd. Luke shows that the new revelation of God’s

will was for all people.will was for all people.

The Records of the Early The Records of the Early Church: The Period of ExpansionChurch: The Period of Expansion 5. Answers the question, 5. Answers the question, “What must I do to be saved?”“What must I do to be saved?”

a. Eight specific case studies of groups and individuals, Jews a. Eight specific case studies of groups and individuals, Jews and Gentiles, men and women:and Gentiles, men and women:

*Jews on Pentecost *Samaritans*Jews on Pentecost *Samaritans*Ethiopian eunuch*Ethiopian eunuch *Saul of Tarsus *Saul of Tarsus*Cornelius *Lydia *jailor *Cornelius *Lydia *jailor *disciples of John*disciples of John

b. teaching in the earliest days of the church. b. teaching in the earliest days of the church.

The Records of the Early Church: The The Records of the Early Church: The Period of Expansion--The FoundationPeriod of Expansion--The Foundation

II. The Foundation (1:1-8:3)II. The Foundation (1:1-8:3) A. No sharp break from Judaism A. No sharp break from Judaism

1. Frequented synagogues, temple for prayer 1. Frequented synagogues, temple for prayer 2. Studied the OT Scriptures as their Bible. 2. Studied the OT Scriptures as their Bible. 3. Early controversy--accepting Gentiles into 3. Early controversy--accepting Gentiles into membership, required to be circumcised.membership, required to be circumcised.4. Yet, the foundation of Christian teaching 4. Yet, the foundation of Christian teaching (eventually led to separation)(eventually led to separation)

--the resurrection of Jesus --the resurrection of Jesus from the dead as the final from the dead as the final proof that he was the Son of God.proof that he was the Son of God.

The Records of the Early Church: The The Records of the Early Church: The Period of Expansion--The FoundationPeriod of Expansion--The Foundation

B. Pentecost is “the birthday of the church.” B. Pentecost is “the birthday of the church.” 1. 120 disciples, chose Matthias, waiting in Jerusalem as Jesus 1. 120 disciples, chose Matthias, waiting in Jerusalem as Jesus

had instructed them. had instructed them. 2. On Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came, as Jesus had promised. 2. On Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came, as Jesus had promised. 3. Spoke human languages they had not studied, 3. Spoke human languages they had not studied, (everyone (everyone

could hear in their native language) could hear in their native language) 4. Peter and the other apostles explained 4. Peter and the other apostles explained

a. these events were fulfilling OT prophecy (Joel)a. these events were fulfilling OT prophecy (Joel) b. gave proof of the resurrection of Jesusb. gave proof of the resurrection of Jesus

c. proclaiming Jesus to be Lord and Christ.c. proclaiming Jesus to be Lord and Christ.

The Records of the Early Church: The The Records of the Early Church: The Period of Expansion--The FoundationPeriod of Expansion--The Foundation

5. 3,000 were baptized in the name of Jesus, 5. 3,000 were baptized in the name of Jesus,

C. Early Preaching in Jerusalem.C. Early Preaching in Jerusalem.

1. The teachings and actions of Jesus. 1. The teachings and actions of Jesus.

2. His resurrection as proof--the Son of God. 2. His resurrection as proof--the Son of God.

3. Repentance and faith, baptism in water. 3. Repentance and faith, baptism in water.

4. OT quotations foundation of Christian beliefs 4. OT quotations foundation of Christian beliefs

5. The promise of the Holy Spirit as God’s gift.5. The promise of the Holy Spirit as God’s gift.

6. United fellowship, common worship, property6. United fellowship, common worship, property

in common to provide for the needy.in common to provide for the needy.

The Records of the Early Church: The The Records of the Early Church: The Period of Expansion--The FoundationPeriod of Expansion--The Foundation

D. Organization and LeadersD. Organization and Leaders1. The apostles were the earliest leaders.1. The apostles were the earliest leaders.2. Democratic approach, voluntary sharing.2. Democratic approach, voluntary sharing.3. Worship, in homes--teaching, “breaking of bread”3. Worship, in homes--teaching, “breaking of bread” (Lord’s Supper, Communion, Eucharist), prayer (Lord’s Supper, Communion, Eucharist), prayer 4. Sunday, 1st day of the week, in recognition of 4. Sunday, 1st day of the week, in recognition of “ “resurrection day.” resurrection day.” 5. Early leaders: Peter, John, James (brother of Jesus); Stephen 5. Early leaders: Peter, John, James (brother of Jesus); Stephen became the first Christian martyr.became the first Christian martyr.

III. Early Threats to the Church

A. From outside the church: Persecution. 1. Peter, John to the temple for prayer.

2. Healed a lame beggar “in the name of Jesus.”3. Opposition from priests and Sadducees.4. Later, all apostles arrested, released by angel.5. Gamaliel cautioned about “fighting against God.”6. The church prayed for greater courage.

B. From inside the church: Truthfulness.

1. Barnabas (“son of encouragement”;

Joseph, from Cyprus).

2. Sold some property and gave the money

to the apostles to care for the needy.

3. Ananias, Sapphira sold land, gave some

of the money, but said it was all.

4. They fell dead by the Spirit; fear in the

church.

C. From inside the church: Conflict.

1. Two groups: Grecian Jews and

Hebraic Jews.

2. Distributing food to the widows

in each group.

3. Apostles directed church to appoint 7 men, all

Greeks, including Stephen and Philip.

D. The first martyr: Stephen.

1. He performed great miracles in

Jerusalem.

2. Opposed by men from the Synagogue of

the Freedmen (Cyrene, Alexandria,

Cilicia, Asia).

3. Accused him of blaspheming Moses and God.

4. Connected him to Jesus of Nazareth.

5. He said they were stubborn, just like their ancestors who persecuted the prophets.

6. They stoned him to death.

7. Saul gave approval for his death.

E. First persecution, scattering from Jerusalem.

1. All but the apostles scattered.

2. Spread out to Judea and Samaria.

3. Saul began to destroy the church,

going house to house.

4. Would the church be able to survive?