Pericope In Act 2 Essay

There are a few similarities between each of the pericopes assigned for this analysis. In almost all of the conversion accounts, there is some kind of some indication of the gospel being preached to the people directly (with the exception being Paul’s conversion, however the laying on of hands is mentioned in this specific account), and some kind of acceptance of the words that had been spoken to them. In Acts 2, Peter teaches to the Jews attending Pentecost. During this sermon, Peter refers to the crowd as the people who crucified Christ, but proceeds to tell them of God’s grace extended through Christ’s sacrifice which carries generations beyond. Each pericope adds a new facet of conversion which had not been previously seen. Following this formula, Peter’s sermon at Pentecost
God had sent Philip to minister in Samaria, and as he was preaching, many people believed and were amazed. After this specific event takes place, Peter and John are sent to investigate in Samaria. After they arrive, they lay hands on the new converts and the Holy Spirit fills them at that moment. This passage introduces the concept that non-Jews are welcomed into the kingdom of God, and it is also the first account of laying on of hands to invoke the Holy Spirit is recorded, and the concept of being baptized while not having the dwelling of the Spirit. Third is the pericope of the Ethiopian Eunuch’s conversion. The text states the eunuch was reading the scroll of Isaiah while on his way back from Jerusalem to his homeland. At this same time, Philip is led by the Spirit to approach the eunuch. After explaining the text to the eunuch, Philip preaches the gospel to the eunuch which leads to the eunuch’s conversion. This specific conversion account introduces the concept that those shunned or rejected by society are given provision in God’s kingdom and are able to receive