1	The Acts of the Apostles Lecture 3 – Logos and Tellos
2	Greek Literature Greek words used are critical to understanding Classical Greek vocabulary has two distinct types of words: sacred/common Comes out of Pagan view of universe gods in everything World a fearful place Greeks tried to define world in terms of those things sacred and those things common
3	Greek Literature In pagan societies necessary to placate the gods or face their random retribution Therefore word differences are distinct and specific between those common and those sacred
4	Words of the Day examples agape vs. eros or phileo άγαπάν (agape) – love from the gods έρως (eros) – romantic love phileo – tender love, affection chronos vs. pathos chronos – fate of gods πόθος (pathos) – passion, human fate
5	Words of the Day βαπτίσματος 907 baptizo (bap-tid'-zo); from a derivative of 911; to immerse, submerge; to make overwhelmed (i.e. fully wet): KJV-- Baptist, baptize, wash. 911 bapto (bap'-to); a primary verb; to overwhelm, i.e. cover wholly with a fluid; (by implication) to stain (as with dye): KJV-- dip.
6	Words of the Day Θεόφιλος Theophilus 2316 theos (theh'-os); of uncertain affinity; a deity, especially (with 3588) the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very: KJV-- X exceeding, God, god [-ly, -ward]. 5384 philos (fee'-los); properly, dear, i.e. a friend; actively, fond, i.e. friendly (still as a noun, an associate, neighbor, etc.): KJV-- friend.
7	Mystery Religion Mystery religion was practiced by most Greeks Required a yearly pilgrimage and festivals to reveal the mystery Music Drinking Sexual debauchery unlikely unless homosexual (still unlikely) Greeks were an oriental culture Did not mix sexes with religion (woman’s vs. man’s religion) Unlike many middle eastern cultures, did not mix sex with religion Did mix sex with everything else—similar to Victorian era but worse
8	Mystery Religion Sacrifices - gifts to the gods Culminated with revelation of the mystery – unknown (never written down) Likely a wonder or miracle – Pythagorean Theorem Prophecy Ecstatic utterance Best example we have is likely first and second Corinthians Mixture of middle eastern cultural mores with Greek debauchery and a lot of money to support Corinthians were steeped in the Greek mystery sects with the middle eastern sexual religious propensity mixed in
9	Mystery Religion Christian “Mystery of Faith” – may have originated as a result of converts to Christianity and the desire to appeal to this idea “Christ is dead” “Christ is risen” “Christ will come again” Way of thinking and words concepts are different—the concept of writing form is different
10	Ancient Literature Ancient literature In all ancient literature we see a distinct difference between Narrative – descriptive history Example - Herodotus Prophecy – quotations (so called sayings) Example – Socratic dialogue
11	Literature Comparison In both examples we can see - focus is logical argument English Intro Body Conclusion Hebrew - parallelism Synopsis Body Greek – logical argument to a tellos Body
12	Logos
13	Tellos
14	Greek Literature Example of Greek literature is Aesop’s fables Argument to a tellos Morals were added later Greek view was that the morals were implicit and they would detract from the argument Journey more important than the end
15	First Century Problem NT writers were writing First person accounts Immediate events Requiring quotations within the narrations Narration was required to give the context Gospel of Thomas – sayings Gospel (no context)
16	New Literature To incorporate the history if the times, NT required a new type of literature Narrative Sayings of Christ viewed as critical – quotations Entirely new way of writing in antiquity So new the genre was undefined Couple with form of Greek literature (logos) Drives to a logical conclusion Greek writers not interested in unimportant or peripheral details—Greek writing drives to tellos (conclusion)
17	Not in Greek Literature What you don’t see in Greek literature Peripheral detail Side explanations Multiple story lines - Each piece is a part of the whole Wordy or unnecessary description Each word is carefully chosen to drive to the tellos Multiple explanations – once is enough
18	In Greek Literature What you do see Sufficient description within the narrative to frame the sayings and to drive to the tellos Cohesive and specific word use and synthesis to develop the argument Makes sense Cost of materials Method of recording - grammeteus
19	Greek Literature Historical documents Must balance with the concept that author of each document was writing an immediate history of the events surrounding the times Might say “How is this possible?” or “Might the history be at odds with the argument?” Argument to a tellos is a means of organizing the literature just like intro, body, conclusion is the means of organizing English literature—it certainly affects the writing, but can’t question the objectivity of the writing because it is organized in this fashion
20	Greek Literature Conclusion Greek literature is different than our common English understanding of writing Focus is argument to a tellos This is the only way Greek literature can be appropriately analyzed
21	Acts author So let’s look at the beginning of Acts in this manner… Luke the Evangelist (לוקא, Greek: Λουκᾶς Loukas) His earliest notice is in Paul's Epistle to Philemon, verse 24 Phile 1:22-25 Col 4:13-15 2 Tim 4:9-11
22	Luke Phile 1:22-25 22 And one thing more: Prepare a guest room for me, because I hope to be restored to you in answer to your prayers. 23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. 24 And so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, my fellow workers. 25 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
23	Luke Col 4:13-15 13 I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis. 14 Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send greetings. 15 Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house.
24	Luke 2 Tim 4:9-11 9 Do your best to come to me quickly, 10 for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. 11 Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry.
25	Luke Next earliest account of Luke is in the Anti-Marcionite Prologue to the Gospel of Luke Document once thought to date to the 2nd century AD, but more recently has been dated to the later 4th century Helmut Koester claims the following part – the only part preserved in the original Greek – may have been composed in the late 2nd century:
26	Luke Luke is a Syrian of Antioch, a Syrian by race, a physician by profession. He had become a disciple of the apostles and later followed Paul until his [Paul's] martyrdom. Having served the Lord continuously, unmarried and without children, filled with the Holy Spirit he died at the age of 84 years. (p.335)
27	Luke Some manuscripts add that Luke died "in Thebes, the capital of Boeotia" Later tradition elaborates on these few facts Epiphanius states that Luke was one of the Seventy (Panarion 51.11) Apostles Luke 10:1-24 Orthodox church calls them Apostles Western church Disciples
28	Luke Luke 10:1-4 1 After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. 2 He told them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. 3 Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. 4 Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road.
29	Luke John Chrysostom says "brother" Paul mentions in 2 Corinthians 8:18 is Luke or Barnabas. J 2 Cor 8:17-19 17 For Titus not only welcomed our appeal, but he is coming to you with much enthusiasm and on his own initiative. 18 And we are sending along with him the brother who is praised by all the churches for his service to the gospel. 19 What is more, he was chosen by the churches to accompany us as we carry the offering, which we administer in order to honor the Lord himself and to show our eagerness to help.
30	Luke Wenham (a scholar) asserts that Luke was "one of the Seventy, the Emmaus disciple, Lucius of Cyrene and Paul's kinsman." Not all scholars are as confident of all of these attributes as Wenham is, not least because Luke's own statement at the beginning of Acts freely admits that he was not an eyewitness to the events of the Gospel.
31	Luke Evidence Luke resided in Troas, province which included the ruins of ancient Troy. Luke writes in Acts in the third person about Paul and his travels, until they get to Troas, where he switches to the first person plural. “We" section of Acts continues until the group returns to Troas, where writing goes back to third person. This change happens again second time group gets to Troas. There are three "we sections" in Acts, all following this rule. Luke never stated, however, that he lived in Troas, and this is only evidence that he did.
32	Luke The earliest manuscripts of the Gospel (P45 Chester Beatty ca.100-150, P75 Papyrus Bodmer XIV/XV, ca. 200), ascribes the work to Luke; as did Irenaeus, writing ca. 180; and the Muratorian fragment from 170. Scholars defending Luke's authorship No reason for early Christians to attribute these works to a minor figure if he did not write them No historical evidence attributes this work to any other author
33	Recipient of Acts Acts 1:1-26 1 In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen.
34	Recipient of Luke and Acts Theophilus: name of person to whom Gospel of Luke and Acts of the Apostles is addressed Theophilus means "Friend of God" in Greek No one knows true identity Many conjectures and traditions around it Common name among Romans and Jews of era Life would coincide with writing of Luke and Acts, sometime between AD 40-65.
35	Theophilus Coptic tradition: Jew of Alexandria Another tradition: converted Roman official possibly Titus Flavius Sabinus II, a former Prefect of Rome, older brother of future Roman Emperor Vespasian, due to honorific, "most excellent" (Lk. 1:3). As Titus Flavius Sabinus, Theophilus is given a crucial role in the novel The Flames of Rome by Paul Maier.
36	Theophilus Another tradition maintains that Theophilus was not a specific person, as "θεόφιλος" means "he who loves God", and thus the books could be addressed to anyone who fits that description Some also believed Theophilus could have been Paul's lawyer during his trial period in Rome
37	Theophilus Some also identify Luke's Theophilus with Theophilus ben Ananus, High Priest of Temple of Jerusalem from 37 to 42. In this tradition Theophilus would have been both a kohen and a Sadducee.
38	Theophilus ben Annas Son of Annas and brother-in-law of Caiaphas, and grew up in Temple Explains many features of Luke Gospel may have targeted Sadducee readers. Begins with account of Zacharias righteous priest with vision of angel at Temple (1:5-25). Mary's purification (niddah), Jesus' redemption (pidyon ha-ben) rituals at Temple (2:21-39) Jesus teaching at Temple when 12 (2:46) No mention of Caiaphas' role in crucifixion Emphasizes Jesus' literal resurrection (24:39).
39	Luke Gospel: Logos to Tellos Luke 1:1-4 1 Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. 3 Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.
40	Luke Gospel: Purpose Straight up legal-historical statement Luke doesn’t tell us the focus of his history until later (1:31) Revealing nature of Jesus—assumption is given above Christian to Christian (the Way to the Way) Luke’s purpose not to prove assertion of Christ, but give eyewitness data to support assertions and record dialogues of Christ
41	Luke: Focus (Assertions) Luke’s focus: Jewishness of Jesus What does Luke assert? Primacy of Torah Christ claims to be a prophet Asserts Messianic promise—from Isaiah Asserts importance or authority of OT documents other than Torah Proclaims coming for all people—including Gentiles
42	Luke Gospel Have a short section like Mark where Jesus asserts his authority or lordship over the aspects of the world Nature Sin Demons Sabbath Illness
43	Luke Gospel: Logos to Tellos Claims Bridegroom—continues the theme of Messiah (Jewish images) New covenant Authoritative declarations – “Knowledge of the Kingdom of heaven” Proof of the context of the claims In the view of Luke--Fulfillment of Torah (Law and Prophets)
44	Luke Gospel: Logos to Tellos Should see similar structure in the Acts Continuation of Luke’s Gospel Straight up legal-historical statement Historical eyewitness Emphasis on fulfillment of Torah Kingdom of Heaven New covenant
45	Acts 3 After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. Kingdom of God/Heaven – major theme of Christ’s message in Luke
46	Acts 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. Eating is a sign of not being a spirit (ghost)
47	Acts 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit." Mikvah (or mikveh) (Hebrew: מִקְוָה; Tiberian Miqwāh, Standard Hebrew Miqva) (plural, mikvaot) is a "ritual bath" used for immersion in a purification ceremony within Judaism.
48	Mikvah History Traditionally: To enter the temple area or eat Terumah Must be ritually pure Mikvah only means of purification
49	Terumah Terumah (Hebrew) originally, lifted apart, donation in modern Hebrew, English/Greek context, specifically refers to: Heave offerings - type of sacrifice Terumat hamaaser - tithing obligation arising from Terumah sacrifice still regarded as obligatory by Orthodox Judaism on produce grown in Land of Israel Terumot - plural of Terumah, section of Mishnah concerning tithing obligations Terumah - 19^th weekly parshah, dealing primarily with how to make Tabernacle
50	Mikvah Purification Required when: Contact with the dead Other ritually unclean (tamei) objects Nazirites upon completing their vows Lepers upon healing Priests before performing Temple rites Men following nocturnal emission (tevilath Ezra, "immersion of Ezra") women after giving birth or menstruating.
51	Mikvah Ancient mikvahs dating from Temple times (predating 70 AD) can be found throughout the Land of Israel, as well as in the diaspora
52	Mikvah: Present Situation Orthodox Jews Required for women after childbirth or menstruation before intercourse Men before their wedding Women before wedding, after last pre-wedding menstrual cycle Converts to Judaism Minority of Reform rabbis do not require Some Hasidic men, immerse, daily, before Shabbat, or before certain Jewish holidays
53	Mikvah: Present Situation Use of the mikvah viewed as private matter Men and women may have separate mikvah facilities in separate locations May have different designated times to use the same mikvah Jewish funeral home: immerse body during purification before burial
54	Mikvah: Requirements Rules regarding construction of mikvaot are complicated Living water Immersion must take place in a "mayan" (spring or well) Certain rivers or lakes Mikvah expert consulted for status of a particular body of water Standard bathtubs cannot be used
55	Mikvah: Requirements Living Water Rain water can be used Source of most mikvah water today Certain amount of rainwater is required, can be augmented with regular tap water Allows water to be frequently changed A pool of rainwater (bor) connected to mikvah, duct is closed to empty and replace the regular water without having to replace the rain water
56	Mikvah: Procedure Water must cover entire body All clothing, jewelry, and bandages must be removed Hair must be combed straight so no knots In contemporary mikvaot for women, always an experienced attendant, commonly called "mikvah lady", to watch immersion and ensure woman has been entirely covered with water
57	Acts 6 So when they met together, they asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?" 7 He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. Rabbinic view 8 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." Logos to tellos
58	Acts 9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. 10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11 "Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven." Witness!
59	Acts 12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day's walk from the city. 13 When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. 14 They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers. 15 In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty) 16 and said, "Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through the mouth of David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus-- 17 he was one of our number and shared in this ministry." Luke’s focus is on the Torah
60	Acts (Judas) 18 (With the reward he got for his wickedness, Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines spilled out. 19 Everyone in Jerusalem heard about this, so they called that field in their language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.)
61	Judas Matt 27:3-10 3 When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and the elders. 4 "I have sinned," he said, "for I have betrayed innocent blood." "What is that to us?" they replied. "That's your responsibility." 5 So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself. 6 The chief priests picked up the coins and said, "It is against the law to put this into the treasury, since it is blood money." 7 So they decided to use the money to buy the potter's field as a burial place for foreigners. 8 That is why it has been called the Field of Blood to this day. 9 Then what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: "They took the thirty silver coins, the price set on him by the people of Israel, 10 and they used them to buy the potter's field, as the Lord commanded me."
62	Judas Why the differences Cultural understanding of language Whose’ money? Δ who bought? Matthew – Chief Priests Acts - Judas “Idioma” figure of speech peculiar word use “Metonymy” noun exchange Caused field to be purchased Judas was cause field purchased in both
63	Judas What happened to Judas? Matthew - Hanged himself 519 apagchomai (ap-ang'-khom-ahee) from 575 and agcho (to choke; akin to the base of 43); to strangle oneself off (i.e. to death): KJV-- hang himself. 575 apo (apo'); a primary particle; "off," i.e. away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative): KJV-- (X here-) after, ago, at, because of, before, by (the space of), for (-th), from, in, (out) of, off, (up-) on (-ce), since, with. In composition (as a prefix) it usually denotes separation, departure, cessation, completion, reversal, etc. 43 agkale (ang-kal'-ay); from agkos (a bend, "ache"); an arm (as curved): KJV-- arm.
64	Judas What happened to Judas? Matthew - Hanged himself Literally – Caused himself to be strangled until he died
65	Judas What happened to Judas? Acts - there he fell headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines spilled out In Hebrew Bowels are the seat of emotions and intellect Bowels are offered in Temple sacrifices In Greek Heart center of emotions Brain center of intellect
66	Judas What happened to Judas? Acts - there he fell headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines spilled out 4248 prenes (pray-nace'); from 4253; leaning (falling) forward ("prone"), i.e. head foremost: KJV-- headlong. 4253 pro (pro); a primary preposition; "fore", i.e. in front of, prior (figuratively, superior) to: KJV-- above, ago, before, or ever. In comparison it retains the same significations.
67	Judas 1096 ginomai (ghin'-om-ahee); a prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be ("gen"- erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.): KJV-- arise, be assembled, be (-come, -fall, -haveself), be brought (to pass), (be) come (to pass), continue, be divided, draw, be ended, fall, be finished, follow, be found, be fulfilled, + God forbid, grow, happen, have, be kept, be made, be married, be ordained to be, partake, pass, be performed, be published, require, seem, be showed, X soon as it was, sound, be taken, be turned, use, wax, will, would, be wrought. 2997 lascho (las'-kho); a strengthened form of a primary verb, which only occurs in this and another prolonged form as alternate in certain tenses; to crack open (from a fall): KJV-- burst asunder.
68	Judas 4698 splagchnon (splangkh'-non); probably strengthened from splen (the "spleen"); an intestine (plural); figuratively, pity or sympathy: KJV-- bowels, inward affection, + tender mercy. 1632 ekcheo (ek-kheh'-o); or (by variation) ekchuno (ek-khoo'-no); from 1537; and cheo (to pour); to pour forth; figuratively, to bestow: KJV-- gush (pour) out, run greedily (out), shed (abroad, forth), spill.
69	Judas What happened to Judas? Acts - there he fell headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines spilled out Literally – he leaned forward in such a way to cause by the fall himself to crack open and his intestines (or their contents) poured out Euphemistically from a Hebrew framework – he fell forward in such a way to kill himself
70	Acts 20 "For," said Peter, "it is written in the book of Psalms, "'May his place be deserted; let there be no one to dwell in it,' and, "'May another take his place of leadership.' 21 Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 beginning from John's baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection." “Be ordained as”
71	Acts 23 So they proposed two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. 24 Then they prayed, "Lord, you know everyone's heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen 25 to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs." 26 Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles. Cast lots – why?
72	Lots Urim and Thummim (Hebrew: אוּרִים וְתּוּמִים, Arabic: اوريم وتميم), typically translated as "lights and perfections" or "revelation and truth", were a scrying medium or divination process used by ancient Hebrews in revealing the will of God on a contested point of view or other problem
73	Lots: Urim and Thummim According to Judaism, small parchment with God's holy name, (Tetragrammaton) on it slipped into an opening under U&T on high priest's breastplate, this caused it to "glow" and "transmit messages" from God to Children of Israel. According to Torah, stones used for U&T were kept in breastplate of Aaron, brother of Moses and high priest
74	Lots: Urim and Thummim Plural nature of U&T indicate not "a" certain device, but procedure priests used in the casting of lots using stones or jewels Words U&T in Hebrew, begin with first letter (aleph, א) and final letter (tav, ת) alphabet, the device may have contained these and other letters used as lots to determine response of oracle
75	Lots: Urim and Thummim Evidence that U&T were used as a lot that provided "yes" or "no" answers, depending upon whether the Urim or the Thummim came into play Also evidence U&T used as ordeal to establish guilt or innocence
76	Lots: Urim and Thummim Septuagint text and Masoretic text differ in the area of I Samuel 14:41 MT separates a casting of lots with using U&T LXX treats both as same "Then Saul said, 'O Lord, God of Israel, why have you not answered your servant this day? If the guilt is in me or in Jonathan my son, O Lord, God of Israel, give Urim; and if you indicate that it is in the people of Israel, give Thummim.' And Jonathan and Saul were taken, but the people escaped." I Sam14:41 (LXX) "And he said to all Israel, 'You will be to one side, and I and my son Jonathan will be to one side." And the people answered Saul, "Do what is good in your eyes.' And Saul said to the Lord God of Israel, "Give a perfect lot," whereupon Jonathan and Saul were taken, and the people escaped. And Saul said, "Cast lots between me and Jonathan my son;" and Jonathan was taken." 1 Samuel 14:40-42 (MT)
77	Tellos Acts 28:24-31 24 Some were convinced by what he said, but others would not believe. 25 They disagreed among themselves and began to leave after Paul had made this final statement: "The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to your forefathers when he said through Isaiah the prophet: 26 "'Go to this people and say, "You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving." 27 For this people's heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.' 28 "Therefore I want you to know that God's salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!" 30 For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. 31 Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.
78	Acts: Logos and Tellos Acts Focus is the Holy Spirit Argument is to show how the Apostles (original 12+ new one) are historical witnesses to the action of the Holy Spirit Key aspects Baptism Actions of HS What does the Kingdom of Heaven look like on earth
79	Conclusion Conclusion Logos to Tellos means in Acts we will look for the action of the HS HS is the focus and the witness of the action of the HS is the point
80	Next Time Holy Spirit and Before the Sanhedrin Acts 2 Acts 4:1-22, 5:17-42, 6:8-7:60 The people of “the Way”