The Choice of Matthias in Acts 1:15–26 (original) (raw)

This article deals with the choice of a replacement for Judas Iscariot in the Acts of the Apostles particularly from the standpoint of the Semitic background to the event. It begins by determining where the episode actually starts, with respect to an identification of the ἀδελφοί mentioned in the text. It moves on to demonstrate that despite seemingly contradicting Jesus' earlier command to "wait" in the holy city, the disciples see themselves as both justified in their actions and obeying the divine plan in taking this initiative. After addressing the issue of Peter's speech justifying the Apostles' actions, the article takes the position that the prayer of the community beginning with the words σὺ κύριε is likely addressed to the Risen Christ rather than God the Father. The issue of the casting of lots is approached from the standpoint of its Semitic background, particularly from its Hebrew Bible background, as a sacral act linked directly with the preceding prayer to demonstrate that the Risen Lord was still guiding the early Christian community. The final section of the article discusses the concept of the Twelve and its importance to both Judaism and primitive Christianity.

The Jewish Disciples in the Book of Acts

Craig A. Evans and David Mishkin, eds. A Handbook on the Jewish Roots of the Christian Faith, 2019

The early church did not need to conduct a careful search for its Jewish roots. It was entirely Jewish! It was born in the Temple precincts, in Solomon’s Portico, founded upon faith in Israel’s Messiah, fulfilling the prophecies of the ancient Hebrew Scriptures, and empowered by the Holy Spirit, even as the prophet Joel had prophesied. And all of this happened on a Jewish holiday, Pentecost, or as it is known in Hebrew, Shavuot, the Feast of Weeks. This article surveys named and unnamed Jewish disciples, investigates the numerical growth of Jewish disciples, and explores aspects of the congregational life of these early Jewish disciples of Jesus (Yeshua).

The variant readings of the Western Text of the Acts of the Apostles (XVIII)

2003

With Josep Rius-Camps. 13:1-12 is the section covered by these notes, a passage that marks an important development in the narrative as Paul becomes the main protagonist for the rest of the book of Acts. It is in these verses that the Holy Spirit calls him, by his name of Saul, to be the collaborator of Barnabas for the work of spreading the message of Jesus to the Gentiles. The mission begins in Cyprus, where Paul�s strategy of visiting the Jews first, in order to prepare them for the entry of the Gentiles into Israel, will be shown up by Luke, in the text of Codex Bezae, to be out of step with the plan of Jesus.

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