Its an exciting ride, from the coming of the holy spirit at pentecost, to shipwrecks and imprisonments, to life changing sermons delivered by exfishermen. Acts free bible commentary on the book of acts in easy english. Oct 10, 2017 the book of acts is the inspired history of the early church. David guzik commentary on acts 1 describes the ascension of jesus into heaven and the appointing of matthias as a replacement for judas. 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 record from the book of acts couldnt be clearer. The theme or key to the book of acts is found in 1. He appeals to the book of revelation as an acknowledged work of. It covers the lives of peter, paul, barnabas, silas and the other christians who took the gospel far beyond jerusalem. This is unparalleled in apocalyptic writing and has to be due ultimately to the impact that pauls letter writing made on the new testament church. Frank stagg in his commentary, the book of acts, the early struggle for an unhindered gospel, asserts the purpose is primarily the movement of the message about jesus the gospel from a strictly nationalistic judaism to a universal message for all humans.
As a people who seek to follow these patterns we must always strive to be consistent in following all that scripture teaches us. Acts free bible commentary on the book of acts in easy. Learn all about acts of the apostles early church history. This 12week practical study series from crossway orients the student to the near and far context, key questions, gospel glimpses, wholebible connections, and theological and practical implications for every section of the book of acts. A verse by verse bible commentary from the church fathers. Studies in the acts of the apostles interacts with the book of acts on a sectionbysection basis.
In the book of acts, they found gods blueprint for how the church should participate with the holy spirit in accomplishing his purposes in the world. In the book of the acts we see how the church of christ was formed and settled. Best commentaries and books on acts logos bible software. In a revelation given to mormon and recorded in the book of mormon, jesus christ said. Paul and the early church were not at odds with the laws of the old testament.
A commentary on the book of acts clark van wick on. How did the early church, which was exclusively jewish, begin to reach out. In the latest reformation commentary on scripture, we watch as the diverse streams of the protestant movement converge on the book of acts. It is not a record of all of the acts of all of the apostles, but of. Snapshot of the early church reformed bible studies. Commentary on the book of acts bible study lessons. The next higher critical question is, if luke and acts were written by the same person, who was that person. This book of acts bible study pamphlet shows that god is active. A reference guide to topics discussed by the church fathers. Acts the role and impact of women in the early church youtube.
Book of acts of the apostles early christian writings. The book of acts records eyewitness accounts of the early church from christs resurrection until about a. Acts the role and impact of women in the early church. A word list at the end explains words with a star by them. Homily 1 homily 2 homily 3 homily 4 homily 5 homily 6 homily 7 homily 8 homily 9 homily 10 homily 11 homily 12 homily homily 14 homily 15 homily 16. 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. May 15, 2019 the work of the holy spirit in the early church. Here are some further thoughts on several characteristics dr. It was at jerusalem that the promise jesus had made to his disciples was fulfilled as the holy spirit descended upon the twelve and they began to teach as the spirit was giving them utterance acts 2. Both the book of acts and pauls letters show the apostles observing these festivals long after christ died and was raised acts 2. Testimony of the early church commentary using a testimony of jesus christ. The oldest manuscript with the start of the gospel. What can the book of acts tell us about how the church should operate today. After peters great sermon on pentecost sunday, 3,000 persons were baptized into the church acts 2.
Acts 15 serves not only as a history of the early church, but also as an example to us so that we can follow the pattern established by the apostles who were being guided by the holy spirit. Example of conflict resolution acts 15 biblethought. The second volume covers acts chapters 28, a watershed moment in the early church, mohler writes. Acts is a history of the early church and of the spread of the gospel note 1. John stott describes the spiritmotivated, worldchanging mission of the early church and applies its experiences to the modern issues that churches face every day. The debate over circumcision concerned not only the interpretation and application of doctrine, but also the accepting of new revelation through church leaders.
Acts has been called a transitional book because it serves as a bridge. Testimony of the early church commentary a testimony. There was a time when many scholars and critics thought that acts was sort of a romance novel of the early church, written more than 100 years. Theme acts is a history of the early church and of the spread of the gospel note 1.
Christianity jesus early church history acts of the apostles. But what does the book of acts reveal about what the early church thought and did. Longenecker, the expositors bible commentary zondervan, p. Acts shows what the early church believed and practiced. What the early church can teach us about the coronavirus early christian commentary.
Immediately, luke gives us a portrait of these earliest christians. The book of acts is the inspired history of the early church. The early church in jerusalem may not be the perfect pattern for all that we do as a church today, but it is an excellent example of a church that is marked by love love for god and love for others. May 23, 2018 the book of acts is a record of the growth of the early church, started by jesuss disciples and then expanded by the apostle paul. Acts shows what the early church believed and practiced united. This commentary has been through advanced checking. The book of acts is a record of the growth of the early church, started by jesuss disciples and then expanded by the apostle paul. It alone presents an extensive picture of early church life and history. Ephesus, smyrna, pergamum, thyatira, sardis, philadelphia, and laodicea see chapters 2 and 3. Just click on any book, chapter, and verse of the bible and you will find all that the church fathers had to say about that particular verse.
Mohler completes twobook series on acts for the good book. The dates of the commencement and the end of the book are tolerably certain. The beautiful, amazing, powerful, weak, dysfunctional church a chapterbychapter bible study of the book of acts 4 acts a short introduction heres what well be reading as we study through the book of acts. Chapterbychapter bible studies acts kathleendalton. There is no shortage of new books on the market and it may be a surprise to some. Jan 12, 2012 were careful to remember that stories are stories. The early church and the development of the new testament. May 09, 2016 22 revelations mark of the beast exposed revelations ancient discoveries duration. In acts 6, the newfound church had exploded into existence and. But ye shall receive power, after that the holy ghost is come upon you. While at least forty early church authors commented on acts, the works of only three survive in their entiretyjohn chrysostoms homilies on the acts of the apostles, bede the venerables commentary on the acts of the apostles and a long latin epic poem by arator. Greens evangelism in the early church,l the subjects of evangelism and church growth in the book of acts have been unaccountably neglected in recent years. Another most unusual aspect of the book of revelation is its letters to seven churches in asia minor.
This thorough and readable commentary examines the theological foundations of the early churchs preaching and offers practical help for teachers and preachers alike in the contemporary christian community. The book of acts deals with the early church in its infancy. Ludlowthe book of acts was written by luke after his gospel as the second part of a great twovolume work on jesus christ and the early christians. The acts of the apostles is a unique and therefore crucial book of the new testament. It was said of the early christians, behold, how they love one another. The offering sent by barnabas and saul to the jerusalem elders. It is worth noting that in this history of the early christian church, luke mentioned neither pauls death ad 6468 nor the persecution of christians that broke out. Actus apostolorum, often referred to simply as acts, or formally the book of acts, is the fifth book of the new testament. To the genuineness and authenticity of this book, the early christian fathers bear unanimous testimony.
Polhill wrestles with the history of interpretation of the book of acts while providing solid exegetical support for his own positons. One finds embedded in acts a record of christian defenses made to both jews e. In each chapter of the commentary, issues regarding history, language, and culture are discussed, making burrells the early church. Does it support this view, or does it show us something very different. According to early church tradition, the author of acts is luke the physician. A selection of the best commentaries and bible study resources on the book of.
So, many students think that luke completed acts very soon after this. As we return with the reformers to this vision of spiritfilled community, we are given a lesson in the nature of biblical reform from. It fulfils the third promise to abraham as jesus commands his followers to spread the gospel. In acts 6, the newfound church had exploded into existence and discovered their first problem. Whereas the gospel of luke focuses on the life and ministry of jesus christ, the acts of the apostles builds upon what jesus did and taught see acts 1. The common view among most churches today is that jesus came to abolish the old testament laws and that paul taught that keeping these laws was no longer necessary for christians. Prayer in the early church patterns in acts focus online. The churchits beginning acts 17 the church had its beginning on the first day of pentecost following the death, burial and resurrection of jesus about 30 a. The book of acts tells us how his church began in jerusalem and spread to the. Commentary on the book of acts bible study notes and comments by david e. The book of acts pamphlet is not simply ancient history. Here the insights of scores of early church fathers will be assembled and made readily available for significant passages throughout the bible and the apocrypha. It sets patterns for us of how early men and women first obeyed the gospel and worshiped god under the new covenant. Three angels broadcasting network 3abn recommended for you.
The book of acts digs deep into the zeal and joy of christs earliest followers and what these men and women teach us about community in christ. They look at the book acts division in three parts which covers 29 years of the churchs expansion. Acts is the only biblical book that chronicles the history of the church immediately after jesuss ascension. A list of the church fathers and brief biographies. Acts 1 jesus ascends to heaven, a new apostle chosen. We might ask, why did the holy spirit not just give them the answer miraculously and let it go at that. Watch our overview video on the book of acts, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. Studies in the acts of the apostles a valuable resource for studying the book of. The title as we know it comes from the second century and only partially discloses the theme of the document.
This versebyverse commentary takes us from the early church in acts through pauls letters, helping us understand more deeply our salvation, gods call to relationship, and why grace is the cornerstone of our life in christ. Its the story of the early church, early missionary work, and the initial move of the holy spirit. This is especially necessary when reading the book of acts because it portrays the early church rather than the old testament people of god. Presupposing the historicity of acts, david and joseph burrells the early church. How were the disciples of jesus important to the new testament church. Start reading acts ancient christian commentary on scripture book 5 on. The early church in the book of acts lakeside institute of. It is our story, the story that informs who christians are. Rainer green valley baptist church birmingham, al 35226 wth the exception of m. An easyenglish bible version and commentary 2800 word vocabulary on the book of acts. The book of acts links jesus life and ministry to the life of the early church. The title as we know it comes from the second century and only partially discloses the theme of. Book of acts overview insight for living ministries.
The book of genesis records the origin of the spiritual body which we designate as the church. The book of acts records the beginning of the church, the birth of the church. 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. Acts is an important book for our understanding of the origins and growth of the early church. All who are interested in the interpretation of the bible will welcome the forthcoming multivolume series ancient christian commentary on scripture. As a people who seek to follow these patterns we must always strive to. It shows how the early church coped with pagan and jewish thought, the roman government and hellenistic society. A commentary on the book of acts van wick, clark on. Its longer title, the acts of the apostles, reflects the prominence of the apostles peter and john in the early days of the church, and the prominence of the apostle paul in the subsequent expansion of the church into the gentile world.
416 856 1414 1596 967 551 226 246 1135 928 1048 1433 1560 1538 568 963 508 1156 1021 1563 1532 189 914 1464 1617 1575 1282 791 188 156 1012 8 536 1588 877 172 924 199 86 1426 301 453 257 802 1158 1299 290