[Propertalk] Fwd: Scripture in Context April 23, 2017

[Joe Parrish]

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-----Original Message-----
From: Tom O'Brien <tgobrien at comcast.net>
To: Tom O'Brien <tgobrien at comcast.net>
Sent: Wed, Mar 29, 2017 9:59 am
Subject: Scripture in Context April 23, 2017



Dear Friends, 
 
[Below] is Scripture in Context for April 23, 2017.  I hope you and others find it interesting and helpful.  It is also posted on Facebook and at www.scriptureincontext.org. 
 
Blessings, 
 
Tom 


TODAY’S READINGS IN CONTEXT
APRIL 23, 2017
 
 
Acts 2:14a, 22-32 
 
The book, “The Acts of the Apostles,” was written by theauthor of the Gospel According to Luke around 85 to 90 CE.  
 
Today’s reading is presented as continuing Peter’s speech afterthe Pentecost Event, and it reflects the theology of the community from whichLuke-Acts came.  In Luke and Acts, everythingthat happens is guided by the Holy Spirit and is part of “God’s Plan.”  Peter’s speech says “God’s Plan” included thehanding over of Jesus to the Israelites (v. 23), the crucifixion by theIsraelites of Jesus “by the hands of those outside the law” (i.e. Gentiles, Romans), and the“impossibility” (v. 24) that death could hold Jesus in its power.  The balance of the speech states that Jesusdescended from King David to whom God promised that his line would endureforever (2 Sam. 7:13).
 
After the Temple was destroyed by the Romans in 70 CE, theonly two surviving sects in Judaism were the Pharisees and the Jesus Followers(not called “Christians” until 85 or so). The other sects (Sadducees, Zealots,Herodians, Essenes) became irrelevant or were killed by the Romans. Forexample, the Sadducees (priests) disappeared because there was no Temple for animalsacrifices.   
 
For the next 30+ years, the Jesus Followers and thePharisees contended for control of Judaism.  Matthew, Luke-Acts and John were written during this time. Around 100 CE,there was a “parting of the ways” – the Jesus Follower Movement evolved intoChristianity and the Pharisaical Movement evolved into Rabbinic Judaism.  In the post-70 Gospels (and Acts), there is harshlanguage against Israelites, Judeans/Jews, and Pharisees (but hardly anyagainst the ruling Romans). Unfortunately, the historical controversy that led to the harsh words inthe post-70 Gospels is often forgotten.  
 
 
1 Peter 1:3-9
 
The First Letter of Peter was likely written in the lastquarter of the First Century, long after Peter’s death. It was written insophisticated Greek and resembles the form of Paul’s letters.  Its focus is not on the earthly life of Jesusof Nazareth, but on the Resurrection and the affirmation that Jesus is theChrist, the Messiah. 
 
In today’s reading, the author notes that Jesus Followers“had to suffer various trials” (v. 6), not so much from overt governmentalpersecution, but because the Jesus Follower Movement was a minority sect withinJudaism, particularly after the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE.  
 

The author also expects that God will send the Christ soon because“salvation is ready to be revealed in the last time” (v.5) and “your faith…will result in praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed (v.7).


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