Introducingmy Family

Introducingmy Family

The J.C. Family

Jed (10) & Jemi (7)

2005 2006 2007

2008

Woman Nationals in

EA

Ladies’ Prayer Group in Church

My wife, Jane

Join SCCC in 1991

Mission in China 1998--2003Graduate with MDiv from EAST 2007

Now…MTh at SBC

Jeremy Chew

High School Ministry

Staff Training

Ministry in East Asia

Classes taught at EAST

TheACTSof the

APOSTLES

TheACTSof the

APOSTLES

“To the remotest part of the earth” (Acts 1:8)Acts 9 13 14 15 16 18 21 27 28

Fall 49

TheCouncil

May 57-Aug 59

Trials

Spring 68

Expansion of Church

35 48 49 50 52 53 57 60 62 67 68 95

Apr 48-Sep 49

1Galatia

Spr 53-May 57

3Asia

Feb 60-Mar 62

1Rome

Aut 67-Spr 68

2Rome

May 57-Aug 59

DamascusAntioch

38124

39-41

Spr 62-Fall 67

4Spain

NT Overview (History)NT Overview (History)

MattMatt LukeLuke JohnJohnMarkMarkActsActs

Gospels & ActsGospels & Acts

Gospels & Acts

Apr 50-Sep 52

2Aegean

TitleTitle

The Acts of the Apostles?The Acts of the Apostles?

Some Acts of Some Apostles?Some Acts of Some Apostles?

Some Acts of the Holy Spirit?Some Acts of the Holy Spirit?

GenreGenreHistory?

Theology?

History?

Theology?

Who was Luke?Who was Luke?

Medical doctor

Traveling companion of Paul

Articulate historian & writer

Medical doctor

Traveling companion of Paul

Articulate historian & writer

Who was Luke?Who was Luke?

External Evidence (Outside Acts)Earliest Evidence in Canons:

• Anti-Marcionite Prologue (AD 150-180)• Muratorian Canon (AD 160-200)

Church Fathers (late 2nd cent.):• Irenaeus (AD 185)

• Clement of Alexandria (AD 155-216)

External Evidence (Outside Acts)Earliest Evidence in Canons:

• Anti-Marcionite Prologue (AD 150-180)• Muratorian Canon (AD 160-200)

Church Fathers (late 2nd cent.):• Irenaeus (AD 185)

• Clement of Alexandria (AD 155-216)

Internal (Compared to Gospel)

• Both dedicated to Theophilus• Acts 1:1 refers to “the first account”• Similar language (medical terms)• Same theme (sovereignty)• Chronological orientation

 Internal (Within Acts)

• Four “we-sections” (traveled with Paul)• The only traveling companions not named

in these sections are Titus and Luke • But Titus has never been seriously

considered as the author of Acts

Internal (Compared to Gospel)

• Both dedicated to Theophilus• Acts 1:1 refers to “the first account”• Similar language (medical terms)• Same theme (sovereignty)• Chronological orientation

 Internal (Within Acts)

• Four “we-sections” (traveled with Paul)• The only traveling companions not named

in these sections are Titus and Luke • But Titus has never been seriously

considered as the author of Acts

124124

     LukeLukeLukeLuke ActsActsActsActs

ChaptersChaptersChaptersChapters 24242424 28282828

VersesVersesVersesVerses 1150115011501150 988988988988

Verses per Verses per ChapterChapter

Verses per Verses per ChapterChapter 48484848 35353535

Time Period Time Period CoveredCovered

Time Period Time Period CoveredCovered

5 BC-AD 5 BC-AD 33 33

(37 yrs.)(37 yrs.)

5 BC-AD 5 BC-AD 33 33

(37 yrs.)(37 yrs.)

AD 33-62AD 33-62(30 yrs.)(30 yrs.)AD 33-62AD 33-62(30 yrs.)(30 yrs.)

ContentContentContentContent Life of the Life of the ChristChrist

Life of the Life of the ChristChrist

Life of the Life of the ChurchChurch

Life of the Life of the ChurchChurch

Kingdom Kingdom Message from…Message from…

Kingdom Kingdom Message from…Message from…

Jews to Jews to GentilesGentilesJews to Jews to GentilesGentiles

Jews to Jews to GentilesGentilesJews to Jews to GentilesGentiles

Comparing Luke & ActsComparing Luke & Acts

• Ends with Paul’s 2-year imprisonment (AD 60-62)• No mention of persecution under Nero (AD 64)• No mention of Paul’s remaining years (AD 62-68)• No mention of destruction of Jerusalem (AD 70)• Therefore, most likely written in AD 62.

• Ends with Paul’s 2-year imprisonment (AD 60-62)• No mention of persecution under Nero (AD 64)• No mention of Paul’s remaining years (AD 62-68)• No mention of destruction of Jerusalem (AD 70)• Therefore, most likely written in AD 62.

DateDate

OriginOriginNo one knows for certain where Luke wrote this account. Suggestions include Rome, Antioch, Ephesus, Asia Minor, and Achaia.

No one knows for certain where Luke wrote this account. Suggestions include Rome, Antioch, Ephesus, Asia Minor, and Achaia.

RecipientsRecipientsTheophilus (1:1), a man whose name means “lover of God.”Theophilus (1:1), a man whose name means “lover of God.”

• Luke probably wrote at Theophilus’ request

• Provide an orderly account of the life of Christ and the early history of the Church

• To strengthen the wealthy Christian’s faith by showing that his faith rested on firm historical fact (Luke 1:3-4; cf. Acts 1:3)

• Explain to his wider Gentile audience that the progress of the kingdom message was divinely directed, not of human ingenuity and skill.

• Luke probably wrote at Theophilus’ request

• Provide an orderly account of the life of Christ and the early history of the Church

• To strengthen the wealthy Christian’s faith by showing that his faith rested on firm historical fact (Luke 1:3-4; cf. Acts 1:3)

• Explain to his wider Gentile audience that the progress of the kingdom message was divinely directed, not of human ingenuity and skill.

OccasionOccasion

• Church beginnings• Holy Spirit• Church growth• Witnessing• Opposition

• Church beginnings• Holy Spirit• Church growth• Witnessing• Opposition

Key ThemesKey Themes

Key VerseKey VerseActs 1:8

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all

Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”

Acts 1:8

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all

Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”

Key WordKey WordSovereignty 2

(Apostles of Church)Sovereignty 2

(Apostles of Church)

Progress ReportsProgress Reports

Key Verse: 1:8Key Verse: 1:8

1. 2:47b

2. 6:7

3. 8:40

4. 9:31

5. 12:24

6. 16:5

7. 19:20

8. 28:30-31

1. 2:47b

2. 6:7

3. 8:40

4. 9:31

5. 12:24

6. 16:5

7. 19:20

8. 28:30-31Why end this way?Why end this way?

1:1—6:7

6:8—8:40

Acts 9–28

Ends of the Earth

Adapted from Stanley D. Toussaint, BKC; Jeremy Chew, EASTAdapted from Stanley D. Toussaint, BKC; Jeremy Chew, EAST

125

The Structure of ActsThe Structure of ActsThe Structure of ActsThe Structure of Acts1:1–6:71:1–6:7 Witnesses in Witnesses in JerusalemJerusalem 1:1—2:471:1—2:47 The beginning of the church The beginning of the church 3:1—6:73:1—6:7 The church and the Jewish authorities The church and the Jewish authorities6:8–8:406:8–8:40 Witnesses in Witnesses in Judea and SamariaJudea and Samaria 6:1—9:316:1—9:31 The church begins to expand The church begins to expand 9:32—11:18 The beginning of the Gentile mission9:32—11:18 The beginning of the Gentile mission

11:19—28:31 Witnesses to the 11:19—28:31 Witnesses to the End of the EarthEnd of the Earth 11:19—14:28 The mission from Antioch to Asia Minor11:19—14:28 The mission from Antioch to Asia Minor 15:1—15:35 The discussion concerning the Gentiles15:1—15:35 The discussion concerning the Gentiles in the churchin the church 15:36—18:17 Paul’s missionary campaign in Macedonia15:36—18:17 Paul’s missionary campaign in Macedonia and Achaiaand Achaia 18:18—20:38 Paul’s missionary campaign in Asia Minor18:18—20:38 Paul’s missionary campaign in Asia Minor 21:1—28:31 Paul’s arrest and imprisonment21:1—28:31 Paul’s arrest and imprisonment

120

Summary StatementGod's sovereignly directed progress of the kingdom message from Jerusalem Jews to

Roman Gentiles in early church history proves God as responsible for His Church

and exhorts believers to witness everywhere.

ApplicationHow is God extending his kingdom message

through you? How are you fitting into His overall purpose to

spread the gospel throughout the entire earth?

ActsSummary & Application

1. Imprisonment• 4:1-4; 12:3-5; 16:16-40; 24:24-27

2. Persecution• 5:17-42; 8:1-3

3. Arrest• 6:8-15; 21:27-36

4. Death• 7:54-60; 12:1-2

5. Opposition• 9:23-25; 13:4-12; 17:1-9; 19:21-41;

23:12-22; 25:1-36. Shipwreck

• 27:13-44

1. Imprisonment• 4:1-4; 12:3-5; 16:16-40; 24:24-27

2. Persecution• 5:17-42; 8:1-3

3. Arrest• 6:8-15; 21:27-36

4. Death• 7:54-60; 12:1-2

5. Opposition• 9:23-25; 13:4-12; 17:1-9; 19:21-41;

23:12-22; 25:1-36. Shipwreck

• 27:13-44

The Counter StoryThe Counter Story

The Chinese word for “crisis” consists of two letters: one means “danger” and the other means

“opportunity.” Indeed, every church crisis involves a dangerous opportunity to bring either great glory or

great shame to the name of Christ.

The Chinese word for “crisis” consists of two letters: one means “danger” and the other means

“opportunity.” Indeed, every church crisis involves a dangerous opportunity to bring either great glory or

great shame to the name of Christ.

CHURCH CRISES:

DANGEROUS OPPORTUNITIES!

CHURCH CRISES:

DANGEROUS OPPORTUNITIES!

危机危机Danger Opportunity

DANGEROUS OPPORTUNITIES!DANGEROUS OPPORTUNITIES!

John Wycliffe (ca. 1329—1384) translates the Bible until the day he died despite the church’s disapproval.

John Wycliffe (ca. 1329—1384) translates the Bible until the day he died despite the church’s disapproval.

William Carey (ca. 1761—1834) was a missionary who lived and died in India after founding many churches and schools.

William Carey (ca. 1761—1834) was a missionary who lived and died in India after founding many churches and schools.

John Hus’s (ca. 1373—1415) martyrdom caused revival in Bohemia, which became

a missionary-minded church

John Hus’s (ca. 1373—1415) martyrdom caused revival in Bohemia, which became

a missionary-minded church

The Chinese Church (ca. 1966—1976) goes underground under persecution, yet it

grows even faster.

The Chinese Church (ca. 1966—1976) goes underground under persecution, yet it

grows even faster.

A Recipe for the Success of the Church(Acts 1)

A Recipe for the Success of the Church(Acts 1)

People People have always been God’s plan for the delivery of his message (1:2, 8, 11, 13-14, 21-26).

Prayer Prayer was the first, best step in every decision of the early church (1:14, 24-26).

Preparation The apostles demonstrated their knowledge of and belief in the importance of the Scriptures. God’s Word should be learned, trusted, obeyed, and applied to life situations (1:1-4, 7-8, 16, 20).

Power Christ’s promised Holy Spirit power forms the basis of the church’s ability to accomplish great things for him (1:8).

Promise The church must always live in the conscious reality of a returning Savior who will come back in the same way he departed (1:9-11).

Pattern Our task is not so much to be preachers as it is to be witnesses. A witness tells what he or she has seen and heard. We speak the news and spread the news (1:8, 11).

1. Movement of (and between) scenes• Plot—how does it build on previous scene(s), and

how does it move the story forward?• Cause and effect—what caused a particular action,

or what is the result of it?• Conflict resolution—what is the tension, and how is it

solved?2. Time

• Not necessarily chronological• Frequency—repetition for emphasis• Pace—length of description

3. Author• “Omniscience” of narrator—represents God’s view• Gives “inside” information about characters• Makes judgment of what is right and wrong• Gives additional information to the story

1. Movement of (and between) scenes• Plot—how does it build on previous scene(s), and

how does it move the story forward?• Cause and effect—what caused a particular action,

or what is the result of it?• Conflict resolution—what is the tension, and how is it

solved?2. Time

• Not necessarily chronological• Frequency—repetition for emphasis• Pace—length of description

3. Author• “Omniscience” of narrator—represents God’s view• Gives “inside” information about characters• Makes judgment of what is right and wrong• Gives additional information to the story

Interpreting Acts as a NarrativeInterpreting Acts as a Narrative

1. Author’s intent• Is the author trying to teach something, or is he only

describing an event (e.g., drawing lots in Acts 1)?

2. Support from other clearer biblical passages• Is the underlying principle clearly taught elsewhere

(when the Spirit comes in Acts 2, 8, 10, and 19)?

3. Repeatable “patterns”• Although it may not have been the author’s intent to

teach, some things should be repeated (e.g., elders).• However, we must also consider cultural norms when

trying to reproduce such “patterns.”

1. Author’s intent• Is the author trying to teach something, or is he only

describing an event (e.g., drawing lots in Acts 1)?

2. Support from other clearer biblical passages• Is the underlying principle clearly taught elsewhere

(when the Spirit comes in Acts 2, 8, 10, and 19)?

3. Repeatable “patterns”• Although it may not have been the author’s intent to

teach, some things should be repeated (e.g., elders).• However, we must also consider cultural norms when

trying to reproduce such “patterns.”

Hermeneutical Considerations:Normative or Descriptive?

Hermeneutical Considerations:Normative or Descriptive?

Jeremy Chew, East Asia School of Theology, SingaporeJeremy Chew, East Asia School of Theology, Singapore

Unsung Heroes in ActsUnsung Heroes in Acts

Hero Reference Heroic Action

Crippled man

3:9-12 After his healing, he praised God. As the crowds gatheredto see what happened, Peter used the opportunity to tellmany about Jesus.

Five “deacons”

6:2-5 Everyone has heard of Stephen, and many know of Philip, but there were five other men chosen. They not only laid the foundation for service in the church, but their hard work also gave the apostles the time they needed to preach the gospel.

Ananias 9:10-19 He had the responsibility of being the first to demonstrate Christ’s love to Saul (Paul) after his conversion.

Cornelius 10:30-35 His example showed Peter that the gospel was for allpeople, Jews and Gentiles.

Rhoda 12:13-15 Her persistence brought Peter inside Mary’s home, where he would be safe.

Unsung Heroes in ActsUnsung Heroes in Acts

Hero Reference Heroic Action

James 15:13-21 He took command of the Jerusalem council and had the courage and discernment to help form a decision that would affect literally millions of Christians over many Generations.

Lydia 16:13-15 She opened her home to Paul, from which he led many to Christ and founded a church in Philippi.

Jason 17:5-9 He risked his life for the gospel by allowing Paul to stay in his home. He stood up for what was true and right, even though he faced persecution for it.

Paul’s nephew

23:16-24 He saved Paul’s life by telling officials of a murder plot.

Julius 27:1, 43 He spared Paul when the other soldiers wanted to kill him.