New Testament Biblical Theology

Lecture #16
Dr. Hoke

We continue with the Acts of the Apostles in this lecture.

Ten Summary Points about the Gospel Presentation in Acts

• Rooted and grounded in the Scriptures (OT)

• Focused on the person/work of Christ (Messiah) as promised in the Scriptures (OT)

• Emphasized the life and ministry of Jesus during his three years on earth

• Pointed to the wrongful execution of guiltless Jesus

• Maintained that the mistreatment and death of Jesus was God’s eternal plan

• Showed that Jesus’ death atoned for our sins

• Strongly pointed to Christ’s resurrection and session at God’s right hand

• Anticipated Christ’s return to judge the world

• Called for repentance of sin and faith in Jesus in response to the gospel message

• Stressed God’s absolute sovereignty in the salvation of sinners

Did the Understanding of Redemption Progress During Book of Acts?

As Dr. Robertson states, the progressive growth of redemption in the NT era, if it did progress,
happened over a very few years. In my view there are many aspects of the gospel that did not
progress, since they are all based on the gospel truths that were moving about as oral tradition
and some writings until the gospels were written, However, as we progress through Acts, the
gospel is presented in different places to different peoples with different nuances (although the
gospel itself never changes). Also, Acts 15 indicates a progressive growth in how to include the
Gentiles in the Christian faith. In some measure this clarified the meaning of the gospel. Add to
that Galatians and some of Paul’s other epistles that stress the gospel as according to faith and
not works of merit by keeping the law.

I will follow Dr. Robertson’s line of thought as I summarize and comment on it as needed.

Progressive Revelation in the Gospels

Note that already in the gospels, the gospel truth has been progressively revealed in each
gospel. This includes:

• Annunciation of the birth of Christ

• Ministry of John the Baptist

• Various Phases in the Life of Christ (birth, growth, preaching, teaching, healing,
miracles, death, burial, resurrection)

• Jesus’ ministry after the resurrection

• Different Approaches to Explain the Life of Christ and the Gospel in the four Gospels

The question at hand is whether there was continued progression of the gospel’s
understanding throughout the roughly 30-35 years of Acts. We should expect some growth in
understanding, given that the Jews were not looking for a suffering Messiah and the Gentiles
were included on a full par as God’s people under the gospel. Well, let’s look at the progression
of the gospel ministry throughout Acts.

Simple Outline of Acts

Introduction (Acts 1:1-26)

The author's preface and statement of purpose (1:1-5)
The program for the expansion of the Father's kingdom (1:6-8)
The ascension of Jesus the Christ to his heavenly throne, with the promise of
his return (1:9-11)
The replacement of Judas with a proper apostolic witness chosen by God
(1:12-26)
A. Witness in Jerusalem (2:1-8:1a)
B. Witness in All Judea and Samaria (8:1b-12:25)
C. Witness to the Uttermost Parts of the Earth (13:1-28:31)

We should expect some progression of understanding as we go through the various phases of

Acts. Also, note that from chapter 13 to the end Luke mainly features Paul’s three missionary
journeys. As Paul’s ministry was largely directed to the Gentiles, we should expect certain
developments beyond the gospel’s understanding by the Jews. This in no way means that the
gospel changed one iota. It does mean that its application to non-Jewish people would have
advanced the understanding.

Witness in Jerusalem (2:1-8:1a

Although Jesus carried out most of his ministry in Galilee, it was fitting for the church to begin
its spread from Jerusalem. The Jerusalem area was where Abraham offered up Isaac. It was also
David’s royal city. So, it was in Jerusalem that the disciples gathered before the Day of
Pentecost. It was three that the Holy Spirit came with power. This was a new era and life
changing for the followers of Jesus.

After the day of Pentecost, up to chapter 8, there are many miracles. The gospel goes forward
with great power. Peter preaches with great power (Acts 2, 4) and 5,000 are added to the
church at the end of Acts 4. In addition, there is much opposition to the spread of the gospel
and to the new Christians proclaiming a dying/rising Messiah.

There is also a new feature in the church in Acts 5. For the first time we see church discipline
exercised. This is huge, as it struck fear into the hearts of people, reminding them that God is
serious about the holiness of his people.

Then in Acts 6 we have the arrival of deacons, for the apostles must devote their attention to
the Word and to prayer.

In chapter 7 Stephen preaches his sermon pointing out to the listeners that the Jews had
always gone against the Lord. Their mistreatment of Jesus was consistent with the way they
had always treated God’s servants. This sermon resulted in Stephen’s martyrdom. The section
ends within 8:1a: “And Saul approved of his execution.” Saul, as you know, later becomes Paul,
the great missionary to the Gentiles. But at this point he is a persecutor of the church.

At this point great persecution breaks out that scatters the church beyond Jerusalem to Judea
and Samaria.

Witness in all Judea and Samaria 8:1b-12:25

Stephen’s martyrdom brought about the dispersion of Christians to Judea and Samaria. Verse 4
gives the results: “Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word.” So, from
something very bad God makes something very good. The gospel was spreading!

Acts chapter 8 details Philip’s preaching. First, he goes to the city of Samaria performing
miracles and preaching with great success. There is one hiccup, however. A certain man named
Simon apparently came to faith, but then wanted the supernatural powers and Peter came and
denounced him with very strong language. This tells us that some of the faith was spurious.
Then Philip explains the gospel the Ethiopian eunuch. This is quite profound because now we
see the gospel going to Africa! Notice the importance of preaching and baptizing. As people
received the gospel they got baptized just as Jesus said in Matthew 28.

In Acts 9 Saul gets saved! And Peter later goes to Joppa. The gospel is spreading! In Acts 10 the
gospel goes to Cornelius, a Gentile! Chapter 10 ends with the Gentiles receiving the Holy Spirit
and getting baptized. This is somewhat of a second Pentecost—only to the Gentiles this time.
Acts 11 presents the resistance to Gentile conversion, which Peter has to defend. Peter must
have been convincing, for the people “glorified God, saying, “Then to the Gentiles also God
has granted repentance that leads to life.” Later in the chapter some travel as far as
Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch. Thus, we see the gospel spreading northward. And Cyprus is an
island! At first the gospel went only to the Jews, but later it began reaching the Gentiles. So, the
Church at Jerusalem sent Barnabas (name means Son of Encouragement). By the end of the
chapter, Barnabas connects with Paul in Antioch and they end up taking food relief to the saints
in Jerusalem. Acts 12 begins with great persecution, Peter’s imprisonment, the angel freeing
Peter, the people gathering to pray for Peter, but not believing he was freed. It ends with Paul
and Barnabas taking John Mark with them back to Antioch.

Witness to All the Nations 13:1-28:31

The remainder of Acts details Paul’s three missionary journeys and his journey to Rome. We
shall only glance over these in the next few paragraphs.

Paul’s 1st Missionary Journey 13:1-15:35

Paul bases out of Antioch, not Jerusalem. The Holy Spirit sets apart Saul and Barnabas
and sends them off to Selucia, Cyprus, and Salamis and beyond. They initially speak to the Jews,
but then branch out to the Gentiles. They go to Paphos, Perga, and Pamphylia. At that point,
John Mark, who had been with them, left to return to Jerusalem. We are not told why he did
this, but it did not set well with Paul! Without going into more detail, note that they return
from Asia Minor to Antioch and report to the church there. Early on the church has ministry
accountability.

At this point, one of the most important events in the early church occurred when the
Jerusalem Council met. The leaders dealt with the issue of what to do with the Gentiles
Christians. They were not Jews, so what was to be required of them? At this point, the church
decided that Gentiles were not required to be circumcised. In other words, they did not have to
become Jews in that sense. Still, through faith they would benefit from the promises made to
Abraham so long ago.

Please note that I posted a map of Paul’s three missionary journeys so you could
visualize his travels. He made his way either by ship or by foot. No airplanes, cars, or buses
(hahahaha).

Paul’s 2nd Missionary Journey 15:36-18:22

After the Jerusalem Council, Paul and Barnabas set off on the 2nd missionary journey.
However, they have a parting of the ways before leaving because Barnabas wants to include
John Mark, but Paul refuses. So, Paul sets off with Silas. They Spirit calls them to Macedonia,
Europe and Asia before they return to Antioch. In the process they visit Philippi, Thessalonica,
Berea, Athens, and Corinth—all strategic cities and three of which received letters from Paul.

Paul’s 3rd Missionary Journey 18:23-21:16

 Paul’s 3rd missionary journey begins in Antioch, then goes to Phrygia and Galatia.

(Acts 1:8): first Jerusalem (Acts 2:1-13), then Samaria (Acts 8:14-17), and finally Ephesus
as representative of the uttermost parts of the earth (Acts 19:1-7). On this 3rd missionary
journey, Paul meets up with converts of Apollos, who only knew of the baptism of John. He
preached Jesus, but only baptized with John’s baptism. Well, once Paul met his twelve converts
in Ephesus Paul asked if they had received the Holy Spirit, to which they replied that they had
not. So, Paul baptizes them in the name of the Lord Jesus, and they receive the Holy Spirit.

Paul’s Journey to Rome 21:17-28:31

Paul’s journey to Rome takes up eight chapters of Acts. Read Dr. Robertson’s Syllabus carefully
here. Please note that, although Paul is under Roman guard, God is completely in control. The
Lord opens up doors of ministry that would not have been available had Paul gone under his
own power to Rome.

Please note that I posted a map of Paul’s journey to Rome so that you could have a visual aid.