Christ Through the Ages, 24: Christ in the Apostolic Age

<p>For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ <a href="https://www.douglasjacoby.com/christ-through-the-ages-24-christ-in-the-apostolic-age/" target="_blank"><strong>website.</strong></a></p><p>Early sources</p><ul><li>Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, John</li><li>Acts</li><li>Letters</li><li>Apocalypse</li><li>Found also in early documents like 1 Clement, the letters of Ignatius, etc.</li></ul><p>Apostolic emphases illustrated in evangelistic speeches:</p><ul><li>Acts 2:14-36<ul><li>Jesus was a real person -- he was from Nazareth (v.22).</li><li>The scriptures (Old Testament) bear witness to Christ (vv.16-21, 25-28, 34-35).</li><li>His many miracles also testify to him (v.22)<ul><li>These were indisputable, even to his enemies.</li><li>In the early centuries, the Jews did not deny his miracles, although sometimes they dismissed them as magic.</li></ul></li><li>Crucified (v.23).<ul><li>See 1 Corinthians 1. What was striking was not the agony of his death, but his apparent failure.</li><li>Little emphasis on the gore. Restraint exercised even in the gospel accounts of Jesus' passion.</li></ul></li><li>Resurrected (vv.24-32).<ul><li>Corroborated by eyewitnesses.</li><li>Emphasized more than the crucifixion.</li></ul></li><li>The world /age to come is here:<ul><li>Day of the Lord here (v.20).</li><li>Kingdom of God -- and Christ is King (vv.30,33).</li><li>The Spirit is now available (vv.17-18, 33 -- see v.38)</li></ul></li><li>Jesus is the Christ, or Messiah (vv.34-36).<ul><li>Son of David</li><li>Jesus is the Lord (vv.34, 36).</li><li>Salvation therefore comes in name of the Lord (v.21--see v.38, 22:16).</li></ul></li></ul></li><li>Acts 28:23<ul><li>25 years later than the Pentecost message</li><li>This is an abbreviated version of most of the material in the Pentecost sermon.</li><li>Paul had <i>many hours</i> to proclaim Christ -- far longer than Peter did at Pentecost -- and this one-verse compendium summarizes a period of teaching doubtless containing  more content than the Acts 2 sermon:<ul><li>King