“Answers For A Study in the Book of Acts” will be a new weekly post in addition to the regular “Case for the New Testament” posts on the weekend. Since we are now using a class format with presentations, video clips and Bible Study questions, it would be important for those of you who are doing this in a small group or own your own to check your answers each week. Keep in mind these will be basic answers, and you can go much deeper, so please feel free to send me additions to the answers that you might come across that are not included here.
Note: Each week’s answers will be focused on what the text of the Bible says, and commentaries and speculative answers will be noted as such. There are many scholarly commentaries out there but it will be important, as students of the Bible, to keep the text of the Bible as our first source. Commentaries can be used if cited, keeping in mind that they are human thoughts about God’s Word.
Always remember to pray before you study and ask the Holy Spirit to teach you and lead you into the truth found in God’s Word – pray for protection from the evil one who will try to discourage, distract and deceive us.
What is Hermeneutics?
Hermeneutics describes the task of explaining the meaning of the Scriptures.
- The word comes from the Greek verb hermeneuein that means ‘to explain, interpret or translate.’
- Using the verb, the Gospel writer Luke informs us that Jesus, after His resurrection, explained to the two disciples on the Emmaus road what the Scriptures said about Him. (Luke 24:27)
- The noun hermeneia means ‘interpret or translation.’
- Paul uses the noun in 1 Corinthians 12:10 to refer to the gift of interpretation.
Hermeneutics is simply studying the Bible in its proper context, like you would do with any book. The Bible is made up of 66 individual books by various authors over a period of 1500 years (yet it flows together so seamlessly). However, each book should be studied individually using this method.
Here are some basic guidelines for studying the Bible so that we can be sure that what we are reading and sharing with others is correct.
Principle #1:
Never Read A Bible Verse By Itself
- Reading a Bible verse by itself and trying to interpret what it means based on “what you feel” can be dangerous.
- If you do this in a group study you will most likely get a wide range of opinions and trouble may arise.
- Many cults have begun this way because of twisting the Scriptures to fit a personal agenda.
- Stick to the plain reading of the text unless otherwise indicated—the Bible interprets the Bible!
- Be discerning of teachers and commentators, check to see if they are Biblically based and true to the text
Watch this short clip by Greg Koukl on why we should never read, or use, a Bible verse by itself:
Principle #2:
Use a basic hermeneutical method
Always do this first, and in this order before reading, studying and making an interpretation or application on Scripture:
- Author – Audience (who wrote it and to whom – get the background and historical setting)
- Purpose (author’s intent – what was going on in the culture and events of that day that prompted the writing)
- Context/Flow of Thought (get the big picture and complete story in the text)
- Overall interpretation/Summarization (The result of studying the above)
- Personal and Cultural Application (always done last, not first, after understanding 1-4)
Principle #3:
Cross-referencing
- Stick to the plain reading of the text unless otherwise indicated
- Let the Bible interpret the Bible
- If questions arise check other places in the immediate text, then other books of the Bible before going to outside sources for help
- Tools like the app Bible Gateway can help you easily cross-reference words and topics across the Old and New Testament, and it will even let you search other versions for comparison
BIBLE STUDY QUESTIONS AND REVIEW ON THE HERMENEUTICS OF THE BOOK OF ACTS (from post on 7/17/21):
Note: Before starting a study of a book of the Bible, it is important to do some basic hermeneutics by getting some background information:
1. Who was the author? What do we know about him, and did he author any other books of the Bible?
The author was Luke, the Physician. Luke is the only non-Jewish author in the New Testament. Luke is known as one of the greatest historians, even among secular scholars, because his work in recording events, places and people has been so accurate that archeologists, historians and biographers have used his work to confirm other sources (and other sources have confirmed his work as well).
Luke wrote both the Gospel of Luke and the book of Acts in order to accurately report on the things that were going on, and had been going on in world events, including those concerning Jesus of Nazareth (see Luke 1 and Acts 1).
Luke also accompanied the Apostle Paul and apparently was with him until the end of Paul’s life story as seen from his accounts in the book of Acts. Most scholars agree that Luke appears to join up with Paul during his second missionary journey. This is apparent in Acts chapter 16:10 where Luke the author goes from using “they” to using the first person “we” in the accounts he records.
2. Who was the audience? What was going on in the culture at that time that would have affected, or been significant factors in the lives of the audience?
In the beginning of the Gospel of Luke, and reconfirmed in Acts 1:1, we find Luke writing to a person named Theophilus (the name means “lover of God”). Luke’s main audience was Theophilus, but as we know, the writings went out to the general population of Christians as well, specifically Gentiles (non-Jewish audience).
Historical Note: It was common for physicians of that day to be “owned by” or a “servant of” rich rulers or upper class. Many scholars believe that Luke belonged to Theophilus and was commissioned to investigate “these things” for him.
The people of that day, in Luke’s world, would have been mainly Gentiles (Luke was Greek). His audience was geared toward Gentiles, specifically Greek and Roman, however his companions included Jews who had converted to Christianity with, or under, Paul.
The people of Luke’s day would have heard of recent events going on in Jerusalem, most likely with confusion, and Luke was writing (like an investigative reporter) to clear up the accounts and stories that were circulating (Luke 1:1-4 and Acts 1:1).
Luke’s reporting would have included interviews with main characters like Mary, the mother of Jesus, Peter and the other Disciples of Jesus, and of course Paul and those closest to him.
3. What was the date of the events, and the date the book was written? How can we know?
The book of Acts was written somewhere between A.D. 63 and 70 and the events recorded in Acts are from events immediately following the Resurrection of Jesus (A.D. 33) and on through Paul’s imprisonment (ca. A.D. 63). The Gospel of Luke was written earlier, dated around A.D. 60 and recorded events from just before Jesus’ birth (ca. 6-4 B.C. – note: remember the change in calendars) through His death and resurrection (A.D. 33).
The reason we can be confident in these early dates is that Luke, a great historian, never records Paul’s or Peter’s deaths, nor does he record the fall of Jerusalem in A.D. 70 which would have been one of the most significant things to include in an historical account such as this. Therefore, all of the events and recordings would have to have been prior to A.D. 70.
Note: This is the case with all of the New Testament documents, with the possible exception of the book of Revelation and John’s later letters.
4. What was the purpose and genre of the writing? Were there events or situations going on that prompted the author to write this book?
In the Gospel of Luke 1:1-4 Luke gives an introduction that covers the main purpose for his writing that would put this book in the genre of an historical narrative (Luke = Gospel narrative; Acts = Narrative of the early Church):
“Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile an account of the things accomplished among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word, 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; so that you may know the exact truth about the things you have been taught.”
Note: Emphasis on “those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses” and “so that you may know the exact truth.”
5. Discuss: What are some things that you already know about this book (basic outline, key people and places, etc.)?
Answers will vary based on individual Bible study experience, however here is a basic outline of the book with some of its main themes and characters:
The Blueprint:
The book of Acts is the connecting link between the Gospels (Jesus’ life) and the beginning of the life of the Church. The books of Acts is also known as the “Acts of the Apostles” and some have also referred to it as the “Acts of the Holy Spirit.” It is also a sequel to the Gospel of Luke. A basic blueprint, or outline, can be seen as follows:
Peter’s Ministry (1:1-12:25)
- Establishment of the church
- Expansion of the church
Paul’s Ministry (13:1-28:31)
- First missionary journey
- The council at Jerusalem
- Second missionary journey
- Third missionary journey
- Paul on trial
It is important to note that the book of Acts also serves as a blueprint, or layover, for the Pauline Epistles (the letters/epistles written by Paul). When reading the various Epistles, it would be vital to cross-reference back to the book of Acts to get a fuller view of what was going on, or had gone on in the formation of those communities and churches during Paul’s missionary journeys. Getting to know the people, places and events in the book of Acts will give you confidence in the historicity and accuracy of the New Testament writings because they record real people, real places and real times in ancient human history.
Continue to join us in making our “A Case for the New Testament” along with a study in the book of Acts!
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You will not find this material in the public school curriculum even though it is based on solid evidence and grounded in research. It is ironic that following the evidence to where it leads stops at the door of our public schools as they will not let a “Divine footprint” in! Join us as we examine evidence for Christianity and learn how to become a thoughtful defender and ambassador of your faith.
Click into the resource page of this website to view many of the top Christian thinkers and apologists along with some of their work; connecting to these types of resources is essential in your Christian growth.
Please let me know what you think: Give feedback, ask questions or send concerns in the comment section of the blog.
Teri Dugan
TeriDugan@truthfaithandreason.com
1 Peter 3:15
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