Acts Test 1

Front 1

Kerygma

Back 1

“preaching, proclamation, or announcement,” the idea of the early church spreading the gospel

Front 2

Sanhedrin

Back 2

the ancient Jewish court system; the court counsel in Jerusalem

Front 3

Diaspora

Back 3

the group of Jews living outside of Palestine (i.e. captives, colonists, and business people) but they kept Jewish identity and ties to the Jerusalem Temple

Front 4

2nd Temple Judaism

Back 4

Judaism practiced after the second temple was built and dedicated in 515 BC until it was destroyed in 70 AD

Front 5

Intertestamental period

Back 5

the time between biblical records after Malachi 400 BC and until Christ came in 4 BC. Three major historical periods occurred in this era: Greek rule, Jewish independence, and the beginning of Roman Rule.

Front 6

Septuagint

Back 6

Greek translation of the Old Testament, often referred to by LXX (70 in Latin); became scripture for Jewish Diaspora

Front 7

Pharisees

Back 7

party within Judaism that rejected the priesthood and Hellenism. They saw the Torah as a “developing dynamic social force.” Jewish leaders of the day who focused on purity laws for table fellowship and Sabbath

Front 8

Sadducees

Back 8

party within Judaism of wealthy priests and aristocrats (in with the government). Religiously conservative: rejected tradition (oral law), however more open to Hellenism in political rule

Front 9

Essenes

Back 9

a sect within Judaism that rejected a corrupt Temple. A separatist branch of Hasidim, such as the Qumran community

Front 10

Why is it important to study the historical & cultural backgrounds and political setting of Acts?

Back 10

-So we can better understand the background setting of Acts and be able to rightly interpret it.
-Acts does not occur in a void it occurs in specific context.

Front 11

What are the five historical periods (provide the dates) that effected Judaism?

Back 11

1) Babylonian (597-539 BC)
2) Persian Rule (539-331 BC)
3) Greek Rule (331-164 BC)
4) Hebrew Independence (164-63 BC)
5) Roman Rule (63BC-70AD)

Front 12

Babylonian (597-539 BC)

Back 12

-Events: Exile and destruction of temple
-Effects on Judaism: Israel was no longer a nation. They lost their land and their temple culture but most still maintained their identity even in their foreign context and culture.

Front 13

Persian Rule (539-331 BC)

Back 13

-Events: Jews were allowed to return and build the temple. (Cyrus allowed people to return; Zerubbabel builds temple; Ezra reinstated the law; Nehemiah builds walls). This is the time of 2nd temple Judaism and Intertestamental Era.
-Effects on Judaism- Restoration of visible Jewish identity, religion intensified, high priest grew in power.

Front 14

Greek Rule (331-164 BC)

Back 14

-Events: Alexander the Great gains control and Hellenism spreads. Then when Alexander dies the land splits 4 ways and there are two main kingdoms: Ptolemaic (Egypt; favorable to Jews) and Seleucid (Syria, pushed Hellenism) Empires. Septuagint was written during this time period and was scripture for Jewish Diaspora.
-Effects on Judaism: Greek culture spread and Jews adopt it to different degrees, which added to the conflict in Jewish community (how much do you accept or reject it to maintain your Jewish identity?). New high priests have been appointed (no longer in the family line of Zadok). There is division between Hellenists (open to adaptation) and Hasidim (strict traditional Jews).

Front 15

Hebrew Independence (164-63 BC)

Back 15

-Events: Jewish rebellion. Jewish rule
-Effects on Judaism: Temple restored (festival of lights/Hanukah). Expansion of territory. Corrupt temple (there was much internal strife). Rise of Jewish parties and sects (i.e. Pharisees, Sadducees, and Essenes).
-Jewish Expansion (they forced people to convert when they expanded)

Front 16

Roman Rule (63BC-70AD)

Back 16

-Events: Pompey enters Jerusalem. Herod becomes king (37-34BC). Built many public works, rebuilt temple, much domestic chaos. Last Jewish King 44AD. 70AD Temple destroyed
-Effects on Judaism: Direct Roman rule. Loss of political power, Romans choose high priest, new political power. Increasing hostility. Pax Romana (there was peace between all the nations that Rome ruled over so there was freedom to travel).

Front 17

What 3 major historical periods occurred or begin in the intertestamental era?

Back 17

-Greek rule
-Jewish independence
-Roman Rule

Front 18

What are 3 ways in which the historical events set the stage for the NT?

Back 18

-People influenced by Greek culture.
-Strong Jewish nationalism (strong attachment to religion and identity).
-People under Roman law (maintain Pax Romana).

Front 19

What is the internal and external evidence for the authorship of Acts (name 3 internal, 3 external)?

Back 19

Internal
-Educated (knew Greco Roman history).
-Knew Jewish subculture (LXX)
-Companion of Paul (we passages)
-Someone in contact with social elite
External
-Earliest manuscripts mentioned Luke
-Luke was the beloved physician (Col. 4:14)
-Former slave/patron (2 Tim. 4:11/Phil. 24)

Front 20

When Acts was written (chose one date and tell why you think it is this date)?

Back 20

Late 70’s:
-Luke wrote after Mark and the earliest date for Mark is 60AD
-Acts was written after the temple was destroyed in 70AD

Front 21

What are the four possible purposes for Acts?

Back 21

-Historical
-Theological
-Social
-Legal

Front 22

Historical Purpose

Back 22

-Follows conventions of ancient historiography
-Provides the only history of early church
-Provides accurate details: places, procedures, people

Front 23

Theological Purpose

Back 23

-It presents theological truth
-Luke chose the events carefully
-Luke is describing God’s salvation to all people
-In Luke the gospel is spread vertically, in Acts it was horizontally
-Luke is about the fulfillment of God’s kingdom (God’s kingdom through Jesus)

Front 24

Social Purpose

Back 24

Acts is written for a second generation church:

1) Assurance of truthfulness and reliability
2) Christianity part of God’s plan
3) Salvation is for all people
4) Encourage evangelism (know Kerygma, have models of what it looks like)
5) Encourage dependence on Spirit
6) Encourage that faith will prevail

Front 25

Legal Purpose

Back 25

-To provide documentation.
-The gospel was not written to go against the law, but was written to fulfill it.

Front 26

How does Luke-Acts express the Kingdom of God?

Back 26

-Who: Jesus (Davidic King Messiah)
-What: Kingdom of God (Salvation is from God, through Christ, to all people), allegiance to God, Kingdom is a new way of living.
-To whom: all people (vertically: all classes; horizontally: all nations)
-How: Holy Spirit’s power
Response: Kingdom separates people, leaders, and disciples in how they respond because Jesus is a litmus test of the heart

Front 27

What are the five assurances the introduction provides for the early believers?

Back 27

-Continuity of Ministry of Jesus
-Proof of Jesus’ resurrection
-Promise of the Spirit
-Purpose of the Church
-Promise of Return

Front 28

Continuity of Ministry of Jesus

Back 28

Jesus began preaching and continued to speak through the disciples and through us today.
E.C. old is gold, new is not true

Front 29

Proof of Jesus’ resurrection

Back 29

proofs of it demand a response; resurrection is backed by convincing proofs

Front 30

Promise of the Spirit

Back 30

They were waiting for the coming of the Spirit and it is here today for us. Connected with OT prophecy, “promise of the Father”, coming of kingdom associated with the Spirit

Front 31

Purpose of the church

Back 31

promise of Kingdom = restoration of Israel; suggests God will fulfill promises

Front 32

Promise of Return

Back 32

Promise of salvation. Jesus will return some day and take us with him to heaven.

Front 33

What are three continuities Luke is concerned with?

Back 33

-Jesus and the church
-Judaism and Christianity
-OT events before and after Easter

Front 34

What were the two reasons that Judas had to be replaced (the reason 12 rather than 11 apostles were needed)?
*If Paul was an apostle why not him?

Back 34

-The “twelve” were to witness about Jesus to Israel
-Will judge Israel (12 tribes) at resurrection (to fulfill scripture)
*Because the 12 were for the Israelites and Paul was for the Gentiles

Front 35

What is the significance of the phrase “the Scripture had to be fulfilled?”

Back 35

-Judas had to betray Jesus and the disciples to fulfill prophecy

Front 36

Why did Luke use the phrase, “In my former book?"

Back 36

-Because Acts was a continuation of Luke

Front 37

What are the implications of the use of the word translated “began”?

Back 37

-Jesus began his ministry and the Holy Spirit continued it through the disciples and through the church today.
- It implies that what Jesus did in his public ministry on earth until his crucifixion was only a start. Now Jesus would continue his proclamation of the Kingdom of God by working through his people, as recorded in part in the book of Acts.

Front 38

What is the significance of the disciple’s question, “Are you now at this time going to restore the kingdom of Israel?”

Back 38

-The disciples had certain political expectations of Jesus’ coming to save the nation of Israel, but Jesus brought a different kind of salvation and told them that the kingdom wouldn’t be totally restored until the end.

Front 39

Is going to the ends of earth a new idea? Explain.

Back 39

-Yes because before the nation of Israel was God’s chosen people and all other nations were suppose to go to them and look at them as an example. But now they are to go to the ends of the earth and proclaim the gospel to all peoples.

Front 40

According to lecture why did God have the disciples wait before receiving the Spirit? How does it apply today?

Back 40

-For ministry sometimes God had them wait to be healed, to deal with sin, to grow emotionally, and to be trained.
-God has us wait today for the same reasons.

Front 41

What were the two meanings in Jewish culture associated with the day of Pentecost?

Back 41

-First fruits of the Spirit (the harvest festival, which took place a few days after the Passover)
-God is giving a new law, which is the fulfillment of the law of Moses, given on Mt. Sinai

Front 42

What were three signs when the Holy Spirit fell on the first believers?

Back 42

-Wind
-Fire
-Speaking in tongues

Front 43

What did wind symbolize?

Back 43

-Regeneration (God brings new life to some)
-New creation
-God’s presence and power

Front 44

What did fire symbolize?

Back 44

Judgment
-Judgment in terms of purity
-He brings judgment to others

Front 45

What did speaking in tongues symbolize?

Back 45

-All nations gathered in Jerusalem and the Spirit unites them into one body
-The first church was multicultural and multilingual, though they were still all Jewish

Front 46

What were the two responses to the coming of the Spirit?
Why is this significant?

Back 46

Openness
-From God fearing Jews. They heard in their languages and were amazed, asking, “what does this mean?”

Closed hearts
-From those who rejected what God was doing. “They have had too much wine.”

Front 47

Outline of Peter’s speech explaining the Spirit

Back 47

A. Introduction: Explanation of the Spirit
B. Content: Jesus, Giver of the Spirit
C. Conclusion: Who Jesus is

Front 48

Peter's speech Introduction: Explanation of the Spirit

Back 48

They are not drunk on wine but it was prophesied that the Spirit would speak through them.
Spirit that was promised for salvation, for all.

Front 49

Peter's speech content: Jesus, Giver of the Spirit

Back 49

-Jesus was from God (his deeds verified it).
-He was crucified and raised (reasons he had to die to fulfill scripture, messiah must die and be raised).
-He was exalted (verified by Holy Spirit and fulfillment of scripture)

Front 50

Peter's speech conclusion: Who Jesus is

Back 50

-Jesus Christ is Messiah.
-Jesus is Lord, God.
-Supported by convicing proofs

Front 51

How did the people respond to Peter's sermon?

Back 51

-They were convicted: “What shall we do?”
-3,000 converted, repented, were baptized and received the Holy Spirit.

Front 52

How does Peter change the quote from Joel, in his sermon at Pentecost?
-Significance?
*Significance for us?

Back 52

Joel said "Lord will pour His Spirit afterwards"
Peter said "Lord will pour His Spirit in the end times"
-The Spirit is inhabiting the earth and people
*We are in the end times

Front 53

Structure of Acts 2-8

Back 53

1.) Episode (external/church event)
2.)Summary teaching (general statement on church affairs)
*Repeat

Front 54

Overall narrative of Acts 2-8

Back 54

-Pentecost (fellowship) 2:42-47
-Lame man healing (ministry of healing) 4:32-4:37
-Ananias & Sapphira 5:12-16
-Apostles arrested (fed widows) 6:1-7
-Stephen (preached everywhere) 8:1b-4

Front 55

Perspectives provided by Acts narrative (ch. 2-8)

Back 55

External Episodes:
-witness of the church; shows what happened in the church

Internal Summaries:
-revealed the character of the early church

Front 56

Koinonia

Back 56

"Fellowship"
-Key concept that defines the early church

Front 57

Examples of Koinonia in the early church

Back 57

-Breaking bread together (meals and Lord's Supper)
-Praying together
-Praising God together
-Meeting together
-Sharing (no one in need)

Front 58

Four witnesses of the Church

Back 58

-Witness of Deeds
-Witness of Words
-Witness of Purity
-Witness of Persecution

Front 59

Witness of Deeds

Back 59

A. Acts 3:1-10
B. Healing of the lame man
C. Main idea: the healing is a sign of the eschatological age of the kingdom of God - fulfillment of God’s promises.

Front 60

Witness of Word

Back 60

A.) Acts 3:11-4:31

B.) Occurred:
-To the crowd: redirects them to Jesus
-To the leaders: points them to God’s authority
-To the church: report of arrest and trial

C.) Main points:
-To crowd: Jesus’ death and resurrection brings the eschatological age and its promises of forgiveness of sin and refreshment to those who repent
-To leaders: Salvation is found in Christ (his death and resurrection prove his authority)
-To church: To trust in God’s power, sovereignty, and control

Front 61

Witness of Purity

Back 61

A. Acts 5:1-11
B. Ananias and Sapphira’s deception
C. Main Point: Deception and sin destroy the church

Front 62

Witness of Persecution

Back 62

A. Acts 5:17-42
B. The apostles (Peter and John) were arrested and flogged
C. Main Point: Man cannot stop what God has ordained

Front 63

Witness of Word audiences

Back 63

-the crowd
-the leaders
-the church

Front 64

Response to adversity

Back 64

-Early church prayed for power and boldness rather than relief and deliverance

-We should do the same

Front 65

What was Ananias' and Sapphira's sin?

Back 65

They sold a piece of property and tried to deceive the Holy Spirit and apostles by lying, saying they had offered all the profit when in fact they had only given a portion.

Front 66

What was the threat to the early church as a result of Ananias' and Sapphira's sin?

Back 66

Satan seeks to destroy the church. Sin from within will destroy the church by stripping it of its unity and credibility.