by Joe Fitzpatrick

This is one of the best accounts I have ever read about the early Christian Church and its emergence from Judaism. Based largely on a detailed and nuanced study of the gospel of Luke and of Acts, also authored by Luke, the book dwells on the key events that led up to the Council of Jerusalem in 49 AD, which made it clear that this new religious movement was not simply another chapter in the history of Judaism but one that was universalist in character, open to all of humanity. Luke was a Greek speaking young man who probably converted to Judaism before his conversion to the new movement that came to be known as Christianity.

Among the events the book dwells on is, first and foremost, the resurrection of Jesus. With exceptional realism the author indicates just how transformative this was. How Peter, who had denied knowing Jesus at the time of his crucifixion, was inspired by the resurrection, stood up before the crowds in Jerusalem and boldly proclaimed that Jesus was the Messiah and that salvation was to be found, not in observing the ancient rituals of Judaism, but in having faith in Jesus and his teachings. This was dangerous stuff and incurred the wrath of the members of the Council of Jews who were so enraged that they had Peter and the other apostles scourged and publicly humiliated. But Peter was undeterred and continued his mission to the Jews of Jerusalem, winning many converts to the new movement.