Deck 10: Lukes Second Volume: The Book of Acts

Question 1

Most scholars believe that the same author wrote the Gospel of Luke and Acts. What reasons are there for believing this? What continuities are there between these books?

Answer 1

The writing style and themes of the two books are very similar. The author's particular emphases can be traced through both books. Both volumes contain a formal preface and are dedicated to Theophilus. Like the Gospel, Acts begins in Jerusalem. The narrative reveals that just as the Jews rejected, persecuted, and executed Jesus, so many of his followers will likewise be rejected, persecuted, and executed. Jesus anticipated the inclusion of gentiles into the kingdom, and this goal is accomplished in the book of Acts, particularly through Paul's mission efforts. In the Gospel, Jesus performed miracles and preached the word of God; in Acts, the disciples perform miracles and preach Jesus' message. Just as Luke insisted in the Gospel that some Jews believed in and followed Jesus (Simeon, Anna, his disciples), some Jews also accept Jesus' teachings in Acts, most noticeably Paul who, before his conversion, persecuted the Christians. Jesus' apocalyptic teachings were muted in the Gospel and apocalyptic expectations continue to be downplayed in Acts to emphasize the importance of spreading the gospel through the world.

Question 2

What role does the Holy Spirit play in the book of Acts? How does the guidance of the Holy Spirit pick up where Jesus leaves off in the lives of the apostles?

Answer 2

The book of Acts is essentially about the movement of the Gospel from Jew to gentile. Jesus leaves the apostles with the injunction not to dwell on when the kingdom of God will be ushered in but, rather, to focus on spreading the Gospel throughout the world. To assist in this mission, the Holy Spirit was sent to Pentecost for guidance and empowerment. Acts records many miracles being done on behalf of the apostles through the Holy Spirit.

Question 3

Discuss how Luke emphasizes a fundamental continuity between Judaism and Christianity? Why do you think it was important for Luke to insist on this point? That is, why does Luke situate Christianity firmly within Judaism?

Answer 3

It is critical for Luke to situate Christianity firmly within Judaism because if Christianity represented a new religion or a completely new promise from God, God's faithfulness could be questioned: Has God broken his covenant with the Jews? If so, why should Christians think he would not also break this new covenant? By affirming the continuity of Judaism and Christianity, Luke accomplishes at least two things: First, he underscores God's faithfulness to his promise and to his people, and, second, he explains why gentiles can be brought into the covenant. God has not broken his promise but has extended it to include all people.

Question 4

What are the primary themes of the book of Acts? Discuss specific instances in which these themes are conveyed.

Question 5

The earliest account of the Christian church is _____.

A) The Gospel of Mark
B) The Gospel of Matthew
C) The Gospel of Luke
D) Acts of the Apostles

Question 6

One of the most important ways ancient histories are different from ancient biographies is that _____.

A) histories are not true
B) histories, as opposed to biographies, are concerned with historical accuracy
C) histories focus on more than one character
D) histories are never written anonymously

Question 7

Many ancient historians express a preference for _____.

A) oral sources over written ones
B) written sources over oral ones
C) biographies
D) dedicating their work to a Roman official

Question 8

Speeches that are recorded in ancient histories _____.

A) are transcripts of actual speeches given
B) are usually made up
C) tend to be historically reliable in their details
D) are nonexistent

Question 9

Acts is organized _____.

A) chronologically
B) thematically
C) to coincide with Paul's letters
D) haphazardly

Question 10

Which of the following is not representative of the Gospel of Luke and Acts?

A) They both focus primarily on Jesus.
B) They are both dedicated to Theophilus.
C) They both narrate Jesus' ascension.
D) Peter is a major character in both.

Question 11

Both the Gospel of Luke and Acts highlight the significance of which of the following cities?

A) Nazareth
B) Bethlehem
C) Rome
D) Jerusalem

Question 12

One similarity between Jesus in the Gospel of Luke and the apostles in Acts is _____.

A) they are all rejected
B) they are all called sons of God
C) they all receive the Holy Spirit at Pentecost
D) they all ascend to heaven

Question 13

The book of Acts focuses on _____.

A) the preaching of the gospel exclusively to Jews
B) the spread of the gospel to gentiles
C) the preaching of the gospel only in Jerusalem
D) the actions of all twelve apostles

Question 14

In the Gospel of Luke and in Acts, the end of the world is expected _____.

A) immediately
B) within the disciples' lifetime
C) never
D) after the gospel has been spread throughout the world

Question 15

The most significant convert in Acts is _____.

A) Peter
B) Paul
C) Thecla
D) Theophilus

Question 16

Acts ends with _____.

A) Paul preaching in Spain
B) Peter in Jerusalem
C) Paul under arrest
D) Jesus' return

Question 17

Paul's mission is primarily to _____.

A) Jews
B) Samaritans
C) gentiles
D) Peter

Question 18

Which of the following is not a central character in Acts?

A) God/the Holy Spirit
B) Paul
C) Peter
D) Mary Magdalene

Question 19

The speeches in Acts are delivered to all but which of the following?

A) Christian believers
B) the Pharisees
C) the Jerusalem Council
D) the crowd present at Pentecost

Question 20

In Acts, the disciples elect a new member of "the twelve" to replace _____.

A) Judas
B) Peter
C) Paul
D) Jesus

Question 21

The new disciple in Acts was chosen by _____.

A) Peter
B) Paul
C) a vote
D) casting lots

Question 22

The new disciple in Acts is _____.

A) Peter
B) Paul
C) Matthias
D) Luke

Question 23

According to Acts, which of the following can be described as the most important director of the Christian movement?

A) Peter
B) God
C) Luke
D) Matthias

Question 24

The author of Acts _____.

A) sometimes uses a first-person narrative a
B) claims to be Paul's companion Luke
C) claims to be an eyewitness to Jesus' ministry
D) says that Paul never preached to Jews

Question 25

According to Acts, Paul is converted by _____.

A) Jesus
B) Peter
C) Judas
D) The Gospel of Luke

Question 26

According to Luke, _____.

A) God does not recognize a difference between Jews and gentiles
B) gentiles must become Jews
C) gentiles must be circumcised and follow all the dietary laws
D) the Jews always accept the disciples' teachings

Question 27

At Pentecost, the disciples _____.

A) are drunk
B) speak in the native languages of those gathered
C) hide for fear of arrest
D) eat the Passover meal with Jesus

Question 28

Peter's speech at Pentecost causes the crowd _____.

A) to repent
B) to try to kill him
C) to ignore him
D) to convert to Judaism

Question 29

In Acts, Luke depicts Jesus' death as _____.

A) deserved
B) a miscarriage of justice
C) an atonement for sin
D) as fundamentally unimportant

Question 30

The first martyr in Christian history is _____.

A) Paul
B) Peter
C) Stephen
D) Matthias

Question 31

The final third of Acts focuses on all the following except _____.

A) Paul's trial and arrest
B) Jewish opposition to Paul
C) Peter
D) Paul's apologetic speeches

Question 32

Acts reports that on his journey to Rome, Paul _____.

A) is rescued by Peter
B) meets with Thecla
C) is involved in a shipwreck
D) converts thousands of Jews

Question 33

According to Acts, Paul _____.

A) continued to follow Jewish customs
B) believed Judaism was evil
C) ignored Jewish customs
D) believed everyone, Jews and gentiles, should follow the Jewish law

Question 34

Who was/were Paul's major opponent(s) in Acts?

A) Caesar
B) Festus
C) Jewish leaders
D) Peter