Summaries and Summary Narratives in Acts

[rlvaughn]

The book of Acts contains several summaries (sentences) and summary narratives (paragraphs) that advance the history by synthesizing events over time into a brief or condensed statement. They accelerate the story with general declarations that depict prevailing (and healthy) church life, covering an extended but unspecified period. Some may be brief while others may cover several years. For example, 1:14 cannot cover more than ten days, while the paragraphs might cover time in years. Lorin L. Cranford thinks 2:43-47, 4:32-35, and 5:12-16 each may cover a period of roughly five years (though I am not sure I agree).

What are the summary narratives -- 2:43-47, 4:32-35, and 5:12-16 -- all occur in Jerusalem and seem to be agreed upon (that is, as to which pieces are summary narratives). On the other hand, the sentence summaries are not so often pointed out, and not necessarily agreed upon. The following I think might be regarded that way (as sentence summaries). What do you think?

Summaries

• Acts 1:14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.
• Acts 6:7 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.
• Acts 8:4 Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.
• Acts 9:31 Then had the churches rest throughout all Judæa and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.
• Acts 11:26b And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
• Acts 12:24 But the word of God grew and multiplied.
• Acts 14:28 And there they abode long time with the disciples.
• Acts 16:5 And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.
• Acts 19:20 So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.
• Acts 28:30-31 And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.

 

[rlvaughn]

When I started this thread yesterday, I was afraid it might not be controversial enough to be discussed. Surely there is some controversy on this summaries, though? No? To reject three summary narratives and ten summary sentences doubtless is some form of heresy.

The Libera-summarists deny the truth and meaning of both the summary narratives and the summary sentences. The Calvisummarists hold to five summary narratives. Arminisummarists also hold to five summary narratives, just not the same five as the Calvies. Hypersummarists hold 12 sentence narratives to match the number of the tribes of Israel and the apostles. Those who embrace only 10 are considered heretics by them.

 

[RighteousnessTemperance&]

When I started this thread yesterday, I was afraid it might not be controversial enough to be discussed. Surely there is some controversy on this summaries, though? No? To reject three summary narratives and ten summary sentences doubtless is some form of heresy.

The Libera-summarists deny the truth and meaning of both the summary narratives and the summary sentences. The Calvisummarists hold to five summary narratives. Arminisummarists also hold to five summary narratives, just not the same five as the Calvies. Hypersummarists hold 12 sentence narratives to match the number of the tribes of Israel and the apostles. Those who embrace only 10 are considered heretics by them.

Being unfamiliar with the topic, it sounds strange. Is that saying some outright reject certain verses of Acts as additions to the text?

 

[rlvaughn]

Well, I am sure that some do reject certain verses of Acts, but actually I was trying to use a bit of satire to suggest that we often only discuss topics about which we can argue. Post #2 probably wasn't so humorous and did not make much sense.

 

[RighteousnessTemperance&]

Well, I am sure that some do reject certain verses of Acts, but actually I was trying to use a bit of satire to suggest that we often only discuss topics about which we can argue. Post #2 probably wasn't so humorous and did not make much sense.

OK, thanks for clarifying. Now it's funny.

 

[RighteousnessTemperance&]

I consider that the NT history authors did an inspiring job providing information so succinctly. And when Luke retells a tale, he does so variously, just as real people would.

I may not have caught on yet, but it seems to me that there should be several more passages that would qualify as summary.

Perhaps it’s outside the scope, but the first verses are just that. In any case, they are a good place to start.

1:1-2 In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen.

1:3 After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.​

 

[rlvaughn]

Yes, good catch. I didn't catch that one because I was focusing on the summaries that advance the story of the growth and spread of the church. Nevertheless, verse 3 is definitely a summary that serves as a bridge between Luke & Acts and advances the story forward 40 days in one sentence -- in a similar way the others function.

 

[atpollard]

Acts 16:5 And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.

Clearly we have an indication of Baptist Congregations at work. What other denomination could start new churches daily?
Multiplication through division and new church planting at its finest.

 

[RighteousnessTemperance&]

Yes, good catch. I didn't catch that one because I was focusing on the summaries that advance the story of the growth and spread of the church. Nevertheless, verse 3 is definitely a summary that serves as a bridge between Luke & Acts and advances the story forward 40 days in one sentence -- in a similar way the others function.

Well, if you like those, then perhaps you'll allow me a few more. Consider…

5:42 Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah. 6:1 In those days when the number of disciples was increasing…

11:19-21 Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out when Stephen was killed traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, spreading the word only among Jews. Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.

11:29-30 The disciples, as each one was able, decided to provide help for the brothers and sisters living in Judea. This they did, sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.

 

[rlvaughn]

Thanks. To be clear, I am partly thinking out loud about all this as I study it and threw in some thoughts here on the BB. I am not settled on a "list" of the sentence summaries. I have not really considered the possibility of other summary narratives (i.e., other than the 3 most everyone seems to agree on). However, Acts 11:19-30 almost seems a bit like a "missionary" version of the summary narratives, with a sentence summary thrown in at verse 21. 5:42 definitely sounds like the same kind of sentence summary that moves the story along from point A to point B, and I can think of no reason it should not be included in such a list.