The Bible and the Dead Sea Scrolls: The ... - josephprestonkirk

CRAIG A. EVAN S 91
Acts 16:17: Although not bearing the technical meaning seen in Acts
9:2, the cry of the girl with the familiar spirit, “These men are servants
of the Most High God, who proclaim unto you the way of salvation
[o9do\n swthri/aj],” is consistent with Luke’s understanding of the
Christian movement as the “Way.” It appears that again we have an
instance of Satanic opposition to the preparation of the Way.
Acts 18:25–26: “This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord
[th\n o9do\n tou= kuri/ou]; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught
accurately the things concerning Jesus, knowing only the baptism of
John, and he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. But when Priscilla
and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and expounded unto him the
way of God [th\n o9do\n tou= qeou=] more accurately.” Here reference to
“the way of the Lord” may be generic (as in the way of righteousness; or
as in CD 20.18, “vindicating his brother, helping him walk in the way of
God [l) Krdb]”), or it may be the technical self-designation (as in “the
Way of the Lord”).
Acts 19:9: “But when some were hardened and disobedient, speaking
evil of the Way [th\n o9do\n] before the multitude, he departed from them,
and separated the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus.”
The technical usage here seems quite clear.
Acts 19:23: “And about that time there arose no small stir concerning
the Way [th=j o9dou=].” The technical self-designation again is apparent, as
in the next three passages.
Acts 22:4: “…and I persecuted this Way [tau/thn th\n o9do\n] to the
death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women.”
Acts 24:14: “But this I confess to you, that after the Way [th\n o9do/n],
which they call a sect [ai3resin], so serve I the God of our fathers, believing
all things that are according to the Law, and that are written in the
Prophets.”
Acts 24:22: “But Felix, having more exact knowledge concerning the
Way [th=j o9dou=] deferred them, saying, ‘When Lysias the chief captain
shall come down, I will determine your matter.’”
Luke’s use of “the Way” is virtually identical to the self-referential use
of Krd in some of the scrolls. According to CD 2.6: “[God] with all the
angels of destruction shall come against all who rebel against the proper
way and who despise the law, until they are without remnant.” The most
important texts come from the Rule of the Community:
Thereby he shall give the upright insight into the knowledge of the Most
High and the wisdom of the angels, making wise those following the perfect
Way. Indeed, God has chosen them for an eternal covenant. (1QS 4.22)