In Acts 2, the Holy Spirit descends upon the gathered disciples and a strange phenomenon occurs where the disciples begin to speak in other...

1. In Acts 2, the Holy Spirit descends upon the gathered disciples and a strange phenomenon occurs where the disciples begin to speak in other languages. What seems to be the point of this event (think especially of what happens to the crowds)? How would you summarize Peter’s message to the crowds?

2. From your reading of Acts 1-11, how would you describe the early Christian community (structure of their community, activities, purpose, etc)?

3. Acts 10-11 are particularly important for showing the spread of Christianity into non-Jewish (Gentile) circles. What do Peter’s visions about “clean” and “unclean” foods have to do with Gentiles? What point do you think the author trying to make in these two chapters?

4. In Galatians 3, Paul makes a case that Gentiles (non-Jews) should be allowed full membership into the new Christian community without having to undergo certain Jewish rituals (especially circumcision). A large part of his argument is based on the Israelite figure of Abraham. How exactly does the figure of Abraham work in Paul’s argument? Think especially of the role of Abraham’s “faith” and the purpose of the “law”.

5. In Galatians 3, Paul also seems to contrast “faith” and “works” (consider vv. 5, 10-14). What kind of works does he have in mind? How can you tell?

Question 1During Pentecost in Acts chapter, Peter tells the crowd that what they were witnessing was not a matterof being drunk with new wine as the crowds claimed. To the contrary, it was a...