THE BOOK OF ACTS BIBL 373-1 W.E. Nunnally, Ph.D. I.

COURSE DESCRIPTION A study of the entire of the book, with emphasis on developing an appropriate methodology for dealing with the interpretative and practical issues raised by the text of Acts, modern scholarship, and the modern church. Attention will also be given to literary styles and techniques, primary purposes, major theological themes. Historical, linguistic, cultural, social, and religious backgrounds will be consulted to see the message of Acts in context. Prerequisites: BIBL 111, BIBL 116, demonstration of English proficiency.

II.

COURSE OBJECTIVES At the conclusion of this course the student should be able to:

III.

1)

exhibit mastery of the relevant introductory material, the basic narrative flow of the book, the major theological emphases, the historiographic approach of the author, and the first-century Jewish background of the Book of Acts as discussed in the class sessions;

2)

exegete certain critical passages employing an appropriate hermeneutical methodology to apply the knowledge obtained from the categories in the previous paragraph;

3)

use this information to better understand the biblical material discussed for application to his/her own life and for clearer and more comprehensible preaching and teaching of the Word of God.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND METHODS OF EVALUATION This class will emphasize broad exposure (through reading) to the results of scholarly investigation. Completion of assigned reading is therefore worth 10% of the final grade. You will be asked to declare on the final exam the percentage of assigned reading you have completed at that point. There will be no extensions granted regarding this deadline for any reason, so please do not ask. The three unit tests will count 25% each. The remaining 15% of your grade will be determined by a 12-page paper the requirements for which will be discussed in class. The grade scale is as follows: A, 100-93; A-, 92-90; B+, 89-87; B, 86-83; B-, 82-80; C+, 79-77; C, 76-73; C-, 72-70; D+, 69-67; D, 66-63; D-, 62-60; F, 59 or below. Class

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participation, attendance, punctuality, and attitude will be taken into consideration when the number-grade lies near the border between 2 grades. IV.

COURSE MATERIALS Required Texts: The Bible (a literal translation, such as NASB, NKJV, to be brought to class each day). Nunnally, W.E. A Commentary on the Book of Acts. Pre-publication version: Evangel University, 2008. Recommended Texts: Arrington, F.L. The Acts of the Apostles. Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson, 1988. Horton, Stanley M. Acts. Springfield, MO: Logion, 2001.

V.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS During the term each student will be expected to: 1. Attend class regularly. Because this is a three-hour class, you are allowed up to 10 absences (and three tardies count as one absence). ALL absences count toward that total. This includes absences for sports, field trips for other classes, representing the school at meetings, sickness, death in the family, etc. On the 11th absence, the student will be automatically dropped from the class (cf. Student Handbook, p. 73). In order to avoid this, the student should be aware of these realities: 1) Class begins promptly on the hour (by the professor’s watch), not at the sound of the clock tower, not at the beginning of the prayer, not at the end of the prayer, and not when the lecture begins. At the beginning of the hour, the seating chart will be checked, which takes about 30 seconds. 2) If you come in after the hour begins, you should meet with the professor at the end of that class to have the absence changed to a tardy. Once the professor has left the room at the end of that class period, the record will not be altered. 3) If you are not sure whether you arrived on time or not, err on the side of caution and check with the professor. You will not be counted late just for asking. 4) Your book or backpack in your seat or assurances from your classmates that you are on your way does not mean that you are on time or present. 5) The seating chart is the official record of your attendance. It will not be changed to conform to your own records, a classmate’s testimony, or notes you may have for the day in question. It can only be altered at the end of the class in question.

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6) The seating chart is available for your review before and after class and during office hours, if you need to check your attendance record at any point during the semester. 7) In the event of an 11th absence (or an equivalent number of tardies), the student will be dropped from the class and notified by campus mail. No appeals will be heard, as 11 absences (more than 25% of class meetings) is a policy that should be liberal enough to cover all but the most exceptional situations (e.g., being kidnapped by Hezbullah and held for the entire month of March!). 2. Avoid behavior in class that might distract fellow students. Further, food, drinks, and sunglasses are not allowed in class at any time for any reason. Cell phones should be turned off when you enter the classroom. 3. Read the passage in Acts and the secondary literature in conjunction with the course schedule. At the time of the Final Exam (Unit Test #3), the student will be required to declare the percentage of assigned reading completed to date (10% of final grade). There will be no extensions granted on this assignment for any reason. 4. Take all three unit tests on time. Make-up tests will be treated in accordance with the “CONTRACT” appended to this syllabus (generally a letter-grade reduction). Make-ups will be given on the Thursday following the missed test in the office of the Department of Theology for a fee of $3. All make-ups are to be scheduled with Jacque Harrell. 5. Class participation is a very important aspect of this class. Participation includes all of the following: reflecting the reading on the subject under discussion by making helpful comments and asking relevant questions, obviously paying attention in class, giving evidence of taking notes and following along in your own Bible as the class considers specific texts, and avoiding behavior that is distracting to others in the class. Absence from class naturally renders participation for that day impossible.

VI.

SCHEDULE OF DAILY ASSIGNMENTS AND WEEKLY OBJECTIVES

WEEK 1 - Introduction to the class. Intro to the Book of Acts (Nunnally, 1-33; Stronstad, 1-12; Glasson, 165 [in notebook]). WEEK 2 - Acts 1:1-2:47 (Nunnally, 34-96; Arrington, 18-36; Horton, 53-81, 84-85; Stronstad, 4962; Palma, "Spirit-inspired utterance," 20-21 [in notebook]; "Another look at Acts 2:4," 2223 [in notebook]). Nunnally, "Cessation of the Miraculous? The Age of the Apostles From Biblical, Extra-Biblical, Theological and Logical Perspectives," Enrichment 12.3(Summer 2007)128-134. WEEK 3 - Acts 3:1-4:37 (Nunnally, 97-139; Arrington, 48-51; Horton, 87-91, 111-113; Stronstad, 13-32; Palma, "The Promise of the Spirit," 4-6 [in notebook]; Ridderbos, 5-31).

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WEEK 4 - Acts 5:1-7:60 (Nunnally, 140-195; Arrington, 54-82). TEST #1 (Friday, February 1). No one will be allowed to take the test early or late except in the case of life-threatening physical conditions. Those who come late will not be permitted to take the test. Bring a no. 2 pencil. This test counts 25% of the final grade. Lecture afterward. WEEK 5 - Acts 8:1-9:43 (Nunnally, 196-242; Arrington, 86-90, 94-101; Horton, 158-170; Stronstad, 63-73; Palma, "The Samaritans and 'Subsequence,'" 1 [in notebook]). WEEK 6 - Acts 10:1-11:30 (Nunnally, 243-287; Arrington 107-121; Horton, 194-219, 137-139; Dibelius, 109-122). WEEK 7 - Acts 12:1-13:52 (Nunnally, 288-326). Papers of students taking the class for 2 semester hours of credit are due at the beginning of the class (15% of final grade). WEEK 8 - Acts 14:1-15:41 (Nunnally, 327-364; Arrington, 151-153; all these are in the notebook: Palma, "Baptism of the Holy Spirit?" 27; "Baptism by the Spirit," 16; "Keep on being filled," p. 26; Conzelmann, 82-90). WEEK 9 - Spring Break. WEEK 10 - TEST # 2 (Wednesday, March 12; covers up to 15:41). No one will be allowed to take the test early or late except in the case of life-threatening physical conditions. Those who come late will not be permitted to take the test. Bring a no. 2 pencil. This test counts 25% of the final grade. Acts 16:1-18:28 (Nunnally, 365-417; Nunnally, “The Sins of Generational Curse,” Enrichment 12.4(Fall, 2007)114-120; [in notebook] Cadbury, 23-57 [scan]). WEEK 11 - Acts 19:1-20:38 (Nunnally, 418-450; Arrington, 190-193; Horton, 315-320; Barrett, 107-121 [in notebook]; Cadbury, 58-84 [scan]). WEEK 12 – Discussions on the Doctrine of Subsequence, Baptism in the Holy Spirit, and Gifts of the Spirit. Papers are due at the beginning of class on March 28. This paper counts 15% of final grade. WEEK 13 - Acts 21:1-22:30 (Nunnally, 451-479; Neyrey, 210-223 [in notebook]; Cadbury, 136164). WEEK 14 - Acts 23:1-24:27 (Nunnally, 480-495; Stronstad, 75-83; Cadbury, 86-109). WEEK 15 - Acts 25:1-26:32 (Nunnally, 496-510; Minear, 131-150 [in notebook]; Cadbury, 3-31). WEEK 16 - Acts 27:1-28:31 (Nunnally, 511-527; Trompf, 225-239 [in notebook]).

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FINAL TEST – UNIT TEST # 3, given at the time scheduled for the final exam— Tuesday, 4/29 at 7:30—9:30am (counts 25% of the final grade). No one will be allowed to take the test early or late except in the case of life-threatening physical conditions. Those who come late will not be permitted to take the test. Bring a no. 2 pencil (counts 25% of the final grade). Be prepared to state the percentage of assigned reading completed to date (counts 10% of the final grade). VII.

ACCOMODATION STATEMENT The university will make reasonable accommodations for persons with documented disabilities. Students should notify the Academic and Career Development Office located in the Student Union, Suite 107, and their instructors of any special needs. Instructors should be notified the first day of classes.

VIII. AVAILABILITY Office: AB2 Room 214L Phone: 865-2815, ext. 8516; E-mail: [email protected] Office hours: MWF—9-11am; 3-4pm T/Th—1-2pm ***Please prearrange appointments with me. IX.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Arrington, F.L. The Acts of the Apostles. Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson, 1988. Barrett, Charles K. "Paul's Address to the Ephesian Elders" in God's Christ and His People: Studies in Honour of Nils Alstrup Dahl, eds. Jacob Jervell and Wayne A. Meeks. Oslo, Bergen, Tromso: Universitetsforlaget, 1977 [in notebook]. Bruce, F.F. The Book of Acts. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1988 (revised in 1994). Cadbury, Henry J. The Book of Acts in History. London: Black, 1955. Conzelmann, Hans. History of Primitive Christianity. Nashville: Abingdon, 1973. Dibelius, Martin. "The Conversion of Cornelius" in Studies in the Acts of the Apostles, ed. Heinrich Greeven. London: SCM, 1956 [in notebook]. Glasson, T. Francis. "Contributions and Comments: The Speeches in Acts and Thucydides." Expository Times 76(1965)165 [in notebook]. Guthrie, Donald. New Testament Introduction. Downers Grove: Intervarsity, 1970.

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________. New Testament Introduction. Downers Grove: Intervarsity, 1990. Horton, Stanley M. Acts. Springfield, MO: Logion, 2001. Minear, Paul S. "Dear Theo: The Kerygmatic Intention and Claim of the Book of Acts." Interpretation 27(1973)131-150 [in notebook]. Munck, Johannes. The Acts of the Apostles: Introduction, Translation and Notes. Anchor Bible Series. Garden City: Doubleday, 1967 [in notebook].

Neyrey, Jerome. "The Forensic Defense Speech and Paul's Trial Speeches in Acts 22-26: Form and Function" in Luke-Acts: New Perspectives from the SBL Seminar, ed. Charles H. Talbert. New York: Crossroads, 1984 [in notebook]. Nunnally, W.E. "'The Age of the Apostles' Reconsidered from Biblical, Extra-biblical, Theological, and Logical Perspectives" (unpublished manuscript) [in notebook]. Palma, Anthony D. "Another look at Acts 2:4." Advance (1994)22-23 [in notebook]. __________. "Baptism by the Spirit." Advance (1980)16 [in notebook]. __________. "Baptism of the Holy Spirit?" Advance (1980)27 [in notebook]. __________. "Keep on being filled." Advance (1981)1 [in notebook]. __________. "The Promise of the Spirit." Advance (1980)4-6 [in notebook]. __________. "The Samaritans and 'Subsequence.'" Advance (1981)1 [in notebook]. __________. "Spirit-inspired utterance." Advance (1992)20-21 [in notebook]. Ridderbos, H.N. The Speeches of Peter in the Acts of the Apostles. London: Tyndale, 1962 [in notebook]. Stonehouse, N.B. The Areopagus Address. London: Tyndale, 1949 [in notebook]. Stronstad, Roger. The Charismatic Theology of St. Luke. Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson, 1984. Trompf, G.W. "On Why Luke Declined to Recount the Death of Paul: Acts 27-28 and Beyond" in Luke- Acts: New Perspectives from the SBL Seminar, ed. Charles H. Talbert. New York: Crossroads, 1984 [in notebook].

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CONTRACT BETWEEN PROFESSOR AND STUDENT REGARDING LATE PAPERS AND TESTS Department of Theology 1.

If a detailed term paper is assigned, the professor must give it not less than five weeks prior to the due date. In this way, the student may begin to write the paper early so that it will not be late because of unforeseeable circumstances which may arise immediately prior to the due date.

2.

All late papers will be lowered one letter grade for every calendar day after the due date (except Saturdays and Sundays) unless: A.

The student has been ill for more than three days immediately prior to due date.

B.

There has been a death in the immediate family within a week prior to the due date of the assignment.

3.

Communication: Notice must be given to the instructor in person, by e-mail, or by voice-mail prior to the test or due date of the paper for permission to be considered.

4.

This policy means that there will be no incomplete grades in the Department of Theology except for the two reasons stated.

5.

In case a student must take a test late or early or hand in a late paper for one of the reasons listed in 2 (A) or (B), s/he then must do so not later than the first Thursday following the date of the exam or due date of the paper. For a test to be taken earlier or later than the scheduled time, the student needs to pick up a permission slip from the department office, have it signed by the professor and leave it with the department office manager at least 24 hours before the exam is to be taken.

6.

A fee of three dollars ($3) will be assessed by the Department for each exam taken early or late. No such exam will be graded until this fee is paid. Furthermore, students may take early/late exams only on Thursday between the hours of 3 and 5 pm. Please report to the office manager to pay your fee and receive the exam. Quizzes are fifty cents ($.50), if allowed. You must make an appointment with the department office manager no later than Wednesday evening in order to take the test on Thursday.

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RATIONALE: Students who allow their papers to become overdue find themselves overwhelmed and depressed at final examination time. We believe the above policy will encourage selfdiscipline which will lead to self-satisfaction and growth. Revised 9/05

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