It traces the first decades in the history of the church after the resurrection of christ, focusing in particular on the work of peter and paul. Although the author does not name himself, evidence outside the scriptures and inferences from the book itself lead to the conclusion that the author was luke. To answer this question, we need only go to the gospel of luke. May 02, 2020 the book of acts shows how god essentially took a group of fisherman and commoners and used them to turn the world upside down acts 17. A personal catastrophe does not explain it either because luke already wrote enough to fill his scroll. Bruce the book of the acts new international commentary on the new testament, 1988. We hope this page helps you find the best commentary on acts. The book of acts records the beginning of the church, the birth of the church. Bobdeffinbaugh graduated from dallas theological seminary with his th. Acts with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. This seminarylevel study also retains its depth and uses an engaging interactive format. Imagine what it would be like if the book of acts wasnt in the bible. This title accurately reflects the contents of the book, which is a series of vignettes chronicling the lives of key apostles especially peter and paul in. This work, originally out in 1857, has proved helpful to many, though it is now far out of date as to literature commenting on acts.
Acts is a fastmoving historical account of the first three decades of the church. The gospels present the blessed person of the lord jesus christ and his great work of redemption, his resurrection and ascension to glory as the solid foundation upon which christianity is built. Acts free bible commentary on the book of acts in easy. For permission to reproducedistribute these resources from steve cole including the word document and audio files found on the individual lesson pages below please see bible. Reading the book of acts, we are enlightened and encouraged by the power of the gospel as it spread throughout the world and transformed lives.
Here is a summary and overview of the book of acts. Widely held as a classic, this volume shows bruce at his absolute best. The proper title should probably be, the acts of the apostles, because thats really what the book tells of. Heres my short commentary on the commentaries i used. Acts is the second book in the history that luke wrote. While some see acts as the story of the founding of the christian church, jennings argues that it is so much more, depicting revolutionlife in the disrupting presence. According to church tradition, luke wrote the book of acts. An immense amount of apostolic service is left unrecorded, and mention is made of just a few incidents which serve to show the way the spirit of god operated in bearing witness to the risen and exalted jesus, and in conducting the disciples into the fulness of christian blessing. We wouldnt know what had happened if it werent for this book. Secondly luke at the end of acts luke mentions pauls twoyear imprisonment in rome. After bock, the two commentaries i followed most carefully were the ones by i. The book will therefore have been written only after the end of this time. Prior to the 1950s, lukeacts was seen as a historical work, written to defend christianity before the romans or paul against his detractors. This 71 part expository study of acts was preached at flagstaff christian fellowship in 20002002.
Written in a readable style, with more detailed interaction with scholarly discussion found in the various excursuses, this commentary draws on the best new insights from a number of disciplines. The acts of the apostles ben witherington, ben witherington. Acts free bible commentary on the book of acts in easy english. Yet we can also think of it as the acts of the holy spirit. As harrison noted, this verse is a table of contents of the book of acts. A list of the best commentaries on acts ranked by scholars, journal. Christ had told his disciples that they should be his witnesses, and this book. First of all luke mentions the fact that acts is the sequel to the gospel of luke written around 5560 ad, and therefore must have been written later. Prepared by some of the worlds leading scholars, the series provides an exposition of the new testament books that is thorough and fully abreast of modern scholarship yet faithful to the scriptures as the infallible word of god.
You can find the best commentary on acts for you using the tools on the right side. The book of the acts new international commentary on the new. Book of acts matthew henrys bible commentary concise. Joseph a alexander acts commentary 1857, 1866 over pages. This sunday, lord willing, i will finish preaching through the book of acts. The acts of the apostles often referred to simply as acts, or formally the book of acts, is the fifth. Its been almost two calendar years and over 60 sermons. A commentary on the acts of the apostles by pastor galen l. At one time the gospel of luke and the book of acts were joined together as one book with two volumes. The same theophilus is addressed, and in the first chapter the story is resumed just at the point where the gospel left off, save that a few extra details are given of the lords words. It would be an enriching experience to read them together, as acts gives the history of the founding of the churches to which the epistles are directed. The book of acts also describes the work of the two apostles peter and paul.
Bruces revised study on the book of acts is a contribution to the new international commentary on the new testament. Useful not only for the study of acts but also early christianity, this work sets acts in its firstcentury context. Acts 1 commentary james burton coffman commentaries on the. This versebyverse bible study and commentary of the acts of the apostles the book of acts or simply acts is indepth but uses plain language that everyone can understand, as well as a format that will engage you. Most can be obtained from a good religious bookstore. Acts 1 commentary james burton coffman commentaries on. Acts 1 niv jesus taken up into heaven in my bible gateway. The book of acts furnishes a ladder on which to place the epistles.
Matthew henry 18 october 1662 22 june 1714 was an english commentator on the bible. Bock acts baker exegetical commentary on the new testament, 2007. Verse 1 luke referred to his gospel here as my first book. A good study bible we recommend the following features. A theological commentary on the bible willie james. Acts 1 niv jesus taken up into heaven bible gateway. In this chapter are found lukes prologue to acts acts 1. Bob is a pastorteacher and elder at community bible chapel in richardson, texas, and has contributed many of his bible study series for use by the foundation.
Had infinite wisdom seen fit, we might have had as many books of the acts of the. Lesson 1 investigates the author, historical setting, and the theological background of the book of acts. This commentary is based upon my personal devotional notes and reflections on the book of acts. Read acts commentary using matthew henry commentary on the whole bible complete. Jun 12, 2017 the book of acts niv audio holy bible high quality and best speed book 44 duration. Ancient books were generally written on papyrus scrolls. Acts 114, acts 1528 international critical commentary. Acts 6 indepth versebyverse commentary and bible study of acts chapter 6 in plain english. We do not recommend loose translations or oneman translations. We read of the evangelistic methods and message of the early apostles and preachers 3. The books full name is the acts of the apostles, for it recounts their efforts to take the gospel to the nations. In the book of acts, we discover how gods multiethnic, international church grew through persecution and missionary journeys throughout the world. At first glance, it seems that the book of acts was written around the.
Book of acts overview insight for living ministries. His name being changed to paul, he is given special revelations from god as to the heavenly character of christianity, and these take the foremost place before the book of acts closes. Howard marshall ivp 1980 in the tyndale series and david petersons contribution eerdmans 2009 to the pillar series. In this new commentary for the belief series, awardwinning author and theologian willie james jennings explores the relevance of the book of acts for the struggles of today. There are a number of good commentaries on the book of acts. The geographical centre of the first part is jerusalem, of the second antioch, where the first great assembly of converted heathens was formed. But it is more likely that theophilus was a real person. Peter is the human main character in the first 12 chapters, paul in the second part from chapter. Christianity today book award winner book award of excellence, foundation for pentecostal scholarship preaching today book award editors pick commentaries highly respected new testament scholar craig keener is known for his meticulous and comprehensive research. The acts is a continuation of the work of the lord jesus, but in his servants, by the power. Perhaps luke was using it to mean any christian reader. Specializing in the historical sociological context of the nt bruce was a natural selection for this volume, the book of the acts nicnt, which presents the message and acts of the apostolic church and its leaders. Study the bible online using commentary on acts and more.
The acts of the apostles pillar new testament commentary by david g. Stay connected amidst social distancing receive weekly bible studies to share with family and friends. I connect the commencement and the close, because i think that the juxtaposition throws great light upon the purpose of the writer, and suggests some very important lessons. This summary of the book of acts provides information about the title, authors, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of acts. Audio and manuscripts are available for each lesson. Commentaries for the book of acts the jerusalem church. Bruce was arguably the most influential nt scholar of his generation. Acts was written in greek, presumably by the evangelist luke, whose gospel concludes where acts begins, namely, with christs. As an amazon associate, if you use the link above, we receive a small percentage from qualifying purchases.
The book of acts provides a detailed, orderly, eyewitness account of the birth and growth of the early church and the spread of the gospel immediately after the resurrection of jesus christ. Read acts commentary using commentary critical and explanatory on the whole bible. Commentary on the book of acts of the apostles by matthew. The book of acts tells how the multiethnic, international. Top 5 commentaries on the book of acts ligonier ministries. Acts 1 commentary, one of over 110 bible commentaries freely available, this commentary, by the leading authority in the church of christ, presents a verse level look at the bible.
We have with an abundant satisfaction seen the foundation of our holy religion laid in the history of our blessed saviour, its great author, which was related and left upon record by four several inspired writers, who all agree in this sacred truth, and the incontestable proofs of it, that jesus is the christ, the son of the living god. Acts 1 new international version niv jesus taken up into heaven. Acts is a transitional book in the sense that it gives us the record of the way god moved in the minds and hearts of men to found and establish the church and begin its great work in the world today. See all of our coronavirus resources here toggle navigation.
You will also find options for commentaries on acts that help pastors, teachers, and readers with application of the bible, commentaries that approach the scripture versebyverse, classic christian commentaries, and much more. God took a christianhating murderer and transformed him into historys greatest christian evangelist, the author of almost half the books of the new testament. Its narrative supplies a bridge connecting the life and ministry of jesus to the life of the church and the witness of the earliest believers. Book of acts versebyverse bible study and indepth commentary of the acts of the apostles in plain english for everyone to understand.
Matthew henry 18 october 1662 22 june 1714 was an english commentator on the bible, who published his works in 1706, sixvolume exposition of the old and new testaments 17081710 or complete commentary, provides an exhaustive verse by verse study of the bible, covering the whole of the old testament, and the gospels and acts in the new testament. Actus apostolorum, often referred to simply as acts, or formally the book of acts, is the fifth book of the new testament. The acts of the apostles, fifth book of the new testament, a valuable history of the early christian church. If he did, the book is a sequel to the gospel of luke. None of them were bad i try to research these things ahead of time.
A better title would be the acts or the workings of the holy spirit, because he is the real main character of the book. Introduction to the book of acts study resources blue letter bible. Proceeding pericope by pericope bruce unpacks this dense book on multiple levels including exegetical, theological, and historical. Doughty southside christian church january 2014 introduction. The book of acts sheds light on the gift of the holy spirit, who empowers, guides, teaches, and serves as our counselor. In this book we see the first mention of the dispensation of the holy spirit and jesus command to take his gospel to all the world. Like ben witheringtons previous commentary conflict and community in corinth, this commentary breaks fresh ground in providing a detailed social and rhetorical analysis of the book of acts. Commentary on the book of acts bible study lessons.
Over two years and five dozen sermons ive used a number of commentaries. In those two years, luke had plenty of time to research and write his gospel and the book of acts. The title of the book of acts comes from the greek word praxis, a word often used in early christian literature to describe the great deeds of the apostles or other significant believers. Study acts using matthew henrys bible commentary concise to better understand scripture with full outline and verse meaning. For assurance of our own salvation, we can compare our own conversion experience with those in acts. Luke records many examples of conversion in the book of acts e. The former account i made, o theophilus, of all that jesus began both to do and teach. The significance of the prologue with its introductory address to theophilus lies in the fact that everything luke said in. The book of the acts new international commentary on the. This commentary may be downloaded for any usage except sales. May 14, 2014 his acts commentary is also helpful, especially for those who know greek, though i found the length and lay out of the book cumbersome. The acts is an historical book, but it is not mere history. Best acts commentaries updated for 2020 best bible.
1035 862 1013 43 182 954 342 1434 1135 680 744 505 1188 1480 1553 561 577 823 962 834 546 1264 711 423 1296 1216 500 1276 785 587 355 621 1460 1434