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ZENODO
Article . 2026
License: CC BY
Data sources: ZENODO
ZENODO
Article . 2026
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
ZENODO
Article . 2026
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
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The Philanthropic Portrait of Jesus in Acts 10:38: Implications for Contemporary Religious Leadership in Africa

Authors: AGOHA, Emmanuel Chijioke;

The Philanthropic Portrait of Jesus in Acts 10:38: Implications for Contemporary Religious Leadership in Africa

Abstract

This study offers a fresh theological and contextual interpretation of Acts 10:38, focusing on Luke’s portrayal of Jesus as a Spirit-anointed agent of goodness, healing, and liberation. Rather than treating the verse as a summary of miraculous activity alone, the article argues that Acts 10:38 functions as a deliberate Lukan redefinition of benefaction and leadership. Against the backdrop of Greco–Roman patronage systems, Luke presents Jesus as a divinely authorized benefactor whose actions resist honor-seeking, reciprocity, and hierarchical domination. Through exegetical analysis, socio-rhetorical reading, and African biblical hermeneutics, the study demonstrates that Jesus’ philanthropy is restorative, inclusive, and justice-oriented. When read within contemporary African religious contexts—marked by prosperity-driven religiosity, patronage leadership, and weak accountability—Acts 10:38 emerges as a normative theological critique. The article contends that authentic African Christian leadership should be reoriented toward servant leadership, ethical stewardship, community empowerment, and holistic human flourishing grounded in the Spirit’s work rather than personal charisma or material exchange.

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    popularity
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    influence
    This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
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selected citations
These citations are derived from selected sources.
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
0
Average
Average
Average
Green