Good question. The terms occur in an indirect question in which the
adverbial participle relates to the main verb, but in a manner which leaves
it to the reader/hearer to infer. I understand it as follows:
1. It is probably to be understood in the first place as inceptive, i.e.
"dome to believe."
2. The participle might be temporal: "when you came to believe" or "after
you came to believe" or "as you came to believe." There may be a reference
to baptism implicit in the phrase.
3. I would not think that attendant circumstance is a correct analysis. It
is an outside possibility to take the participle as instrumental ("by
coming to faith") or causal ("because you came to faith")--though the
temporal makes more sense in the context of Acts.
I too will be interested in other reactions to your question.
Edgar M. Krentz Tel: 312-256-0752
Professor of New Testament FAX: 312-256-0782
1100 East 55th Street Home:312-947-8105
Chicago, IL 60615 emkrentz@mcs.com
Edgar M. Krentz Tel: 312-256-0752
Professor of New Testament FAX: 312-256-0782
1100 East 55th Street Home:312-947-8105
Chicago, IL 60615 emkrentz@mcs.com