Cornelius Acts 15: 1-2 Analysis

What were the key social and cultural factors that enabled the Gospel to spread so quickly through the Roman Empire? Using primary and secondary sources, discuss with particular reference to Paul’s writings and the Book of Acts.

The first step in the interpretive journey process is to take the text and search for the original situation surrounding it and to search for how the text was interpreted by the biblical audience, thus grasping the text in their town. First Peter was written in Rome from “the late A.D. 50s or early 60s.” Apostle Peter wrote 1 Peter as a letter addressing the Christians in the Asia Minor who where undergoing persecution, to encourage them and to teach them “holy conduct” that they should practice during this time of suffering. The meaning for the biblical audience was intended to remind them to put their

Acts of the Apostles chronicles the rapid advancement of the Gospel by way of the gift of the Holy Spirit. “The Holy Spirit in the Acts of the Apostles: The Charismatic Community in Mission” takes into account the narratives succeeding Pentecost including Spirit Baptisms from Samaria to Ephesus (Acts

The question starts in chapter 11. Peter encounters an astonishing disclosure that God is putting forth "the repentance that leads to life” (Acts 11:18) to Gentiles without obliging them to become Jews first. Be that as it may, when he goes to Jerusalem in the company of some uncircumcised (Gentile) men, some of the Christians there whine that he is abusing Jewish law (Acts 11:1-2).

Paul’s letter to the Romans can be broken down into four major sections. Within each of these sections there is a single compelling issue. Within the context of these respective issues, several interpretive questions can be answered through the interpretative process. These answers help us to understand how to apply the spiritual principals to our lives, as well as, help us compel other individuals to apply these spiritual principles within their lives.

Their understanding of the Old Testament prophets, up until now, was that God’s promise of good fortune through the Messiah were connected to the Jews b. They believed that Gentiles had to become proselytes, be circumcised, and adopt the Jewish religion before they could receive the blessings of the Messiah c. This made sense to the Jews because the prophets had said the Gentiles would come to the Jews to learn about their God and the law would go forth from Jerusalem d. And Jesus did tell the woman at the well that, “salvation is from the Jews” (John 4:22) e. This situation did not convince Peter that these Gentiles were saved apart from being baptized (Acts 10:47-48) f. Instead, this event caused Peter to argue that these Gentiles should be allowed to be baptized into Christ without being circumcised g. It convinced them that these Gentiles could be saved apart from being circumcised, apart from becoming proselytes, and apart from observing the law of Moses h. The Jews who were with Peter agreed, and Peter commanded Cornelius and those Gentiles with him to be baptized (Acts 10:48) i. It had been about 10 years since the Spirit was given on the day of Pentecost and this was the first recorded case of an apostle preaching the gospel to an uncircumcised

The literary genre of 2 Peter is an epistle written to the main personalities, an implied group of believers in Asia Minor and other places around that region. The author is the Apostle Peter a dedicated servant and disciple of Jesus. The date that the letter was written has some controversy, however, in his correspondence Peter mentions that his life is coming to an end, and Peter was martyred for his faith in Rome about A.D. 64-67. Therefore, establishing the date of Peter 's second letter within that time frame. Peter wrote out of love to defend and protect the immutable word of God. The letters main purpose was to warn fellow devotees about false teachers that would try to enter their churches and mislead them in their faith. Peter goes on to explain the false teachers can be recognized by their prideful behavior, their love of money, and disrespect to God. (Life Application Study Bible 1507,1918) Peter uses instances from the past, such as Sodom and Gomorrah and the great flood to stress the judgment and punishment that will come to unbelievers who reject God. The apostle also warns that there will be those that will mock God and dismiss the second coming of Christ. He advises the believers to have confidence in the promises, prophecies, and principles given through God’s inspired word. (Hindson, Towns) Peter cautions God will return without warning and find individuals unwary. However, Peter reasons that God is patient and delays His return for unbelievers, “not

The Acts of Paul and Thecla, a second century Christian document, relates the story of how St.

Thesis: It is the intent of this paper to dig into the life of Peter and see just who this man that passionately followed Christ was. As we dig into the life of Peter we will examine his character strengths, his weaknesses, and overall how Peter was transformed by Christ. We will see how God took a man who more often than not acted without thinking and transformed him into a passionate follower who’s words we read today in God’s very words to us.

Our source of knowledge of the apostolic work of Paul comes first from the Book of Acts. The epistles written by Paul serve to further our knowledge of his mission. These letters were written to churches that he had founded or churches that were known to him. Luke’s account of Paul introduces us to the basic facts about this important biblical figure. A more complete understanding of Paul’s journeys can be gleaned from his letters. These epistles were written almost at the time they occurred and they comprise some of the earliest works contained in the New Testament.

The author did well in the next section titled Reflections Regarding Their Condition, which covers chapter one, verses five through ten. The outline provides good thoughts for study concerning closer examination of how they received the gospel, “not only in word, but in power, in the Holy Spirit, and in much

The New Testament is characterized by the existence of imperative Biblical figures, with the likes of Jesus Christ, the Apostles, among many others. Peter was among Jesus’ first disciples. From his turning point, as manifested in the book of John 21, to his progress as a dedicated leader as manifested in Acts, to his final emergence as a co-elder as manifested in the Epistles of 1st and 2nd Peter, Peter exhibited traits of a transformational and charismatic biblical figure (Neil & William 409).

The Apostle Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles, is a central figure within both Christian tradition and New Testament thought and writing. With such a crucial place, it is vital that we come to understand more of his life and thinking, as well as the world in which he and, more specifically, his theology were shaped. With this in mind, this essay will seek to explore Paul’s conversion and call experience as understood from Acts, and his personal references to it, drawing from them the ways in which this time was significant for Paul’s theological thinking, as expressed in his letters and work. To achieve this we will begin by addressing the call and/or conversion debate, arguing that the term ‘conversion and call’ best encapsulates

The similarities of 2 Peter and Jude might appear to be a strenuous task to some who have never been engaged in reading the two writings. My essay will attempt to show the similarities that are in these two writings which seem to have been scribed at the same time or around the same time. Most similarities, of which are namely: the dates of the scribing of the two Epistles, the false doctrines of the false teachers that had come into the church, the same thoughts and expressions of their work, whether the writings are apostolic or not, and what hardships the churches or the two audiences were facing.

Second, Paul grounds the use of the gifts in love. The reflection of the manifestations of these gifts were meant to emphasize God’s grace, that is, the Holy Spirit was poured out at Pentecost as a sign of the new covenant for believers. This, of course, was a fulfillment of the Prophecy of Joel ( Joel 2:28-32; cf. Acts 2:17-18). Peter understood the prophesying to which Joel referred to be fulfilled by that speaking of tongues produced by the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Thus, Peter regarded tongues as the functional equivalent of prophecy (this is important to note, as it helps shape