BibleProject Podcast: "Followers of 'The Way' in Acts"

Release Date: April 14, 2025
Host: BibleProject Podcast
Episode Title: Followers of “The Way” in Acts

Introduction: Tracing the Exodus Theme

The episode delves into the profound influence of the Exodus narrative on the early Christian movement, particularly as depicted in the Book of Acts. Hosts Tim Mackey and John Collins explore how the theme of "the way," rooted in the Exodus story, shaped the identity and mission of Jesus' first followers.

Key Quote:
Tim Mackey (00:00):
"We've been tracing the theme of the way in the Bible. It's the road out of slavery, the road through the wilderness, and the road into the land of promise."

The Exodus as a Universal Story

Mackey and Collins discuss the Exodus not merely as Israel's escape from Egypt but as a metaphor for the broader human journey from death's slavery to promised salvation. This universal application is foundational to understanding the Gospel authors' portrayal of Jesus as the deliverer.

Key Insights:

• Yahweh's Supremacy: The Exodus story emphasizes God's power over Egypt's false gods, a theme central to Acts' confrontations with pagan deities.
• Salvation as Rescue: The introduction of "salvation" in Exodus underscores its meaning as rescue, a concept early Christians applied to Jesus' mission.

Key Quote:
John Collins (00:56):
"When Yahweh does the ten signs and wonders and delivers his people out of Egypt, that exposes the gods of Egypt as bankrupt, powerless, subject to the living God."

Isaiah's Influence on Acts

A significant portion of the discussion focuses on how the Book of Isaiah reinterprets the Exodus narrative to anticipate a new deliverance, which deeply influenced the Book of Acts. David Powell's scholarly work is highlighted for its exploration of this connection.

Key Quote:
John Collins (05:47):
"The story of Exodus is where the word salvation appears for the first time... He used the word salvation to describe it. He also used the word comfort."

Key Insights:

• New Exodus Imagery: Isaiah's prophecies present a salvation that not only liberates Israel but also serves as a revelation to all nations.
• Gospel Foundation: The early Jesus movement aligned itself with this new Exodus framework, viewing Jesus' resurrection as the ultimate act of salvation.

Jesus and the New Exodus

Mackey and Collins explore how Jesus embodies the new Exodus, aligning his life, death, and resurrection with the themes of deliverance and confrontation with oppressive powers.

Key Quote:
John Collins (04:37):
"Jesus is associated here with salvation and redemption, which were introduced in the Exodus story."

Key Insights:

• Messianic Role: Jesus is portrayed as a Moses-like figure who leads a new exodus from spiritual slavery to sin and death.
• Redemption for Jerusalem: The narrative emphasizes the need for Jerusalem's redemption, aligning with Isaiah's vision of a universal salvation.

The Way in Acts: A Reimagined Exodus

The hosts examine how the term "the Way" is used in Acts to describe the early Christian movement, framing it within the Exodus narrative. This designation underscores the movement's mission to lead others out of spiritual bondage.

Key Quote:
John Collins (18:23):
"So it's a unique phrase to describe the early Jesus movement that you find in the book of Acts half a dozen times."

Key Insights:

• Linguistic Roots: "The Way" derives from the Greek word "haadas," meaning "the road," symbolizing the journey of salvation.
• Community Identity: Early Christians saw themselves as participants in the Exodus, traveling a path of deliverance guided by Yahweh.

Scriptural Examples from Luke and Acts

The conversation highlights specific passages from the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts that illustrate the new Exodus theme.

Key Examples:

1. Simeon's Prophecy (Luke 2:25-38): Simeon's recognition of Jesus as the Messiah aligns with Isaiah's vision of salvation for all nations.

   Key Quote:
   John Collins (12:23):
   "I've seen your salvation. You've prepared it in the presence of all the peoples."

2. Mission of the Disciples (Acts 1:8): Jesus commissions his followers to be witnesses "in Jerusalem, then Judea and Samaria, and then to the ends of the earth," echoing the expansive vision of Isaiah's new Exodus.

   Key Quote:
   John Collins (17:12):
   "Paul thought of the death and resurrection of Jesus in Exodus terms. He thought of the journey of the life of a Christian as a perpetual enactment, recycling of the Exodus story."

Confrontation with Pagan Deities

A recurring theme in Acts is the confrontation with and exposure of pagan gods as powerless compared to Yahweh. This mirrors the Exodus narrative where Yahweh's miracles demonstrate His supremacy over Egypt's deities.

Key Quote:
John Collins (30:19):
"Confronting people's conceptions of their local deities, announcing good news, that God's raised up a deliverer who is the one living God."

Key Insights:

• Exposing Idols: Stories in Acts, such as Paul's mission in Lystra and Athens, showcase the impotence of local gods compared to the living God.
• Universal Salvation: The message extends beyond Israel, inviting all nations into the new Exodus narrative.

Future Directions: Paul's Letters and the Exodus Theme

The episode concludes by teasing the next topic: exploring how Paul's letters further incorporate the Exodus motif, especially in his letters to the Romans and Galatians.

Key Quote:
John Collins (42:23):
"Paul thought of the death and resurrection of Jesus in Exodus terms... a cosmic Exodus."

Conclusion

Tim Mackey and John Collins effectively illustrate how the Exodus narrative permeates early Christian identity and mission as described in the Book of Acts. By framing Jesus and his followers within this enduring story, the early church understood their mission as part of a divine journey from slavery to salvation, extending God's salvation to all nations.

Notable Closing Quote:
John Collins (43:23):
"Paul thought of the death and resurrection of Jesus in Exodus terms. He thought of the journey of the life of a Christian as a perpetual enactment, recycling of the Exodus story."

Additional Resources

For a deeper dive into this topic, the hosts recommend David Powell's scholarly work on "Acts and the Isaianic New Exodus," which examines the intricate connections between Isaiah's prophecies and the narrative of Acts.

This summary is based on the transcript provided and highlights the critical discussions and insights shared by Tim Mackey and John Collins in the BibleProject Podcast episode "Followers of 'The Way' in Acts."