Andrew Pedde
NBST 520-D04
June 26, 2023
Discussion Thread: Blog
In the early chapters of Acts, Luke goes to great lengths to depict the early church as
authentically Jewish. In “Pentecost and the Eschatological Setting of the Early Church in Acts”,
Dr. Robert Wayne Stacy states that the Pentecost event was a fulfillment of Jewish eschatological
expectations.1 It was a moment when the Holy Spirit was poured out on the early Jewish
believers in a way that was unprecedented. The result was that they were empowered to
2
proclaim the gospel in a way that was unmistakably Jewish, yet also transformative.
Furthermore, in “The Jewish Setting of the Early Church in Acts”, Dr. Robert Wayne Stacy
explains that we tend to see that early church not as a separate entity from Judaism, but rather a
movement within it. Jesus was a Jew, as were His disciples, and they continued to practice
3
Jewish customs and traditions even after His death and resurrection. This is evident in the early
chapters of Acts, where we see the apostle’s attending synagogue and participating in Jewish
feasts and festivals. Luke emphasizes the Jewishness of the early church for several reasons.
First, he wants to show that the coming of the Holy Spirit and the birth of the church were not a
departure from Judaism, but a fulfillment of its promises. Second, he wants to show that the early
church was not a threat to Judaism, but rather a continuation of its mission. Finally, he wants to
1 Robert Wayne Stacy, “Presenta琀椀on. Pentecost and the Eschatological Se琀�ng of the Early Church in Acts” in NBST
520, New Testament Orienta琀椀on II (Lynchburg, Virginia. Liberty University, July 16, 2022).
2 Ibid.
3 Robert Wayne Stacy, “Presenta琀椀on. The Jewish Se琀�ng of the Early Church in Acts” in NBST 520, New Testament
Orienta琀椀on II (Lynchburg, Virginia. Liberty University, April 2, 2019).
demonstrate that the gospel is not something foreign to Judaism, but rather the culmination of its
story.
There are several examples in the early chapters of Acts that illustrate the Jewishness of the
early church. In Acts 2:1-4, we see that the Holy Spirit was poured out on the Jewish believers at
the Feast of Pentecost, which was one of the three major Jewish festivals. In Acts 2:14-36, we
see Peter preaching to a Jewish audience and using Jewish scripture to explain the significance of
Jesus’ death and resurrection. In Acts 3:1-10, we see Peter and John heal a lame man at the
Temple, which was the center of Jewish worship.
Understanding the Jewish roots of our faith is important for several reasons. First, it helps us
to understand the historical and cultural context in which Jesus and His followers lived and
preached. This allows us to better appreciate the significance of their message and the challenges
they faced. Second, it helps us to see the continuity between Judaism and Christianity, and to
recognize the common ground we share with our Jewish brothers and sisters. Finally, it deepens
our appreciation for the richness and diversity of God’s plan for salvation and helps us to see
how all the pieces fit together.
In conclusion, the early church was deeply rooted in Judaism, and Luke goes to great lengths
to depict it as such in the early chapters of Acts. Understanding the Jewishness of the early
church is important for Christians today, as it helps us to understand our own faith better,
appreciate our common ground with our Jewish brothers and sisters, and see the richness and
diversity of God’s plan for salvation.
