Date

12-19-2024

Department

Rawlings School of Divinity

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy in Bible Exposition (PhD)

Chair

Richard Alan Fuhr

Keywords

Luke-Acts, Divine Transitions, The Holy Spirit’s Role in Shaping Gentile Inclusion, Gentile Inclusion, Parallels, Luke, Holy Spirit, Transitional Figures, Gospel of Luke, Book of Acts

Disciplines

Philosophy | Rhetoric and Composition

Abstract

This dissertation investigates the writings of Luke, specifically the book of Acts. In analyzing Luke’s writings, he transitions smoothly from one pertinent figure to another and from one significant event to another. One objective of this dissertation is to demonstrate Luke’s narrative of Peter and Paul as chosen leaders or ἐκλέγομαι found in Acts 1:2. “Until the day in which He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen” (Acts 1:2). The research shows that Luke presents these early key figures, mainly Peter and Paul, in their unique way yet in similar ways as the Holy Spirit working behind the scenes. This study examines Luke’s repeated themes, patterns, and parallels to bring awareness that the Gospel of Jesus was moving from a Jewish base to a Gentile expansion. This research focuses on the transition from Peter to Paul in the book of Acts. Although there are relevant studies by prior scholars regarding the writings of Luke, they have written little about the conjunction of similar parallels between Peter and Paul and the transition from Peter to Paul. This research utilizes Luke’s writings as primary sources to properly;

  • Investigate and identify the parallel transitions between the Gospel of Luke and the book of Acts.
  • Investigate and identify the critical narratives of Peter and Paul within the book of Acts.
  • Investigate and identify the parallel transition from Peter to Paul.
  • Investigate and identify the parallels between Peter and Paul to prove that Luke intentionally transitioned from Peter to Paul.
As seen in Luke’s writings, scholars have written about various pairs and parallels. One example is the parallel between the character and actions of the earthly Jesus in the Gospel of Luke and the character and action of the early church leaders, as seen in the book of Acts. This research investigates the characters and actions of Peter and Paul in the book of Acts, especially their striking similarities. This research will intend to answer questions like;
  • What evidence in Luke’s writings transitions us from Peter to Paul?
  • Why did Luke use transitional parallels in his writings?
  • How does the transition in the text serve to defend both Peter’s and Paul’s ministries without neglecting either?
  • When did the transition serve to reveal God’s divine plan for humanity, and was it intentional in its design?
This thesis contends that Luke intentionally drew strategic parallels between the Apostle Peter and the Apostle Paul in the book of Acts. Even though scholars have conducted many studies focusing on the similar apostolic character traits between Peter and Paul, this research centers on the relationship between the transitional parallels of the two apostles. Luke used them to demonstrate that God chose to encapsulate his workings through those transitional parallels. A transition was taking place; the apostles foresaw it, and the readers of Luke’s writings could identify through the purposeful placement of God’s certain pericope. It is the trajectory of the Holy Spirit bringing new things and unfolding along with the plan God had destined for humanity. Luke’s framework in the book of Acts draws readers’ attention to Peter as the Apostle of the Jews and Paul as the Apostle of the Gentiles. Luke seems to confirm that God intends for the Gentiles to receive the Gospel, giving credibility by writing specific narratives that show He is opening the doors not solely for the Jews as the recipients of the Gospel but also for the Gentiles. In addition, Luke is very selective in his writings, conveying that it is imperative to know that the Jews received the Gospel, and it is essential to know that the Gentiles are privy to the Gospel. Luke intentionally portrays the Holy Spirit of God moving from the Jewish community to the Gentiles. The parallel transition from Peter to Paul demonstrates the continuity of the Gospel from the earliest Jewish church to the church of the Gentiles. Luke placed this transition from Peter to Paul within God’s plan in his writings.

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