Gospel Preaching in Acts

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Contents

Dedication & Acknowledgements

1. Introduction

1.1 The Problem

1.2 Can Acts be Treated as History?

1.3 The Main Questions to be Answered

2. The Preaching of Peter

2.1 Introduction

2.2 Audience and Context

2.3 Structure

A. Sermon Introduction

B. “You crucified Jesus,”

C. “but God raised him up again”

D. “and exalted him to a position of power”

E. “so repent so that your sins will be forgiven and you will receive the promise.”

2.4 Common Features

Correspondence between Introductions and Conclusions

Other Structural Elements

2.5 Discussion

Concept of Witness

3. The Preaching of Stephen and Philip

3.1 Stephen

The place of God’s presence

Rejection of God’s messengers

3.2 Philip

4. The Preaching of Paul

4.1 Introduction

4.2 Synagogue Addresses

Paul at Antioch in Pisidia

A. Sermon Introduction

B. “they Crucified Jesus”

C. “but God raised him up again”

D. “and exalted him to the throne”

E. “so repent so that your sins will be forgiven.”

Paul’s synagogue dialogue

4.3 Preaching to Pagan Gentiles

Audience and Context

4.4 Paul’s Autobiographical Speeches

4.5 Preaching to Individual Gentiles

The Philippian Jailer

5. Analysis and Conclusions

5.1 Response to Dodd, The Apostolic Preaching

Preaching or Teaching?

Positive achievements

5.2 The Method

A. They understood their audience

B. Boldness mixed with wisdom

C. Proclamation with persuasion

D. Dialogue and discussion

5.3 The Message

A. The death and resurrection and person of Jesus Christ

B. The testimony of the Spirit and the Scriptures

C. The eschatological element

D. Faith, repentance and remission of sin

5.4 We are Witnesses

Appendix: Catalogue of Gospel Declarations in Acts