Acts of the Apostles & Pentecost
By: Nicholas Orabona
Religion II.1 – New Testament
Period C
30 April 2018
Acts of the Apostles
Background on the Acts of the Apostles
Author: St. Luke the Evangelist
Same author as the Gospel of Luke
Part of a Two-Part Series about Jesus Christ and His mission
Known as Luke-Acts
Many Scholars place the Date of compilation somewhere between AD 95-100.
Written after the Gospel of Luke and Antiquities, written by Josephus in AD 93.
Audience: Gentiles
Same audience as the Gospel of Luke.
Place of Origin: Rome or Antioch (Syria)
St. Luke the Evangelist, the author of The Acts of the Apostles
(http://www.pravmir.com/the-evangelist-luke-historian-and-literary-genius/)
Divisions of the Acts of the Apostles
Since the Acts of the Apostles tells the story of the foundations of the Christian Church, it is logical that the book would be separated into stages of this development. Moving through these stages, the growth of the Church can be seen as it spread from Jerusalem to other regions of the world.
Preparation for the Mission (1:1-2:13)
Mission in Jerusalem (2:14-8:3)
Mission in Judea and Samaria (8:4-9:43)
Inauguration of the Gentile Mission (10:1-15:35)
Mission of Paul to the Ends of the Earth (15:36-28:31)
These divisions are according to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
The 12 Apostles together preparing to carry out their Earthly missions.
(http://www.thefishersofmenministries.com/Syllabus%20for%20Acts%20of%20the%20Apostles1.htm)
The Preparation for the Christian Mission
From the beginning of Acts until 2:13, key event sin the Christian Church are moved through very quickly. The Book opens with a small introduction from Luke to Theophilus, of whom the book is believed to be dedicated to. Then, the story of the Ascension of Jesus is spoken about. There Jesus promises to send down his Spirit to guide the Apostles in the founding of the Church. From Jesus’ Ascension, the Apostles return to Jerusalem to name Judas’s successor. Once they do that and are locked in the upper room, the Spirit was sent down from the Father and the Son. This event would become known as Pentecost.
Jesus’ Ascension into Heaven after 40 days on Earth with his Disciples.
(http://www.ncregister.com/blog/jimmy-akin/7-things-pope-francis-wants-you-to-know-about-jesus-ascension)
The Mission in Jerusalem
Reading from 2:14 to 8:3, this stage in the development of the Church opens with Peter’s speech at Pentecost. As a result of the speech, the Apostles enter a life of community and teaching. Also, through Peter, miracles were conducted in the name of God. As a result of this, Peter was arrested and ordered not speak in the name of God. Further on in the story, all of the Apostles were arrested. In their cell overnight, an angel unlocked the doors for them and they went to teach the good news of Jesus Christ. With their teaching growing and more followers converting, they recruited more teachers. One of them, Stephen, was put on trial and executed. This developmental stage ends with Saul persecuting those new Christians.
Peter’s Speech at Pentecost
(https://predenominationalchristianity.com/2012/09/19/should-christians-partake-of-communion-every-sunday/)
The Mission in Judea and Samaria
From 8:4 to 9:43, the spread of Christianity in Judea and Samaria is spoken about. This stage opens with Philip teaching in Samaria. As he taught, demons came out of people and others were healed of illnesses. Even Simon the Magician came to believe in Jesus. When Peter and John were sharing the Gift of the Holy Spirit with others, Simon thought he could purchase it. With that, he was told to repent. However, the most prominent act in this stage is the conversion of Saul. Jesus called out to him from Heaven and told him to go to Damascus. There, Ananias was waiting to baptize him. After his Baptism, Saul went out and preached about Jesus Christ. Concluding this developmental stage is the conducting of two miracles by Peter.
Jesus calling out to Saul from Heaven, leading to his conversion.
(http://www.houseandhome.org/sauls-conversion-bible-story-for-kids/)
The Inauguration of the Gentile Mission
From Acts 10:1-15:35, the beginning of the Gentile Mission is proclaimed. Starting this division is the vision and Baptism of Cornelius. Moving forward, the mission in Antioch is briefly explained before Herod’s persecution of Christians is analyzed. Chapter 12 ends with Herod’s Death. Next, Saul, commonly known as Paul, begins his mission is Cyprus and then in Pisidia. There, Paul gives speeches to both Gentiles and Jews about their mission of spreading the Good News about Jesus Christ. Paul and Barnabas next travelled to Iconium and Lystra. In Lystra, Paul healed a crippled man. Chapter 14 concludes the first mission. After a debate on who would receive salvation, the Apostles came together and stated that anyone could be saved.
Paul Preaching at Antioch in Syria.
(http://sovereigngracemissiology.blogspot.com/2011/09/apostle-paul-returned-to-antioch.html)
The Mission of Paul to the Ends of the Earth
From 15:36 to the end of the Acts of the Apostles, the mission of St. Paul is explained. Opening this division, Paul and Barnabas separate and decide to go their own ways teaching the Good News of Jesus Christ. In his work, Paul travelled from Antioch to Asia Minor and Europe, where he was imprisoned in Philippi. Moving forward, Paul would continue to travel the region. He visited Macedonia and Greece, all while planning to visit Rome. While in Jerusalem, Paul was arrested and imprisoned. He went through many appeals of his imprisonment, eventually speaking before King Agrippa. It was by King Agrippa that Paul was released and was sent on his way to Rome. After finally arriving in Rome after a shipwreck in Malta, he spent two years there speaking about the Good News of Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God.
St. Paul the Apostle, who converted and spread Christianity throughout the world.
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_the_Apostle)
Summary of the Acts of the Apostles
The Acts of the Apostles is arguably one of the most important books in the Bible. Held within the book is the foundation of the Christian Church. Through Pentecost, the Apostles were given the courage and knowledge to go out and spread the Good News about Jesus Christ. Through St. Paul’s Conversion, Christianity was spread to Jews and Gentiles alike throughout the world and into Rome, where the epicenter of the Catholic Church would soon be placed. Without the events found within the Acts of the Apostles, the Church would not be what it is today. Potentially, the Church would not even exist today without these key events in Salvation History.
A Map of the Journeys of St. Paul. It was within these Journeys that the Good News of Jesus Christ was spread throughout the World.
(http://www.sullivan-county.com/news/paul/paul.htm)
Pentecost
Background Information About Pentecost
Pentecost celebrates the descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles after the Ascension of Jesus Christ into Heaven 50 days after Jesus’ Resurrection on Easter.
Before leaving Earth, Jesus promised to send down his Spirit to guide the Apostles in the founding of the Church.
The story of Pentecost is found in Chapter 2 of Acts of the Apostles, which tells the story of the foundation of the Church after Jesus’ Death and Resurrection.
Today, the symbols of Pentecost and of the Holy Spirit are a dove and tongues of Fire.
The Holy Spirit descending upon the Apostles and Mary at Pentecost.
(http://bestarts.org/artist/anthony-van-dyck/paintings/pentecost/)
Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit
Before leaving Earth for the final time at his Ascension, Jesus promised the descent of the Holy Spirit. “…But you will receive power when the holy Spirit comes upon you, And you will be my witnesses…to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8) With that statement, Jesus Ascended into Heaven. At that time, the disciples did not know when or what would descend upon them. However, little did they know that 10 days after Jesus’ Ascension, the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Blessed Trinity, descended upon them and guided them in the foundation of the Church.
Jesus Promising the spirit’s descent upon the apostles as he departs Earth and ascends into heaven.
(http://www.catholicconvert.com/blog/2017/11/04/did-jesus-ascend-into-heaven-from-mount-of-olives-acts-112-or-from-bethany-luke-2450/)
Pentecost Sunday
10 days after the Ascension of Jesus, as promised by jesus, the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles. Gathered All together, a large gust of wind came upon them. “Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim.” (Acts 2:3-4) As the Spirit had come down upon them, the Church was officially born. With that, a new faith centered around Jesus Christ, the Son of God, would spread throughout the world and into eternity.
A drawing showing the outpouring of the Holy Spirit as seen as a tongue of fire.
(https://stushieart.com/tag/pentecost-drawings/)
Foundation of the Church
Through Pentecost, the Apostles received the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit. Through those 7 Gifts, they were given the courage and knowledge to go out and spread the Good News of Jesus Christ. Instantly after receiving the Holy Spirit, Peter stood and gave a speech to all of the Apostles gathered around him. Likewise, he would do it later in Acts. These speeches would set the foundation on which the Church was built. From Peter and the other 11 Apostles, the Church would begin to spread from Jerusalem where it was founded to other regions of the world. From there, the rest is history and the Church has progressed to where it is today.
The Apostle Peter speaking the Good News of Jesus Christ to a crowd gathered around Him.
(https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Predica_di_san_Pietro)
Pentecost Carried out in the Church Today
Today, Pentecost is carried out in the Church through the Sacrament of Confirmation. The final Sacrament of Initiation, Confirmation welcomes candidates, often teenagers, as adults into the Catholic Church. With that, the candidates are sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit, just as the Apostles were when the Holy Spirit descended upon the at Pentecost. For the Holy Spirit to descend upon the candidates, the Bishop anoints them with chrism, which is also a symbol of holiness within the Catholic Church.
Confirmation candidate being anointed with oil by the Bishop.
(https://bedeva.org/sacraments/confirmation)
Summary of Pentecost
Pentecost is one of the most important events in Salvation History. It was through Pentecost that the foundation of the Church was inspired and formed. With the Holy Spirit descended on Earth, the Gifts of the Holy Spirit were able to be shared to new disciples of the faith. These disciples, in return, helped with the spreading of Christianity. Over time and through many events of persecution, Christianity would become the most prominent religion worldwide. Without the descent of the Holy SPirit on Pentecost, that would not be the case.
A Painting of Pentecost as depicted by Frans Francken (1600).
(https://www.pinterest.ie/pin/514958538624252680/)
Works Cited
Alles, Gregory D., and Robert S. Ellwood. “Acts of the Apostles.” The Encyclopedia of World Religions, Revised Edition, Facts On File,
2006. World Religions, online.infobase.com/Auth/Index?aid=18842&itemid=WE30&articleId=249370. Accessed 23 Apr. 2018.
Catholic Online. “Pentecost – Easter / Lent.” Catholic Online, www.catholic.org/lent/pentecost.php.
Dennis, Matthew. “Pentecost.” Encyclopedia of Holidays and Celebrations, Facts On File, 2006. World Religions,
online.infobase.com/Auth/Index?aid=18842&itemid=WE30&articleId=419717. Accessed 23 Apr. 2018.
MEYER, B. F., and J. L. RONAN. "Pentecost." New Catholic Encyclopedia, 2nd ed., vol. 11, Gale, 2003, pp. 100-103. Gale Virtual
Reference Library, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/CX3407708617/GVRL?u=prov94491&sid=GVRL&xid=bccfa841. Accessed 23 Apr. 2018.
S. MARIA ANICIA BATION CO. "Acts of the Apostles." New Catholic Encyclopedia, 2nd ed., vol. 1, Gale, 2003, pp. 87-90. Gale
Virtual Reference Library, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/CX3407700100/GVRL?u=prov94491&sid=GVRL&xid=35e243da. Accessed 23 Apr. 2018.
“The Acts of the Apostles.” Acts – Introduction, usccb.org/bible/acts/0.