Pastors Study Week 5

2-26-2024 Will Dyer The Challenge of Acts by N.T. Wright The discussion focuses on Acts chapters 13 through 16, particularly the persecution of Paul and the early church, rooted in historical and sociopolitical contexts. ​ Will Dyer highlights a significant shift in religious trends in America, noting a recent Pew Research study showing a halt in the decline of religious faith, with a slight uptick among late millennials. ​ Will Dyer explains Paul's mission, emphasizing that his teachings about Jesus as the fulfillment of God's promises to Israel led to conflicts with both Jewish and Roman authorities. ​ The cultural framework of the first century, where Jews had a religious exemption from sacrificing to Roman gods, is crucial to understanding the hostility Paul faced. The Jerusalem conference in Acts 15 is highlighted as a pivotal moment, officially welcoming Gentiles into the Christian faith without requiring them to follow Jewish law, thus expanding the church's inclusivity.