A Fresh Perspective - 06/13/08
This column is my fifth in the series on the subject of hell. The book of Acts contains a number of speeches/sermons (or parts of speeches) usually delivered by Peter or Paul. Scholars point out that Luke has undoubtedly shaped these in keeping with his own theological interests and purposes. Nevertheless, ever since C. H. Dodd's famous work, "The Apostolic Preaching and Its Development," scholars generally concede that these sermons reflect themes that were prevalent in the early Christian preaching of the gospel.
Some dominant themes that appear in these early sermons are as follows: God has brought to fulfillment the redemptive promises of the Old Testament and the new age of salvation has been inaugurated through the ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Through his resurrection Jesus has been exalted as Lord and Christ. The Holy Spirit in the church is a sign of Christ's living presence and power. Salvation will reach its climax and consummation with the return/revelation of Christ to judge the living and the dead. A call to repentance and baptism is made with the promise of forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit (see Acts 2:14-42, 3:11-26, 10:34-43, 13:16-41). It must be noted however, that the preaching in Acts to Gentiles--those unfamiliar with the Hebrew Scriptures--takes a different approach, making creation the beginning point of contact with the listeners rather than the Hebrew Scriptures (see Acts 14:8-17, 17:22-31).
The word "hell" (gehenna) is never used in the book of Acts and the idea of eternal punishment is completely absent. The subject of God's judgment appears, but there is no mention of any threat of hell.
In Peter's sermon on the day of Pentecost judgment is implied, but not specifically mentioned. Peter accuses his audience of being guilty of the crucifixion of Christ and as a part of his call to repentance says, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." In Peter's sermon in Acts 3 the emphasis is on the salvation/blessing of Christ who will bring "times of refreshing" and a "time of universal restoration (3:20-21). In Acts 10 Peter mentions that Jesus is the one "ordained by God as judge of the living and dead."
In Paul's preaching in Acts, the judgment theme receives minor consideration. Nothing is mentioned of judgment in Paul's sermon in Acts 13. In Paul's address to the philosophers in Athens in Acts 17, after speaking positively about God's revelation of God's self in creation, he says that God will judge the world in righteousness/justice through "a man whom he has appointed" and raised from the dead (17:31). Again, there is no reference to or threat of hell. In his defense before Felix, the Roman governor of Caesarea, Paul mentions that "there will be a resurrection of the both the righteous and unrighteous" but does not elaborate, and in his defense before King Agrippa he says nothing about the day of judgment.
The early Christian preaching in the book of Acts does not mention "hell." There is no thought of either complete destruction or eternal punishment. They believed that Christ would judge the world, but they do not speculate on the consequences of that judgment. Whatever beliefs they had regarding the destiny of the unrighteous they did not consider them relevant in the preaching of Christ.
Chuck Queen is Pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church, Frankfort (CBF affiliated). You can access his sermons and past articles at www.ibcfrankfort.com. He welcomes your comments at cqueen@fewpb.net