Preaching in Acts

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Luke Acts is the only work of an Evangelist which puts extensive words into the mouths of people other than Jesus. Accounts of such preaching are theological and not historical; what we must do is to understand the purposes behind Luke's writing. He probably heard a good deal of St. Paul's preaching and so passages after Acts 16:10 (when the reporting pronoun changes from "they" to "we") may be accurately reported.

  1. Peter after the Ascension Acts 1:15-22. The succession of Judas.
  2. Peter at Pentecost Acts 1:14-36. The eschatological significance of Jesus the Messiah; the Crucifixion linked to David. The first public apologia for Jesus and open condemnation of the Crucifixion.
  3. Peter in Solomon's Portico Acts 3:14-26. Jesus linked with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Moses. Echoes of Jesus in curing and teaching in the Temple.
  4. Peter's First Court Appearance (Acts 4:8-12). Frontal attack on religious authorities, declaration of Jesus as Saviour.
  5. The Apostles Pray (Acts 4:24-30). Herod, Pilate, Gentiles and Jews associated with the death of Jesus.
  6. Peter/Apostles Second Court Appearance (Acts 5:29-32).
  7. Stephen's Defence (Acts 7:2-52). Extensive apologia from Abraham to Jesus, the most detailed outside Romans; conscious echoes of the trial of Jesus.
  8. Peter on Jesus; the Conversion of Gentiles (Acts 10:34-43).
  9. Peter on Gentiles; the Clean and the Unclean (Acts 11:5-17).
  10. Paul at Pisidian Antioch (Acts 13:16-41. First great sermon; the Jewish tradition; the Baptism of John; the theology of the Resurrection.
  11. Paul/Barnabas at Lycaonium (Acts 14:14-17).  We are not Gods.
  12. Peter (Acts 15:8-11) and James (Acts 15:13-21) at the Council of Jerusalem on the status of Gentiles.
  13. Paul at the Ariopagus in Athens (Acts 17:22-31. Jesus and Greek poetry.
  14. Paul to the Leaders at Ephesus (Acts 20:17-35. On discipleship; going to Jerusalem; echoes of Jesus' warnings.
  15. Paul's Defence to the Jews (Acts 22:1-22). His account of his conversion.
  16. Paul's Defence before the Council (Acts 23:1-8).
  17. Paul before Felix (Acts 24:10-21). Association of Resurrection with Jewish tradition.
  18. Paul before Agrippa and Bernice (Acts 26:2-23).

KC ii/06

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