The Early Church Acts

• Kerygma 


  The proclamation of the Gospel/Christian message.
• Kerygmata


  Kerygma is a Greek word, Kerygmata is the plural.

  Main themes: Jesus fulfilled the promises of the Old Testament through his life, works (including miracles), death, and resurrection.
• C.H Dodd


  Most renowned research on kerygma – undertook study of Acts and Epistles.

  Argues that the historical kerygma can be constructed by analysing speeches in Acts and comparing with other sources.

  Considered kerygma separate from Didache, as its own unique genre.
• Pauline Kerygma


  The prophecies are fulfilled, and the New Age is inaugurated by the coming of Christ.

  Jesus was born at the seed of David.

  Died according to the scriptures.

  He was buried.

  Rose on the third day.

  At the right hand of God, as son of God.

  He will come again to judge.
• Petrine Kerygma


  The Age of Fulfilment has dawned, taken place through the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

  Jesus has been exalted at the right hand of the Father, as the Messianic head of Israel.

  The Holy Spirit is a sign of God's power and Glory.

  An appeal for forgiveness is made during the Messianic Age.
• Strengths of Dodd


  Detailed historical study

  Values kerygmata and historical Jesus.

  Connects Christians to the Early Church.
• Weaknesses of Dodd


  Assumes historicity of Acts.

  Finds early belief, not historical facts.

  Still no concise, definitive message.
• Bultmann and the Acts


  Argues that the Early Church kerygmata are unknowable and unhistorical.

  Suggests that the kerygma comes about as a result of the resurrection (historic, not historical) and the mythologised account of Jesus life in the Gospels.

  Kerygma should be considered the act of preaching beliefs about Jesus that cause others to believe.
• Strengths of Bultmann


  Affirms value of faith in the Early Church

  Eschatological importance still relevant

  Does not rely on unprovable facts
• Weaknesses of Bultmann


  Undermines historicity of Acts

  Denies historicity of key events

  No definitive message
• The Speeches in Acts are Historical

  Reliable sources

  Corroborated by epistles (e.g. Acts matches well to 1 Peter) Other information is accurate.

  Even summaries can contain historical fact

  Luke considers himself a historian.
• The speeches in Acts are not historical

  Evangelist and therefore biased

  Luke has a theological agenda

  Lukan style – not verbatim.

  Discrepancies between Paul in Acts and in his own epistles. Historical detail does not mean all factual.
• Are the Kerygmata relevant for Christians today?

  Remind Christians of their origins

  Gives a unifying statement of faith

  Encourages action and expectation

  Dodd = historical relevance

  Bultmann = eschatological relevance

  Connects Christianity to Early Church