THE 511 NEW TESTAMENT THEOLOGY CLASS III THEOLOGY

THE 511 NEW TESTAMENT THEOLOGY CLASS III: THEOLOGY OF LUKE-ACTS AND THEOLOGY OF SYNOPTICS & ACTS

THEOLOGY OF LUKE-ACTS 1. 1 Introduction to theology of Luke-Acts • Luke or Luke-Acts? • Two separate stories or a unified work in two volumes? • Single story of redemptive history rooted in Israel’s history • What about the canonical order? • • Luke-John-Acts… Acts as a bridge b/w Gospels and epistles

THEOLOGY OF LUKE-ACTS Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile an account of the things accomplished among us, 2 just as they were handed down to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word, 3 it seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in consecutive order, most excellent Theophilus; 4 so that you may know the exact truth about the things you have been taught. (Lk 1: 1 -4) The first account I composed, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach, 2 until the day when He was taken up to heaven, after He had by the Holy Spirit given orders to the apostles whom He had chosen. To these He also presented Himself alive after His suffering, by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking of the things concerning the kingdom of God (Acts 1: 13)

THEOLOGY OF LUKE-ACTS • Important connections b/w Luke & Acts • Redemption of Israel & David’s throne (Lk 1 -2/Acts 1 -3) • “promise of the Father” (Lk 24: 47 -49/Acts 2: 1 -4) • “baptism in Holy Spirit and fire” (Lk 3: 16/Acts 2: 1 -4; cf. 1: 5) • “taken up” & ascension (Lk 9: 51/Acts 1: 9 -11) • Salvation-historical scheme (Israel-gentiles) • From Davidic throne to preaching to all nations (1: 32 -33//Acts 2: 30 -32; 24: 47/Acts 1: 8)

THEOLOGY OF LUKE-ACTS 2. 1 Theology of Luke • Salvation history & God’s plan • Jesus’ birth inaugurates a new era of salvation • Reversal of fortunes (1: 46 -55) • Salvation of Israel & Davidic throne (1: 32 -33, 55; 71 -73; 2: 38) • Inclusion of Gentiles announced (2: 32; 3: 5 -6) • Jesus’ ministry of the Kingdom (4: 18 -19, 43; 6: 20; 7: 22 -23; 8: 9 -19) • Division of salvation history • “Law and prophets…until John” & Kingdom now & future (16: 16) • Two/three partite salvation-historical scheme (1: 1; 7: 26 -27; 16: 16; 24: 50)? Two parts w/ second further divided [1) promise 2) Jesus + gentiles]

THEOLOGY OF LUKE-ACTS • Present and future aspects of the kingdom • • Already present (10: 9 -11; 11: 20; 17: 20 -21; cf. 13: 18 -21) Waiting for final fulfillment (11: 2; 19: 11 -27; 21: 31) • Plan and purpose of God & Israel’s scripture • Gk. boule; dei; horidzo; pleroo* divine necessity • • 2: 49; 4: 43; 13: 33; 17: 25; 19: 5; 22: 37; 24: 7, 26, 44 Divine plan prophesied in the scripture (e. g. 1: 69 -70; 24: 44) “Messiah must suffer” “kingdom must be preached” “compels” Jesus to action (19: 5; cf. 13: 16)

THEOLOGY OF LUKE-ACTS • Israel and the people of God • Relationship b/w Israel and the people of the Messiah • Promises to Israel (1: 32 -34, 54 -55, 68 -70, 72 -3; 2: 32, 34, 38) • • “Covenant [Abraham & David]”, “redemption of Israel” Messiah & “rise and fall of many in Israel” (2: 34; cf. 3: 15) • Israel’s response varies (4: 15, 28 -29; 5: 26; 6: 11, 13; 7: 16, 31 -5)* • 12 disciples – also “evil generation” (11: 29; 12: 56; 11: 37 -53; 13: 1 -9) “Fig tree cut down” “vineyard given to others” (13: 9; 20: 9 -19; cf. 19: 44)

THEOLOGY OF LUKE-ACTS • “Longing” for the “redemption of Israel” (1: 68; 2: 38; 24: 21) • Kingdom offered to Israel – but most reject it • Israel as people of the Messiah constituted around the Twelve So what about the promises in Lk 1 -2? * (“times of Gentiles” 21: 24; 22: 30) • Is Israel rejected for good? • • • “house left desolate until…blessed is He who comes…” (13: 33 -35) Jerusalem trampled until the “times of Gentiles…fulfilled” (21: 24) Disciples judge the 12 tribes of Israel (22: 30; cf. 22: 16 -18) • Is the final Kingdom earthly or heavenly reality? (13: 28 -30)

THEOLOGY OF LUKE-ACTS • Christ and the Spirit • Jesus’ identity paraded in the infancy narrative • Jesus Son of God, Messiah, Lord & Savior • • Son of God on “David’s throne”; rules over “Jacob” forever (1: 32 -5) Savior/redeemer, Messiah, Lord & “light to gentiles” (2: 11, 30 -32, 38) • Jesus as the promised Messiah & Son of God (4: 41; 10: 22; 22: 69 -71) • • Suffering and glorious Son of Man (9: 22, 26; 12: 8; 17: 24; 22: 69 -70) Righteous and innocent man (23: 4, 14, 22, 41, 46 -47) True identity needs to be revealed by the risen Messiah (24: 45)

THEOLOGY OF LUKE-ACTS • Spirit’s role (1: 15, 35, 41; 2: 25 -6; 4: 1, 14, 18; 10: 21; 11: 13; 12: 12; 24: 49) • Conception, empowerment & anointing of Messiah • • • Pneumatological framing of the Temptation narrative (4: 1, 14*) Filling, prophecy, revelatory insight, inspired prayer, baptism of HS Spirit connected to kingdom & miracles; joy, teaching Promise of the Father (24: 49 cf. 11: 13)

THEOLOGY OF LUKE-ACTS • Salvation • Focus on salvation – Jesus’ title Savior only found in Luke (2: 11) • Restoration of Israel, inclusion of gentiles (1: 32 -34, 54 -55, 68 -79; 2: 32, 38) • Salvation as the present reality – “Today” (4: 21; 13: 32; 19: 9; 23: 43) • • • Restoration, deliverance, healing (4: 18 -19; 6: 9 -10; 17: 19; 18: 42; 19: 9) Salvation from enemies (1: 71, 74; 10: 19 -20; 13: 16; cf. 19: 43 -44) Forgiveness and peace (1: 77; 5: 24; 7: 47, 50; 8: 36; 24: 47) • Salvation as future reality • Kingdom & eternal life (10: 25 -37; 13: 33 -35; 16: 19 -31; 18: 29; 23: 43)

THEOLOGY OF LUKE-ACTS • Salvation as “reversal of fortunes” • Poor and lowly lifted & rich and haughty brought low • • Magnificat (1: 51 -53) & Beatitudes and Woes (6: 20 -26) Banquet guests (14: 12 -24); Rich Man and Lazarus (16: 19 -31) • Arrogant self-righteous and humble/lowly vs. “sinners” • • Levi and the sinners (5: 24 -30; 7: 34 cf. 15: 1 -2) Tax collector and Pharisee; children; Rich Ruler (18: 9 -34)

THEOLOGY OF LUKE-ACTS • Significance of the “reversal” • • • Kingdom – “reversal” – salvation connected Reversal starts “now” and fully realized in the eschaton (6: 20 -26) Salvation/kingdom for everybody but esp. for poor and excluded • • Poor, sick, ‘sinners’, unclean, Samaritans, women & children Critique of rich, powerful, arrogant Kingdom becomes reality “on earth…as in heaven” (cf. 14: 12 -14) • Less emphasis on salvific significance of Jesus’ death • • Lord’s supper “this is my body…blood” (22: 19 -20) Allusion to Jesus’ redemptive death (22: 37/Isa 53: 12; 22: 42)* • “He was numbered with transgressors”/“remove this cup…”

THEOLOGY OF LUKE-ACTS • Repentance and Kingdom conduct • Need for repentance (3: 3, 8; 5: 32; 10: 13; 13: 3 -5; 15: 7 -10; 24: 47) • Gracious offer of salvation to all – esp. poor & outcasts (7: 22) • • Demands everything – family, life, possessions (14: 25 -33) Danger of greed & possessions (6: 20 -26; 14: 33; 16: 19 -31; 18: 18 -30) • Kingdom calls for new actions & attitudes (19: 1 -10) • Esp. toward possessions, “sinners”, outcasts • Sermon of the plain (6: 20 -49)* • Be merciful; give; love enemies; denial of reciprocity (6: 27 -36)

THEOLOGY OF LUKE-ACTS • Place of Law and the prophets (16: 16 -17; cf. 7: 28; 11: 42) • Piety of Zechariah, Elizabeth, Anna… (1: 6; 2: 22, 27, 41; 2: 21 -25) • Law & salvation connected (10: 25 -29; 16: 29; 18: 18 -20) Following Jesus and believing the Gospel of the Kingdom (18: 20) • Does Law need to be obeyed to the least stroke? (16: 16 -18) • Divorce permissible (Deut 24: 1 -4) according to Law but not according to Jesus (16: 16 -18) Law is valid as interpreted through Jesus & Kingdom (cf. Acts 15)

THEOLOGY OF LUKE-ACTS • Parousia of the Son of Man (21: 5 -33; 17: 22 -37; 12: 41 -48) • Final manifestation of the kingdom • Great banquet & reversal (13: 28 -30; 14: 15 -24) • Delay of parousia (19: 12 -27) • Coming of the Son of Man and Kingdom (9: 26; 12: 8; 21: 26 -27) • Signs b/f the end (21: 8 -19) • Destruction of Jerusalem (21: 20 -24; cf. 19: 43 -44) • “Times of gentiles” (21: 24) • Roman armies AD 66 -70 or salvation-historical period? • Call for vigilance (21: 34 -36; 12: 41 -48)

THEOLOGY OF LUKE-ACTS 2. 2 Theology of Acts • Salvation history & God’s plan • Resurrection, ascension & coming of the Spirit (1: 1 -11; 2: 1 -4, 14 -36) • Inauguration of the “last days” (2: 14 -17; cf Lk 3: 16; 16: 16 -17) • Restoration of the “Twelve” (1: 15 -25) • Gospel “first to Jews and then to gentiles” (1: 8; 13: 46) • Jews reject the gospel (3: 25 -26; 7: 51; 13: 46 -47; 28: 25 -28; cf. 2: 41, 47, 4: 4; 5: 14; 6: 7; 21: 20)

THEOLOGY OF LUKE-ACTS • Timing of the Kingdom & restoration (1: 6; cf. Lk 1 -2) • Eternal “throne of David” & “rule over Jacob” (Lk 1: 32 -33) ly Is the heaven 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; 33 and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end. ” (Luke 1: 32 -33) And so, because he was a prophet and “resurrection knew that GOD HAD SWORN TO HIM enthronement” WITH AN OATH TO SEATone OF HIS the final DESCENDANTS ON HIS THRONE, 31 he fulfillment of ? looked ahead and spoke of the Luke 1: 32 -33 resurrection of the Christ, that HE WAS NEITHER ABANDONED TO HADES, NOR DID His flesh SUFFER DECAY. 32 This Jesus God raised up again, to which we are all witnesses. (Acts 2: 30 -32; cf. 2: 36) Messiah’s enthronement (ascension & resurrection)

THEOLOGY OF LUKE-ACTS • Time of “refreshing…and restoration of all things” (3: 19 -26) Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come (ἔλθωσιν καιροὶ ἀναψύξεως*) from the presence of the Lord; 20 and that He may send Jesus, the Christ appointed for you, 21 whom heaven must receive until the period of restoration of all things (ἄχρι χρόνων ἀποκαταστάσεως πάντων**) about which God spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from ancient time. (3: 19 -21) Final restoration and Christ’s coming • Moses, prophets & covenant w/ Abraham announced “these days” Does this include/exclude political/national restoration? (cf. 2: 30 -36; Rom 11: 1 -12, 28 -29)

THEOLOGY OF LUKE-ACTS • Divine necessity – Gk. boule and dei • Suffering and death of Jesus • Plan of God foreseen by Scriptures (2: 31; 3: 18 -26; 4: 9 -12, 24 -31) • Times, seasons & history (17: 26, 31) • Sovereignty in salvation & calling (13: 48; 16: 14; 22: 10, 14; 26: 16)* • “appointed to eternal life” “Lord opened heart to respond” • Human decision (2: 38 -9; 10: 34 -5; 13: 43; cf. 26: 19) • • • Sovereignty in life and death (12: 1 -11) Sovereignty of God & guidance (16: 6 -10; 20: 22; 21 -28) Visions & prophecies AND human decisions (15: 28, 36) Tension b/w sovereignty and human decisions not solved logically

THEOLOGY OF LUKE-ACTS • Israel and the people of God • Witness of the disciples (1: 8) • Jerusalem – Samaria – ends of the world (2: 1 -5: 52; 6: 1 -9: 43; 10 -28) • Repentant Israel “true” Israel (2: 41, 47; 4: 4; 5: 14; 6: 7; 21: 20) • Observe the Law, worship in Temple (1 -5; 21: 20) Messianic community of adelphoi (1: 15; 2: 42 -47; 4: 32 -37; 6: 3; 15: 7) • Opposed by “corrupt generation” (2: 40; 3: 25 -26; 7: 51; 13: 46 -47; 28: 25 -28) • Reestablished Israel = God’s people; physical Israel mostly “recalcitrant” (2: 40; 28: 24 -28) • Church (Gk. ekklesia; 5: 11; 8: 1; 9: 31; 11: 22; 12: 1, 5; 15: 4, 22; 18: 22) Gentiles incorporated into God’s people (1: 8; 10 -11; 11: 20; 15: 13 -29)*

THEOLOGY OF LUKE-ACTS • Christ and the Spirit • Jesus as the risen Lord & enthroned Messiah (2: 36, 38; 5: 42; 8: 5) • Exaltation & enthronement per Ps 110; 16 (2: 34 -35) • • Son of God & Son of Man (9: 22; 7: 56) “Holy and Righteous One” “author of life” “Lord of all” (3: 14 -15; 10: 36) Servant (3: 13, 26; 4: 27, 30; 8: 26 -35; cf. Isa 40 -66) “Prophet like Moses” (3: 22/Deut 18: 18) • “Name” theology* – “in the name of Jesus” (2: 38; 3: 6, 16; 4: 10 -12, 17, 30; 5: 34, 40 -41; 8: 12; 9: 13 -16, 21 -28; 10: 43 -48; 15: 26; 19: 5; 26: 9) • “name of the Lord” – Jesus and God (2: 21, 34 -36, 39; 15: 14 -18)

THEOLOGY OF LUKE-ACTS • Enthroned Lord & Messiah but close to his people (3: 21) • Appeared and commissioned Paul (9: 1 -9) • “stood near” & guides (23: 11; 16: 7 -10) • Dispenses the Spirit (2: 33) • Holy Spirit – Guidance & power • Spirit and last days – sign of the new covenant (Ezek 37) • Last days began w/ resurrection & coming of the Spirit

THEOLOGY OF LUKE-ACTS • HS’s crucial role in Acts • Empowers the church – testimony & resurrection (1: 8) • Peter (2: 4, 14 ff. ); Stephen (6: 10); Paul (9: 17, 20) • HS’s power & persecution (4: 8 -9, 31; 7: 55; 13: 9 -10) • Power, wisdom, faith, miracles (4: 8 -9; 6: 3, 5, 10: 7: 55; 11: 28; 13: 9 -11; 16: 6 -8) • Specific guidance – church & individuals (8: 29, 39; 10: 19; 13: 2; 15: 28; 16: 68; 20: 22; 21: 4, 11) • HS – Spirit of God and Jesus (5: 3, 11; 16: 7) • Theological emphasis of Spirit in Luke-Acts • Empowerment, filling, mission & guidance of church and individuals • Less emphasis on conversion & ethical transformation (cf. Paul)

THEOLOGY OF LUKE-ACTS • Theological controversy & Spirit in Acts Views will be • Promise of the HS (Lk 3: 16; 1: 5, 8; cf. Lk 24: 49)evaluated later – Class XII on • “baptism in HS” 1: 5; “Filling” 2: 4; “gift” 2: 38 Pneumatology • Meaning of the “coming of HS”? • Is the HS given before, during, or after conversion in Acts? • Is the HS given once [and for all], twice, many times? • Is there a “baptism of the Spirit” as distinct from the “filling of the Spirit”? – also known as the “Second Blessing” • Evangelical; classical Pentecostal; historical churches • Controversial passages (esp. 2: 1 -4; 8: 15 -16; 19: 2, 5 -6) • Interpretation of John 20: 22

THEOLOGY OF LUKE-ACTS • Repentance and Kingdom conduct • Repentance theme • Requirement for entering the community (2: 38; 3: 23) • Repentance of Jews and gentiles • Jerusalem Jews for delivering up the Messiah (2: 23, 38, 40; 3: 13 -19; 4: 10 -12; 5: 30 -31) • All Jews need to repent and believe the promise (13: 26 -39) Jews must acknowledge the Messiah • Gentiles “repentance toward God and faith…Lord Jesus” (20: 20 -21) Turn away from idols, magic, immorality (13: 4 -12; 26: 20)

THEOLOGY OF LUKE-ACTS • Community life in unity and Spirit • Importance of right use of possessions • Sharing possessions • • • Koinonia of “one heart, mind…wallet” (2: 44 -45; 4: 32 -35) Widows & the Seven (6: 1 -6) Barnabas (4: 36 -37); Tabitha (9: 36); Cornelius (10: 1 -2, 31) Famine relief (11: 27 -30; 24: 17) & Paul’s speech to elders (20: 33 -35) Dangers of possessions • • • Judas (1: 18); Ananias and Saphira; Simon (Acts 5: 1 -11; 8: 18) Gospel as socio-economic offence (16: 16 -21; 19: 21 ff. ) Corrupt Felix (24: 25 -26) Continuity w/ Jesus’ teaching on possessions (e. g. 12: 33 -34; 14: 33)

THEOLOGY OF LUKE-ACTS • Violence & persecution – opposition to God’s people • • “We must go through…hardships to enter the kingdom ” (14: 22) “They have had too much wine” (2: 13) Threats, jail, violence (4: 1 -22; 5: 17 -42; 8: 2) Martyrdom of Stephen & James (Acts 7; 12) Jews want to kill Paul (9: 22 -25) Paul & others persecuted (14: 2, 14: 19, 16: 16 -19, 17: 5 ff. ; 19: 23 ff. ) Paul the prisoner (21: 27 -23: 23; 24 -28) Gospel advances despite persecution & oppression

THEOLOGY OF LUKE-ACTS • Election, ethnocentrism & Law • Attitudes of disciples (Lk 9: 51 -54; Acts 10: 14 -28, 44 -45) • Law of Moses and gentiles (Acts 11: 1 -3; 15: 1, 11) • “Progressive” Hellenists (Acts 7 -8) • Apostolic council Acts 15 (cf. 21: 20 -25)

THEOLOGY OF LUKE-ACTS • Salvation • Focus on Jesus’ resurrection & enthronement (2: 21, 38 -42; 3: 19 -25; 5: 31) • Fulfillment of promises (2: 17 -21) • • Salvation first offered to Jews (3: 19 -25; 5: 31; 13: 46 -47; 18: 6) Gentiles (11: 17 -18; 15: 11, 19) • Forgiveness of sins (2: 38; 5: 31; 10: 43; 13: 38; 26: 18) • • • Healing & deliverance from danger/demons* (7: 10; 12: 11; 16: 30; 27: 20) Gift of the Spirit (2: 38) & eternal life (13: 46 -48) Time of refreshment & renewal (3: 19 -22) & entering kingdom (14: 22) Salvation exclusively in Jesus’ name (4: 11 -12) Salvific significance of Jesus’ death (20: 28; allusions in 8: 32 -3; 5: 30; 10: 39)

THEOLOGY OF LUKE-ACTS • Eschatology and Restoration of all things • Inauguration of last days – resurrection & Spirit (2: 16 -21, 32 -33) • Final day of judgment – God & Jesus • “God fixed a day” (17: 21; 23: 6; 24: 15, 21, 25; 26: 6) • Resurrection of the just and unjust • Return of Jesus, Judgment (1: 11) • “Restoration of all things” (3: 21)

THEOLOGY OF LUKE-ACTS • Summary and conclusion • Framework of Acts • Jewish & Greco-Roman world – reality of spiritual forces/magic • Main theme • God has raised Jesus from the death per OT – He now offers… • Forgiveness, HS, and deliverance to all who repent & believe • Disciples spread the Gospel and form kingdom communities around the hostile Roman empire Gospel spreads in the power HS according to God’s Sovereign plan

THEOLOGY OF LUKE-ACTS 3. 1 Theology of Acts and Synoptic Gospels • Preliminary Issues • Essential similarities and differences b/w the gospels • Continuity and discontinuity b/w gospels and Acts • Salvation-historical shift • • Earthly Jesus – risen Jesus Shifting roles of… • • • The disciples & community Role of the Holy Spirit Israel & the Law

THEOLOGY OF LUKE-ACTS • Christology & Jesus’ role • Similarities & differences b/w synoptic gospels • Jesus as Messiah, Son of God, Son of Man • Infancy stories in Mt/Lk • Jesus as Kyrios/Lord (Mt & Lk) • Immanuel & proskyneo worship (Mt) • Compassionate & anointed Messiah (Lk) • Messianic secret & suffering Servant & Son of Man (Mk) Proclamation of God’s rule (Kingdom)

THEOLOGY OF LUKE-ACTS • Acts & Synoptics • Resurrection and the discovery of the empty tomb • • • Empty tomb & “journey to faith” motif (Mk) Jesus’ “all authority” & disciples of all nations (Mt) “burning hearts”, waiting for the power to proclaim (Lk) • Resurrection, ascension, exaltation, enthronement (Acts) Suffering & resurrection per Scripture fulfillment • From “proclaimer” to “One seated on the Heavenly Throne” • • Earthly Jesus proclaimed and embodied the Kingdom Through resurrection acknowledged as the exalted Lord & Messiah Gospel of the Kingdom now includes exalted Messiah (Acts 28: 31)

THEOLOGY OF LUKE-ACTS • Heavenly Messiah on the throne according to promise (Acts) • Universal mission of the church instead of “redemption of Israel” • • Israel’s redemption “postponed” OR “swallowed up” into the church Son of Man title practically disappeared (7: 56) Prayer to Jesus in addition to God (7: 59) Exalted Lord & Messiah (2: 33; 3: 13; 5: 31; 7: 55 -56) Eschatological Judge (17: 31) Prophet like Moses (3: 22 -23) Servant & “name of Jesus” (3: 6; 4: 10, 30; 16: 18) Jesus & the Spirit Less emphasis on earthly Jesus (cf. 10: 37 -39)

THEOLOGY OF LUKE-ACTS • God and His plan • God as Father (Mt-Lk) • Infrequent in Acts (1: 4, 7; 2: 33) • God’s sovereign plan in and according to Scripture • Suffering and death of Messiah • Rejection of Messiah by Israel – Israel’s future restoration • • Prayer to Jesus (Acts 7: 59) God’s power & obstacles in gospels and Acts • • • Human sin & failure (e. g. disciples) Power of Satan and magic – power of money and wealth Human prejudice – violence & persecution

THEOLOGY OF LUKE-ACTS • Salvation and discipleship • Proclamation of the kingdom (Gospels) • • Forgiveness, wholeness, healing, liberation, inclusion Repentance and uncompromising demand • Variations in the Gospels • • • Healing, forgiveness, restoration (Mt-Lk) “now” benefits of salvation – reversal of fortunes (Lk) Righteousness & importance of obedience + judgment (Mt) • Acts – focus on forgiveness of sin • Healing, deliverance & salvation from judgment

THEOLOGY OF LUKE-ACTS • 12 disciples following Jesus • Ekklesia as anticipation in Matthew for post-resurrection church • Jesus’ death/resurrection as focal point of fulfillment (Gospels) • • • Divine purpose to inaugurate the New Covenant Death as redemptive highlighted in Mt – less in Mk Lk focuses on resurrection – less emphasis on substitution (Acts 20: 28) • Acts focuses on resurrection & vindication of the Messiah • • Scandal of the cross overcome – testimony of Scripture Promised Spirit poured out per Scripture

THEOLOGY OF LUKE-ACTS • Holy Spirit • Gospels agree on HS’s role though Luke emphasizes it • Jesus’ baptism & help to persecuted believers (Mt-Lk) • Conception of Jesus (Mt & Lk) • In-filling, empowerment, prophecy, liberation (Lk) Promise of the coming Spirit by John the Baptist (Mt-Lk) • Acts & the coming of the Spirit per promise (cf. Lk 24: 49) • Enthroned Jesus’ as the “baptizer in the Spirit” (Acts 2: 33) • Pentecost & outpouring of the Spirit (1: 5; 2: 1 -4; cf. Lk 9: 1) • In-filling, empowerment, prophecy, liberation, guidance

THEOLOGY OF LUKE-ACTS • Israel & Gentiles • Gospels present Jesus’ mission to Israel • Mk & Lk wrote to gentile audience – from Jews to all nations • Mt to Jews – from exclusive mission to Israel to all nations • Importance Law & criticism of Jewish leaders (esp. Mt) • Lk also emphasizes Law & prophets (cf. 16: 16) Theme of Scripture fulfillment • Israel’s rejection of God’s Messiah (Mt-Lk) • Remnant of Israel – Messiah and the twelve

THEOLOGY OF LUKE-ACTS • Acts and the Synoptics • Crucifixion of Messiah & rejection of God’s plan • Remnant of Israel (12 & early Jewish believers) • Developing understanding of Law & gentiles • Expansion of the gospel per 1: 8 in the power of HS • Gentiles not required to become Jews to be saved What extent Law obeyed by gentiles? (cf. Acts 15: 28 -29) • “People of God” – believing Jews and gentiles Is there a future plan for ethnic Israel?

THEOLOGY OF LUKE-ACTS • Eschatology • Synoptics – focus on eschatological discourse (Mk 13/Mt 24/Lk 21) • Signs of the end (and the destruction of the Temple) • False Messiahs, tribulations & final judgment Glorious coming of the Son of Man The timing and meaning of “coming”(? ) • Shift of emphasis in Acts • Restoration of Israel postponed --- Gospel to ends of the earth (1: 6 -8) • Resurrection & the Spirit = inauguration of the last days (2: 17)

THEOLOGY OF LUKE-ACTS • Return of Jesus still important • • Restoration of all things (3: 21) Final judgment at God-appointed time by Jesus (10: 42; 17: 31) Task of God’s people – bring the Gospel “to the ends of the earth” and live new life in the new community

THEOLOGY OF LUKE-ACTS • Conclusion • Gospels & Acts – two theologies w/ connection & development • Gospels & the Kingdom • Jesus announced & embodied the Kingdom • • Physical presence of Jesus Faith response & repentance to free offer of Gospel of the Kingdom • Acts and the risen Messiah and Lord • Disciples announce Jesus’ enthronement & God’s power in salvation • • Presence and outpouring of the Spirit Response of faith & repentance

THEOLOGY OF LUKE-ACTS • j