Episode Summary:
Welcome to a special bonus series of Jesus and Jetlag! Hosts Matthew Doebler and Mike Hartman kick off a six-part deep dive into the mission themes found within the book of Acts2. In this first episode, Matt and Mike explore Acts Chapter 1, discussing the “Missio Dei” (the Mission of God), the seamless continuity between the Gospel of Luke and Acts, and what it means for the modern church to be living in “Acts Chapter 29”.
Key Topics & Takeaways:
The Sequel to Luke: Acts is viewed as “Volume Two” of a set, written to Theophilus. The hosts discuss the theory that Theophilus may have converted from a patron to a “brother” in the faith between the writing of the two books.
The Roadmap of Acts: Acts 1:8 serves as the outline for the entire book, moving from Jerusalem to Judea and Samaria, and finally to the ends of the earth.
Witness and Martyr: The root of the word “martyr” comes from the Greek. Being a witness is a promise from Jesus (”You will be my witnesses”), not just a command, though it often comes with hardship.
The Missio Dei: Defined as the “sending of God,” this concept traces how the Father sent the Son, the Son sent the Spirit, and the Trinity sends the church today.
Acts 29: While the book of Acts ends at chapter 28, the work of the church continues today as the “unfinished” next chapter of the story.
Historical Figures Mentioned:
Sir William Ramsey: A skeptic and archaeologist who set out to disprove Luke but concluded that Luke was a historian of the first rank.
St. Bartholomew: A striking example of the cost of witnessing; tradition holds he was skinned alive for his faith.
Augustine of Canterbury: Sent by Pope Gregory the Great to England at age 60, demonstrating that mission work involves both speaking the gospel and enduring hardship with quiet confidence.
Next Episode Teaser:
Join Matt and Mike for Bonus Episode 2, where they will cover Acts 14:8-20 and discuss the “natural knowledge of God” in a secular world.
Common Terms and Links on Jesus and Jetlag
WELS = Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (wels.net)
WLS = Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in Mequon Wisconsin (wisluthsem.org)
BWM = WELS Board for World Missions
CICR = Commission on Inter-Church Relations of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod
Vicar = a pastoral intern in the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran system
Wisconsin Lutheran Quarterly (WLQ) - A theological journal, published by Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, that aims to serve pastors and theologians with scholarly articles, book reviews, and reflections on contemporary theological and pastoral concerns.
Pastoral Studies Institute of Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary
All commentary, statements, and discussion on this podcast reflect the knowledge, insight, and experience solely of the individuals presenting and featured on the podcast.
