New Testament | Acts (Part 2) & Romans (Part 1)
In this lecture from Dr. Michael McKay’s New Testament Literature course at Cedarville University, students explore the theology of Acts and how it prepares readers for the book of Romans.
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Dr. McKay highlights how the Holy Spirit is the central figure in Acts and how Luke uses specific events—such as the miraculous gift of tongues—to mark key transitions in the spread of the gospel from Jerusalem to Rome. Students learn to distinguish between descriptive and prescriptive passages, understand Acts as a bridge between the Gospels and Paul’s letters, and see how Paul’s letter to the Romans builds on these theological themes. The message introduces the purpose, audience, and structure of Romans and calls believers to unity in the gospel and faithfulness to the mission of the church.
Timestamps:
0:00 Intro and class plan — finishing Acts, starting Romans
0:50 Acts structure: three movements (Jerusalem; Judea and Samaria; ends of the earth)
3:03 Theology of Acts — the Holy Spirit as the main character
4:53 Tongues in Acts — three occasions and Luke’s strategy (Acts 2, 10, 19)
10:04 Luke’s outline and gospel expansion markers
12:32 Acts as a book of transitions — descriptive vs prescriptive
16:20 Major transitions summarized (Jewish to Gentile; Jerusalem to Rome; Jesus to Spirit; Israel to church; apostles to Paul)
22:22 Gospel message reiterated — death, burial, resurrection
26:12 Mission of the church and connection to Romans
32:02 Romans background — author, audience, date, and purpose
39:00 Practical issues Paul addresses — unity and Romans 14
40:49 Romans outline and Paul’s argument strategy
43:13 The “fishing net” metaphor — Paul’s widening then tightening argument
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