5.0 The History of the Apostolic Church---- 


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Check this page and the linked pages periodically since they are being updated continually! The printed textbook materials covering the first division level of the topics are listed in green bold face under the topic heading.  Last revised: 3/26/02 Always remember to check the outline page for unit 5 for the full listing of sources.

H:12:237-258; H4:277-301; NOSB:nt:160; NOSB3:nt:183-237

5.1. The Literary Structure of Acts
5.1.1. Narrative Units
1. Define the term 'narrative.'
5.1.1.1. Summary Narratives
1. Summarize the nature and role of summary narratives in Acts.
2. Distinguish between a summary narrative and a summary statement as found in Acts.
3. Summarize the content of the summary narratives in Acts, giving note to similarities and differences.
5.1.1.2. Episodic Narratives
1. Summarize the nature and use of episodic narratives in Acts.
2. Summarize in a single sentence the content of 5 episodic narratives in Acts.
5.1.1.3. Distinctive Types of Episodic Narratives
5.1.1.3.1. Miracle Narratives
1. Summarize the nature and use of miracles stories in Acts.
2. Summarize in a single sentence the content of each of the the miracle narratives described in Acts.
5.1.1.3.2. Commissioning Narratives
1. Summarize the nature and use of commissioning narratives in Acts.
2. Summarize in a single sentence the content of each of the the commissioning narratives described in Acts.
5.1.2. Speeches
1. Summarize the nature of speeches in literature in the ancient world, in contrast to a modern Western view.
5.1.2.1. Missionary Speeches
1. Summarize the nature and use of missionary speeches in Acts.
2. Summarize in a single sentence the content of each of the the missionary speeches described in Acts.
5.1.2.2. Defense Speeches
1. Summarize the nature and use of defense speeches in Acts.
2. Summarize in a single sentence the content of each of the the defense speeches described in Acts.
5.2. The Use of Sources
1. Summarize the attempts to -- along with the problems of -- identify the sources used in the composition of Acts. Use the introductions of commentaries, Bible dictionaries etc. to find the information.
5.3. The Historical Setting of Acts
5.3.1. Compositional Origin: The Early Church Tradition
1. Summarize the view(s) of early Christianity regarding the composition of Acts. Use the introductions of commentaries, Bible dictionaries etc. to find the information.
5.3.2. Compositional Profile: the narrator profile
1. Summarize the profile of the author emerging from within Acts. Use the introductions of commentaries, Bible dictionaries etc. to find the information.
5.4. The Literary Strategy of Acts
5.4.1. Parallels among Jesus, Peter, and Paul
Click on for access to Acts gateway by Fa. Felix Just, S.J.
1. Describe Luke's use of parallelism to link Peter and Paul to Jesus, using Fa. Felix Just's depiction.
2. Describe Luke's use of parallelism to link Peter and Paul to one another, using Fa. Fex Just's depiction.
5.4.2. Movement of Christianity from Jerusalem to Rome
Click on for access to Acts gateway by Fa. Felix Just, S.J.
1. Describe Luke's depiction of the spread of Christianity from Jerusalem to Rome.
5.4.3. Outline of Acts
1. Characterize the nature of the outline of Acts using Acts 1:8-9 as the basis.
2. Summarize the first missionary journey of Paul described in Acts.
3. Summarize the second missionary journey of Paul described in Acts.
4. Summarize the third missionary journey of Paul described in Acts.
5.4.4. Thematic Emphases
Click on for access to Acts gateway by Fa. Felix Just, S.J.
1. Summarize the emphasis on the Holy Spirit in Acts. Use the introductions of commentaries, Bible dictionaries etc. to find the information.
2. Summarize the developing organizational structure of the church [=ecclesiology] in Acts. Use the introductions of commentaries, Bible dictionaries etc. to find the information.
5.5. Study of Acts 15
Detailed study of Acts 15.-----Detailed study of Acts 15.-----
1. Describe the nature of the controversy that led to the Jerusalem council meeting. Supplement the scripture text with the introductions of commentaries, Bible dictionaries etc. to find the information.
2. Compare Luke's account of the Jerusalem conference with Paul's in Gal. 2:1-10.
3. Summarize the speeches of Peter, Paul, and James leading to the decision of the church.
4. Evaluate the contents of the letter sent by James to the church at Antioch, giving attention to potential problems it may have created.


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