Overview: Acts of the Apostles

Resources used:
An Introduction to the New Testament by Raymond E. Brown
Catholic Bible Dictionary by Scott Hahn
Lexham Bible Dictionary on Verbum
Scripture Class 540 with Fr. Prior Benedict
Authorship

Although the author of Acts is anonymous, he still makes two claims about himself:

  1. That he wrote a previous text about the works and teachings of Jesus (Acts 1:1);
  2. That he was present with Paul on certain journeys (Acts 16:10–17; 20:5–15; 21:1–18; 27:1–28:16).

The preface links Acts to the Gospel of Luke (also an anonymous work), as both are addressed to Theophilus (Acts 1:1; Luke 1:3). Irenaeus (ad 130–200) identified the author of the third Gospel and Acts as Luke, a physician and companion of Paul (Irenaeus, Adversus Haereses, 3.14.1; compare Col 4:14; 2 Tim 4:11; Phlm 24). The Muratorian Fragment (late second century) echoes this view. Although evidence supporting Luke’s authorship is sparse, Jervell and Johnson argue that it is the best theory (Jervell, Theology, 3; Johnson, Acts, 1).

Date

Suggested dates for the composition of Acts range between ad 57 and ad 135 (see Hemer, Book of Acts, 367–70). The options can be categorized into three groups:

  1. an early date, before 65 ad;
  2. a middle date, in the late first century ad; and
  3. a late date, in the early second century ad.

The date and authorship questions are intertwined: Seeing Luke as the author favors an early or middle date and precludes a late date; when someone other than Luke is seen as the author, a late date becomes possible.

While arguments can be made for an early date (Hemer, Book of Acts, 365–404), the most commonly held position is a middle date, generally ad 70–90 (Bruce, Book of Acts, 12; Spencer, Acts, 16). Factors affecting the date of Acts include:

  1. the book’s final verses, in which the narrative concludes prior to Paul’s death (ca. ad 65–67);
  2. the lack of references to Paul’s letters (Esler, Community and Gospel, 28);
  3. the lack of any clear references to the Neronian persecution (ad 64–68) and the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem (ad 70; Bruce notes, however, that omitted events provide circumstantial, not definitive, evidence [Bruce, Book of Acts, 11]);
  4. the text’s relationship with Luke’s Gospel and its sources (such as Mark’s Gospel; see below: “Relationship to Luke’s Gospel”);
  5. references to Acts in the writings of the early church fathers (see below: “Reception by the Early Church”).
Genre and Style

Acts does not seem to fit neatly into any single genre of ancient literature.

Luke favours three major narrative devices in Acts:

  1. speeches,
  2. journeys, and
  3. summaries
Themes
  1. Holy Spirit — “The Book of the Holy Spirit” — Luke has taken a significant step towards theological recognition that the Holy Spirit is a Person. Holy Spirit is presented as an active person, tied directly to Jesus and God, Who guides & empowers the mission of the early church through direct action in the lives of believers. Holy Spirit presented in two main ways: (1) outpourings – 5 accounts HS is poured out on believers. Each outpouring coincides with a further outreach of the Word of God.  (2) continuing intervention – instructing some, inspiring others. speaking in tongues & prophesying. 10 times mentioned in connection with suffering for Christ. perseverance too.
  2. The Church – visible manifestation of social reality of the Church. Luke presents the Church as the one and only true Israel, the unbroken continuity of the people of God (Jervell, Theology, 4). Major summaries (2:42-47, 4:32-37). 4 keys: (1) apostles’ teaching, (2) fellowship, (3) breaking of bread, (4) prayers.
  3. Discernment of God’s activity –  Luke doesn’t just show Holy Spirit going ahead of human characters in story preparing things, but also shows major decisions in history of church where it was not obvious for the human characters to figure out. Church was discerning God’s activity. (1) Cornelius example – breaking down barriers human characters did not know about yet. Church took some time to figure out this is where God was leading them. Chapters 10-15 = 1 long story from Cornelius to Council of Jerusalem = where level on whole church don’t impose circumcision and ritual precepts prior. Similar to Church today – can take a few generations for Church to catch up to things like Vat2. (2) Choice of Matthias, (3) Decision to keep preaching amidst persecution ch.4, (4) Deacons choice, (5) Acceptance of Paul.
  4. Universality — (1) Geographically –> Gentile mission takes centre stage after Paul’s conversion chapter 9. Luke reveals that God will make a new people from the Gentiles – and that this has always been a part of God’s plan (Acts 15). Prepared already through preaching to Samartians, Ethiopian eunuch, (2) Socially –> Luke is Gospel of Poor… and this continues in Acts. All classes of society receive this message & believe. Prisoners, men women children. Harder to fit Jews into this b/c only some accept (leaders often reject while ordinary ppl accept)… Luke could have left the Jews out of the story, but he wants to show that Christianity is the fulfillment of the OT people of God.

 

Outline

2 part outline:

  1. Ministry of Peter (Acts 1-12)
  2. Ministry of Paul (Acts 13-28)

4 part outline:

  1. Mission in Jerusalem (Chapters 1-7)
  2. Mission in Samaria and Judea (Chapters 8-12)
  3. Mission of Paul and Barnabas (Chapters 13-15)
  4. Mission of Paul to the ends of the earth (Chapters 16-28)