The Acts of the Apostles?

     The title the church has used to refer to the "Acts of the Apostles" is interesting, especially when we consider that of the 12 only Peter, and to a lesser extent John, are mentioned with any frequency by name in the first half of the book, Then they all but disappear in part 2 where Paul becomes the primary human character during the missionary journeys and his journey, as a prisoner, to Rome (though there is a little "reunion" at the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15!). Dr. Luke really wants us to understand that Acts is presenting God's continuing story. Jesus is building his church, and has sent the Holy Spirit to empower his followers to carry out that mission. The abrupt ending of Acts is also an invitation to the reader to consider his own part in the continuing story.
       We can avoid a lot of confusion in interpreting and applying the book of Acts by remembering that it is describing a transitional period in the history of God's people. The charge Jesus gave to his disciples in Acts 1:8 is exactly what we see unfolding in the story. After the pouring out of the Spirit on the day of Pentecost we see the witness bearing activity of the church moving outward towards the "ends of the earth." The early conversions in Jerusalem (Acts 2-3), the continued growth through tests from within and without (4-7), the persecution intensifies to the point that the believers are "scattered [like seed]" but God is still at work (8:1,4).  The shocking ministry to the Samaritans (8) followed by the unexpected conversion of a lone Ethiopian eunuch, the conversion of a young persecutor named Saul (9), the first gentile and his family believe (10), a cosmopolitan church is planted in Anitoch (11). James is martyred and Peter departs "to another place" (12), the missionary journeys, etc. (13 ff.). God is at work, and despite the circumstances and challenges nothing is going to stop what he is doing!
      As we seek to interpret and apply the book of Acts it is important to ask what was unique about the situation "then and there." What has changed by the time we get to the end of the story?  Was there something unique and foundational about the ministry of the apostles? What principles have continuing validity as God continues his mission today?  These and other questions will guide us in understanding God's Word to the church today, and hopefully, will lead us to a better understanding of our place in God's Story. What do you think?

Spiritual life week, a lesson on grace

This week, since we have no class for spiritual life week, is a great opportunity to get caught up on your reading of the New Testament for this class. As I mentioned in class I am using this as an opportunity to illustrate grace concerning one of our class assignments: the weekly on time reading of the assigned chapters in the New Testament, and the weekly reports you are writing answering the two questions from requirement #1 on the course syllabus.  If  you are behind and can get caught up by the time we meet next week, you can claim "on time" reading of the assignments to this point.  We are still a couple of weeks away from our midterm exam but you have also made great progress in reading our textbook, ENT (if you have been up to date on your reading you are half through the book!).  Remember, this blog is where you can post your questions (or observations/insights) over the weekly assignments in both the NT readings and ENT. Remember that ten "comments" will earn a perfect quiz grade score that can replace a low quiz grade. Don't miss out on this opportunity to help your grade and in the process encourage one another.  Let's learn together!
Dr. Nash

The Gospels, and the Maverick Gospel

We anticipate enough of a break in the weather to meet on Wednesday, and hopefully we'll be able to get caught up on our course calender, as we finish our overview of the synoptic Gospels and take a look at the fourth Gospel, called by one writer the "Maverick Gospel," John.  I regret having only a day to talk about John as I worked on this Gospel for several years as it was at the heart of my doctoral dissertation, and also preached a two year series working through John at Boothbay Baptist Church.  You might enjoy reading the final sermon in that series, which was presented as a first person overview from the perspective of John. Here is the link: http://boothbaybaptist.blogspot.com/2013/07/johns-story.html
Keep reading as per the class schedule, and remember that the quiz from this week will be taken from chapter 7, and chapters 10-12 in the textbook. They will be lifted directly from the practice quizzes on the text website, so if you are prepared on those you'll do fine. By the way, remember to be reading through the NT weekly, and journaling your progress by answering the questions as noted in course requirement 1 in the course syllabus. God willing, I'll see you on Wednesday!
Dr. Nash