Introduction

This final exegetical chapter completes an exposition of the narrative impact of ascension geography as far as Acts 11:18, beginning with an examination of how space is ordered within Peter's ministry in Lydda and Joppa (9:32–43). In its narrative position this section builds upon the territoriality expressed in 9:31 and the heavenly Christological focus sustained across 9:1–30. Then the chapter's largest sections examine the production and use of space within Cornelius' interaction with Peter, and in Peter's subsequent interactions with the Jerusalem church (10:1–11:18), identifying a deliberate spatiality within what is widely recognised to be a finely crafted and climactic narrative section. All these sections sustain the reading begun in previous chapters: the ascended Christ continues to exercise a structuring influence over the production of space within the theological narrative which is Acts.

Peter-space: continuing ascension geography (9:32–43)

Narrative attention returns to Peter, the key mortal character in 1:12–6:7, but not mentioned since 8:25. Acts 9:32 presents Peter's territorial reach as congruent with that of the summary statement made in 9:31. Whether πάντων (9:32) is understood as ‘all’ believers or ‘all’ places, it securely locates Peter's present activities within the remit of 9:31. While formally Gaventa is correct that the motivation for Peter's journey remains unclear, the lack of definition continues the broad overview perspective of the preceding verse while the cumulative theological motivation for movement within Acts suggests a missionary dimension with Peter's movements.