THE 511 NEW TESTAMENT THEOLOGY CLASS III: THEOLOGY OF LUKE-ACTS AND THEOLOGY OF SYNOPTICS ACTS.

THE 511 NEW TESTAMENT THEOLOGY

CLASS III: THEOLOGY OF LUKE-ACTS AND THEOLOGY OF SYNOPTICS & ACTS

THEOLOGY OF LUKE-ACTS

1.1 Introduction to theology of Luke-Acts

• Luke or Luke-Acts? • Two separate stories or a unified work in two volumes?

• Single story of redemptive history rooted in Israel’s history

• What about the canonical order? • Luke-John-Acts…

• Acts as a bridge b/w Gospels and epistles


Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile an account of the things

accomplished among us, 2 just as they were handed down to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word, 3 it seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in consecutive order, most excellent Theophilus; 4 so that you may know the exact truth about the things you have been taught. (Lk 1:1-4)

The first account composed, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach, 2 until the day when He was taken up to heaven, after He had by the Holy Spirit given orders to the apostles whom He had chosen. To these He also presented Himself alive after His suffering, by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking of the things concerning the kingdom of God (Acts 1:1-3)


• Important connections b/w Luke & Acts• Redemption of Israel & David’s throne (Lk 1-2/Acts 1-3)

• “promise of the Father” (Lk 24:47-49/Acts 2:1-4)• “baptism in Holy Spirit and fire” (Lk 3:16/Acts 2:1-4; cf. 1:5)

• “taken up” & ascension (9:51/Acts 1:9-11)

• Salvation-historical scheme (Israel-gentiles)• Preaching to all nations (24:47/Acts 1:8)


2.1 Theology of Luke

• Salvation history & God’s plan• Jesus’ birth inaugurates a new era of salvation

• Reversal of fortunes (1:46-55)

• Salvation of Israel & Davidic throne (1:32-33, 55; 71-73; 2:38)

• Inclusion of Gentiles announced (2:32; 3:5-6)

• Jesus’ ministry of the kingdom (4:18-19, 43; 6:20; 7:22-23; 8:9-19)

• Division of salvation history• “Law and prophets…until John” & kingdom now & future (16:16)

• Two/three partite salvation-historical scheme (1:1; 7:26-27; 16:16; 24:50)?

Two parts w/ second further divided [promise-Jesus+gentiles]


• Present and future aspects of the kingdom• Already present (10:9-11; 11:20; 17:20-21; cf. 13:18-21)

• Waiting for final fulfillment (11:2; 19:11-27; 21:31)

• Plan and purpose of God & Israel’s scripture• Gk. boule; dei; horidzo; pleroo* divine necessity

• 2:49; 4:43; 13:33; 17:25; 19:5; 22:37; 24:7, 26, 44

• Divine plan prophesied in the scripture (e.g. 1:69-70; 24:44)

“Messiah must suffer” “kingdom must be preached”

“compels” Jesus to action (19:5; cf. 13:16)


• Israel and the people of God• Relationship b/w Israel and the people of the Messiah

• Promises to Israel (1:54-55, 68-70, 72-3; 2:32, 34, 38)

• “Covenant [Abraham & David]”, “redemption of Israel”

• Messiah & “rise and fall of many in Israel” (2:34; cf. 3:15)

• Israel’s response varies (4:15, 28-29; 5:26; 6:11, 13; 7:16, 31-5)

• 12 disciples - also “evil generation” (11:29; 12:56; 11:53-3; 13:1-9)

“vineyard given to others” (20:9-19; cf. 19:44)

• Kingdom offered to Israel but most reject it

• Israel as people of the Messiah constituted around the twelve

So what about the promises in Lk 1-2?*


• Christ and the Spirit• Jesus’ identity paraded in the infancy narrative

• Jesus Son of God, Messiah, Lord & Savior

• Son of God on David’s throne who rules over “Jacob” (1:32-5)

• Savior/redeemer, Messiah, Lord & light to gentiles (2:11, 30-32, 38)

• Jesus as the promised Messiah & Son of God (4:41; 10:22; 22:70)

• Suffering and glorious Son of Man (9:22, 26; 12:8; 17:24; 22:70)

• Righteous and innocent man (23:4, 14, 22, 41, 46-47)

True identity needs to be taught by the risen Messiah (24:45)


• Spirit’s role (1:15, 35, 41; 2:25-6; 4:1, 18; 10:21; 11:13; 12:12; 24:49)

• Conception, empowerment & anointing of Messiah

• Filling, prophecy, revelatory insight, inspired prayer, baptism of HS; connected to kingdom & miracles; joy, teaching

Promise of the Father (24:49 cf. 11:13)


• Salvation • Focus on salvation – Jesus as Savior only in Luke (2:11)

• Restoration of Israel and inclusion of gentiles

• Salvation as the present reality – “TODAY” (4:21; 13:32; 19:9; 23:43)

• Restoration & healing (4:18-19; 6:9-10; 17:19; 18:42; 19:9)

• Salvation from enemies (1:71, 74; 10:19-20; 13:16; 19:43-44)

• Forgiveness and peace (1:77; 5:24; 7:47, 50; 8:36; 24:47)

• Salvation as future reality• Kingdom & eternal life (10:25-37; 13:33-35; 16:19-31; 18:29)


• Salvation as reversal of fortunes• Poor and lowly lifted & rich and haughty brought low

• Magnificat (1:51-53) & Beatitudes and Woes (6:20-26)

• Banquet guests (14:12-24); Rich Man and Lazarus (16:19-31)

• Arrogant self-righteous and humble/lowly vs. “sinners”• Levi and the sinners (5:24-30; 7:34 cf. 15:1-2)

• Tax collector and Pharisee; children; Rich Ruler (18:9-34)


• Significance of the ‘reversal’• Kingdom – ‘reversal’ – salvation connected

• Salvation/kingdom for everybody but esp. for poor and excluded

• Poor, sick, ‘sinners’, unclean, Samaritans, women & children

• Critique of rich, powerful, arrogant

Kingdom becomes reality ‘on earth…as in heaven’ (cf. 14:12-14)

• Less emphasis on salvific significance of Jesus’ death• Allusion to Jesus’ redemptive death (22:37/Isa 53:12)*


• Repentance and kingdom conduct• Need for repentance (3:3, 8; 5:32; 10:13; 13:3-5; 15:7-10; 24:47)

• Gracious offer of salvation to all – esp. outcasts

• Demands everything (14:25-33)

• Danger of greed & possessions (6:20-26; 14:33; 16:19-31; 18:18-30)

• Kingdom calls for new actions & attitudes (19:1-10)• Esp. toward possessions, “sinners”, outcasts

• Sermon of the plain (6:20-49)*• Be merciful; love enemies; denial of reciprocity (6:27-36)


• Place of Law and the prophets (16:16-17; cf. 7:28; 11:42)• Piety of Zechariah, Elizabeth etc. (1:6; 2:22, 27, 41; 2:21-25)

• Law & salvation (10:25-29; 16:29; 18:18-20) Following Jesus and believing the gospel of the kingdom (18:20)

• Does Law need to be obeyed to the least stroke? (16:16-18)

• Divorce permissible (Deut 24:1-4) according to Law but not according to Jesus (16:16-18)

Law is valid as interpreted through Jesus & kingdom


• Parousia of the Son of Man (21:5-33; 17:22-37; 12:41-48)

• Final manifestation of the kingdom• Great banquet & reversal (13:28-30; 14:15-24)

• Delay of parousia (19:12-27)

• Coming of the Son of Man and Kingdom (9:26; 12:8; 21:26-27)

• signs b/f the end (21:8-24)

• Destruction of Jerusalem (21:20-24; cf. 19:43-44)

• “Times of gentiles” (21:24)

• Roman armies AD 66-70 or salvation-historical period?

• Call for vigilance (21:34-36; 12:41-48)


2.2 Theology of Acts

• Salvation history & God’s plan• Resurrection, ascension & coming of the Spirit (1:1-11; 2:1-4, 14-36)

• Inauguration of the “last days” (2:14-17; cf Lk 3:16; 16:16-17)

• Restoration of the twelve (1:15-25)

• Gospel “first to Jews and then to gentiles” (1:8; 13:46)

• Jews reject the gospel (3:25-26; 7:51; 13:46-47; 28:25-28; cf. 2:41, 47, 4:4; 5:14; 6:7; 21:20)


• Timing of the kingdom & restoration (1:6; cf. Lk 1-2)• Eternal “throne of David” & “rule over Jacob” (Lk 1:32-33)

And so, because he was a prophet and knew that GOD HAD SWORN TO HIM WITH AN OATH TO SEAT one OF HIS DESCENDANTS ON HIS THRONE, 31 he looked ahead and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that HE WAS NEITHER ABANDONED TO HADES, NOR DID His flesh SUFFER DECAY. 32 This Jesus God raised up again, to which we are all witnesses. (2:30-32; cf. 2:36)

Messiah’s enthronement (ascension & resurrection)


• Time of “refreshing…and restoration of all things” (3:19-26)Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord; 20 and that He may send Jesus, the Christ appointed for you, 21 whom heaven must receive until the period of restoration of all things about which God spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from ancient time. (3:19-21)

Final restoration and Christ’s coming

• Moses, prophets & covenant w/ Abraham announced “these days”

Does this include/exclude political/national restoration? (cf. 2:30-36; Rom 11:1-12, 28-29)


• Divine necessity – Gk. boule and dei

• Suffering and death of Jesus • Plan of God foreseen by Scriptures (2:31; 3:18-26; 4:9-12, 24-31)

• Times, seasons & history (17:26, 31)

• Sovereignty in salvation & calling (13:48; 16:14; cf. 22:10, 14; 26:16)

• Human decision (2:38-9; 10:34-5; 13:43; cf. 26:19) • Sovereignty in life and death (12:1-11)

• Sovereignty of God & guidance (16:6-10; 20:22; 21-28)

• Visions & prophecies AND human decisions (15:28, 36)

Tension b/w sovereignty and human decisions not solved logically


• Israel and the people of God• Witness of the disciples (1:8)

• Jerusalem; Samaria; ends of the world (2:1-5:52; 6:1-9:43; 10-28)

• Repentant Israel “new/true” Israel (2:41, 47, 4:4; 5:14; 6:7; 21:20)

• Observe the Law, worship in Temple (1-5; 21:20)

Messianic community of adelphoi (1:15; 2:42-47; 4:32-37; 6:3; 15:7)

• Opposed by “corrupt generation” (2:40; 3:25-26; 7:51; 13:46-47; 28:25-28)

• Reestablished Israel = church; physical Israel “recalcitrant” (2:40; 28:24-28)

• Church (Gk. ekklesia; 5:11; 8:1; 9:31; 11:22; 12:1, 5; 15:4, 22; 18:22)

Gentiles incorporated in reestablished Israel (1:8; 10-11; 11:20; 15:13-29)*


• Christ and the Spirit• Jesus as the risen Lord & enthroned Messiah (2:36, 38; 5:42; 8:5)

• Exaltation & enthronement per Ps 110; 16 (2:34-35)

• Son of God & Son of Man (9:22; 7:56)

• “Holy and Righteous One”, “author of life”; “Lord of all” (3:14-15; 10:36)

• Servant (3:13, 26; 4:27, 30; 8:26-35)

• “Prophet like Moses” (3:22/Deut 18:18)

• “Name” theology* – “in the name of Jesus” (2:38; 3:6, 16; 4:10-12, 17, 30; 5:34, 40-41; 8:12; 9:13-16, 21-28; 10:43-48; 15:26; 19:5; 26:9)

• “name of the Lord” – Jesus and God (2:21, 34-36, 39; 15:14-18)


• Enthroned Lord & Messiah but close to his people (3:21)• Appeared and commissioned Paul (9:1-9)

• “stood near” & guides (23:11; 16:7-10)

• Dispenses the Spirit (2:33)

• Holy Spirit – Guidance & power

• Spirit and last days – sign of the new covenant (Ezek 37)• Last days began w/ resurrection & coming of the Spirit


• HS’s crucial role in Acts• Empowers the church – testimony & resurrection (1:8)

• Peter (2:4, 14ff.); Stephen (6:10); Paul (9:17, 20)

• HS’s power & persecution (4:8-9, 31; 7:55; 13:9-10)

• Power, wisdom, faith, miracles (4:8-9; 6:3, 5, 10: 7:55; 11:28; 13:9-11; 16:6-8)

• Specific guidance – church & individuals (8:29, 39; 10:19; 13:2;15:28; 16:6-8; 20:22; 21:4, 11)

• HS - Spirit of God and Jesus (5:3, 11; 16:7)

• Theological emphasis of Spirit in Luke-Acts• Empowerment & guidance of church and individuals

• Less emphasis on conversion & ethical transformation (cf. Paul)


• Theological controversy & Spirit in Acts• Promise of the HS (Lk 3:16; 1:5, 8; cf. Lk 24:49)

• Meaning of the “coming of HS”?

• “baptism in HS” 1:5; “Filling” 2:4; “gift” 2:38

• HS is given before, during, or after conversion?

• HS is given once, twice, many times?

• Is there a “second blessing” of the Spirit?

• Evangelical; classical Pentecostal; historical churches• Controversial passages (esp. 8:15-16; 19:2, 5-6)

• Interpretation of John 20:22


• Repentance and kingdom conduct• Repentance theme

• Requirement for entering the community (2:38; 3:23)

• Repentance of Jews and gentiles• Killing/delivering the Messiah (2:23, 38, 40; 3:13-19; 4:10-12; 5:30-31)

Jews must acknowledge the Messiah

• Gentiles “repentance toward God and faith…Lord Jesus” (20:20-1)

Turn away from idols, magic, immorality (13:4-12; 26:20)


• Community life in unity and Spirit• Importance of right use of possessions

• Sharing possessions

• Koinonia of “one heart, mind…wallet” (2:44-45; 4:32-35)

• Widows & the Seven (6:1-6)

• Barnabas (4:36-37); Tabitha (9:36); Cornelius (10:1-2, 31)

• Famine relief (11:27-30; 24:17)

• Paul’s speech to elders (20:33-35)

• Dangers of possessions

• Judas (1:18); Ananias and Saphira; Simon (Acts 5:1-11; 8:18)

• Gospel as socio-economic offence (16:16-21; 19:21ff.)

• Corrupt Felix (24:25-26)

Continuity w/ Jesus’ teaching on possessions (e.g. 12:33-34; 14:33)


• Violence & persecution - Opposition to God’s people • “We must go through…hardships to enter the kingdom ” (14:22)

• “They have had too much wine” (2:13)

• Threats, jail, violence (4:1-22; 5:17-42; 8:2)

• Martyrdom of Stephen & James (Acts 7; 12)

• Jews want to kill Paul (9:22-25)

• Paul & others persecuted (14:2, 14:19, 16:16-19, 17:5ff. , 19:23ff.)

• Paul the prisoner (21:27-23:23; 24-28)

Gospel advances despite persecution & oppression


• Election, ethnocentrism & Law• Attitudes of disciples (Lk 9:51-54; Acts 10:14-28, 44-45)

• Law of Moses and gentiles (Acts 11:1-3; 15:1, 11)

• Progressive Hellenists (Acts 7-8)

• Apostolic council Acts 15 (cf. 21:20-25)


• Salvation• Based on Jesus’ resurrection (2:21, 38-42; 3:19-25; 5:31)

• Fulfillment of promises (2:17-21)

• Salvation first offered to Jews (3:19-25; 5:31; 13:46-47; 18:6)

• Gentiles (11:17-18; 15:11, 19)

• Forgiveness of sins (2:38; 5:31; 10:43; 13:38; 26:18)

• Healing & deliverance from magic/demons

• Gift of the Spirit (2:38)

• Time of refreshment & renewal (3:19-22)

• Exclusive in Jesus’ name (4:11-12)

• Salvific significance of Jesus’ death hinted (20:28; cf. 8:32-3; 5:30; 10:39)


• Eschatology and Restoration of all things • Inauguration of last days – resurrection & Spirit (2:16-21, 32-33)

• Final day of judgment – God & Jesus• “God fixed a day” (17:21; 23:6; 24:15, 21, 25; 26:6)

• Resurrection of the just and unjust

• Return of Jesus, Judgment (1:11); “Restoration of all things” (3:21)


• Summary and conclusion• Framework of Acts

• Jewish & Greco-Roman world – reality of spiritual forces/magic

• Main theme• God has raised Jesus from the death – he now offers

• Forgiveness, HS, and deliverance to all who repent & believe

• Disciples spread the Gospel and form kingdom communities around the hostile Roman empire


3.1 Theology of Acts and Synoptic Gospels

• Preliminary Issues• Essential similarities and differences b/w the gospels

• Continuity and discontinuity b/w gospels and Acts

• Salvation-historical shift • Earthly Jesus – risen Jesus

• Shifting roles of

• The disciples & community

• Role of the Holy Spirit

• Israel & the Law


• Christology & Jesus’ role• Similarities & differences b/w synoptic gospels

• Jesus as Messiah, Son of God, Son of Man

• Infancy stories in Mt/Lk

• Jesus as kyrios/Lord (Mt & Lk)

• Immanuel & proskyneo worship (Mt)

• Compassionate & anointed Messiah (Lk)

• Messianic secret & suffering Servant & Son of Man (Mk)

Proclamation of God’s rule (Kingdom)


• Acts & synoptics • Resurrection and discovery of the empty tomb

• Empty tomb & “journey to faith” motif (Mk)

• Jesus’ “all authority” & disciples of all nations (Mt)

• “burning hearts”, waiting for the power to proclaim (Lk)

• Resurrection, ascension, exaltation, enthronement Suffering & resurrection per Scripture fulfillment

• From proclaimer of the kingdom to the heavenly throne

• Earthly Jesus embodied proclaimed and embodied the kingdom

• Through resurrection acknowledged as exalted Messiah

Gospel of the kingdom now includes exalted Messiah (Acts 28:31)


• Heavenly Messiah on the throne according to promise (Acts)• Universal mission of the church instead of “redemption of Israel”

• Son of Man title almost disappeared (7:56)

• Prayer to Jesus (7:59)

• Exalted Lord & Messiah (2:33; 3:13; 5:31; 7:55-56)

• Judge (17:31)

• Prophet like Moses (3:22-23)

• Servant & “name of Jesus” (3:6; 4:10, 30; 16:18)

• Jesus & the Spirit

Less emphasis on earthly Jesus (cf. 10:37-39)


• God and His plan• God as Father (Mt-Lk)

• Infrequent in Acts (1:4, 7; 2:33)

• God’s sovereign plan in Scripture• Suffering and death of Messiah

• Rejection of Messiah by Israel

• Prayer to Jesus (Acts 7:59)

• God’s power & obstacles in gospels and Acts

• Human sin & failure (e.g. disciples)

• Power of Satan and magic

• Power of money and wealth

• Human prejudice

• Violence & persecution


• Salvation and discipleship • Proclamation of the kingdom (Gospels)

• Forgiveness, wholeness, healing, liberation, inclusion

• Repentance and uncompromising demand

• Variations in the gospels• Healing, forgiveness, restoration (Mt-Lk)

• “now” benefits of salvation (Lk)

• Righteousness & importance of obedience + judgment (Mt)

• Acts – more emphasis on forgiveness of sin• Healing, deliverance & salvation from judgment


• 12 disciples following Jesus • Ekklesia as anticipation in Matthew for post-resurrection church

• Jesus’ death/resurrection as focal point of fulfillment (Gospels) • Divine purpose to inaugurate the New Covenant

• Death as redemptive highlighted in Mt – less in Mk

• Lk focuses on resurrection - hints as redemption (Acts 20:28)

• Acts focuses on resurrection & vindication of Messiah• Scandal of the cross overcome – testimony of Scripture

• Promised Spirit poured out per Scripture


• Holy Spirit • Gospels agree on HS’s role though Luke emphasizes it

• Jesus’ baptism & help to persecuted believers (Mt-Lk)

• Conception of Jesus (Mt & Lk)

• In-filling, empowerment, prophecy, liberation (Lk)

Promise of the coming Spirit by John the Baptist (Mt-Lk)

• Acts & the coming of the Spirit per promise (cf. Lk 24:49)• Jesus’ as the baptizer in the Spirit (Acts 2:33)

• Pentecost & outpouring of the Spirit (1:5; 2:1-4; cf. Lk 9:1)

• In-filling, empowerment, prophecy, liberation, guidance


• Israel & Gentiles• Gospels present Jesus’ mission to Israel

• Mk & Lk wrote to gentile audience – from Jews to all nations

• Mt to Jews – from exclusive mission to Israel to all nations

• Importance Law & criticism pf Jewish leaders

• Lk also emphasizes Law & prophets (cf. 16:16)

Theme of Scripture fulfillment

• Israel’s rejection of God’s Messiah (Mt-Lk)• Remnant of Israel – Messiah and the twelve


• Acts and synoptics • Crucifixion of Messiah & rejection of God’s plan

• Remnant of Israel (12 & early Jewish believers)

• Developing understanding of Law & gentiles

• Expansion of the gospel per 1:8 in the power of HS

• Gentiles not required to become Jews to be saved What extent Law obeyed by gentiles? (cf. Acts 15:28-29)

People of God – believing Jews and gentiles

Is there a future plan for ethnic Israel?


• Eschatology • Synoptics – focus on eschatological discourse (Mk13/Mt24/Lk 21)

• Signs of the end (destruction of the Temple)

• False Messiahs, tribulations & final judgment

Glorious coming of the Son of Man

The timing and meaning of “coming”(?)

• Shift of emphasis in Acts • Restoration of Israel --- gospel to ends of the earth (1:6-8)

• Resurrection & the Spirit = inauguration of the last days (2:17)


• Return of Jesus still important • Restoration of all things (3:21)

• Final judgment at God-appointed time by Jesus (10:42; 17:31)

Task of God’s people – bring the Gospel and live life in the new community


• Conclusion • Gospels & Acts – two theologies w/ connection & development

• Gospels & the kingdom

• Jesus announcing & embodying the kingdom

• Presence of Jesus

• Response of faith & repentance

• Acts and the risen Messiah

• Disciples announce Jesus’ enthronement & God’s power in salvation

• Presence and outpouring of the Spirit

• Response of faith & repentance


• j

THE 511 NEW TESTAMENT THEOLOGY CLASS III: THEOLOGY OF LUKE-ACTS AND THEOLOGY OF SYNOPTICS ACTS.

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Transcript of THE 511 NEW TESTAMENT THEOLOGY CLASS III: THEOLOGY OF LUKE-ACTS AND THEOLOGY OF SYNOPTICS ACTS.