Acts is the only biblical book that chronicles the history of the church immediately after jesuss ascension. David guzik commentary on acts 1 describes the ascension of jesus into. The book of acts ends with paul in prison in rome, so luke. The importance of the book of acts the importance of this second of lukes twovolume work can. Luke is uniformly identified as the author acts by the second century a. Luke, the author of the gospel of luke, was a doctor and gentile. Stay connected amidst social distancing receive weekly scripture encouragement to share with family and friends. Lukeacts makes up 28% of the new testamentmore than that written by either paul or john. Book of acts overview insight for living ministries. 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. It links the ministry of christ in the gospels with the teachings of the apostles in the epistles and it gives us the background for the pauline epistles. 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. Top 5 commentaries on the book of acts ligonier ministries. 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. God took a christianhating murderer and transformed him into historys greatest christian evangelist, the author of almost half the books of the new testament. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. The emphasis of the book is the fulfillment of the great commission. The presence and working of the holy spirit is the dominating mark of the book of acts.
At first luke accompanied paul during his second journey from troas to philippi acts 16. Since luke is the author of acts, any date between ad 60 and 100 is reasonable as conzelmann points out. More than likely, luke completed the book before either of these events occurred, sometime between ad 60 and ad 62, while paul sat in prison, awaiting the resolution of his appeal. Study the bible online using commentary on acts 12 and more.
It is titled acts to emphasize that this book records the acts of the apostles through the work of the holy spirit. The book certainly does not tell all the acts of all the apostles. Read acts 12 commentary using commentary critical and explanatory on the whole bible. The genre of the book of acts is narrative history with several sermons. The ending of acts plays an important role in route of determining the book s date. It might also be called the acts of the holy spirit, as that person of the godhead is very much an active participant throughout the book. Intro to acts biblica the international bible society. It is worth noting that in this history of the early christian church, luke. Acts free bible commentary on the book of acts in easy. 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. These letters were sent out as circular epistles to be passed around and read in several locations. We wouldnt know what had happened if it werent for this book. Background on colossians introductory remarks because of the rising tide of human philosophies confronting us today, no new testament book speaks with more relevancy than does the epistle to the colossians.
The book of james a detailed commentary basic training bible ministries page 4 the greeting 1. A commentary on the acts of the apostles by pastor galen l. Explore this lesson to find out more about this exciting story. The unity of the spirit felt by the first christians when the. Stephen said some words from the book by the prophet isaiah isaiah 66. Acts is book number 44 of the bible and number 5 of the new testament. His acts commentary is also helpful, especially for those who know greek, though i found the length and lay out of the book cumbersome. Acts ends abruptly with paul imprisoned in rome, waiting to bring his appeal before caesar.
This commentary has been through advanced checking. Doughty southside christian church january 2014 introduction. As we approach the book of acts, we must always keep in mind that luke wrote out of his background in the old testament and first century beliefs about the kingdom of god in christ. Bruces acts has a very brief introductory section, consisting of approximately 12 pages. Authorship of actsluke is the author of the book acts. It, the first chapter of church history, records the spread of the gospel, during a short thirtythree years period, from jerusalem, the capital city of the jewish.
More details on background material can be found in my new testament survey work. Acts of the apostles executable outline study resources. Only with knowledge of this background can we understand the writing of the gospels, as well as the other new testament literature that followed. Study acts 1 using matthew henrys bible commentary concise to better understand scripture with full outline and verse meaning. Thus is a strong attestation to the divine inspiration of the book of psalms.
Luke was with paul when he reached rome, and there paul wrote the prison epistles. It stands immediately after the gospels, in the catalogues of the homologoumena, or universally acknowledged books of the new testament see introduction to our larger commentary. Although the author does not name himself, evidence outside the scriptures and inferences from the book itself lead to the conclusion that the. Luke acts makes up 28% of the new testamentmore than that written by either paul or john. Acts zondervan exegetical commentary on the new testament book 5 kindle edition by schnabel, eckhard j. Book of acts versebyverse bible study and indepth commentary of the acts of. Bruces revised study on the book of acts is a contribution to the new international commentary on the new testament.
In this examination of the gospel of luke, my objective is to present a summary of background and introductory issues, point out some general observations, delineate the purpose, theme, unfolding and outline of the gospel. Despite the brevity, bruce does a good job of covering one of the most crucial background issues in relation to acts, namely, the time of the writing of the book. The book of acts was likely written between ad 61 and 64. The book of acts was written to provide a history of the early church. The acts of the apostles tell the story of the joy, suffering, and journeys across land and sea of the disciples and early christians. The epistle was probably written before the gentile congregations became common. Much more than simply theology or a word study, the bible knowledge background commentary opens a window to transport the reader back into the setting of the new testament to see, touch, and hear as much of the world of that time as possible.
But stephen reminded the jews that god was bigger than any temple. To name just a few, we find these themes of redemption in. Acts of the apostles bible study notes, commentary, and comments. Acts is designed to trace the spread of the gospel from jerusalem to antioch to rome. Second, you will find an introduction, outline, and analysis of the gospels. The book of acts is an important book for understanding the actions of the apostles, mostly paul and peter, after jesuss ascension into heaven. The student should be able to locate these places on a map. Luke with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. The genuineness, authenticity, and canonical authority of this book were never called in question within the ancient church. This seminarylevel study also retains its depth and uses an engaging interactive format.
The following outline is intended to be used while studying the book. The acts is an historical book, but it is not mere history. At the end of each section is a summary statement 6. Commentary on the book of acts of the apostles by matthew. Acts of the apostles introduction new testament matthew. Commentary on the book of acts bible study lessons. 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. Acts 1 commentary, one of over 110 bible commentaries freely available, this commentary is one of the most respected interdenominational commentaries ever written. Nov 08, 2012 an overview of the book of acts, which provides an introduction to the apostles and gives a brief summary of the leaders, peter and paul, as well as the other apostles. 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. Introduction to colossians bible exposition commentary. Book of acts versebyverse bible study and indepth commentary of the acts of the apostles in plain english for everyone to understand. The background of acts third millennium ministries.
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. As a second volume to lukes gospel, it joins what jesus began to do and to teach 1. Most can be obtained from a good religious bookstore. Acts is a fastmoving historical account of the first three decades of the church. Read and study acts, including book summary, with the versebyverse bible commentary. Ephesians, colossians and philemon written at the same time. For a book which is as pivotal as acts to our practice of nt christianity, it is deplorable that. It is an important book in understanding how we can be directed by the holy spirit and the role of jesus lessons in our lives. Commenting on commentaries on acts gerald cowen criswell college, dallas, tx 75246 in preparation for a thorough study of the book of acts, it is worth while to take stock of the resources available. Acts records the apostles being christs witnesses in jerusalem, judea, samaria, and the surrounding world.
A free bible version and commentary on the book of acts in easyenglish. Brief summary of acts the kjv bible scriptures the content of acts according to the kjv bible scriptures contains a short overview of the main subjects, people, events and ancient topics in the following summary of the kjv bible scriptures. Author though he does not mention himself by name, the author is undoubtedly luke, physician and frequent traveling companion of the apostle paul. We do not recommend loose translations or oneman translations. It will help to keep the whole of the book before you as you work your way through each section. 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. An overview of the book of acts the life of the early church is recorded and preserved for us in the book of acts and the epistles. Acts free bible commentary on the book of acts in easy english. Bruce the book of the acts new international commentary on the new testament, 1988.
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. Acts 12 commentary commentary critical and explanatory on. The book of acts tells how the multiethnic, international. An easyenglish bible version and commentary 2800 word vocabulary on the book of acts. The book of acts provides a bridge for the writings of the nt. The book of acts ends with paul in house arrest waiting to. As mentioned in the origin of the bible, the book of acts is actually a letter. Howard marshall ivp 1980 in the tyndale series and david petersons contribution eerdmans 2009 to the pillar series. They continued steadfastly 42they continued steadfastly greek.
The book of james a detailed commentary basic training bible ministries page 2 introduction to james background of the book the epistle of james is one of the general epistles, including 1 and 2 peter, 1, 2 and 3 john, and jude. Understanding the book of acts in the bible thoughtco. The book of acts also describes the work of the two apostles peter and paul. A word list at the end explains words with a star by them. Finally luke accompanied paul when he was a prisoner to rome acts 27. Personal repentance and new life through baptism must lead to a committed group of believers who share their property and wealth, and take care of each other. The bible is the inspired word of god, and over the centuries it has changed peoples lives and led them to god. For an introduction to acts 2, see the commentary for acts 2. The book of acts is one of the new testaments most important books. Luke was a faithful companion and coworker of the apostle paul for years.
Since acts ends with paul awaiting trial before caesar, some have wondered if luke acts are not defense briefs on pauls behalf to give a roman official background on pauls case. He was also the author of its companion work, the gospel of luke. A good study bible we recommend the following features. A simple outline of the book can be formulated on the basis of jesus statement at acts 1. It was when the day of pentecost was fully come, in which there seems to be a reference to the manner of the expression in the institution of this feast, where it is said lev. After bock, the two commentaries i followed most carefully were the ones by i. Acts is the second book in the history that luke wrote. Acts introduction commentary commentary critical and. You can find the best commentary on acts for you using the tools on the right side. The book of acts ends just as it begins, emphasizing the apostles role as those who expanded gods kingdom on earth, through their proclamation. In the book of acts, we discover how gods multiethnic, international church grew through persecution and missionary journeys throughout the world. For without this history the epistles of the new testamentpresupposing, as they do, the historical circumstances of the parties addressed, and deriving from these. It is intended to help you better understand some of the background and issues in lukes second volume. The culture in which the bible was written is so different from our own that at times we struggle to understand what it means or how it is relevant to.
Yet sometimes it can be a difficult book to understand. Bruces commentary on acts in the nicnt series soon became a standard conservative evangelical commentary. In this first section, i devote an overview of the life of jesus christ, and its significance to the world today. Acts with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. An overview of the book of acts, which provides an introduction to the apostles and gives a brief summary of the leaders, peter and paul, as well as the other apostles. Some have suggested that a better title might be the acts of the holy spirit. The book of the acts new international commentary on the new. Here is a bible study, commentary, and summary of acts chapter five. 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. Probably, luke did not record pauls appearance before caesar because the gospel of luke and the book of acts were written to give the roman court the background and facts of pauls case in his trial before caesar.
The book of acts ends with paul in house arrest waiting to present his case before caesar. The offering sent by barnabas and saul to the jerusalem elders. This commentary on acts, his magnum opus, may be the largest and most thoroughly documented acts commentary. Acts 12 commentary commentary critical and explanatory. Some of the commentaries in the nicnt series have a much more extensive introductory section. The temple in this book called acts was the third temple.