The Book of Acts contains several speeches. In previous articles I have referred to Paul’s speeches in defense of the faith. Now I wish to compare speeches directed toward the Jews and those directed to the Gentiles. The inspiration comes from a book by Alister McGrath, Mere Apologetics, where he tells of how Peter and Paul address different groups.
Peter preaches a sermon on Pentecost after the apostles manifest the power of the Holy Spirit. His audience was Judaea and from the Diaspora, Jews and proselytes who had converted to Judaism that were from many different places in the Roman Empire and beyond. The crowd thought the apostles must be drunk. But no, they were filled with the Spirit.
Peter begins with a quotation from Joel. Most of the Jews would be quite knowledgeable of the Hebrew Bible. The chief of the apostles recites a passage that speaks of the end, the Day of the Lord, and announces that all those who call on the Name of the Lord will be saved. He then speaks of Christ’s death and resurrection and refers to the the fact that lawless men killed Him. Peter quotes a passage from the Psalms ascribed to David. In it is attested the vindication of Jesus. The Father through the exalted Jesus has sent the Holy Spirit. The man whom they crucified is Lord and Christ. Peter calls on the people in the crowd to repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of sin and receive the Holy Spirit. On this occasion the Jews were told of their complicity in the death of Jesus and exhorted to confess Him as Lord and Christ. Peter speaks out of the context in which he finds himself.
Again, after the lame beggar is healed, Peter speaks to the crowd that had come together at Solomon’s Portico on the site of the Temple. Peter refers to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of the Fathers, as the One who glorified His child (παις) or servant, Jesus. It is prophets who foretold the suffering of Jesus. Peter quotes a passage from Deuteronomy that speaks of the Lord’s raising up a prophet like Moses. Peter reminds them that they are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant God made with the patriarchs whom God told would bless all the families of the earth. The Jews were the first to hear the Good News.
Peter mentioned the Gentiles in the speech at Solomon’s Portico. God’s intention is to have the message preached to them as well. Later, Peter addresses Cornelius, a centurion of the Italian Cohort, and his people at Caesarea, a place filled with pagans. Caesarea, named in honor of Caesar Augustus, became the capital city of the Roman governor of Judaea.
Peter speaks to Cornelius’ people. He first says that God shows no partiality, that is, Gentiles are to be included in the people of God. Peter makes a short confession of the events leading to Jesus’ resurrection. Even the Gentiles receive the Holy Spirit, showing there is no partiality regarding Jews and Gentiles. Like the people in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost, these Gentiles were baptized
In his travels Paul visited Athens, the Greek city of philosophy, tragedy, and art. He debated with the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers. Paul was invited to the Areopagus, Mars Hill, where to a body of men he spoke of Christ. He tells them that he noticed they were religious with all of the gods represented in the city. But especially, he told them of the altar to “the unknown god.” He claims that the unknown god is the God who made the world. God does not need temples nor does he need to be served by human hands. God intended that human beings seek Him. The God that Paul preaches is the God they seek. Paul quotes two pagan sources. “In him we live and move and have our being.,” and “For we are indeed his offspring,” quoted from the philosopher Epimenides and the poet Aratus. Paul condemns idols so common in the pagan world. God overlooks the times of ignorance; but, now He commands all people to repent; for He has determined a day to judge the world by Jesus Christ, raised from the dead. Many in the crowd made fun of Paul for believing in the resurrection from the dead. Others repented like Dionysius, the Areopagite, and Damaris.
Paul knows the context. He is speaking to pagan Gentiles. So, he relates himself to them by stating that they are religious. He also quotes from pagan sources. Paul is aware of the situation in which he speaks.
When we witness, we need to be aware of the context and relate to that context. We need to know something about the people to whom we speak. We are not to go into a situation blinded about the people’s knowledge and concerns. If we lack knowledge, we must learn what we do not know.
Michael G. Tavella
November 23, 2024
Saint Clement, Bishop of Rome, 100 A.D.
