Beobachtungen zu den Anfängen der christlichen Gemeinde und ihre Bedeutung für unsere Gegenwart

Abstract

Luke was well acquainted with the intricacies of the Roman Empire, including the framing of political life by means of the law. It was possible to form associations; these required the permission of the local communal officials. The existence of organised synagogues was thus possible. Paul, on his mission journeys, visited such synagogues regularly. Under Gaius Julius Caesar, the Jews had received a number of social and religious privileges. During the reign of Claudius, they were at first refused permission to assemble in Rome and were later expelled from the city. Intertwined with the synagogue arose the church of Jesus Christ with its own culture of assembly. The book of Acts can be seen as a depiction of the spread of the gospel among Jews and heathens in interaction with the Roman system of law and the acceptance and rejection of the gospel in the synagogues.