The Pauline traditions in the acts of apostles

Abstract

Part I. The theme of Pauline tradition is mentioned by Barrett and Schenke, and further, Roloff and Plamacher indicate traditional material behind the image of Paul in Acts, part of which is analyzed by burchard and Loning (ch.l). The date of Acts is placed at the end of the first century and the author confronted Jewish Christianity crossed with Gnosticism (ch.2), Historical criticism, form criticism and redaction criticism are methodological principles for our investigation. Any source theories are problematical. However, the author utilized traditional material in depiction of Paul in Acts, namely, the Pauline traditions, which are parallel to the Pauline Epistles, the Pauline legends, which are parallel to the miracle stories in the synoptic tradition, and the local community traditions (ch.5).Part II. Paul's background in Acts (Jewish, Hellenistic and Roman) is based on the Pauline traditions. Judaizing and anti-Jewish tendencies are seen in it (ch.4), Paul's pre-conversion period is also based on the Pauline traditions, but coloured with Judaizing tendencies (ch.3). Paul's conversion and call are due to traditional material, out modified with literary devices. Anti-gnostic tendencies can be traced behind it (ch.6). The earliest years after conversion and call are based on tradition; however, it is dominated by anti-Jewish tendencies (ch.7). The first missionary journey is not totally a "model” journey, but two parts of it are based on the Pauline traditions respectively together with the Pauline legends. But the author arranged them in order to make a circular journey. Judaizing tendencies and ambivalent anti-Jewish tendencies are seen in it (ch.8). In the second missionary journey, in contrast to the first one, the local community traditions are employed together with the Pauline traditions and the Pauline legends. Judaizing tendencies are seen in it (ch.9). The Pauline traditions, the Pauline legends and the local community traditions are utilized in the depiction of the third missionary journey. Apologetic tendencies against syncretism and paganism are seen in it (ch.lO). The image of Paul in Acts is not only based on traditional material but also transformed by the author in order to defend the legitimacy of the Gentile mission under anti-Pauline attacks. Acts is governed by rhetorical Peripatetic historiography (ch.11).