Acts Explained: Was the Early Church a Migrant Church? | Paul Wilson

Exploring the Language of Scripture

In this episode of Exploring the Language of Scripture, Daniel Mikkelsen sits down with Paul Wilson—PhD candidate at the University of Edinburgh and associate lecturer at the Scottish Baptist College—to explore how the Book of Acts comes alive when viewed through the lens of migration. As both a migrant himself and a scholar of ancient texts, Paul brings a unique perspective to the question: Was the early church a migrant church?

Together, Daniel and Paul unpack how forced movement, resettlement, and mobility shaped the growth of the early Christian movement. Through detailed examples from the Greek text—like the meaning of “strict” in Paul’s self-description as a Pharisee, or Luke’s unusual vocabulary for belts and aprons—they reveal how biblical languages expose nuances that challenge modern assumptions. From scattered believers to multicultural churches, they explore how Acts presents a church on the move, shaped by migration and mission.

Whether you’re passionate about biblical Greek, interested in the early church, or simply want to see the Book of Acts through fresh eyes, this conversation offers rich insight into the theological and missional power of movement in Scripture.
Don’t Miss the Next Episode:
Next time Seth Postell is back with a second and more in-depth episode on the Goal of the Torah.
Chapters:
00:00 – Introduction and Opening Remarks
01:34 – Meeting Paul Wilson
03:58 – Struggling into Greek: How Refugee Ministry Sparked Language Study
06:34 – Seeing Scripture Anew Through The Biblical Languages
09:29 – Translation Choices, Authorial Style & Why It Matters
12:22 – Was Paul "Strict" or "Accurate"? Rethinking a Key Greek Word
18:46 – Apron or Belt? Latin Loanwords and Luke’s Deliberate Vocabulary
24:36 – Why Migration is Central to Human—and Biblical—Story
29:10 – Why Acts is the Perfect Text for Migration Studies
32:09 – Scattered but Sent: Migration Patterns in Early Christianity
40:06 – Migrant Missionaries: Barnabas, Aquila, Paul & More
46:52 – What Acts Teaches Us About God’s Work Through Migration
53:43 – Reading Acts from a Migrant’s Perspective
57:24 – How Biblical Languages & Migration Can Shape Your Walk with Christ

Music Credits:
Music from #Uppbeat

Please, let us know what you thoughts on the episode.

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Podcast Keywords:
biblical languages, New Testament, Old Testament, Christ, bible study, Relationship with God, learn biblical languages, Biblical Theology, Christianity, Covenants, New covenant, old covenant, language acquisition, Biblical Greek, Biblical Hebrew.

챕터

1. Introduction and Opening Remarks (00:00:00)

2. Meeting Paul Wilson (00:01:34)

3. Struggling into Greek: How Refugee Ministry Sparked Language Study (00:03:58)

4. Seeing Scripture Anew Through The Biblical Languages (00:06:34)

5. Translation Choices, Authorial Style & Why It Matters (00:09:29)

6. Was Paul "Strict" or "Accurate"? Rethinking a Key Greek Word (00:12:22)

7. Apron or Belt? Latin Loanwords and Luke’s Deliberate Vocabulary (00:18:46)

8. Why Migration is Central to Human—and Biblical—Story (00:24:36)

9. Why Acts is the Perfect Text for Migration Studies (00:29:10)

10. Scattered but Sent: Migration Patterns in Early Christianity (00:32:09)

11. Migrant Missionaries: Barnabas, Aquila, Paul & More (00:40:06)

12. What Acts Teaches Us About God’s Work Through Migration (00:46:52)

13. Reading Acts from a Migrant’s Perspective (00:53:43)

14. How Biblical Languages & Migration Can Shape Your Walk with Christ (00:57:24)