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The Catholic University of America THE CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF AMERICA Paul among Jews: A Study of the Meaning and Significance of Paul’s Inaugural Sermon in the Synagogue Of Antioch in Pisidia (Acts 13:16-41) for His Missionary Work among the Jews A DISSERTATION Submitted to the Faculty of the School of Theology and Religious Studies Of The Catholic University of America In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements For the Degree Doctor of Philosophy By Wenxi Zhang Washington, D.C. 2010 Paul among Jews: A Study of the Meaning and Significance of Paul’s Inaugural Sermon in the Synagogue of Antioch in Pisidia (Acts 13:16-41) for His Missionary Work among the Jews Wenxi Zhang, Ph.D. Director: Frank J. Matera, Ph.D. This dissertation studies the meaning and significance of Paul’s inaugural sermon at Antioch of Pisidia (Acts 13:16-41) in order to understand its literary function in Paul’s ministry among Jews according to the Acts of the Apostles. In chapter one, I provide a history of research of the speeches in Acts in general and Paul’s inaugural speech in particular (Acts 13:16-41). I conclude that since this is Paul’s inaugural sermon, a study of the literary function of Jesus’ and Peter’s inaugural sermons may shed some light on the literary function of Paul’s inaugural sermon. In chapter two, I study the literary function of Jesus’ inaugural sermon at Nazareth (Luke 4:16-30), and in chapter three I analyze Peter’s inaugural sermon at Pentecost (Acts 2:14-40). I conclude that both sermons have a parallel literary function in the narrative of Luke-Acts and are significant for understanding the ministries of Jesus and Peter in Luke-Acts. In chapter four, I examine Paul’s inaugural sermon, noting that the full content of his preaching is reserved for his inaugural sermon. In this sermon, he argues from the Scriptures that God fulfilled his promise to David by raising Jesus from the dead. In chapter five, I investigate, from a narrative critical point of view, the literary function of Paul’s inaugural sermon in relation to the narration of his ministry to Israel in Acts. In chapter six, I draw two conclusions from my study of Paul’s inaugural sermon. First, Paul’s inaugural sermon has a significant literary function for understanding his ministry to Israel in Acts; namely, this sermon functions as the model for how Paul regularly preaches to Jews in Acts. Thus, it unifies the different narratives of Paul’s ministry among Jews in Acts. Second, through this inaugural sermon and its related narrative, Luke demonstrates that Paul is a missionary to both Jews and Gentiles in the Acts of the Apostles. This dissertation by Wenxi Zhang fulfills the dissertation requirement for the doctoral degree in Biblical Studies approved by Frank J. Matera, Ph.D., as Director, and by Francis T. Gignac, D. Phil., and John P. Heil, S.S.D., as Readers. __________________________ Frank J. Matera, Ph.D., Director ____________________________ Francis T. Gignac, D. Phil., Reader _____________________________ John P. Heil, S.S.D., Reader ii Dedicated to my beloved parents: Paul Zhang Guangyin 父亲张光印 (1931–2006) and Martha Bai Yingxu 母亲白英须(1935–1998); my two bishops: Bishop Raymond Wang Chonglin 王宠林主教 (1921–2010) and Bishop Joseph Jiang Mingyuan 姜明远主教 (1931–2008). mimhtai, mou gi,nesqe kaqw.j kavgw. Cristou/ (1 Cor 11:1) In thanksgiving to their wholehearted love and care to me and their wonderful example of faithfulness and service to God and his people which have inspired my life in so many ways. iii Table of Contents CHAPTER ONE ............................................................................................................ 1 A History of Research ............................................................................................... 1 Introduction ............................................................................................................... 1 I. A General Study of Historical and Critical Research of Acts ............................. 1 A. Tendency Criticism ....................................................................................... 2 B. Source Criticism ........................................................................................... 4 C. Form Criticism .............................................................................................. 4 II. A Survey of Historical and Critical Research on the Speeches of Acts and Some General Studies on the Speeches in Acts ................................................. 6 III. History of Research: Paul’s Speech in Antioch of Pisidia (Acts 13:16-41) ..... 14 A. Martin Dibelius .......................................................................................... 14 B. Ulrich Wilckens .......................................................................................... 17 C. Marcel Dumais .......................................................................................... 20 D. Robert F. O’Toole ..................................................................................... 22 E. Christie A. Joachim Pillai .......................................................................... 22 F. Mattäus F. J. Buss ...................................................................................... 25 G. John J. Kilgallen ......................................................................................... 27 H. Danielle Ellul .............................................................................................. 28 I. David A. DeSilva ........................................................................................ 29 J. Huub van de Sandt ....................................................................................... 30 K. Marion L. Soards ........................................................................................ 32 L. Josef Pichler ................................................................................................ 36 iv M. Michel Quesnel .......................................................................................... 38 N. N. Esau,, García ............................................................................................ 39 IV. Conclusion ...................................................................................................... 41 CHAPTER TWO ......................................................................................................... 44 The Literary Function of Jesus’ Inaugural Sermon (Luke 4:16-30) ....................... 44 Introduction ............................................................................................................ 44 I. Jesus’ Inaugural Sermon in the Synagogue of Nazareth (Luke 4:16-30) .......... 45 A. The Literary Context .................................................................................. 45 B. The Structure of the Sermon ....................................................................... 50 C. A Detailed Exegesis .................................................................................... 52 1. Jesus Comes to His Hometown of Nazareth (v. 16ab) ................................ 52 2. Phase I: Jesus Reads the Scriptures and the Audience Responds (vv. 16c-20) ................................................................................................. 54 3. Phase II: Jesus Interprets the Text of the Scripture and the Audience Responds (vv. 21-22) .................................................................................. 64 4. Phase III: Jesus Responds to the Audience’s Response, and They Respond with Rage (vv. 23-29) ......................................................... 67 5. Jesus Leaves Nazareth and Goes on His Way (v. 30) ................................. 72 II. The Literary Function of Jesus’ Sermon to His Ministry in the Gospel of Luke and Acts ............................................................................................. 73 A. Jesus’ Inaugural Sermon Functions as a Model Sermon That He Delivers to the Jews .................................................................................... 74 B. Jesus’ Inaugural Sermon Announces the Main Themes in Luke-Acts ....... 75 1. The Theme of the Holy Spirit ..................................................................... 75 2. The Theme of Jesus’ Identity as a Messianic Prophet ................................ 76 v 3. The Theme of Proclaiming the Good News ................................................ 77 4. The Theme of the Character of Jesus’ Ministry ........................................... 78 5. The Theme of Release or Forgiveness of Sins ............................................ 79 6. The Theme of Prophecy and Fulfillment .................................................... 80 7. The Theme of Rejection and Mission to the Gentiles ................................. 81 III. Conclusion ....................................................................................................... 83 CHAPTER THREE ...................................................................................................... 84 The Literary Function of Peter’s Inaugural Sermon (Acts 2:14-40) ............................ 84 Introduction .................................................................................................................. 84 I. Peter’s Inaugural Sermon to the Jews in Jerusalem at Pentecost (Acts 2:14-40) .................................................................................. 85 A. Literary Context of the Sermon in Acts 2:14-40 ........................................ 85 1. The Remote Literary Context .....................................................................
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