The importance of the book of acts the importance of this second of lukes twovolume work can. The book of acts provides a bridge for the writings of the nt. Some sources, including jewish midrash traditions, suggest the fivefold division is based on the five books of the torah genesis to. 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. To demonstrate this, let us focus on book iii of the psalms, which corresponds to leviticus and lamentations. With extensive research and thoughtful chapterbychapter exegesis, bock leads readers through all aspects of the book of actssociological, historical, and theological. Joseph a alexander acts commentary 1857, 1866 over pages. 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. But a certain man named ananias, with sapphira his wife, sold a possession. Together, the gospel of luke and the book of acts comprise about twenty five percent of the new testament. Read acts commentary using commentary critical and explanatory on the whole bible.
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. Acts 5 commentary, one of over 110 bible commentaries freely available, this commentary, filling six volumes, provides an exhaustive look at every verse in the bible. The purpose of the book of acts is governed by the jews response to peter and paul. Five act structure plot diagram activities dramatic. 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. With extensive research and thoughtful chapterbychapter exegesis, bock leads readers through all aspects of the book of acts sociological, historical, and theological. So, the christians became stronger in the faith and more people joined the churches daily. Pauls respect for others often wins a hearing for him and even turns enemies into friends, notwithstanding the boldness of his words. This chapter recounts the tragic fall of ananias and sapphira acts 5. Bock provides a substantive yet highly accessible commentary on acts in this latest addition to the acclaimed becnt series.
And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of. After rising from the dead, jesus met with his disciples and followers, giving convincing proofs that he was alive. The book is actually a collection of 150 individual songs composed over a period of approximately years, from the time of moses psalm 90 to the postexilic period psalm 126. May 05, 2017 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.
In those two years, luke had plenty of time to research and write his gospel and the book of acts. Acts 5 commentary commentary critical and explanatory on. Together, the gospel of luke and the book of acts comprise about twentyfive percent of the new testament. You see, jesus is still active and alive on planet earth today, and he still has a body. Acts free bible commentary on the book of acts in easy english. Compare your subject divisions with the five translations above. He is also a contributing author to the gathering storm and the zondervan kjv commentary. 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. The acts of the apostles greek praxeis apostolon is a book of the bible, which now is the fifth in the new testament. Witherington provides some exegetical commentary, although the general reader will have no problem reading the commentary since this is not the main thrust of the book. These two terms appear in peters quote from joel 2 in acts 2. It alone presents an extensive picture of early church life and history. 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. Study the bible online using commentary on acts and more.
Top 5 commentaries on the book of acts ligonier ministries. The title as we know it comes from the second century and only partially discloses the theme of the document. Luke recorded three rejections by the jews to peter and the apostles associated with him to the message of repentance and proclamation of the kingdom. The old testament has for its subject the king and his coming kingdom, in promise and prophecy. Third, the revolutionary called the egyptian in acts 21. Stephen said some words from the book by the prophet isaiah isaiah 66. Study acts using matthew henrys bible commentary concise to better understand scripture with full outline and verse meaning. The whole bible is divided into five great divisions, each determined by its subjectmatter. The title as we know it comes from the second century and only partially discloses the theme of. 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.
We do not recommend loose translations or oneman translations. For a discussion of that possibility, see thomas a. 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, the second volume of lukes twovolume work, continues lukes presentation of biblical history, describing how the salvation promised to israel in the old testament and accomplished by jesus has now under the guidance of the holy spirit been extended to the gentiles. The following outline is intended to be used while studying the book. 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. The book of acts can be divided into four principal parts with acts 1. Acts baker exegetical commentary on the new testament. The early chapters in jerusalem, report jesuss resurrection, his ascension, the day of pentecost, and. Psalms 107150 it is uncertain why psalms is divided into five books.
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. This chilling account of the sudden deaths of ananias hebrew, the lord is gracious and sapphira aramaic, beautiful makes us face the fact that god deals with sin, especially church members deceit and lack of integrity. The book of acts, also called acts of the apostles, does not specifically identify its author. The unity of the early church was so precious and real in sad contrast to the many divisions of our day that no individual considered even his possessions as being his own, but to be common property in the assembly. There are a number of good commentaries on the book of acts. In the latter portion of acts, luke recorded three rejections of the jews to pauls overtures of salvation. May 29, 2012 this commentary is one of the best for cultural background material for reading acts and has been the first off the shelf for me for several years. In the book of acts, it is his new body, which is the church, and jesus is alive and well today in his mystical body. Shakespearean plays especially are known for following this structure. In this part, luke describes how the gospel spread through more countries. In the book of acts, you find out what jesus is doing in his mystical body, the church. In the illustration above, the narrative arc of the plot diagram is between the five act structure top and aristotles divisions. It was practical to have a scroll about thirtyfive feet in length. Anderson dates the epistle to the same time circa ad 61 but places paul in rome when he wrote see richard.
For many basic details verse by verse, it still is of good value and often will help on word meaning and. Acts 5 commentary matthew henrys complete commentary on. You can find the best commentary on acts for you using the tools on the right side. Most print bibles and bible outlines distinguish five book divisions in the psalter. Hence, satkhandagama is the most revered digambara text that has been given the. Commentary on the book of acts of the apostles by matthew. Even if youre not familiar with these book divisions, it is clear from reading through the psalms that they have. 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. Acts 5 commentary james burton coffman commentaries on the. Bock draws from his years of experience in biblical studies to examine luke and acts and write an informative resource thats invaluable to those seeking holistic biblical. Pauls epistle to ephesus may have been written during his imprisonment at caesarea maritima as described at the end of acts. In this initial chapter of his second volume, luke prepares his readers for the major events still to come. It is often simply called acts acts tells the story of the early christian church, with particular interest for the ministry of the twelve apostles and of paul of tarsus.
This commentary is one of the best for cultural background material for reading acts and has been the first off the shelf for me for several years. And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles feet. Paragraphing is not inspired, but it is the key to following the original authors intent, which is. When the books of the psalms, the law and the megillot are compared with one another, there are amazing parallels in many of their features.
Lukes writings have made a significant contribution to the churchs collection of holy scripture. God took a christianhating murderer and transformed him into historys greatest christian evangelist, the author of almost half the books of the new testament. It will help to keep the whole of the book before you as you work your way through each section. But stephen reminded the jews that god was bigger than any temple.
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. The acts of the apostles is a unique and therefore crucial book of the new testament. Bible commentary on the book of acts, chapter 6, by dr. There are a number of great commentaries on the book of psalms. Most can be obtained from a good religious bookstore. 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. Acts of the apostles simple english wikipedia, the free. As a second volume to lukes gospel, it joins what jesus began to do and to teach 1. Paragraphing is not inspired, but it is the key to following the original authors intent, which is the heart of interpretation. 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.
The following are the five that i have found to be the most helpful. We learn from this part how the good news about jesus reached europe. 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. Book of acts matthew henrys bible commentary concise. Zondervans biblical theology of the new testament series has for years provided pastors, students, and readers with valuable analyses of new testament books and their contents. Sep 24, 2008 the book of psalms is one of the most beloved portions of holy scripture. The five act structure expands the classical divisions and can be overlaid on a traditional plot diagram, as it follows the same five parts. The book of psalms is one of the most beloved portions of holy scripture. Ancient books were generally written on papyrus scrolls. In the gospels, it was his material, physical body. Five act structure plot diagram activities dramatic structure.
The temple in this book called acts was the third temple. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of god. Acts 5 commentary james burton coffman commentaries on. Acts free bible commentary on the book of acts in easy. 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. According to digambara tradition, the original canonical scriptures of the jains were totally lost within a few centuries of nirvana of lord mahavira. Commentary on the book of acts bible study lessons. Book iii of the psalmschapters 73 to 89frequently refers to the temple at jerusalem and its defilement or. A good study bible we recommend the following features. Witnesses to the world, his body of work includes a biblical commentary on hebrews and coauthorship of the popular bible prophecy commentary. Book of acts overview insight for living ministries. T he book of acts in the bible, written around 6263 a. Paul, like peter, is presented as a miracle worker acts 14. Book 1 consists of psalms 141, book 2 of psalms 4272, book 3 of psalms 7389, book 4 of psalms 90106, and book 5 of psalms 107150.