“A History of Christian Origins”, Vol. 2

Erroneously known asΠΡΑΞΕΙΣ ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΩΝ

“The Actionsof the Apostles”

THE ALEXAMENOS GRAFFITI, 2nd C(a.k.a., “graffito blasfemo”)

“Alexamenos worships his god”

Christian Origins: the importance

Jesus (Gospels

)WTF? Paul

(Letters)Author: Dr. Luke• The only Gentile author in the New Testament• Worked under Paul’s supervision• Testified as early as 90 AD (Clement of Rome)• TO: a “God-Lover”• Best date: 60 AD (Before Neronian persecution)

Last words in Acts• He stayed [in Rome] two full years

in his own rented quarters and was welcoming all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all openness, unhindered. Acts 28:30-31

For Example• My imprisonment in the cause of

Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else… Philippians 1:13

Christian Origins: the importance Something Happened!

Uneducated Grits International Spokespeople

Cowards MartyrsCriminal Creator God

120 People 1,000,000 1st C

HOW?

Christian Origins: the importance Something Happened! “The Acts of the Holy Spirit

Through Many Different Christians”

The Acts: Screaming HeadlinesIn my first book I told you, Theophilus, about everything Jesus began to do and teach until the day he was taken up to heaven after giving his chosen apostles further instructions through the Holy Spirit. During the forty days after his crucifixion, he appeared to the apostles from time to time, and he proved to them in many ways that he was actually alive. And he talked to them about the Kingdom of God. Acts 1:1-3

Not a “Vision”40 Days

OftenAte FoodTaught

Crowds

A Brain-Dead “Legend”!A Criminal

A Carpenter

NO GAINS!

The Acts: Screaming HeadlinesIn my first book I told you, Theophilus, about everything Jesus began to do and teach until the day he was taken up to heaven after giving his chosen apostles further instructions through the Holy Spirit. During the forty days after his crucifixion, he appeared to the apostles from time to time, and he proved to them in many ways that he was actually alive. And he talked to them about the Kingdom of God. Acts 1:1-3

Liberal “Scholars”“Ignorant Hick Has a Vision”

“Executed Criminal Rumored Alive”

“Persecution Creates Legend”

Trajan's letter to Pliny: “Christians may be punished by death if they refuse to sacrifice to the gods; however they are to be released if they sacrifice; and anonymous accusations are not to be heard.”

The Acts: Screaming HeadlinesLike None

OtherConquered DEATH

Lifted the FOG on the afterlife

Authoritative

The Acts: Screaming HeadlinesOnce when he was eating with them, he commanded them, “Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before. John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” Acts 1:4-5 In my first book I

told you, Theophilus, about everything Jesus began to do and

teach Acts 1:1

Acts tells us the rest of what JC is

doing through “the

Assembly”

Acts is unfinished

The Acts: Screaming Headlines“the Father sends you the gift He promised…” Acts 1:4

“I will dwell in them and walk among them; and I will be their god, and they shall be my people.” 2 Corinthians 6:16

Also: Ex.25:8; 29:45,46 Lev.26:12; 1 Ki.6:13; Jer. 31:1; Ez.37:27; Rev.21:3

The Acts: Screaming Headlines“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you…” Acts 1:8

For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:6

The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you. Romans 8:11

"But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days," declares the LORD, "I will put My law within them and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. Jeremiah 31:33

God says, ‘I will pour forth of my spirit on all mankind; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; Acts 2:17

The Acts: Screaming Headlines“And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8

The Acts: Screaming Headlines“And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8

"I will build My church” Matthew 16:18

"The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit." John 3:8

The Acts: Screaming HeadlinesThe Stain of “Church” History:

• So when they had come together, they were asking Him, saying, "Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?" He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority.” Acts 1:6-7

God’s Kingdom Human Kingdoms

The Acts: Screaming HeadlinesThe Great Leveller:

• You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere…

The Acts: Screaming HeadlinesThe Great Leveller:

• You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere…

And the leaders of the church had nothing to add to what I was preaching. (By the way, their reputation as great leaders made no difference to me, for God has no favorites.) Galatians 2:6

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