The end of Acts 28 and the fate of the historical Apostle Paul
LE3 .A278 2013
2013
Evans, Craig
Acadia University
Master of Arts
Masters
Theology
Acadia Divinity College
The purpose of this study will be to investigate the end of Acts 28 and the fate of the historical Apostle Paul. The primary reason for this study is due to the famous historical ambiguity associated with Paul’s fate following Acts 28. Initially, this thesis examines the widespread ambiguity and assumptions concerning Paul’s fate that exist among both modern and ancient writers. Accordingly, the various theological and literary explanations advanced by these scholars are examined in light of Acts and the significant historical events that shaped Christian, Jewish and Roman history. Consequently, this study proposes that Luke was completely unaware of Paul’s death at the time of his writing Luke-Acts. This proposition is supported both internally by examining the language of Acts in the context of Rome, and externally by investigating the epic events that occurred in A.D. 64 and beyond. Furthermore, this study also proposes that Paul’s situation at the end of Acts is not a literary fabrication, but an authentic historical account that reflects the contemporary legal and business language of Rome in Paul’s day. Simultaneously, while addressing the critical issue of chronology, this study further proposes that Luke-Acts was written no later than A.D. 64. Finally, the historic tradition of Paul’s trial, martyrdom, and burial in Rome is summarily discussed and affirmed.
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https://scholar.acadiau.ca/islandora/object/theses:285