While there are some areas of great detail of the acts of the apostles, many times you must use cross references to the gospels of matthew, mark, luke and john as well as some other epistles in the new testament to get the full picture of what. Verse 1 demonstrates clearly that the unnamed author of acts is the same person as the unnamed author of the third gospel luke 1. Perhaps luke was using it to mean any christian reader. Commentary on the book of acts bible study lessons. The second major division of acts focuses on the gospel witness of the church in judea and samaria in acts chapter 8 verse 5 through chapter 9 verse 31. The life and teachings of jesus christ are established in the four gospel narratives, and the book of acts provides a coordinated account of the beginning and spread of the church as the result of the work of the risen lord and the holy spirit through the apostles. John chrysostom found it repletewith christian wisdom and sound doctrine to guide believers. This twofold division is one of the simplest ways to divide the book of acts, but its focus on two men tends to cover up some important aspects of lukes story. The book of acts, also called acts of the apostles, does not specifically identify its author. The signs and preaching at samaria which resulted in the conversion of the samaritans. 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. The gospel of luke and the book of acts form a single, twovolume work. Commentary on the book of acts bible study notes and comments by david e.
The book of acts provides a bridge for the writings of the nt. Several questions can be answered from the first 2. In acts, jesus sends the holy spirit to empower his disciples as they carry. 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 of the apostles introduction new testament matthew. And you shall receive power from on high when the holy spirit comes upon you, and you shall be my witnesses in jerusalem, in judea and samaria even to the ends of the earth. We do not recommend loose translations or oneman translations. This video explains the transitional book that is the book of acts, and how it starts with jews to jews, and slowly changes to gentiles, as the jewish nation as a whole rejects jesus christ, and. Provides an overview of acts and two outlines for the book of acts as well as an index for bff acts articles, powerpoints and audiovideo podcasts. The title as we know it comes from the second century and only partially discloses the theme of the document. The book of acts the acts of the holy spirit the bible teachers commentary an outline and map survey paul j. Actus apostolorum, often referred to simply as acts, or formally the book of acts, is the fifth book of the new testament.
Book of acts read, study bible verses online bible study tools. In acts, luke has provided a broad survey of the churchs development from the resurrection of jesus to pauls first roman imprisonment, the point at which the book ends. T he book of acts in the bible, written around 6263 a. The two great divisions are the coming of the spirit and the. Lesson 2 outline, major divisions and major events in the book of acts. The book of acts can be divided into four principal parts with acts 1. Acts is the second book in the history that luke wrote. Oct 04, 2016 watch our overview video on the book of acts, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought.
Acts or lukeacts is intended as a work of edification, meaning the empirical. Disturb the unity of the church by creating discord and division 5. Festus, the governor who succeeded felix, is a shadowy player on the roman stage. 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. Second, pauls alleged ministry in northern galatia was brief, even if he did pass through there at acts 16.
Bruce, the book of acts, revised edition grand rapids. Paul, like peter, is presented as a miracle worker acts 14. With extensive research and thoughtful chapterbychapter exegesis, bock leads readers through all aspects of the book of acts sociological, historical, and theological. It is always well, in beginning the study of any book, to have an outline of it in mind. In this verse, see introduction, the keynote is struck of the contents of the whole book, and the great divisions of the acts are marked, see, e. Acts baker exegetical commentary on the new testament. Subversion of the church through apostasy and heresy 2 peter 2.
Stein, editors volumes now available luke darrell l. Acts free bible commentary on the book of acts in easy english. The importance of the book of acts the importance of this second of lukes twovolume work can. History outside the book of acts offers no information about him beyond a few words in josephus, telling that he put down an insurrection during his brief time in office before his death. Pauls epistles, as many circumstances in them are referred to by the narrative contained. Men of israel, and ye that fear godby the latter expression meaning religious proselytes, who united with the jews in all acts of ordinary worship.
Wright on the book of acts p4 temple, new heaven and earth. The book of the acts of the apostles forms the fifth, and last, of the historical books of the new testament. Baker exegetical commentary on the new testament robert w. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the. Each part ends with a report that more people were joining the church. The tradition from the earliest days of the church has been that luke, a companion of the apostle paul, wrote the books of luke and acts colossians 4. Then paul stood up, and beckoning with his handas was his manner on such occasions acts 21. It alone presents an extensive picture of early church life and history. Acts records the apostles being christs witnesses in jerusalem, judea, samaria, and the surrounding world. Acts brazos theological commentary on the bible kindle. The temple in this book called acts was the third temple.
The emphasis of the book is the fulfillment of the great commission. It opens with a greeting to theophilus, who was also the intended recipient of lukes gospel. Before paul had an opportunity to pick out the high priest from everyone else, he was required to speak on his own behalf. Stephen said some words from the book by the prophet isaiah isaiah 66.
Most can be obtained from a good religious bookstore. Catholic press association book award winner acts has all the marks of pelikans scholarship. But the devil spotted a cultural division in the church that he could turn to his advantage. Produced for pastors and scholars trained in the original languages and in advanced exegetical skill, this commentary series has been regarded as a cutting edge resource for many years. Mar 23, 2015 this video explains the transitional book that is the book of acts, and how it starts with jews to jews, and slowly changes to gentiles, as the jewish nation as a whole rejects jesus christ, and. The following outline is intended to be used while studying the book. Luke, the author of the gospel of luke, was a doctor and gentile. The importance of the book of acts the importance of this second of lukes two. Part 1 peter and the church in jerusalem chap 17 this is the first major division in acts. And on this account it has been generally placed at the end of the four gospels. Everyone was filled with the holy spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the spirit enabled them. Pauls respect for others often wins a hearing for him and even turns enemies.
It is titled acts to emphasize that this book records the acts of the apostles through the work of the holy spirit. In the twentieth century pentecost has become a source of confusion, embarrassment or division for christians, even as it has become a curiosity, if not an object of ridicule, for nonchristians. Peters ministry and pauls are not separate stories they are related to each other, and they overlap in. Kruschwitz the acts of the apostles is a hidden treasure in the new testament. The account suggests that the meeting opened with few preliminaries.
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. Joseph a alexander acts commentary 1857, 1866 over pages. With extensive research and thoughtful chapterbychapter exegesis, bock leads readers through all aspects of the book of actssociological, historical, and theological. Bock provides a substantive yet highly accessible commentary on acts in this latest addition to the acclaimed becnt series. If the book was just before or after pauls release, then it was likely written around 63 a.
Acts concerns the very vital period in christian history between the resurrection of jesus and the death of the apostle paul, the time when christian ideas and beliefs were. The codex contains a copy of the new testaments book of acts, as well as another work yet to be determined. It will help to keep the whole of the book before you as you work your way through each section. Wright on the book of acts p6 rome, kings ascending. Verse 1 luke referred to his gospel here as my first book. Acts free bible commentary on the book of acts in easy. Book of acts overview insight for living ministries. First, paul did have an extensive ministry during the first journey in southern galatia chapters and 14. Wright on the book of acts p3 new creation, temple. The author quite certainly was luke for the following reason.
Whites comments, 12 tables and illustrations, and 19 maps. At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at jerusalem. 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. The book of acts, which continues the narrative that luke began in his gospel, is especially important because it was the first written history of the christian church. 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 is the second lesson in our series the book of acts. Acts commentary commentary critical and explanatory. Wright on the book of acts p5 temple, heavenly control. The book of acts ends with paul proclaiming the kingdom of god and teaching about the lord jesus christ with all boldness and without hindrance acts 28. This is perhaps the second most important theme in acts.
In this passage, luke is restating the great commission challenge jesus gave in luke 24. A good study bible we recommend the following features. Watch our overview video on the book of acts, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. Part of new testaments authenticity is that it talks about the problems. Acts with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. If i could read through the book of acts and never hear about any problems or failures, id get suspicious that i was getting a snow job. The acts of the apostles often referred to simply as acts, or formally the book of acts, is the fifth. Several questions can be answered from the first 2 verses. But stephen reminded the jews that god was bigger than any temple. The book of acts was likely written between ad 61 and 64.
The book of acts is the second book written by luke, the first one being the book of luke, the third book of the gospel. Top 5 commentaries on the book of acts ligonier ministries. Acts commentary commentary critical and explanatory on. The key to really understanding this book is the realization that acts is not a. The book of acts new international commentary on the new. Our exploration of the structure and content of acts will divide into three parts. Acts of the apostles bible study notes, commentary, and comments. For many basic details verse by verse, it still is of good value and often. The beautiful, amazing, powerful, weak, dysfunctional church a chapterbychapter bible study of the book of acts 6 acts 1 50 days 1. In chapters 112 we have the activity of the apostle peter.
Commentary on the book of acts of the apostles by matthew. By jewish law timothy was a jew, because he was the son of a jewish mother, but because he was. The acts of the apostles is a unique and therefore crucial book of the new testament. As a second volume to lukes gospel, it joins what jesus began to do and to teach 1. While there are some areas of great detail of the acts of the apostles, many times you must use cross references to the gospels of matthew, mark, luke and john as well as some other epistles in the new testament to get the full picture of what was. Kjv bible verses from acts, often referred to as the acts of the apostles, is not to be considered as a history of what was done by all the apostles, who were dispersed into different nations. Our contributors explore the book of acts as a theological treasure that can engage and shape our discipleship today. You can find the best commentary on acts for you using the tools on the right side.
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. But it is more likely that theophilus was a real person. Pauls sermon in pisidian antioch the realization of long awaited davidic hope. The regions of judea and samaria were roughly equivalent to the southern and northern regions of the promised land given to israel in the old testament. The key event for this section indeed for the entire book of acts is the coming of the holy spirit at pentecost and the birth of the christian church. Acts 1, new international version niv the bible app. Church persecution at the hand of saul of tarsus acts 8. The devils strategy in attacking gods people over the course of history has been to use division.
The genre of the book of acts is narrative history with several sermons. This summary of the book of acts provides information about the title, authors, date of. The artifact is a codex, or ancient book, written in the coptic language, that dates between a. Secondly luke at the end of acts luke mentions pauls twoyear imprisonment in rome. Commentaries for the book of acts the jerusalem church. Acts of the apostles 4 imprisonment in rome are 6062 a. After peters pentecost sermon and the baptism of three thousand converts in acts.
Some of the early christians in jerusalem were grecians that is, hellenistic jews and some were hebrews that is, jews fully semitic in their cultural background. The book will therefore have been written only after the end of this time. Philip, peter and johns ministry to the samaritans as well as peters vision at joppa made it clear that they needed to take the gospel to the gentiles. 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.
The book of acts was written to provide a history of the early church. The book of acts is focused on gods mission, as god draws people into his. Purpose of the book as indicated previously, the original purpose of both the gospel and acts may have been to assist. Study scripture verses with commentary, concordances, and use highlighting, underlining. Paul seems to have grown in gentleness and understanding, as he deals with timothy, and i am inclined to think that this experience with mark.
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