PAULINE YEAR TALK # 1

PAULINE YEAR TALK # 1

Acts of Apostles before Paul’s Missionary Journeys

Adult Education, St. Joseph’s, January 14, 2009

Charles P. Poole, Jr.

1. Introduction

2. Luke - Acts

3. The First Events of Acts [Chap 1-4]

4. Ananias and Sappira [5:1-11].

5. Trial before the Sanhedrin [5:17-6:7].

6. The Exploits of Stephan [6:8-8:1]

7. Persecution, the Magician, and the Ethiopian [Chap.8]

8. Conversion of Paul [9:1-30].

9. Peter’s Activities [9:31 - 11:18]

10. The Church at Antioch and Herod’s Persecution [11:19-12:24].

11. First Missionary Journey Begun. [13:3-12]

1. INTRODUCTION

Pope Benedict XVI has dedicated the present year to St. Paul, and we are celebrating this by giving a series of five talks on him. This first session will present an account of the early chapters of the Acts of the Apostles about how the Church was founded in Jerusalem and then spread throughout Palestine. The second session will treat the accounts in Acts of Paul’s missionary journeys spreading the faith throughout much of the Roman empire. The third session will examine the four major epistles of Paul to the Romans, 1,2 Corinthians and Galations. The fourth session will do the same for the ten remaining works of Paul, and the final session will discuss the life and co-workers of Paul, and comment on his legacy.

There are 28 chapters in the Acts of the Apostles, and Paul makes his entrance at the stoning of Stephen in Chapter 6. His conversion and visit to Jerusalem are recounted in Chapter 9, Barnabas brought him to Antioch in Chap. 11, and his first missionary journey began in Chap. 13. This first session will discuss the material in the first half of the Acts of the Apostles, up to the first missionary journey. The remainder of the book is devoted almost exclusively to Paul, and will be the subject matter for the second presentation. The entire outline of Acts is given in the eighth verse of Chap. 1 “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” The account in Acts began in Jerusalem, then after a persecution the faith spread throughout Judea and Samaria as far as Cyprus and Syrian Antioch which is about 250 miles north of Galilee. Paul and Barnabas then went to Galatia and Pisidian Antioch. After this on his second and third journeys Paul went as far as Macedonia and Greece. His final journey was to Rome, with an unfulfilled ambition to go much further to Spain. This session will report the spread of the faith until the journeys of Paul, and the next session will be devoted to the subsequent exploits of Paul and his co-workers. .

The gospels describe several events shortly after the resurrection of Jesus, as summarized in the following table:

Event	Matthew	Mark	Luke	John
Empty Tomb	28:1-10	16:1-8	24:1-12	20:1-18
Bribing the Soldiers	29:11-15
Commissioning the Disciples (Acts 1:8)	28:16-20	16:15-18,20
Several Appearances,(Acts 1:3-9)		16:9-14	24:36-49	Chap. 20, 21
Road to Emmaus			24:13-35
Ascension (Acts 1:6-12)		16:19	24:50-53
Testimony, Much more happened				21:24-25

Verses Mk 16:1-8 constitute the shorter ending of Mark, and Mk 16:9-20 form the longer ending. Verses Jn 21:24-25 are the conclusion of John. This information is provided to match the gospel narratives to the Acts of the Apostles. It is significant that in the Lucan story of the Road to Emmaus the companions of Jesus on the journey dis not recognize Him until the breaking of the bread. The three synoptic gospels and Paul have accounts of the institution of the Eucharist at the Lord’s Supper with the identical words “this is my body” and the almost identical words “this is my blood of the covenant”(Mt 28:26,28; Mk 14:22,24; Lk 22:19,20) 1Cor 11:14,25). John does not report this, but his Bread of Life discourse (6:22-59) is the strongest emphasis in the scriptures that at the Last Supper Jesus really did change the bread and wine into his true body and blood.

2. LUKE - ACTS

The Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles, both written by Luke, correspond to a two volume work called Luke-Acts which should preferably be read together in sequence. As was mentioned above, in this presentation we will discuss the first fourteen chapters of Acts. Paul enters this book at the stoning of Stephen [7:58] and the persecution of the Church [8:3], and his Conversion is described in Chapter 9. When he first tried to join the disciples they were all afraid of him [9:26], until Barnabas vouched for him, telling them that Paul had seen the Lord [8:27]. Then Paul gradually became an active participant in the building up of the infant church [Ch. 11-15]. Before providing more details on Paul’s involvement in the nascent Church we will recount what Acts says about the various events subsequent to Jesus’ Resurrection.

3. THE FIRST EVENTS OF ACTS [CHAP 1-4]

Acts begins by recalling how “the first book,” namely the Gospel of Luke, ended with the Ascension and the pledge of Jesus to send “the promise of my Father . . . with power from on high” [Lk 35:49], meaning the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete. The story of this pledge made at the Ascension is repeated in the first chapter of the Acts. The eleven apostles are enumerated here [Acts 1:13-14] in the terminology of Luke’s gospel [6:14-18] with Judas omitted. They forthwith chose Matthias by lot to replace Judas, their first act in the upper room, and the first action described in the Acts themselves. They were following what was said in the book of Psalms “May another take his office.”

Chapter 2 starts with the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost in tongues of fire, and the apostles “began to speak in different tongues as the Spirit enabled them,” Many people from a diverse crowd heard them speak, each in his own language, and they were all astonished. Peter stood up and gave a very inspiring speech. He urged his listeners to repent and be baptized, to save themselves “from this corrupt generation,” and three thousand of the listeners accepted the invitation. This was the birthday of the Church, a glorious beginning indeed.

The new converts began to live a communal life; “They devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to the communal life; to the breaking of the bread and to the prayers” [2:42]. Recall that in the account of the events on the road to Emmaus [Lk 24:13-35]. the disciples recognized Jesus by the “breaking of the bread.” Associating this ritual with prayers suggests that the early Christian community celebrated the Lord’s Supper or the Eucharist as part of their prayer life. Every day more converts joined them.

The next event was Peter and John going to the temple to pray and encountering a beggar who asked for money. Peter said to him, “I have neither silver nor gold, but what I do have I give you: in the name of Jeus Christ the Nazorean, rise and walk.” The people were filled with amazement and gathered around, so Peter gave a speech about Jesus the Lord and Redeemer and said to the people “Repent, therefore, and be converted.” Many of those present believed, and the number of men converts grew to five thousand. Meanwhile the Sadducees seized Peter and John and brought them before the Jewish authorities who questioned them. Peter gave another speech, explaining that there is no salvation through anyone but Jesus [4:12]. The authorities recognized Peter and John as companions of Jesus, and gave them a stern warning never again to speak about Jesus. They did not mete out any punishment for fear of the people who were praising them. Peter and John then returned to their community, told them about what happened and they all prayed together. As they prayed they were filled with the Holy Spirit, so they went out and continued to speak the word of God with boldness [4:31]. The community was of one mind and heart, sharing all their possessions, so no one was needy.. Those who owned houses sold them, and distributed the proceeds to each according to his need [4:32-36]. .

4. ANANIAS AND SAPPHIRA [5:1-11].

A strange thing happened next. Barnabas made his first appearance, sold some property property, and put the resulting money “at the feet of the apostles.” [4:36,37]. Then Ananias and his wife Sapphira who also owned some property sold it, but retained part of the proceeds for themselves, and “put the remainder at the feet of the apostles. ”Peter condemned Ananias for “lying to God” and when Ananias heard this he dropped dead, and young men of the community buried him.. Then Peter condemned Sapphira for agreeing “to test the spirit of the Lord,” and he said to her “those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out,” so she also dropped dead, and was buried beside her husband. The result was not unexpected: “Great fear came upon the whole church, and upon all who heard of these things .” One wonders what all this means. Why was Peter not thankful to receive a portion of the purchase price? This portion would have been a great deal of money. Why was the penalty so severe? Was the point of the story the contrast between Barnabas and Ananias? Barnabas later became a great missionary, a co-worker with Paul. The Jerome Biblical Commentary (JBC) says that “Ananias’ guilt was . . . denying the Holy Spirit’s presence in the church by lying to it.” The Collegeville Bible Commentary (CBC) observes that Ananias and Sapphira refused “to submit completely to the apostles’ authority.”

5. TRIAL BEFORE THE SANHEDRIN [5:17-6:7].

After this many signs and wonders were done. Many people joined the community of believers. Their fame was so great that many sick people lay on cots on nearby streets hoping that at least the shadow of Peter might fall on one of them. Many sick people were brought to the group of Christians, and “they were all cured.” The high priest and the Sadducees were filled with jealousy and imprisoned them; then the angel of the Lord released them at night to resume their teaching. They were brought to trial before the high priest, and ordered to stop preaching. A Pharisee named Gamaliel, who was a descendent of the great Hillel and the teacher of Paul, advised the Sadducees to have nothing to do with the new group doing the preaching. He told them, “If this endeavor or this activity is of human origin, it will destroy itself. But if it is from God you will not be able to destroy them, you may even find yourselves fighting against God.” The Sanhedrin (the 72 member highest court and governing council of the Jewish nation presided over by the high priest of the Temple), were persuaded, so they had the apostles flogged, ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and dismissed them. The apostle rejoiced at being able to suffer disgrace in the name of Jesus, and continued proclaiming Him as the Messiah.

As the number of believers grew it became necessary to assign some members of the group to take care of daily chores. Stephen and six other “reputable men filled with the Spirit and wisdom” were selected for this purpose, so the apostles prayed and laid hands on them. This is interpreted as the first ordination of men to the office of the deaconate.

6. THE EXPLOITS OF STEPHAN [6:8-8:1]

The newly ordained Stephan began ”working great wonders.” Some members of a local synagogue came forth and began to debate with Stephan. When they did not fare very well in the debate they accused Stephan of blaspheming Moses and God, and brought charges against him with the Sanhedrin. The high priest asked Stephen a simple three word question concerning the charges made against him: “Is this so?” Stephen’s reply was a protracted dissertation which lasted throughout most of Chapter 7. He recounted various events of the Old Testament which foreshadowed the coming of the Messiah, and toward the end he pointed out that the ancestors of the Sanhedrin had persecuted and put to death the prophets of old. When he concluded by asserting, “You received the law as transmitted by angels, but you did not observe it,” they were infuriated so “they threw him out of the city and began to stone him.” “The witnesses laid down their cloaks at the feet of a young man named Saul.” Stephen’s last words were “”Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” The section ends by pointing out that “Saul was consenting to his execution.”

7. PERSECUTION, THE MAGICIAN, AND THE ETHIOPIAN [CHAP.8]

As a result of these events the Church began to be persecuted in Jerusalem and in the countryside of Judea and Samaria. Saul was one of the ring-leaders trying to destroy the church. One advantage of the persecution was that those who were scattered by it began preaching the word in regions far from Jerusalem. The deacon Philip began preaching to crowds in the city of Samaria, and healing people who were possessed, paralyzed and crippled.

Many of the people there became converted and were baptized. Peter and John then arrived and laid hands on the new converts that they might receive the Holy Spirit. Thus they were first baptized, and then later received confirmation.

Simon the Magician had earlier worked wonders for the people in Samaria, and after he believed and was baptized he became devoted to Philip and became aware of the wonders worked by Philip. When he saw that the Spirit was conferred by the laying on of the apostles’ hands he offered them money saying “give me this power” to confer the Holy Spirit. Simon Peter said to Simon the Magician “May your money perish with you, because you thought that you could buy the gift of God with money.” Simon the Magician expressed sorrow as he repented of his evil deed.

The next event involved Philip explaining the scriptures to the Ethiopian eunuch in his chariot, and baptizing him when they came upon a pond of water [8:26-40].

8. CONVERSION OF PAUL [9:1-30].

Saul, “breathing murderous threats against the disciples of the Lord” was looking for men and women “who belonged to the Way . . . to bring them back to Jerusalem in chains . On the way to Damascus . . . a light from the sky, suddenly flashed around him, He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” He said “Who are you, sir?” “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. Now get up and go into the city and you will be told what you must do.” The Lord said to His disciple Ananias that Saul “is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles, kings, and Israelites; and I will show him what he has to suffer in my name.” When Ananias arrived Saul recovered his sight, and was baptized. He remained in Damascus for several days, and “began at once to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues.” When the Jews tried to kill him his disciples lowered him in a basket down through an opening in the wall of the city so he could escape to Jerusalem. When he arrived the disciples were afraid of him until Barnabas reported how Saul had seen the Lord and had spoken out boldly about Him in Damascus. When the Hellenists tried to kill Saul the brothers took him to Caesarea and sent him by boat to his home town of Tarsus [present day southeastern Turkey]. It should be mentioned that “the Way” was an expression that the early Christian community sometimes used in referring to itself and to its set of beliefs.

9. PETER’S ACTIVITIES [9:31 - 11:18]

The church was at peace, and grew in numbers, spreading to Galilee and throughout Palestine. It grew walking in the fear of the Lord, with the consolation of the Holy Spirit.

When Peter was visiting the holy ones in Lydda he healed a man named Aeneas who had been paralyzed and confined to bed for eight years. All the inhabitants of Lydda and the seacoast Plain of Sharon turned to the Lord. In nearby Joppa a disciple Tabitha had died, and her friends summoned Peter to come. He entered the room where she lay, knelt down and prayed, and then said to her “Tabitha, arise.” Thereupon he raised her up alive. This miracle was broadcast throughout Joppa, and many came to believe in the Lord. Simon Peter stayed a long time in Joppa at the house of a tanner also named Simon.

In the seacoast city of Caesarea an angel of God came to a devout centurion named Cornelius and asked him to summon Simon called Peter and who is staying at the house of Simon the tanner. The next day, while the messengers from Cornelius were approaching Joppa, Peter went up to the roof terrace of a house to pray. While praying he fell into a trance and had a vision of all the animal species of the world. A voice said to him, “Slaughter and eat.” He replied, “Certainly not, Lord. For never have I eaten anything profane and unclean.” The voice spoke a second time: “What God hath made clean, you are not to profane.” This was repeated three times, and Peter was in doubt about its significance. While Peter pondered the vision the angel told to him to go to Caesarea with the three messengers sent by Cornelius. Some of the brothers from Joppa accompanied them back to Caesarea. On their arrival Peter said to Cornelius “You know that it is unlawful for a Jewish man to associate with or visit a Gentile, but God has shown me that I should not call any person profane or unclean.” Shortly thereafter Peter gave a short but important speech: “In truth I see that God shows no partiality. Rather, in every nation whoever fears Him and acts uprightly is acceptable to Him. ”Peter then summarized how Jesus came to redeem the world, and “while he was speaking these things the Spirit fell on all who were listening to the word. The circumcised believers who accompanied Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit should have been poured out on the Gentiles also.” Peter ordered that the Gentiles present be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.

Soon the apostles and believers in Judea heard that Gentiles had also accepted the word of God, and when Peter arrived back in Jerusalem the disturbed Jewish believers in the community there confronted him. Peter thereupon recounted his vision and all that had happened in Joppa and Caesarea. He ended by asserting: “If then God gave them the same gift He gave to us when we came to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to be able to hinder God?” “When they heard this they stopped objecting and glorified God saying, ‘God has then granted life-giving repentance to the Gentiles, also’.”

10. CHURCH AT ANTIOCH & HEROD’S PERSECUTION [11:19-12:24].

“Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that arose because of Stephen went as far as Phoenicia [present day Lebanon], Cyprus and [Syrian] Antioch, preaching the word to no one but Jews.” Some of these believers from Cyprus and Cyrene [northeast Libya]

went to Antioch [Syrian] and proclaimed the Lord Jesus to the Greeks, and a great number of the uncircumcised became believers. Barnabas was sent from Jerusalem to Antioch to investigate what had happened, and when he arrived he rejoiced at the faith of the Greeks, and encouraged them “to remain faithful to the Lord in firmness of heart.” Barnabas went to Tarsus and brought Saul back to Antioch. For a whole year they taught many people, “and it was in Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians.”

Some prophets came to Antioch from Jerusalem, and one of them named Agabus predicted that there would be a severe famine throughout the world. It took place under the emperor Claudius [reigned 41-55 AD; the historian Josephus mentions a famine in Judea 46-48 AD]. The disciples in Antioch sent relief to the believers in Judea in the care of Barnabas and Saul.