Acts of the apostles 1 commentary new testament matthew. 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. 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. Top 5 commentaries on the book of acts ligonier ministries. 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. In the first verse of the book of acts the author mentions the fact that he has already written an earlier report concerning all things which jesus began both to do and to teach, until that day in which he was taken up. 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 book of acts sunday school lesson series january 2, 2011 by kelly henderson take your students on a journey through the book of acts where they will learn lessons from the early church after jesus ascended to heaven and believers received the gift of the holy spirit. In the gospels we see the corn of wheat falling into the ground and dying.
Bruce rylands professor of biblical criticism and exegesis, university of manchester, england introduces this exellcent commentary on the book of acts with a fitting discussion on the canonicity of the new testament, aptly noting that marcions canon did not compel them to create the canon of holy scripture which has ever since, with minor variations, been accepted by the church. 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. Read and study acts, including book summary, with the versebyverse bible commentary. But ye will receive power, the holy spirit having come upon you, and ye shall be my witnesses both in jerusalem and in all judaea and samaria and to the end of the earth. It will help to keep the whole of the book before you as you work your way through each section. 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. Acts 4 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. The message of acts bible speaks today, by john stott, is an excellent commentary on the book of acts. 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.
This is one of the best resources for bible maps as the maps also include. With scripture reading, inspirational readings, questions to answer, space for journaling, and a prayer, its like studying the bible with max lucado. The book of acts, also called acts of the apostles, does not specifically identify its author. In our text, paul teaches new believers, we must enter the kingdom of god through many persecutions acts 14.
In this lesson well look at the book of acts also known as the acts of the apostles, a short history of the founding and spread of the new testament church from the time of christs resurrection to pauls imprisonment. The book of acts tells how the multiethnic, international. In addition, indepth study tools are provided on the site with access to commentaries, encyclopedias, dictionaries, and other theological resources. 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. Book of acts matthew henrys bible commentary concise. 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. Through the power of the holy spirit, they lived out a triumphant faith in the face of opposition and persecution, established order for the growing movement, and. We have just added many new sources, including the expositors bible commentary, bengels gnomon, langes commentary, hastings great texts and many more. Luke uses it, of what we should call the several books or portions of his histories. Ray stedman gives us a panoramic view of the book of acts. Includes lessons about the kingdom of christ, church organization and worship, examples of conversion, the nature and purpose of miracles, and the work of the holy spirit. Christ had told his disciples that they should be his witnesses, and this book. Welcome to this bible study series on exploring the bible, which provides an overview of the major sections of the bible. The importance of the book of acts the importance of this second of lukes twovolume work can.
Later in acts, we will find him working with his own hands to supply his needs and the needs of others acts 18. 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. Acts was designed to be gods training manual for christians. Kjv the book of acts is the historical link between the. Bobdeffinbaugh graduated from dallas theological seminary with his th. The object of the book has been considered to be, 1. This book is to the gospels what the fruit is to the tree that bears it. This commentary explains the things that are clear in the song. 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. Bible students disagree about the meaning and purpose of this book. Acts free bible commentary on the book of acts in easy. But it is more likely that theophilus was a real person. Bruces revised study on the book of acts is a contribution to the new international commentary on the new testament.
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. Acts commentary matthew henry commentary on the whole. Twelve lessons explore how the same men who doubted in galilee, argued in capernaum, and ran for their lives in gethsemane are transformed by the resurrected king in the book of acts. Acts of the apostles bible study notes, commentary, and comments. Acts 1, new international version niv the bible app. The acts is an historical book, but it is not mere history.
It is a church of very new believers, who exhibit the vital signs of new life in christ. Actus apostolorum, often referred to simply as acts, or formally the book of acts, is the fifth book of the new testament. Verse 1 luke referred to his gospel here as my first book. My bible study is reading a section from the front half and then go to the back section for the study portion. Acts with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. Commentaries for the book of acts the jerusalem church. Book of acts versebyverse bible study and indepth commentary of the acts of the apostles in plain english for everyone to understand. One example in particular is noted, that of barnabas, whose work is featured later in the book cf. Acts 1 niv jesus taken up into heaven in my bible gateway. It opens with a greeting to theophilus, who was also the intended recipient of lukes gospel. This is the story of christianitys beginnings and how evangelism played. The god of the bible study of the father, son, and holy spirit. Acts overview matthew henrys complete commentary on the.
Study acts using matthew henrys bible commentary concise to better understand scripture with full outline and verse meaning. Its subject and intention is nicely summarised by the words of the lord in chapter 1. Acts introduction commentary commentary critical and. A bible study lesson series about the beginning of christianity as revealed in the book of the acts of the apostles. God took a christianhating murderer and transformed him into historys greatest christian evangelist, the author of almost half the books of the new testament.
Commentary on the book of acts bible study lessons. And on this account it has been generally placed at the end of the four gospels. Acts is the second book in the history that luke wrote. It is written in laymans language and is very readable as well as giving an accurate biblical account of this time in the history of the christian church. Had infinite wisdom seen fit, we might have had as many books of the acts of the. In addition, there are topical studies on issues such as spiritual leadership, gods redemptive plan, and old testament character studies.
The book of the acts new international commentary on the new. This commentary deals with the bible text like a picture in words about gods love. The author writes very well and brings a lot of contemporary references to the book of acts. The esv study bible includes maps on many of the pages in the book of acts that help illustrate the various places mentioned in acts and routes taken by the apostles as they proclaim the gospel. Acts free bible commentary on the book of acts in easy english. In the book of acts, we discover how gods multiethnic, international church grew through persecution and missionary journeys throughout the world. The readers study of acts in the book of acts will bring new intimacy with the spirit and new joy in doing his will. It worked in the early church, and it works in the postmodern world. In this passage, luke is restating the great commission challenge jesus gave in luke 24. 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. Click the commentary tab or pulldown menu for a full selection of commentaries over any bible passage you are researching. The history of this book which was always received as a part of the sacred.
It traces the first decades in the history of the church after the resurrection of christ, focusing in. The book of the acts of the apostles forms the fifth, and last, of the historical books of the new testament. Chapter 1 verse 1 establishes the fact that luke a gentile is the writer, the former treatise being his gospel lk. 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.
Imagine what it would be like if the book of acts wasnt in the bible. Acts of the apostles, a small group bible study guide. See introduction as to the title thus given to the book. Catholic press association book award winner acts has all the marks of pelikans scholarship.
Study acts using john gills exposition of the bible to better understand scripture with full outline and verse meaning. The bible study portion doesnt start until the second half. How to love god with all your heart by keith simons. Book of acts overview insight for living ministries. Read acts commentary using commentary critical and explanatory on the whole bible. 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. The great liberality continues, meeting the needs of the saints. 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. The book of acts is the record of that commission beingcarried out. The following outline is intended to be used while studying the book.
The title as we know it comes from the second century and only partially discloses the theme of the document. This will help you place yourself in the shoes or sandals of the apostles and understand the kindness of god in the gospel being for all people. Acts commentary matthew henry commentary on the whole bible. Content includes book studies on luke, ephesians, thessalonians, james, 1 samuel, john, and acts. At one time the gospel of luke and the book of acts were joined together as one book with two volumes. The former account i made, o theophilus, of all that jesus began both to do and teach.
The acts of the apostles is a unique and therefore crucial book of the new testament. Stay connected amidst social distancing receive weekly bible studies to share with family and friends. Commentary on the book of acts of the apostles by matthew. You pick up your bible and see the ministry of jesus ending in the gospel of john. Study the bible online using commentary on acts and more.
Bible versions verse of the day verses by topic reading plans parallel bible books of the. It alone presents an extensive picture of early church life and history. Acts brazos theological commentary on the bible kindle. 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. Justin taylor is executive vice president for book publishing and publisher for books at crossway. They all possess the authority of deity, and all agree in what work they command us to do. This would indicate it was matthew, mark, luke, or john.
T he book of acts in the bible, written around 6263 a. Barnabas acts 4 bible study questions handout acts 4. But the narrative does not afford a complete history of the church during the time to which it refers, nor even of st. Perhaps luke was using it to mean any christian reader. 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. Bible study lesson sheets these are lessons designed for either a class or personal study. He blogs at between two worlds and evangelical history. The book of acts is a thrilling account of the early church discovering what it means to be christian.
Blue letter bible is a free, searchable online bible program providing access to many different bible translations including. Acts is a fastmoving historical account of the first three decades of the church. Had infinite wisdom seen fit, we might have had as many books of the acts of the apostles as we have gospels, nay, as we might have had gospels. The gospel of luke, as well as the book of acts, is addressed to a certain theophilus cf luke 1. 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. Acts 1 new international version niv jesus taken up into heaven. The book of acts is an important book for understanding the actions of the apostles, mostly paul and peter, after jesuss ascension into heaven. Read acts commentary using matthew henry commentary on the whole bible complete. The book of acts is the link between the gospels and the epistles. Bible study tips for the book of acts unlocking the bible. By its opening words the acts of the apostles is linked in the clearest way with the gospel of luke.
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