Transcript Themes Of Luke

Acts 2
When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in
one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent
wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where
they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of
fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of
them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in
other tongues[a] as the Spirit enabled them.
Pentecost
Pentecost = Feast of Weeks, so called because it falls on the
50th day (7 weeks inclusive) from “the day after the
Sabbath” after Passover.
(Lev 23:15ff) “From the day after the Sabbath, … count off
seven full weeks. Count off fifty days up to the day after
the seventh Sabbath, and then present an offering of new
grain to the Lord. From wherever you live, bring two
loaves made of two-tenths of an ephah of fine flour,
baked with yeast, as wave offering of firstfruits to the
Lord.”
Pentecost – Celebration of The Giving of the
Toral at Sinai and Renewal of Covenant
• Book of Jubilee 6:17
…it is ordained and written on the heavenly tablets, that they
should celebrate the feast of weeks in this month once a year,
to renew the covenant every year
• Jewish lectionary reading – Ex 19 is to be read on the feast
of Pentecost.
• Rabbi Jose and Akiba debated some time before 135 AD
whether on Pentecost the rest of the Torah aside from the
10 commandments were given or on the following day.
• This is also the understanding of modern Judaism
3 Groups of Feasts
Feast
Month/Day
Passover
1st /14-15
Unleavened bread
1st /15-20
creation
theme
redemption
theme
reference
Lev 23:5
Lev 23:6
First Fruits
1st / 16-17
Pentecost
3rd / 6
Trumpets
7th /1
Day of Atonement
7th /10
Tabernacles
7th /15-22
Barley
Wheat
End of
harvest
Exodus
Lev 23:9
Sinai - giving Lev 23:16;
of the Law
Ex 19
Deut 16:13;
Lev 23:23
desert
Lev 23:26
Lev 23:33
Pentecost Chronologically Close to Giving of the
Law at Sinai
What happened at that occasion at Sinai? Ex 19
1 In the third month after the Israelites left Egypt-on the very day-they
came to the Desert of Sinai. …3 Then Moses went up to God, and
the LORD called to him from the mountain and said, "This is what
you are to say to the house of Jacob and what you are to tell the
people of Israel: 4 'You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt,
and how I carried you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself. 5
Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all
nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole
earth is mine, 6 you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy
nation.' These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites."
7 So Moses went back and summoned the elders of the people and
set before them all the words the LORD had commanded him to
speak. 8 The people all responded together, "We will do everything
the LORD has said."
Pentecost Math
• It is not possible to prove that originally the given of the Law at
Sinai (3rd day of 3 month) was precisely 50 days (inclusive)
from the Sabbath after the first Passover.
• We don’t know on which day of the week was the first Passover.
We don’t know how long the first month was (29 or 30), or the
length of the second month (29 or 30). [Start of month was
determined by appearance of the new moon.]
• But it is not forbidden to celebrate an event not on precise
anniversary day (e.g. Christmas).
II Chronicles 15 – ASA’s Covenantal
Renewal occurred at Pentecost
Asa assembled all Judah and Benjamin and the people from
Ephraim, Manasseh and Simeon who had settled among them,
for large numbers had come over to him from Israel when they
saw that the LORD his God was with him.
They assembled at Jerusalem in the third month of the fifteenth
year of Asa’s reign. …They entered into a covenant to seek the
LORD, the God of their ancestors, with all their heart and soul.
ASA was 5th King from David, and 3rd in Judah’s line. Reigned for
about 40 years. Roughly 900 years before Christ.
The Signs of God’s Presence- Sinai vs. Pentecost
Sinai – Ex 19:16-19
• And on the third day, it being morning, it happened: There
were thunders and lightnings…
• Sound of a trumpet
• fire (and smoke)
• earth quake
Pentecost –
• 3rd hour of the day (9am)
• Sound (like the blowing of a violent window)
• Tongues of fire
• In a subsequent episode, earth quake (Act 4:31)
The Israelites came to the old Mount Sinai, but the new Mt Sinai
came to the Church at Pentecost
The Law and the Nations –
More Light on Pentecostal Tradition
According to a rabbinic tradition, when the Law was given, it was
given in one voice, which became 70 tongues, I.e. the number of
nations in the table of nations in Genesis 10.
So this rabbinic tradition believes that the Law was promulgated to all
nations, in all tongues (languages).
The rabbis over-exegeted. But was the underlying theology correct?
(Yes. The law was applicable not just to Israel but for all nations.)
To a Jew who knew this rabbinic tradition, she/he would not doubt see
the Sinai/Pentecost parallel in the tongues phenomenon.
The Torah for all Nations
• Shemoth Rabbah (Commentary on Exodus - dated 10-11 century,
refering to Rabbi Johanan, likely contemporary of Paul) states,
“God's voice, as it was uttered, was distributed into seventy voices, in
seventy tongues, so that all the nations should understand.”
• Ex 12:37 The Israelites journeyed from Rameses to Sukkoth.
There were about six hundred thousand men on foot, besides
women and children. 38 Many other people went up with them…
• Ex 20:18 Now when all the people perceived the thunderings
Herbrew qoloth can mean voices) and the lightnings and the
sound of the trumpet and the mountain smoking, the people were
afraid and trembled; and they stood afar off
• The LXX translates “thunders” not as bronte (thunder) but phone
(voice).
Acts 2:5-13
5 Now
there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from
every nation under heaven. 6 When they heard this sound, a
crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard
their own language being spoken. 7 Utterly amazed, they asked:
“Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 Then how is it
that each of us hears them in our native language? 9 Parthians,
Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and
Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,[b] 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt
and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome 11 (both
Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear
them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!”
12 Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does
this mean?”
• 13 Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had
too much wine.”
Homelands of the audience of Acts 2
The Diaspora
• According to the ancient Jewish historian Josephus, the
next most dense Jewish population after the Land of Israel
and Babylonia was in Syria, particularly in Antioch, and
Damascus. - Wikipedia
• The ancient Jewish philosopher Philo gives the number of
Jewish inhabitants in Egypt as one million, one-eighth of
the population. Alexandria was by far the most important
of the Egyptian Jewish communities. – Wikipeida
Jewish Diaspora in Rome
• A brief statement in Divus Claudius 25 mentions agitations
by the "Jews" which led Claudius (Roman Emperor from
AD 41 to 54) to expel them from Rome:
• "Since the Jews constantly made disturbances at the
instigation of Chrestus, he [the Emperor Claudius] expelled
them from Rome." (Historians understoodthis act as
“population control.”)
• Rome – Acts 18:2 “There he met a Jew named Aquila, a
native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his
wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all Jews to
leave Rome. “
Preliminary Remark about Speeches in Acts
Number of speeches:
• Peter - 7
• James – 2
• Stephen – 1
• Paul – 9
• Non-Christians – 4
• Total = 1/5 of Acts
• Speeches gives theological interpretation of the events
narrated by Luke.
The Use of Speeches in Ancient historical
Writings
• Rhetoric was a must for every trained and educated
person.
• A writer puts in speeches to show his rhetorical skills.
When a book is read, the speeches spice up the reading.
• Thus some historians freely compose speeches.
Was Luke too free with Speech Writing in Acts?
• The speeches in Acts were not rhetorical. The Greek was
difficult, as well as Semitic. F.F. Bruce, “It is curious how
often the Greek becomes obscure when the apostles are
speaking.”
• Comparison of Luke with Mark and Matthew showed that
Luke does not freely compose speeches by Jesus.
Acts 2:16-21
16 No,
this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
17 “‘In the last days, God says,
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your young men will see visions,
your old men will dream dreams.
18 Even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
and they will prophesy.
19 I will show wonders in the heavens above
and signs on the earth below,
blood and fire and billows of smoke.
20 The sun will be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood
before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.
21 And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’
1st Century Jewish Expectation of the Holy Spirit
as the Disciples Orginally Cherished
4 On
one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this
command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father
promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized
with[a] water, but in a few days you will be baptized with[b] the Holy
Spirit.”
6 Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this
time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”
The mention of the Holy Spirit led to end-time-expectations. Why?
The Disciples’ Reaction
•
In the OT, the Holy Spirit was active on a few, to equip them
for specific task which may not be permanent. The prophets
were bearers of the Holy Spirit.
• The Jews believed that after Haggai, Zecharia, and Malachi, the
Holy Spirit departed from the land.
• During the cessation of the Holy Spirit, the Law was the all
inclusive and comprehensive guide to life. The interpreters of
the Law, the scribes, succeeded the prophets to guide Israel.
Special Revelation via a Voice
•
•
•
•
•
During the time of cessation of the Holy Spirit, the Jews
believed that God would communicates special revelation
through a voice from heaven, a bat qal – “daughter of a voice”,
i.e. an echo (bat qol).
Bat qal in the OT: God calling Samuel 3 times; Dan 4:28 “O
King Nebuchadnezzar, your Kingdom is passed from you.”
Bat Qal in Judaism: e.g. it was claimed when at Jamnia the
sages discussed some questions, a voice settled in favor of
Hillel against Shammai.
It is interesting to note that Jesus’ anointing by the Holy Spirit
at baptism is introduced by a voice like a bat qol. A bat qol
announcing a new prophet!
Note the voice to Saul on way to Damascus
The Holy Spirit in Judaism Eschatology
Num 11:24-30:
“The Lord took some of the Spirit of Moses and gave to them
(70 elders), but two other Isreaelites Eldad and Medad also
prophesied. Joshua, son of Nun, got jealous.
“My Lord Moses, forbid them.”
“Are you jealous for my sake? I wish all the Lord’s people were
prophets, that the Lord would put his spirit upon them.”
Numbers Rabba (Jewish commentary on Num 11:24-30:
“In this age individuals were given prophetic power, but in the
ago to come all Israel will be made prophets.”
Joel 2:28 cited to prove the point – “In the last days, I will pour
out my spirit upon all flesh …
Jesus’ Answer to the Disciples
1:7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know the times or
dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will
receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you
will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and
Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
- The coming of the Holy Spirit is not the ultimate end
- The Holy Spirit is not bounded to Israel, but is power for
world-wide witnessing
Acts 2:25ff - Ps 16:8-11 prophesized about
the Resurrection of the Messiah
David said about him:
“‘I saw the Lord always before me.
Because he is at my right hand,
I will not be shaken.
26 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
my body also will rest in hope,
27 because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead,
you will not let your holy one see decay.
28 You have made known to me the paths of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence.’[e]
29 “Fellow Israelites, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David
died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. 30 But he was a
prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would
place one of his descendants on his throne. 31 Seeing what was to come,
he spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, that he was not
abandoned to the realm of the dead, nor did his body see decay. 32 God
has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it.
Acts 2:33ff – Ps 110:1 prophesized about
the ascension of the Messiah
33 Exalted
to the right hand of God, he has received from the
Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you
now see and hear. 34 For David did not ascend to heaven, and
yet he said,
“‘The Lord said to my Lord:
“Sit at my right hand
35 until I make your enemies
a footstool for your feet.”’[f]
36 “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made
this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”
Lord Jesus Christ
“3-word confession”
• 0 time in Gospels
• 83 times in the rest of the NT
– 4 times in Acts
– 66 times in Paul
– 13 times in the rest of the NT
• Note we count similar phrases e.g. “Jesus Christ our Lord”
• What would explain the shift of usage from Gospels to the
rest of NT?
Applications
Acts 2:38 Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of
Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the
gift of the Holy Spirit.
Deut 16 :10 Then celebrate the Festival of Weeks to the LORD your
God by giving a freewill offering in proportion to the blessings
the LORD your God has given you. 11 And rejoice before the LORD your
God at the place he will choose as a dwelling for his Name—you,
your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, the
Levites in your towns, and the foreigners, the fatherless and the
widows living among you.
Eph 5:18 be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another with
psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from
your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for
everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
(note: There is no command in the NT for Christian to be baptized in
the HS, or to seek baptism of the Holy Spirit)
The Old and The New
• The formation of God’s people based on the Old Covenant of
obedience to the Law
• The formation of God’s people of the New Covenant not of the
letter but of the Spirit. II Cor 3:6 – “He has made us competent as
ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for
the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.”
• Pentecost is therefore the new Sinai. God brought Sinai in a new
way to us all who believe. The Spirit is put into our hearts so that
we can keep God’s Law.
Pentecost deserves as much attention as Christmas, Good Friday,
Easter. It’s our anniversary.
Paul’s example: Acts 20:6 Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus
to avoid spending time in the province of Asia, for he was in a
hurry to reach Jerusalem, if possible, by the day of Pentecost.
How did Pentecost become the celebration of the
giving of the law at Sinai?
• Ex 19:1ff the giving of the law was in the first few days the
3rd month. Pentecost is on the 6th day of the 3rd month.
• 2 Chr 15:10-14 in Asa’s reign, in the third month, the people
assembled in Jerusalem to renew the covenant with God. The
occasion mostly likely was Pentecost – a feast day requiring
presence of men in Jerusalem.
• Qumran the sectarians observed Pentecost as "the feast of
covenant renewal" (Jubilee 6:17-21; Manual of Discipline
1:16-2.18)
• Jewish lectionary reading – Ex 19 is to be read on the feast of
Pentecost.
• Rabbi Jose and Akiba debated some time before 135 AD
whether on Pentecost the rest of the Torah aside from the 10
commandments were given or on the following day.
7 Festivals
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Passover Pesach Nisan 14-15 (lev 23:5)
Unleavened Bread Chag Hamotzi Nisan 15-20 (Lev 23:6)
First Fruits Yom habikkurim Nisan 16-17
Pentecost Shavuoth Sivan 6-7 (Lev 23:16)
Trumpters Yom Teru’ah Tishri 1
Atonement Yom Kippur Tishri 10
Tabernacles Sukkot – Tishri 15-22
Deut 16:16: Three times a year all your men must appear before the
Lord your God at the place he will choose: at the Feast of
Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks and the Feast of Tabernacles.
3 Major Feasts
• Passover – remembering Exodus from Egypt
• Pentecost – remember ?
• Tabernacle – remembering desert experience
Ex 19: 1On the first day of the third month after the Israelites left
Egypt—on that very day—they came to the Desert of Sinai. 2 …
and Israel camped there in the desert in front of the mountain…
6 On the morning of the third day there was thunder and lightning,
with a thick cloud over the mountain, and a very loud trumpet
blast. Everyone in the camp trembled. 17 Then Moses led the people
out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the
mountain. 18 Mount Sinai was covered with smoke, because
the LORD descended on it …