Question 1

Most scholars believe that the same author wrote the Gospel of Luke and Acts. What reasons are there for believing this? What continuities are there between these books?

Accepted Answer

The writing style and themes of the two books are very similar. The author's particular emphases can be traced through both books. Both volumes contain a formal preface and are dedicated to Theophilus. Like the Gospel, Acts begins in Jerusalem. The narrative reveals that just as the Jews rejected, persecuted, and executed Jesus, so many of his followers will likewise be rejected, persecuted, and executed. Jesus anticipated the inclusion of gentiles into the kingdom, and this goal is accomplished in the book of Acts, particularly through Paul's mission efforts. In the Gospel, Jesus performed miracles and preached the word of God; in Acts, the disciples perform miracles and preach Jesus' message. Just as Luke insisted in the Gospel that some Jews believed in and followed Jesus (Simeon, Anna, his disciples), some Jews also accept Jesus' teachings in Acts, most noticeably Paul who, before his conversion, persecuted the Christians. Jesus' apocalyptic teachings were muted in the Gospel and apocalyptic expectations continue to be downplayed in Acts to emphasize the importance of spreading the gospel through the world.

Question 2

What role does the Holy Spirit play in the book of Acts? How does the guidance of the Holy Spirit pick up where Jesus leaves off in the lives of the apostles?

Accepted Answer

The book of Acts is essentially about the movement of the Gospel from Jew to gentile. Jesus leaves the apostles with the injunction not to dwell on when the kingdom of God will be ushered in but, rather, to focus on spreading the Gospel throughout the world. To assist in this mission, the Holy Spirit was sent to Pentecost for guidance and empowerment. Acts records many miracles being done on behalf of the apostles through the Holy Spirit.

Question 3

Discuss how Luke emphasizes a fundamental continuity between Judaism and Christianity? Why do you think it was important for Luke to insist on this point? That is, why does Luke situate Christianity firmly within Judaism?

Accepted Answer

It is critical for Luke to situate Christianity firmly within Judaism because if Christianity represented a new religion or a completely new promise from God, God's faithfulness could be questioned: Has God broken his covenant with the Jews? If so, why should Christians think he would not also break this new covenant? By affirming the continuity of Judaism and Christianity, Luke accomplishes at least two things: First, he underscores God's faithfulness to his promise and to his people, and, second, he explains why gentiles can be brought into the covenant. God has not broken his promise but has extended it to include all people.

Question 4

What are the primary themes of the book of Acts? Discuss specific instances in which these themes are conveyed.

Accepted Answer

The answer of What are the primary themes of the...

Question 5

The earliest account of the Christian church is _____.
A) The Gospel of Mark
B) The Gospel of Matthew
C) The Gospel of Luke
D) Acts of the Apostles

Accepted Answer

The Acts of the Apostles, often referred to simply as Acts, is the fifth book of the New Testament and provides the earliest account of the Christian church, detailing the spread of Christianity from Jerusalem through the Roman Empire following the death and resurrection of Jesus.

Question 6

One of the most important ways ancient histories are different from ancient biographies is that _____.
A) histories are not true
B) histories, as opposed to biographies, are concerned with historical accuracy
C) histories focus on more than one character
D) histories are never written anonymously

Accepted Answer

Histories typically cover events, periods, or multiple figures, whereas biographies focus on the life of a single individual, detailing their experiences, actions, and character.

Question 7

Many ancient historians express a preference for _____.
A) oral sources over written ones
B) written sources over oral ones
C) biographies
D) dedicating their work to a Roman official

Accepted Answer

The answer of Many ancient historians express a preference for...

Question 8

Speeches that are recorded in ancient histories _____.
A) are transcripts of actual speeches given
B) are usually made up
C) tend to be historically reliable in their details
D) are nonexistent

Accepted Answer

Speeches recorded in ancient histories are often not verbatim transcripts of what was actually said but are instead reconstructions or inventions by the historians themselves, designed to convey the essence of what was communicated or to illustrate the historian's view of the event.

Question 9

Acts is organized _____.
A) chronologically
B) thematically
C) to coincide with Paul's letters
D) haphazardly

Accepted Answer

Acts is organized chronologically, detailing the events of the early Christian church in the order they occurred.

Question 10

Which of the following is not representative of the Gospel of Luke and Acts?
A) They both focus primarily on Jesus.
B) They are both dedicated to Theophilus.
C) They both narrate Jesus' ascension.
D) Peter is a major character in both.

Accepted Answer

The Gospel of Luke primarily focuses on the life and teachings of Jesus, while Acts focuses on the early Christian community and the spread of the Gospel after Jesus' ascension. Therefore, saying they both focus primarily on Jesus does not accurately represent Acts, which also significantly focuses on the Apostles, especially Peter and Paul, and the early church.

Question 11

Both the Gospel of Luke and Acts highlight the significance of which of the following cities?
A) Nazareth
B) Bethlehem
C) Rome
D) Jerusalem

Accepted Answer

Both the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles, which are attributed to the same author, emphasize the importance of Jerusalem in the narrative of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection, as well as in the early Christian community's development and spread of the gospel.

Question 12

One similarity between Jesus in the Gospel of Luke and the apostles in Acts is _____.
A) they are all rejected
B) they are all called sons of God
C) they all receive the Holy Spirit at Pentecost
D) they all ascend to heaven

Accepted Answer

In both the Gospel of Luke and Acts, a theme of rejection is present. Jesus is rejected by various groups, and the apostles face rejection as they spread the message of Christianity.

Question 13

The book of Acts focuses on _____.
A) the preaching of the gospel exclusively to Jews
B) the spread of the gospel to gentiles
C) the preaching of the gospel only in Jerusalem
D) the actions of all twelve apostles

Accepted Answer

The answer of The book of Acts focuses on _____.
A)...

Question 14

In the Gospel of Luke and in Acts, the end of the world is expected _____.
A) immediately
B) within the disciples' lifetime
C) never
D) after the gospel has been spread throughout the world

Accepted Answer

The answer of In the Gospel of Luke and in...

Question 15

The most significant convert in Acts is _____.
A) Peter
B) Paul
C) Thecla
D) Theophilus

Accepted Answer

Paul, originally known as Saul of Tarsus, experienced a dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus, as recounted in Acts 9. This event is significant because Paul went from persecuting Christians to becoming one of the most influential figures in early Christianity, contributing to its spread through his missionary journeys and epistles.

Question 16

Acts ends with _____.
A) Paul preaching in Spain
B) Peter in Jerusalem
C) Paul under arrest
D) Jesus' return

Accepted Answer

Acts ends with Paul under house arrest in Rome, awaiting trial.

Question 17

Paul's mission is primarily to _____.
A) Jews
B) Samaritans
C) gentiles
D) Peter

Accepted Answer

Paul's mission was primarily to the Gentiles, as he was known as the Apostle to the Gentiles, spreading Christianity beyond the Jewish community.

Question 18

Which of the following is not a central character in Acts?
A) God/the Holy Spirit
B) Paul
C) Peter
D) Mary Magdalene

Accepted Answer

Mary Magdalene is not a central character in the Acts of the Apostles. The book primarily focuses on the early Christian community, the Holy Spirit's actions, and the ministries of Peter and Paul.

Question 19

The speeches in Acts are delivered to all but which of the following?
A) Christian believers
B) the Pharisees
C) the Jerusalem Council
D) the crowd present at Pentecost

Accepted Answer

The speeches in Acts are delivered to various audiences including Christian believers, the Jerusalem Council, and the crowd present at Pentecost, but there is no specific record of a speech delivered directly to the Pharisees as a distinct group.

Question 20

In Acts, the disciples elect a new member of "the twelve" to replace _____.
A) Judas
B) Peter
C) Paul
D) Jesus

Accepted Answer

In the Book of Acts, the disciples choose a new member to replace Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus and then died. This is found in Acts 1:15-26, where Matthias is chosen to take Judas's place among the twelve apostles.

Quiz 10: Lukes Second Volume: The Book of Acts

Most scholars believe that the same author wrote the Gospel of Luke and Acts. What reasons are there for believing this? What continuities are there between these books?

What role does the Holy Spirit play in the book of Acts? How does the guidance of the Holy Spirit pick up where Jesus leaves off in the lives of the apostles?

Discuss how Luke emphasizes a fundamental continuity between Judaism and Christianity? Why do you think it was important for Luke to insist on this point? That is, why does Luke situate Christianity firmly within Judaism?

What are the primary themes of the book of Acts? Discuss specific instances in which these themes are conveyed.

The earliest account of the Christian church is _____.

One of the most important ways ancient histories are different from ancient biographies is that _____.

Many ancient historians express a preference for _____.

Speeches that are recorded in ancient histories _____.

Acts is organized _____.

Which of the following is not representative of the Gospel of Luke and Acts?

Both the Gospel of Luke and Acts highlight the significance of which of the following cities?

One similarity between Jesus in the Gospel of Luke and the apostles in Acts is _____.

The book of Acts focuses on _____.

In the Gospel of Luke and in Acts, the end of the world is expected _____.

The most significant convert in Acts is _____.

Acts ends with _____.

Paul's mission is primarily to _____.

Which of the following is not a central character in Acts?

The speeches in Acts are delivered to all but which of the following?

In Acts, the disciples elect a new member of "the twelve" to replace _____.