Bryan M. Litfin - After Acts: Exploring the Lives and Legends of the Apostles

In After Acts, Bryan Litfin provides an engaging, critically informed, and edifying account of what early church traditions tell us about the major figures of the New Testament after the period described in the book of Acts. Through careful detective work, Litfin sifts history and legend to show what Christians today can learn from these important traditions.

MICHAEL GRAVES
Armerding Associate Professor of Old Testament, Wheaton College

The strength and integrity of what you find in these pages are rooted in Bryan Litfins painstaking scholarship. But Bryan is no ordinary historian. He is also a preacher who loves to showcase the movements of divine grace through the events that we call history. Therefore, this book not only provides insight into the apostles; it also presents the glorious God whose hand continues to enliven men and women with apostolic faith.

CHRIS CASTALDO
Author of Talking with Catholics about the Gospel

Litfin has provided a fascinating survey of the rest of the story of the lives of the apostles (plus Mark, Luke, and Mary) beyond what we learn directly from the pages of Scripture itself. With a sure hand born of solid scholarly discernment concerning the extant historical documents and their varying reliability, he helps us to sift through fact and fantasy, and separate trustworthy traditions from fanciful embellishments. The results are realistic portraits that appropriately honor these great heroes of the faith (and their Lord) by confirming their redeemed humanity and their vibrant and courageous witness to the gospel.

RON MAN
Pastor of Worship/Missionary in Residence, First Evangelical Church, Memphis, Tennessee; Director, Worship Resources International

There has been a resurgence of interest in the past twenty years among evangelicals into the history and theology of the early Christian church. This has resulted in a number of scholarly monographs and collections of primary sources in translation. What is now happening, in large part due to the work of Dr. Bryan Litfin, is that such scholarly work is making its way into the hands of Christians in both the academy and in the church. After Acts continues that trajectory. Though erudite, it is written in a style and manner that is immediately accessible to all readers. Dr. Litfin tells a series of amazing stories, separating the wheat from the chaff in such a way that these disciples come alive once again. Dr. Litfin honors the Christian tradition but is not afraid to stand against the grain when the historical record demands it. Anyone interested in the men and women of the New Testament will find this book useful and fascinating.

GREG PETERS
Associate Professor of Medieval and Spiritual Theology, Torrey Honors Institute

Too often, contemporary discussions of extrabiblical data about the New Testaments main characters appeal to a vague entity called early Christian tradition. In After Acts, Litfin does a great service by introducing ordinary readers to the actual sources in that traditionin all of their glory and ambiguityand explaining in a lively way how these things matter for ordinary Christians. The treasures laid bare by this book will delight anyone with a growing interest in the early church and its relationship to the New Testament.

STEPHEN T. PARDUE
Assistant Professor of Theology, Asia Graduate School of Theology (Manila)

Bryan Litfin has distinguished himself among evangelical theologians for his deep appreciation for the continuity of the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. Adding to his growing list of books along these lines comes his latest: After Acts: Exploring the Lives and Legends of the Apostles. Illuminating for students, useful for pastors, accessible to everyone, this is an excellent introduction to the traditions that foreground the New Testament. Bryan traverses lots of territory and canvases a dizzying number of ancient sources to bring us this sure-footed, readable, and practical guide. If youre eager to grow in your appreciation for the characters who populate the pages of the New Testamentfrom Peter to Paul, James to John, Luke to MaryI can think of no better place to start. Highly recommended!

TODD WILSON
Senior Pastor at Calvary Memorial Church

2015 by
Bryan M. Litfin

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

Scripture quotations are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. Copyright 2000, 2001, 2007 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Edited by Pam Pugh
Interior Design: Design Corps
Cover Design: Erik M. Peterson

Cover Image: The Crucifixion of St. Peter, 1600-01 (oil on panel), Caravaggio, Michelangelo Merisi da (1571-1610) / Santa Maria del Popolo, Rome, Italy / The Bridgeman Art Library

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Litfin, Bryan M.
After Acts : exploring the lives and legends of the apostles / Bryan Litfin.
pages cm

Summary: What happened to all those biblical figures once the Bible was finished? Weve all heard it said: According to early church tradition, Peter was crucified upside down, or Paul went to Spain. Did Thomas found the Indian church? Or did Mary live in Ephesus? Were the twelve disciples all eventually martyred? Where do these ancient traditions come from, and how historically reliable are they? What is meant by the term early church tradition? After Acts opens up the world of the Bible right after it was written. Follow along with New Testament scholar Dr. Bryan Litfin as he explores the facts, myths, legends, archaeology, and questions of what happened in those most early days of Christianity.Provided by publisher.

Includes bibliographical references.

ISBN 978-0-8024-1240-9 (paperback)

1. Church historyPrimitive and early church, ca. 30600. I. Title.
BR162.3.L58 2015
270.1dc23

2014034360

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I dedicate this book to my daughter

Anna Elizabeth Litfin.

Because your soul magnifies the Lord, and your spirit rejoices in God your Savior, may He who is mighty do great things for you.

Dates and life spans in black are best estimates.
(?) indicates doubt on the authors part that the event occurred at this time, if at all

FIRST CENTURY

33: Jesus Christ is resurrected from the dead