Abstract
The dominant classification of Acts as the history of the early Christian Church whose main aim is to present the spread of the nascent movement from a less important part of the Roman Empire (Judea) to the very heart of the Empire (Rome), seems to be supported by Ac 1, 8 which is often taken as a kind of very general a table of contents. However, the rather unexpected end of Acts (a short and laconic account regarding Paul’s period in Rome), and Luke’s approach to and use of his sources, allow us to assume that Luke was aiming rather at a great story involving some main hearos and many other participants than are involved in just one thematic story. Following this assumption, based on the content of Acts, it is possible to individuate two main heroes (Peter and Paul) whose fate is somehow connected with many other persons that are also involved in giving witness to Jesus the Resurrected Messiah. In this study we look at Acts as the story concerning the two the most important witnesses, Peter and Paul, in order to determine their contribution to establishing the structural and doctrinal foundation of the New Israel.
Highlights
Following this assumption, based on the content of Acts, it is possible to individuate two main heroes (Peter and Paul) whose fate is somehow connected with many other persons that are involved in giving witness to Jesus the Resurrected Messiah
In this study we look at Acts as the story concerning the two the most important witnesses, Peter and Paul, in order to determine their contribution to establishing the structural and doctrinal foundation of the New Israel
The way in which they gave the witness to Jesus the Messiah, and the kerygma they proclaimed during their missions, may allow us to confirm or reject the merit of calling Peter the Apostle to the Jews and Paul the Apostle to the Gentiles
Summary
Peter is the central hero in the Lukan narrative regarding the first two stages of spreading the kerygma to the world, namely the mission in Jerusalem and mission in Judea and Samaria. The crucial point concerns acceptance (shown by Peter) or rejection (shown by the Sanhedrin) of Jesus’ death and resurrection as the fulfillment of God’s promise In this way, Luke’s Peter, with this particular perspective on Jesus of Nazareth (Acts 5:30-31), created the first and most important foundation for the doctrinal system that will be called “Christian Christology” throughout subsequent history. Peter specifies distinctly the doctrine of the Way, in a manner that allows no compromise with mainstream Judaism, and in this way initiates a rift between tradition (Judaism) and the fulfilment of the tradition (the Way) His importance is underlines by Luke in the narrative concerning Peter’s persecution and God’s assistance to him in time of distress, that strengthens his determination to lead the community according to his convictions, even when it puts his and their lives in danger. Summing up: the narrative presents the indispensable contribution of Perter in establishing the Jerusalem community (the mother of all communities) and in shaping the doctrinal foundation that will determine the fate of the movement
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