Acts of the Apostles

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The Acts of the Apostles, usually referred to simply as Acts, is the first book of the New Testament after the Gospels. It tells the story of the early church from the ascension of Jesus to the house arrest of Paul in Rome. The opening of Acts refers to "the first book" and, like the Gospel of Luke, is addressed to a man named Theophilus. This makes it highly likely that Acts was written by the same person as Luke.

Acts is usually dated to around 80–90 CE. It is strange that it omits important events around 62-70 CE, which leads some to argue for an earlier dating.[1]

Commentary[edit]

Acts seems to have glaring omissions by not mentioning Jesus being a famous miracle worker, no mention of a search for a missing body, or that he had been resurrected and "seen by many".[2]

Contradictions in Acts[edit]

In the account of Paul's conversion in chapter 9 Bible-icon.png, it says that Paul's companions heard Jesus' voice but did not see anyone. However, in chapter 22 Bible-icon.png, Paul says that his companions saw the light but did not hear the voice. It seems the author of Acts believed they had gotten half of the experience, but could not keep straight which half.

This is also where Judas Iscariot's 2nd death is mentioned.

Forged verses[edit]

Main Article: Many accurate copies of my holy book exist

Some of the earliest surviving Bibles dating from the 300's, like the Codex Sinaiticus (also called א or Aleph) and the Codex Vaticanus (also called B), are important examples of early manuscripts. The modern text of the New Testament contain later insertions which are not in these early versions. [3] [4] The following sections are in neither early text and are therefore likely forgeries:

  • Acts 8:37 Bible-icon.png 'And Philip said, "If you believe with all your heart, you may." And he answered and said, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God."' [5]
  • Acts 15:34 Bible-icon.png "But it seemed good to Silas to remain there." [6]
  • Acts 24:7 Bible-icon.png "But Lysias the commander came along, and with much violence took him out of our hands" [7]
  • Acts 28:29 Bible-icon.png "When he had spoken these words, the Jews departed, having a great dispute among themselves." [8]

References[edit]