The Acts of the ApostlesInauguration of Gentile Mission,

10:1-15:35

Scripture WorkshopEpiscopal Church of the Resurrection

January 20, 2011

Peter and Cornelius, 10:1-33• God is very actively directing events in this scene

through visions and voices• Cornelius is a Roman officer• Peter’s vision of eating unclean things. Violates

primary Jewish identity marker• Peter comes to see Jesus’ mission was for all

people, not just Jews. – “I should not call any person profane or unclean.”

• Cornelius says “here in the presence of God” about his home. Same words used for temple in OT– Sacred space extends to wherever people do God’s will

Peter Evangelizes Cornelius, 10:34-48

• “…in every nation whoever fears him and acts uprightly is acceptable to him.”

• HS descends on circumcised and un-circumcised. 2nd Jewish identity marker falls. Pentecost for gentiles

• Circumcision clearly not required to be part of KOG• Peter has traveled from Jewish lands, Joppa, to

Gentile lands, Caesarea

Peter Explains Actions to Jerusalem Church, 11:1-18

• Peter is criticized for eating with and baptizing Gentiles

• “Who was I to hinder God?”• Luke tells the same story of Peter’s three times• In Paul’s letters these exchanges are much more

contentious• In speech, Peter says Cornelius is “saved”, and says

it was not till Pentecost that the disciples came to believe

Antioch Mission, 11:19-30

• Persecution scatters missionaries to Phonecia, Cyprus and Antioch. Jerusalem ratifies this

• Disciples first called Christians• Christos simply means messiah in Greek

Great Reversals: Peter and Herod, 12:1-25

• Peter imprisoned, led by an angel out of prison. Herod hailed as a god by the people and struck dead by an angel

• “Great escape” was Hellenistic literary tool• Luke begins to call Jesus movement “the church”

and “the Jews” start to become villains• Familiar themes of death at Passover and

liberation from bondage• Largely the end of Peter’s story

Mission of Barnabus and Paul, 13:1-15• HS sets Paul and Barnabus apart. Paul dominates

the rest of Acts• Paul uses a magic trick on a magician• Magicians punishment parallels Paul’s blindness• Sergius Paulus is Paul’s first Gentile disciple

Paul in Pisidian Antioch, 13:16-52• In synagogue, Paul connects Israel to Jesus by

interpreting Jesus from the OT• Audience is Jews and God-fearers• Theology– David saw corruption, Jesus did not– In Jesus, one is justified under the law. Big change

• Paul turns to Gentiles and converts many, which upsets the Jews

• HS fills people with joy

Paul and Barnabus, Antioch to Antioch, 14:1-28

• Many people converted, with help of signs & wonders

• Growing tension with the Jews who attack Paul• Paul heals crippled man much like Jesus and Peter

did• Paul appeals to common ground in speech about

living God, who provides rains, etc• Persecution becoming a fact of Christian life• “They appointed presbyters…” Priests? Church

starting to show structure

Council in Jerusalem: Must Gentiles Become Jews? 15:1-35

• Jewish law and circumcision at issue in council• In Jerusalem there’s now a “church”, “apostles” and

“presbyters”• Peter speaks forcefully for Gentile inclusion, saying HS

has come to both. Says Jews haven’t been able to bear this yoke

• “we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus.”• James proposes dietary compromise, which had long

been required of resident aliens in Israel (Lev 17-18)• Paul and Barnabas sent to Antioch to bring some order to

the growing church and communicate the compromise

Questions

• Where is Jesus?• How would you describe God’s role in the stories?

What is this theology?• Is Paul a Christ-figure?• What does saved mean?• What is grace?• What prerequisites (like circumcision) do we put

on folks who want to join our community today?

Acts, Outline

• January 27– Mission of Paul to whole earth I (15:36-21:40)

• February 3– Mission of Paul to whole earth II (22:1-28:31)• Need a new date:

– Feb 2?– Feb 7?– Feb 16?– Feb 17?