Acts and Church History by Dr. John Oakes

This power point was used by Dr. John Oakes as a follow-up lesson at the 2012 ICEC in Los Angeles on October 21, 2012. It is about the reasons the church in the first three centuries was able to conquer the known world for Jesus and a suggestion of how faithful Christians today can see the same thing happen in our world.

1. Thoughts on Acts and Church Thoughts on Acts and Church
HistoryHistory
John Oakes, PhDJohn Oakes, PhD
July 22, 2011July 22, 2011
DF MexicoDF Mexico
The Agora in
Athens

2. Acts 1:8 “You will be my witnesses to the ends of the earth”Acts 1:8 “You will be my witnesses to the ends of the earth”
How did they How did they
do it? do it?
How can we do How can we do
it?it?
The Marketplace in Corinth

3. Why Did They Change the World/Why Did They Change the World/
How Can We Change the World?How Can We Change the World?
Acts 5:39Acts 5:39
I. They knew Jesus. The personal effect of the man I. They knew Jesus. The personal effect of the man
Jesus of Nazareth.Jesus of Nazareth.
II. Powerful truth-claims.II. Powerful truth-claims.
Those two alone were not enough Those two alone were not enough
to sustain a movementto sustain a movement

4. Changing the World in Our TimeChanging the World in Our Time
III. III. Moral/Ethical superiority of the Moral/Ethical superiority of the
Christians.Christians.
IV. IV. They could successfully answer the hard They could successfully answer the hard
questions. Intellectual superiority.questions. Intellectual superiority.
V. V. Christianity gave dignity to all peopleChristianity gave dignity to all people
The church had compassion like no oneThe church had compassion like no one
elseelse
VI. VI. Because God was with them (Acts 5:39)Because God was with them (Acts 5:39)

5. I. The Life of Jesus: Knowing JesusI. The Life of Jesus: Knowing Jesus
Acts 4:1-21 Fear to Fearlessness.Acts 4:1-21 Fear to Fearlessness.
Acts 4:12-13 They took note that they had Acts 4:12-13 They took note that they had
been with Jesus.been with Jesus.
Why was Paul transformed? Acts 9:1-16Why was Paul transformed? Acts 9:1-16
–Acts 9:5 Who are you Lord?Acts 9:5 Who are you Lord?
We need to meet Jesus on our road to We need to meet Jesus on our road to
Damascus (on Paseo General Escalon)Damascus (on Paseo General Escalon)

6. II. Powerful Truth ClaimsII. Powerful Truth Claims
Acts 2:22-24Acts 2:22-24
–Jesus fulfilled the OT Jesus fulfilled the OT
propheciesprophecies
–Jesus worked signs, Jesus worked signs,
wonders and miracleswonders and miracles
–Jesus was raised from the Jesus was raised from the
deaddead
Acts 3:11-16, 4:33, 5:29-Acts 3:11-16, 4:33, 5:29-
32, 13:26-3532, 13:26-35
Acts 26:24-27 True and Acts 26:24-27 True and
ReasonableReasonable

7. Be born in BethlehemBe born in Bethlehem
Be raised in Galilee near NazarethBe raised in Galilee near Nazareth
Be despised and rejected by menBe despised and rejected by men
Be meek and silent before his accusersBe meek and silent before his accusers
Be “pierced”Be “pierced”
Be crucifiedBe crucified
Have his garments divided and gambled overHave his garments divided and gambled over
Be betrayed for 30 pieces of silverBe betrayed for 30 pieces of silver
Come to Jerusalem to make atonement for sin in Come to Jerusalem to make atonement for sin in
about AD 33about AD 33
And many more….And many more….

8. III. Ethically and Morally They Were III. Ethically and Morally They Were
Very Different. We need to be as well!!Very Different. We need to be as well!!
Acts 17:5-7Acts 17:5-7
Acts 19:17-20 Acts 19:17-20
Confronting the Confronting the
world and its ways.world and its ways.
Acts 19:23-41 They Acts 19:23-41 They
confronted idolatryconfronted idolatry
Us today?Us today?
Marketplace, Corinth

9. Being Different Just Might Get Us Into TroubleBeing Different Just Might Get Us Into Trouble
A Little
Riot in
Ephesus

10. IV. Engage the World Intellectually With the IV. Engage the World Intellectually With the
Christian World ViewChristian World View
Acts 17:16-34Acts 17:16-34
Paul in AthensPaul in Athens
We need to confront We need to confront
the enemy in the the enemy in the
Areopagus and in Areopagus and in
the Lecture Hall of the Lecture Hall of
TyrannusTyrannus
The Areopagus in Athens

11. Delos B. McKown:Delos B. McKown:
““Christianity is scientifically Christianity is scientifically
unsupported and probably unsupported and probably
insupportable, philosophically suspect at insupportable, philosophically suspect at
best and disreputable at worst, and best and disreputable at worst, and
historically fraudulent.”historically fraudulent.”

12. The Lecture Hall of TyrannusThe Lecture Hall of Tyrannus

13. The Lecture Hall of SDSUThe Lecture Hall of SDSU

14. World ViewWorld View
One's world view is the One's world view is the
perspective one uses to process perspective one uses to process
and interpret information received and interpret information received
about the world. about the world.
James W. Sire put it this way, "A James W. Sire put it this way, "A
world view is a set of world view is a set of
presuppositions (ie. assumptions) presuppositions (ie. assumptions)
which we hold about the basic which we hold about the basic
makeup of our world." makeup of our world."
James W. Sire, James W. Sire, The Universe Next Door The Universe Next Door
(InterVarsity Press, 1997)(InterVarsity Press, 1997)
A Jain World
View

15. A “Good” World View DefinedA “Good” World View Defined
A. It is true.A. It is true.
It is consistent with reality. It works.It is consistent with reality. It works.
B. It answers satisfactorily the questions people really want B. It answers satisfactorily the questions people really want
answered.answered.
What is prime reality/the ultimate cause/the nature of God?) What is prime reality/the ultimate cause/the nature of God?)
What is my value as a human being?What is my value as a human being?
What happens to a person at death? What happens to a person at death?
How do we know what is right and wrong? How do we know what is right and wrong?
What is my purpose? What is my purpose?
What is the nature of my relationship, with the "prime reality?" What is the nature of my relationship, with the "prime reality?"
C. It causes those who hold to it to be better people than they C. It causes those who hold to it to be better people than they
would otherwise have been if they held to competing would otherwise have been if they held to competing
alternative world views.alternative world views.

16. The Hard QuestionsThe Hard Questions
Evil: What is Evil and Why is There EvilEvil: What is Evil and Why is There Evil
Why is There Suffering?Why is There Suffering?
The Problem of JusticeThe Problem of Justice
The Problem of Sin.The Problem of Sin.
The Problem of Death.The Problem of Death.

17. Acts 17:16-34 Paul confronts Greek World ViewsActs 17:16-34 Paul confronts Greek World Views
God is Creator. He exists outside creation.God is Creator. He exists outside creation.
–Disproves pantheism/Stoicism.Disproves pantheism/Stoicism.
God is close to us.God is close to us.
–Disproves deism/Epicureanism.Disproves deism/Epicureanism.
God is personal and has given us an individual God is personal and has given us an individual
purpose.purpose.
God will bring all of us to judgment. Evil will be God will bring all of us to judgment. Evil will be
defeateddefeated
–Disproves dualism/Gnosticism.Disproves dualism/Gnosticism.

18. Paul Confronts Greek World ViewsPaul Confronts Greek World Views

19. The Bible and Other World Views (cont.)The Bible and Other World Views (cont.)
Acts 17:16-34 Paul shares the gospel by arguing for Acts 17:16-34 Paul shares the gospel by arguing for
the Christian World View.the Christian World View.
–v. 22-23 Paul finds common ground.v. 22-23 Paul finds common ground.
–v. 24-28 Paul argues for the superiority and the truth of the v. 24-28 Paul argues for the superiority and the truth of the
Christian world view as opposed to Christian world view as opposed to
Epicureanism/pantheism and Stoicism/deismEpicureanism/pantheism and Stoicism/deism
–v. 28 Paul quotes from Aretas a Stoic philosopher. “ For we v. 28 Paul quotes from Aretas a Stoic philosopher. “ For we
are his offspring.”are his offspring.”
–v. 29-31 Having laid the groundwork, Paul points them to v. 29-31 Having laid the groundwork, Paul points them to
Jesus.Jesus.
–v. 32-34 Some, but not all were converted.v. 32-34 Some, but not all were converted.

20. Competing World Views for UsCompeting World Views for Us
Naturalism/MaterialismNaturalism/Materialism
PostmodernismPostmodernism
Pantheism/Eastern ReligionsPantheism/Eastern Religions
Islamic WorldviewIslamic Worldview

21. Questions Science Can AnswerQuestions Science Can Answer
When?When?
What?What?
Where?Where?
How many?How many?
By what means?By what means?

22. Questions Science Cannot Answer:Questions Science Cannot Answer:
(That Christianity Does Answer)(That Christianity Does Answer)
–Why am I here?Why am I here?
–Is that the right thing to do?Is that the right thing to do?
–How valuable am I?How valuable am I?
–Does God exist? Does God act (theism)?Does God exist? Does God act (theism)?
–Will that God respond if I pray?Will that God respond if I pray?
–Do supernatural events (miracles) happen?Do supernatural events (miracles) happen?
- Why is there evil and suffering in the world? - Why is there evil and suffering in the world?

23. Islamic Worldview:
God is very distant from mankind
In Islam, Allah determines everything, even
who will choose to follow him.
2:142, 6:39 6:125
Inshallah God willing. It is God’s will that
people suffer.
.

24. Islam: Salvation is earned through the
efforts of those who were pre-selected
by Allah to inhabit a very sensual
paradise.
Christianity: Salvation is granted by
the grace of a loving God to those who,
through faith and repentance and
baptism accept that love.

25. A Question: Who reaches out to whom?

26. InitiativeInitiative
Human approachHuman approach Truth Truth
God God GodGod
Mankind Mankind Mankind Mankind

27. Works Salvation: Man
reaches out to God.
Islam
Hinduism
Jaina
Sikkhism
Gnosticism
New Age
Buddhism?
Salvation by Grace:
God reaches out to man.
Judaism
Christianity

28. The Christian World ViewThe Christian World View
1. The physical world is: a. real b. created out of nothing (ex 1. The physical world is: a. real b. created out of nothing (ex
nihilo) and c. essentially good.nihilo) and c. essentially good.
2. There exists an unseen spiritual reality which is not limited to or 2. There exists an unseen spiritual reality which is not limited to or
defined by the physical reality. Human beings have a spiritual defined by the physical reality. Human beings have a spiritual
aspect to their nature.aspect to their nature.
3. The creator of both the physical and spiritual realm is the God 3. The creator of both the physical and spiritual realm is the God
who reveals himself in the Bible.who reveals himself in the Bible.
4. Human beings have both a physical and a spiritual nature, The 4. Human beings have both a physical and a spiritual nature, The
spiritual nature is more essential as it is eternal.spiritual nature is more essential as it is eternal.
5. God is not easily defined but he can be characterized by certain 5. God is not easily defined but he can be characterized by certain
qualities. God is a person. God is love, God is just, God is qualities. God is a person. God is love, God is just, God is
holy, God is omniscient, omnipotent and omnipresent.holy, God is omniscient, omnipotent and omnipresent.

29. The Christian World View (cont.)The Christian World View (cont.)
6. Although all God’s creation, is good, evil does exist. Such evil 6. Although all God’s creation, is good, evil does exist. Such evil
is the result of freedom of will given to created beings and their is the result of freedom of will given to created beings and their
subsequent decision to use that freedom to rebel--to “sin” subsequent decision to use that freedom to rebel--to “sin”
7. Because of God’s justice and his holiness, those who choose 7. Because of God’s justice and his holiness, those who choose
to rebel against him will ultimately be judged and separated to rebel against him will ultimately be judged and separated
from God for eternity.from God for eternity.
8. The solution to evil, to sin and its eternal consequences is 8. The solution to evil, to sin and its eternal consequences is
provided by God through the atoning substitutionary sacrifice provided by God through the atoning substitutionary sacrifice
of Jesus Christ.of Jesus Christ.

30. The Christian World View Has Given Us:The Christian World View Has Given Us:
ScienceScience
Abolition of Slavery (Wilberforce)Abolition of Slavery (Wilberforce)
Civil RightsCivil Rights
Women’s RightsWomen’s Rights
Christian groups do a majority of all benevolent Christian groups do a majority of all benevolent
work in the world (James 1:27, Micah 6:8)work in the world (James 1:27, Micah 6:8)

31. How, then, should we interact with members of other How, then, should we interact with members of other
religions?religions?
Find common ground.Find common ground.
Give respect where respect is due.Give respect where respect is due.
Acknowledge the good and do not make personal Acknowledge the good and do not make personal
attacks—especially toward revered people.attacks—especially toward revered people.
Highlight distinctions in world view/theology and Highlight distinctions in world view/theology and
introduce them to Jesus Christ.introduce them to Jesus Christ.
This is EXACTLY what Paul did in Acts 17:22-34This is EXACTLY what Paul did in Acts 17:22-34

32. V. The Church Met Needs/We Need V. The Church Met Needs/We Need
to Meet Needsto Meet Needs
Acts 2:44-45 All the believers were together and Acts 2:44-45 All the believers were together and
had everything in common. Selling…had everything in common. Selling…
Acts 3:6-10 Silver and gold we do not have, but Acts 3:6-10 Silver and gold we do not have, but
what we have we will give. In the name of Jesus, what we have we will give. In the name of Jesus,
get up and walk. What a testimony. We do not get up and walk. What a testimony. We do not
have much but what we have we will freely give.have much but what we have we will freely give.
Acts 4:32-35 All needs were met.Acts 4:32-35 All needs were met.
Acts 5:12-16 Meeting needs, healing.Acts 5:12-16 Meeting needs, healing.

33. Christianity and The Problem of SufferingChristianity and The Problem of Suffering
Suffering is not evil. Sin is evil, but much Suffering is not evil. Sin is evil, but much
suffering is caused by our choice to sin.suffering is caused by our choice to sin.
Not all suffering is due to sin. (Job, John 9)Not all suffering is due to sin. (Job, John 9)
Christianity’s answer to suffering: Christianity’s answer to suffering:
Compassion. Jeremiah 22:15-16, James 1:27Compassion. Jeremiah 22:15-16, James 1:27
Jesus Wept Jesus Wept
Matt 9:35-38Matt 9:35-38

34. Julian “the apostate.” (332-363) Julian “the apostate.” (332-363)
““Atheism (i.e. Christian faith) has been specially Atheism (i.e. Christian faith) has been specially
advanced through the loving service rendered to advanced through the loving service rendered to
strangers, and through their care for the burial of the strangers, and through their care for the burial of the
dead. It is a scandal that there is not a single Jew dead. It is a scandal that there is not a single Jew
who is a beggar, and that the godless Galileans care who is a beggar, and that the godless Galileans care
not only for their own poor but for ours as well; not only for their own poor but for ours as well;
while those who belong to us look in vain for the while those who belong to us look in vain for the
help that we should render them.”help that we should render them.”

35. VI. If God is With Us….VI. If God is With Us….
Acts 5:38-39Acts 5:38-39
With God’s help, they did it. They conquered With God’s help, they did it. They conquered
the world. With God’s help, so can we.the world. With God’s help, so can we.