52 Weeks in the Word - Week 46

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   Welcome to Week 46.  This week we will finish reading the Gospels.  You may have noticed the book of John includes a little more detail about some of the encounters than the other Gospels.  John was a little more direct when he had something to say, at least in his writings.  

Thank you to all those who shared interesting ideas and thoughts on last week's reading.  This discussion has really enriched the reading for me. 

Looking ahead to Week 46:

The reading for Week 46 includes: John 20 - Acts 18.

 A little background info on the book of Acts:

The book of Acts begins where the book of Luke ends.  Same author as the book of Luke.  The events of the book begin with the 40 days following the resurrection of Jesus.  The book goes on to describe the quest of the Great Commission, requested by Jesus.  Acts is 28 chapters long, with half describing the ministry of Peter, and the second half describing the ministry of Paul.  This book covers about a 30 year time period, beginning just after Jesus's resurrection in 33 A.D., and finishing with Paul's 2 year house arrest in Rome.  For a better perspective for my history fans, Nero was emperor during part of the time of the Book of Acts.  

An an important Greek word in early Christian thinking, Kerygma, which means “proclamation.” 

Luke was a travel companion to Paul and often regarded as one of the greatest historians of antiquity, even among some non-believers in the field.  So, that is also something good to keep in mind while you read Acts.

This week I have two questions for you to think on, possibly discuss, while you read this week:

1. In the Book of Acts, why do you think the order of geographical expansion (from Jerusalem, to Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth) significant?

2. Since Luke was considered a highly accurate historian, even by those who were not Christians, how does this lend credibility to the events recorded in the Book of Acts? How might this impact your understanding or perspective of New Testament events? 

Have a blessed week in the Word! 

 


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