You asked the question:
“Do you still believe that the early Christians in Acts did not believe Jesus would return in their lifetimes?”
The answer to that question will take more than a text message will allow.
Our current discussions are centered on Acts 2-7, so I’ll take that time period for what I understand “the early Christians in Acts” refers to.
Acts 2 is 50+ days after Jesus’ crucifixion. There were people in town from all over the world as presented in the “Acts 2 and A Commune Church” map. They did not have any written New Testament books, they only had the verbal input from the disciples. At that time, Luke, the Gentile, was not a believer.
When Peter spoke in Acts 2, his main point was:
Act 2:32 This Jesus God raised up, and we are all witnesses of it.
Act 2:36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know beyond a doubt that God has made this Jesus whom you crucified both Lord and Christ.
After that speech, they wanted to know how to be saved!
The next major speech from this period is Stephen’s in Acts 7 and he concentrates on the law and history.
Act 7:51 "You stubborn people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are always resisting the Holy Spirit, like your ancestors did!
So, from the recorded speeches and events, I’d say no, they were not concerned about Jesus’ immediate return, they were more concerned about the meaning of his resurrection and how to be saved.
It would be 30+ years before Luke would write his Gospel and the Book of Acts.
1 comment:
Ray,
This question needs to take into account much more of the Bible than just Acts 2-7, but I'll try to contain my response initially to Acts, then we can go from there.
It is clear your presuppositions drive your research. You set out with an idea you want to believe and then pick and choose the verses that supports what you set out to prove and leave out the context, thus giving a very distorted view. There are more legitimate ways of dealing with issues, but your technique is not one of them, and I seriously doubt that Multnomah Bible College, which you were a student of would approve.
This is your conclusion at the end of your post,
"So, from the recorded speeches and events, I’d say no, they were not concerned about Jesus’ immediate return, they were more concerned about the meaning of his resurrection and how to be saved."
You seem to be implying that the early believers were only concerned about the meaning of the resurrection and how to be saved. Well that is true, but saved from what? In order to be saved, it is a good idea for someone to understand what they are being saved from doesn't it?
This is why if baffles me that you started in Acts 2:32 rather than the beginning of the Chapter, or at least in verse 12. What good does it do anyone for you to leave out pertinent information within the immediate text relevant to the subject we are addressing? Doing so distorts the context and meaning, thus giving you your distorted answer that you set out to prove before you started, but does us no good in determining what the truth is.
In Acts 2:12 some were saying that the pouring out of the spirit was the result of drunkenness, and Peter explained to them what was happening quoting from the prophet Joel,
Acts 2:17-21
“‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares,
that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh,
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
and your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams;
18
even on my male servants and female servants
in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.
19
And I will show wonders in the heavens above
and signs on the earth below,
blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke;
20
the sun shall be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood,
before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day.
21
And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’
Peter gives the context and reasoning as to what is taking place, and tells them that, IN THE LAST DAYS, that these things that were happening at Pentecost were a sign of Jesus soon return. He further gives them this message of imminence in verse 40, telling them to "Save yourselves from this crooked generation." and to repent and be baptized.
It only stands to reason that the early believers, as taught by Peter and the disciples told everyone what Jesus had told them about living in expectation of his return.
Luke 21:34-36
34 “But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. 35 For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
Matthew 24:42-44
42 Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. 43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
Acts 7:51 that you jump to has no information one way or the other regarding the time of expected return, so I don't know why you included that as evidence that they were not to expect Jesus soon return.
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