AN INTRODUCTION TO THE BOOK OF ACTS

An examination of the apostle Luke's two-part account, viewing his writings from the viewpoint of his role in the Gentile mission.

This paper briefly discusses introductory issues to the book of Hebrews.

Endorsements from Joel B. Green, Fuller Seminary and Mikeal Parsons, Baylor University.

Journal of Theta Alpha Kappa, 2017

This article argues that The Acts of the Apostles is deeply rhetorical in its presentation of events leading up to and within the Jerusalem Council found in Acts 15. Several aspects of the text suggest that Luke may be attempting to legitimize the unique theological perspectives associated with the figure of Paul. This legitimization takes place through a portrayal of the opposing Christian faction as an ambiguous group, allowing the reader to associate them with problematic and persecuting Jews from previous chapters. Luke attempts to clearly distinguish a Pauline position on the inclusion of the gentiles against the unauthorized position of " Some men from the Pharisaic party " (τινες τῶν ἀπὸ τῆς αἱρέσεως τῶν Φαρισαίων).

It is quite unfortunate that despite the efforts of Christian missionaries over the past years within the Bura people of Hawul Local Government Area of Borno State, Nigeria, majority of this people group are still not receptive to the gospel message. Their attitude to this day is not different from the description of Paul about the Jews and the Greeks in Romans 2:11-18. As a result of this, missions and evangelism have become a herculean task among this particular group of people. As a matter of fact, there are records pointing to different methods and strategies used by the early missionaries among the Bura people without any reasonable results. It is on this ground that one begins to wonder about what was and still wrong with this people. What method can be used to win them for Christ? These and many of such questions are the bane of this work. The researcher, propelled by the zeal and passion to reach his people with the gospel has decided to propose another method as an alternative to the early methods used. This method is no other one than missions through reasoning which is otherwise known as apologetics. It is interesting to note that this method is not new in the work of missions. Many missionaries have used it in different situations, places and times. Interestingly, this method produced positive results in the ministry of Jesus and the apostles, the early church fathers and some early missionaries are not also left out. In view of this, it is credible to endear this seemly new but long age method and approach to the efforts in reaching the Bura people. To this end, Paul’s apologetic methodology is not unconnected to reaching the unreached in this contemporary time, especially the Bura people group. This of course is the focus of this work, the Missiological implication of Paul’s Apologetics Methodology in Acts 17:22-34 to the missionary among the Bura people, believing that if the ideas and strategies used by Paul are contextually inferred and applied properly and prayerfully in the efforts to reaching out the unreached people among Bura, harvest of souls are certain.

Historical background information on the Book of Romans