1.      Choose 1 of the following for project #1: 

a.       Step #1: Read through the entire book of Acts making a categorized list of one of the following components: The person and work of the Holy Spirit; the church and its workings; salvation and evangelism. (Page 42 of your notebook is a good example of the kind of outline I'm looking for). Step #2: Combine your three categorized lists into one document. Step #3: Explain where each of these overlap. For example, how the Holy Spirit works in and through the church; how the church evangelizes and brings salvation; the role the Holy Spirit plays in someone's salvation; etc. Each group must have three people in it; each individual must provide one of the three lists.

b.      Do a biographical analysis on either Peter or the Holy Spirit (choose one) in the writings of Luke.  Your goal is to do a character analysis on these two figures by trying to answer the question, "How does Peter [or the Holy Spirit] fit into the overall story of Luke's writing?"  (NOTE: The best way to answer these questions is to use the "who", "what", "where", "when," and "why" method.)

For Peter: [1] Trace his interaction with Jesus throughout the Gospel of Luke leading up to the book of Acts asking questions like: When was he called?  What was his typical nature in situations: quiet, boisterous, etc.?  [2] Trace Peter's progression throughout the book of Acts with questions like: What was his role?  What was his temperament?  What did he do?  [3] Trace Peter's progression in church history with questions like: Are there any documented traditions about Peter outside of the scriptures?  If so, what do they reveal?  How did he die?   [4] Finally, analyze your findings: How does Peter from Acts compare/contrast with the study in the Gospel of Luke?  How did Peter change?  What was the general perception of him in each study?  (NOTE: You will obviously need more questions in each category to adequately flesh this out.)

For the Holy Spirit: [1] Trace the functions/teachings of the Holy Spirit in the Gospel of Luke by asking questions like: How is the Holy Spirit described?  What is the Holy Spirit's role?  Who was the Holy Spirit associated with in the Gospel?  Who will the Holy Spirit be attached to?  When will the Holy Spirit come?  [2] Trace the function of the Holy Spirit in the book of Acts by asking questions like: Where do we find the Holy Spirit?  What does the Holy Spirit do?  How is the Holy Spirit revealed?   [3] Trace the Holy Spirit in the Epistles of Peter by asking questions like: How is the Holy Spirit perceived or described?  What function does it exert in the life of the church?  Why does Peter seem to refer to the Spirit in context?  [4] Finally, analyze your findings: How is the Holy Spirit's role and function changed from the Gospel to Acts and to the Epistles of Peter?  Did Jesus' description of the Holy Spirit in the Gospels match what we find in the book of Acts?  What is the general function of the Holy Spirit in each study?  (NOTE: You will obviously need more questions in each category to adequately flesh this out.)

2.      Choose 1 of the following for project #2:

a.       Develop a chart of every person and place mentioned in the book of Acts.  The chart should include: The places of Acts, the people in Acts, What people are found in what places, a short description of each place, a short description of each person, where each place is found elsewhere in the New Testament (if applicable), and where each person is found elsewhere in the New Testament (if applicable).

b.      Produce a piece of art representing some text of the first twelve chapters of Acts. This must be something that could be presented with a lesson or sermon on that text. It could be a slide show, sculpture, poem, song, painting, a play, or any other sort of visual or audio expressing of the text. Make it substantial. You will be graded not only on how the piece draws someone into the text, but by the amount of effort and thought that went into the work.

3.      Read one of the three books listed below.  A quiz will be given over the particular
         book on the date the project is due.

•  Neyrey, Jerome.  The Social World of Luke-Acts.  Peabody, MA: Hendriksen,
    1991.
•  Bruce, F.F.  Paul: Apostle of the Heart Set Free.  Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1973.
•  Cymbala, Jim. Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1997.

4.       Complete the conversion chart found on p. 83 of your notebook. On the back of the page, summarize any significant findings in 1-2 paragraphs. Tell me what surprised you about the nature of conversion in Acts and/or how you need to present the gospel more effectively so this kind of biblical conversion can take place.

1. ADA Accommodation: If you have a disability and are requesting an accommodation, please contact the Executive Director of Admissions at 417-624-2518 Extension 2006 as soon as possible.
2. Attendance: Absences over 6 will result in the failure of this course as outlined in the college catalogue (page 53-4). Four tardies will be counted as one absence. If a student arrives fifteen minutes after class or leaves fifteen minutes before class is over it will be counted as an absence. 
3. Homework: Late work is unacceptable. Assignments and projects are due at the beginning of the class period on which they are assigned.  If you are absent, you are still responsible for having your work brought to class and turned in for you. All work is to be typed unless otherwise noted.
4. Tests: Should you miss an exam you will take a different exam and you will have exactly one week to make it up from the class period on which it was given. You may take it at the testing center (L12) after paying a $5 late fee in the business office.
5. Papers must follow the guidelines of the Term Paper Guide which can be purchased in the Bookstore. End notes are not acceptable for this class. Topics can be chosen from the list below. I urge you to get a tutoring appointment in The Learning Center. I tend to like courier font. You can find help for your Term Paper through: http://markmoore.org/resources/powerpoints/termpaper.ppt and
   http://markmoore.org/resources/essays/termpaperss.shtml
6. Cheating/Plagiarism: Cheating will result in a zero on the assignment in question and a mandatory meeting with the dean of students to determine further discipline which may include failure in the class or dismissal from the college. Cheating  includes but is not limited to (1) using material from another student for tests, memory, or term papers, (2) not properly citing sources in papers and assignments so as to make it look original, (3) using cheat sheets – written or electronic – for tests or quizzes.

1. Arrington, F. L. The Acts of the Apostles, Peabody, MA.- Hendrickson, 1988. (A scholarly commentary from a Pentecostal perspective.)
   
   

2. Bruce, F. F. Commentary on the Book of Acts, in The New International Commentary on the New Testament, F. F. Bruce (Ed.). Grand Rapids, IL: Eerdmans, 1954. (Concise exposition with helpful historical background. Part of the New International Commentary.)
   
   

3. Campbell, A. Acts of the Apostles. Nashville: Holman, 1858. (An historic Restorationist work).
   
   

4. Ferguson, E. Backgrounds of Early Christianity. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1987. (This is not a commentary but a veritable gold mine of historical information.)
   
   

5. Fernando, Ajith. Acts, in The NIV Application Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1998. (Strong Evangelical work from a missions perspective in India. Superior application, shy on exegesis).
   
   

6. Gaertner, D. Acts. Joplin, MO: College Press, 1993. (This contemporary commentary is readable and semi-scholarly from a Restorationist perspective).
   
   

7. Larkin, William J. Acts. Downer's Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1995. (Scholarly work from an Evangelical perspective, but not especially readable).
   
   

8. Longenecker, Richard N. Acts, in The Expositor's Bible Commentary, Frank E. Gaebelein (Ed.). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1981. (Brief, general commentary with helpful notes on the Greek text.)
   
   

9. Marshall, H. I. The Acts of the Apostles. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1980. (This thorough commentary is good for general study. Sometimes too wordy, sometimes too obvious in its stated purpose to counter the liberal views of Haenchen.)
   
   

10. McGarvey, J. W. The Acts of the Apostles. Cincinatti: Standard, 1892. (Excellent classic exposition.)
    
    

11. Neyrey, Jerome. The Social World of Luke-Acts. Peabody, MA: 1991. (Examines the lst century world from a social-scientific perspective to create helpful models for understanding biblical events).
    
    

12. Polhill, J. B. Acts, in The New American Commentary, Nashville: Broadman, 1992. (Outstanding scholarship and research. Footnotes are dynamite! Best suited for advanced students).
    
    

13. Reese, Gareth L. N.T. History, ACTS. Joplin, MO. College Press, 1976. In-depth exposition with helpful extra studies. Sometimes slanted. Definitely Restorationist.)
    
    

14. Stott, John R. The Spirit, the Church and the World. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1990. (Not much verse by verse exposition, but excellent for understanding the broad themes.)
    
    

15. Witherington, Ben. The Acts of the Apostles: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1998. (This is best suited for more advanced students but has a wealth of information).