Background history of the book of acts commentary

The historicity of the book of acts bible background. This book introduces them and is a key to them, as the history of david is to davids psalms. Bruces revised study on the book of acts is a contribution to the new international commentary on the new testament. Acts was written in greek, presumably by the evangelist luke, whose gospel concludes where acts begins, namely, with christs ascension into heaven. Top 5 commentaries on the book of acts ligonier ministries. A good study bible we recommend the following features. The acts of the apostles often referred to simply as acts, or formally the book of acts, is the fifth. We are members of the christian church, that tabernacle of god among men, and it is our honour and privilege that we are so. This section is an exposition on the early part of genesis. There are a number of good commentaries on the book of acts.

An exegetical commentary, 4 volumes 9780801039898 by craig s. Acts records the apostles being christs witnesses in jerusalem, judea, samaria, and the surrounding world. Acts free bible commentary on the book of acts in easy. In only three decades, a small group of frightened believers in jerusalem transformed. Picture study bible ephesians bible history online. The history of this book which was always received as a part of the sacred canon may be considered. Acts intro to acts biblica the international bible society. 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. 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.

They held that the purpose of its composition was to clear up the conflict between pauline and petrine christianity that supposedly controlled the thought of the early church. Includes a cdrom with searchable indexes and bibliography. The acts of the apostles is the continuing story of the ministry of jesus through his church. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. This powerful reference tool is a bookbybook, chapterbychapter, detailed look at the historical, geographical, cultural, and economic background of acts and the pauline epistlesactsphilemon. The former account i made, o theophilus, of all that jesus began both to do and teach. Acts 1 jesus ascends to heaven, a new apostle chosen a. As a second volume to lukes gospel, it joins what jesus began to do and to teach 1. Acts 12 commentary commentary critical and explanatory on. David guzik commentary on acts 1 describes the ascension of jesus into heaven. A selection of the best commentaries and bible study resources on the book of. Best commentaries and books on acts logos bible software. 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. Now this book gives us an account of the framing and rearing of that tabernacle.

In this video craig speaks about the historical reliability of the book of acts. Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh. Acts of the apostles introduction new testament matthew. The emphasis of the book is the fulfillment of the great commission. Introduction, background, and outline to philippians. Written in a readable style, with more detailed interaction with scholarly discussion found in the various excursuses, this commentary draws on the best new insights from a number of disciplines. A history of the criticism of the acts of the apostles. The book of acts ends just as it begins, emphasizing the apostles role as those who expanded gods kingdom on earth, through their proclamation. The book of the acts of the apostles forms the fifth, and last, of the historical books of the new testament. 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 decades immediately following christs ascension into heaven. During the nineteenth century, scholars from the university of tubingen, led by ferdinand christian baur 17921860, considered acts to be a product of the second century. Intro to acts biblica the international bible society. Pbb test of alternative text early church fathers additional textsgeneral introduction early church fathers. Book of acts overview insight for living ministries.

Acts was apparently written in rome, perhaps between ad 70 and 90, though some think a slightly earlier date is also. He was with paul at rome during the imprisonment with which acts closes. The book of acts was likely written between ad 61 and 64. The acts of the apostles, abbreviation acts, fifth book of the new testament, a valuable history of the early christian church. The book of acts was written to provide a history of the early church. Acts free bible commentary on the book of acts in easy english. In fact, its beginnings go back to the fourth century bce when it was occupied by the thracians. Lesson 1 investigates the author, historical setting, and the theological background of the book of acts.

Christ having ordered them not to depart thence, but to wait for the pouring out of the holy spirit. Unlike a typical commentary, which interprets the meaning of each text, keeners book offers insights. As such, it provides us with a valuable account of how the church was able to grow and spread out from jerusalem into the rest of the roman empire. Historical reliability of the acts of the apostles wikipedia. We do not recommend loose translations or oneman translations. At the end of the gospel of luke jesus says that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at jerusalem. Pauls epistles, as many circumstances in them are referred to by the narrative contained. A map of philippi and surrounding regions the city of philippi and the origin of the church there the city of philippi, as one can see from the map, is located in north eastern greece macedonia. Introduction to the book of acts study resources blue letter bible. We find this important background information on the book of james in acts 8.

In the letter to the colossians, paul addresses how our relationship to god through jesus christ affects us in the. The fourvolume set is an invaluable resource for new testament professors and students, pastors, acts scholars, and libraries. Aug 01, 2002 discovera how the springs at hierapolis help us understand why jesus described the church at laodicea as lukewarm a the background and circumstances of certificates of divorce in judaisma how jewish dietary laws provided a powerful metaphor for gods acceptance of the gentilesbrimming with lavish, fullcolor photos and graphics, the zondervan illustrated bible backgrounds commentary. Zondervan illustrated bible backgrounds commentary set. He also was a slaveholder whose slave onesimus had escaped, had later encountered the apostle paul, and had responded to the gospel message about jesus. Here is an account of his death and sufferings, which they witnessed but a. Most can be obtained from a good religious bookstore. Acts is the only biblical book that chronicles the history of the church immediately after jesuss ascension. Introduction, background, and outline to philippians bible. Was christianity attractive to the socially disenfranchised. Thus was this wretched man nearer his end than he of whom he had thought to make a public. The city was already ancient by the time paul arrived there around 49 ce acts 16. Mar 05, 2018 when we study an epistle, such as the book of james, we can usually find more background information about the audience and sometimes about the authors interaction with the audience in the book of acts. Luke was a gentile and he was a doctor colossians 4.

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. When we study an epistle, such as the book of james, we can usually find more background information about the audience and sometimes about the authors interaction with the audience in the book of acts. Acts 5 commentary james burton coffman commentaries on. Acts historical background from the life and epistles of st. Acts is a fastmoving historical account of the first three decades of the church. Cadbury, and many others to examine acts and its relation to the earliest history of the church. In chapter 1 after giving the introduction and purpose of the book, paul surveys natural revelation via creation, noting that the creation rejected the creator for the satisfaction of baser instincts. The background of acts third millennium ministries.

It analyzes the historicalcultural background of every passage of the new testament in clear, nontechnical language, making it especially useful for those without expertise in greek or ancient history. Background on colossae and the colossians bible commentary. Was the church being persecuted when the book of acts was written. 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. Watch our overview video on the book of acts, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. Acts 12 commentary commentary critical and explanatory. Commentary on the book of acts bible study lessons. Acts ends abruptly with paul imprisoned in rome, waiting to bring his appeal before caesar. The book of acts provides a bridge for the writings of the nt. This powerful reference tool is a book by book, chapterbychapter, detailed look at the historical, geographical, cultural, and economic background of acts and the pauline epistles acts philemon. Study acts 2 using matthew henrys bible commentary concise to better understand scripture with full outline and verse meaning. And on this account it has been generally placed at the end of the four gospels. It still remains one of the best commentaries on this book of scripture. It is worth noting that in this history of the early christian church, luke.

To name just a few, we find these themes of redemption in. In acts, he told how the good news about jesus christ spread. 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. Luke was not an eyewitness to the life of christ luke 1. He worked with paul and he travelled with paul philemon 1. He was also the author of its companion work, the gospel of luke. In the description of the happenings in acts, certain passages make use of the. It begins in jerusalem just after jesus resurrection, recounts how the gospel. At one time the gospel of luke and the book of acts were joined together as one. Acts 1 commentary commentary critical and explanatory on. In his commentary, pastor chuck smith presents an indepth, verse by verse, exposition revealing the background, history, and power of the holy spirit working through the church. In acts, jesus sends the holy spirit to empower his disciples as they carry. Howson chronology of the acts some readers may be surprised that up to this point we have made no attempts to ascertain or to state exact chronological details. At the end of the gospel of luke jesus says that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in.

In chapter 2 paul announces the judgment of god according to truth, explaining. The historical reliability of the acts of the apostles, the principal historical source for the apostolic age, is of interest for biblical scholars and historians of early christianity as part of the debate over the historicity of the bible archaeological inscriptions and other independent sources show that acts contains some accurate details of 1st century society with regard to the titles. Study the bible online using commentary on acts 12 and more. 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 is a history of the early church and of the spread of the gospel note 1. Bruces commentary on acts in the nicnt series soon became a standard conservative evangelical commentary. How does the historical setting help us understand acts. You can find the best commentary on acts for you using the tools on the right side.

Acts 5 commentary james burton coffman commentaries on the. Read acts 12 commentary using commentary critical and explanatory on the whole bible. Acts was read as a reliable history of the early church well into the postreformation. Josephus account of his death is remarkably similar to this antiquities, 19. Lukeacts makes up 28% of the new testamentmore than that written by either paul or john. For a comprehensive study of the history of criticism of the book of acts see w. This is the second of a two volume set of lukes writings, its companion volume being the gospel of luke. Philemon was a citizen of colossae and an upright leader in that church. Besides linking the gospel narratives on the one hand and the apostolic letters on the. The acts of the apostles, fifth book of the new testament, a valuable history of the.

Acts 5 commentary, one of over 110 bible commentaries freely available, this commentary, by the leading authority in the church of christ, presents a verse level look at the bible. Acts was written in greek, presumably by the evangelist luke, whose gospel. Like ben witheringtons previous commentary conflict and community in corinth, this commentary breaks fresh ground in providing a detailed social and rhetorical analysis of the book of acts. Additional texts, volume 1 the acts of the apostles translated from the codex bezae. The acts of the apostles ben witherington, ben witherington. He brought his expertise in both of these areas together in a twenty year long collaborative effort with f.

Jun 12, 2017 lesson 1 investigates the author, historical setting, and the theological background of the book of acts. But theologians are well aware of the difficulties with which such. Commentary on the book of acts of the apostles by matthew. Commentary on the book of acts bible study notes and comments by david e. 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.