The life and times of the followers of the Way in the earliest Christian community as recorded by the Acts of the Apostles. Visit www.bibleheroes.net for more information.

2. Welcome to Heroes, part 2

12. a historical narrative written in excellent Koine Greek, a carefully polished Greek style using a large vocabulary

13. a careful theological interpretation, including summaries of important early Christian speeches, giving examples of a variety of speakers (Peter, Stephen, Paul), audiences (Jewish, Greek, Christian), and circumstances (friendly, hostile)

14. Prominence of the themes: the Lordship of Jesus and the activity of the Spirit in spreading the Gospel and building the Church.

15. Two central characters: Peter (ch. 1-12) and Paul (ch.13-28), entrusted with different responsibilities but equally empowered and equally obedient to their specific commissions.

16. Provides a firm basis for understanding the origins of Christianity and a solid historical context for understanding the letters of St. Paul and the other pastoral letters.

17. Key text (Acts 1:8) “ But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Provides a useful organizational structure for the book: + the apostles proclaim Jesus in Jerusalem (ch. 1-7) + the apostles proclaim Jesus in Judea and Samaria (ch. 8-10) +the apostles proclaim Jesus to “the ends of the earth” (ch. 11-28)

41. First missionary journey - "Antioch Phase” Paul’s first missionary journey begins in Acts 13 in Antioch in approximately 47 CE. During this period the Christian church here grew in prominence partially owing to Jewish Christians fleeing from Jerusalem

42. Second missionary journey - "Aegean Phase" F ollowing a dispute between Paul and Barnabas over whether they should take John Mark with them, they go on separate journeys (Acts 15:36–41) — Barnabas with John Mark, and Paul with Silas.

43. Third missionary journey Paul continued his preaching, usually called his "third missionary journey" (Acts 18:23–21:26), traveling again through Asia Minor and Macedonia, to Antioch and back

44. Final missionary journey to Rome in an appeal to be tried in Rome as a Roman citizen. Circumstances of his imprisonment and eath in Rome remain vague.