First, acts combined with the gospel of luke makes up over onefourth of the entire new testament. Each study is designed to first teach the leaders the passage and then provide them with questions they can use to lead their group through a process of selfdiscovered learning. Several questions can be answered from the first 2 verses. 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. 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. Read an introduction to the book of acts in a study bible, bible dictionary or onevolume commentary you can check out my bible study tools page for some of my best recommendations. The book of acts course a, lesson 1 free bible study. Jun 12, 2017 lesson 1 investigates the author, historical setting, and the theological background of the book of acts. Acts 12 commentary commentary critical and explanatory on.
Church gospel holy spirit chapters 28 next 20 years major emphasis. 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. It is useful to make some preliminary points on acts in order to highlight the importance of this book in the new testament. 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. Actschapters 112 bible study book is a sixsession study that will equip you and your group members to understand significant events in the early church, like jesus commission and ascension, pentecost and the birth of the church, the persecution of the early christians, philip and the eunuch, pauls damascus road conversion, and peters vision. David guzik study guide for acts 14 a new version of this page can be found here the conclusion of the first missionary journey.
Acts is the second book in the history that luke wrote. Since acts ends with paul awaiting trial before caesar, some have wondered if lukeacts are not defense briefs on pauls behalf to give a roman official background on pauls case. The consensus of scholars puts the date of acts between 6580 ad. This event is designated in the bible as the day of pentecost acts 2. It includes a glossary of cultural terms and important historical figures, maps and charts, uptodate bibliographies, and introductory essays about cultural background information for each book of the.
A large portion of the acts is occupied by the discourses or sermons of various persons, the language and manner of which differ, and all of which will be found according to the persons by whom they were delivered, and the occasions on which they were spoken. A small investment in your personal study library will yield rich dividends as you seek to know gods word. The fourvolume set is an invaluable resource for new testament professors and students, pastors, acts scholars, and libraries. 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. Fifty days after the resurrection of jesus christ from death and the grave, and ten days after he ascended up into heaven, a great event took place, the equal of which the world has not witnessed since. One way to start is with a digital bible study like this one. After rising from the dead, jesus met with his disciples and followers, giving convincing proofs that he was alive. While it may be tempting to skip ahead and dive right in to studying the passages in. Doughty southside christian church january 2014 introduction. Acts 1 background information with maps and images picture. Bible study of acts join us for an inspiring study on the.
Lexham geographic commentary on acts through revelation. Book of acts bible study lessons course a free online bible study lessons about the history of the early church with examples of conversion. A bible study lesson series about the beginning of christianity as revealed in the book of the acts of the apostles. Acts of the apostles introduction new testament matthew. The background illustrations can be found in much greater details in craigs ivp bible background commentary.
The majority were still alive when paul was writing to the corinthian congregation some 25 years after the event. 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. A good study bible we recommend the following features. In these next few lessons, were are going to be diving into some background material for acts. Most can be obtained from a good religious bookstore. For a comprehensive study of the history of criticism of the book of acts see w. These letters were sent out as circular epistles to be passed around and read in several locations.
It is for public use, not for traditional publication or remuneration. Long time therefore abode they because in spite of opposition they were meeting with so much success. Bible study of acts join us for an inspiring study on. The absolute best online bible courses are the ones you actually use that never add to or take away from the kjv bible. 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. Please take all courses in order as listed on our home page the computer will ask. This commentary is based upon my personal devotional notes and reflections on the book of acts. Useful not only for the study of acts but also early christianity, this work sets acts in its firstcentury context. Acts is a pivotal book in the new testament, says bruce, for it provided the sequel to the gospels and the background to the apostolic letters. Includes a cdrom with searchable indexes and bibliography. Verse 1 luke referred to his gospel here as my first book. Content includes book studies on luke, ephesians, thessalonians, james, 1 samuel, john, and acts.
The book of acts is the link between the gospels and the epistles. Book of acts overview insight for living ministries. Written as part of scripture unions bible study commentary series, which encourages regular, systematic personal bible reading, this commentary is also designed as a resource manual for group study. 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 took the gospel to the ends of the earth. 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 with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. Yet most people today have never heard of john gill. Herod the kinggrandson of herod the great, and son of aristobulus. This is unfortunate, since his works contain priceless gems of information that are found nowhere except in the ancient writings of the jews.
Study guide for acts 1 by david guzik blue letter bible. The book of james a detailed commentary basic training bible ministries page 2 introduction to james background of the book the epistle of james is one of the general epistles, including 1 and 2 peter, 1, 2 and 3 john, and jude. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of god. The beautiful, amazing, powerful, weak, dysfunctional church a chapterbychapter bible study of the book of acts 6 acts 1 50 days 1. Witnesses to the world has struck this editor and amcs board secretary mottel baleston just that way for this reason, we have decided to present acts in its entirety not just for the wealth of information that may be. If luke, pauls companion wrote the book, then we are looking at a fairly early date around 65 ad. Some have suggested that a better title might be the acts of the holy spirit. We do not recommend loose translations or oneman translations. In many ways acts is the most exciting book in the new testament because it is full of movement and interest. A history of the criticism of the acts of the apostles. 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. Some argue that this prologue extends through the two volume set lukeacts.
Acts is a fastmoving historical account of the first three decades of the church. The following outline is intended to be used while studying the book. A large portion of the acts is occupied by the discourses or sermons of various persons, the language and manner of which differ, and all of which will be found according to the persons by whom they were. Presented here is a verse by verse exposition of the new testament. Top 5 commentaries on the book of acts ligonier ministries. The about a hundred and twenty disciples, including the apostles, among whom peter stood up acts 1.
Acts free bible commentary on the book of acts in easy. Commentary on the book of acts bible study lessons. Let me mention just a few of the reasons why acts and thus our study of this book is so important. This commentary on acts, his magnum opus, may be the largest and most thoroughly documented acts commentary ever written. Bruce also wrote a larger 580 pages and more scholarly commentary on acts as part of the new international commentary on the new testament nicnt series. The importance of the book of acts the importance of this second of lukes twovolume work can. Ive been reading a commentary by a pentecostal missiologist, a great book that told the book as a story set in our modern day and now this book by one of the great decidedly, and contrastingly not pentecostal bible teachers of our day, john macarthur. Study 1 going through the book of acts words of life. The importance of the book of acts one can hardly overstate the importance of the book of acts or its contribution to the canon of scripture. The group of 500plus that saw jesus christ after his resurrection 1 corinthians 15. He was also the author of its companion work, the gospel of luke. Acts 2 background information with maps and images. Bible study library, including complete notes from the niv cultural backgrounds study bible and the new bible commentary.
The book of acts bible study guide chapter 1 online. The gospel of luke and the book of acts are a twopart work, and an incredibly helpful way to see how early christians told the story of christianitys origins. In chapter 2 paul announces the judgment of god according to truth, explaining. As his uncle was barnabas, so his spiritual father was peter 1 peter 5. With bible gateway plus, you gain instant access to a digital bible study library, including complete notes from the niv cultural backgrounds study bible and the new bible commentary. He is the new testament editor for the revised expositors bible commentary and the author of various books and commentaries, including mark and colossiansphilemon in the niv application commentary, and the article on mark in the zondervan illustrated bible backgrounds commentary. In acts, jesus sends the holy spirit to empower his disciples as they carry. The book certainly does not tell all the acts of all the apostles. An exegetical commentary, 4 volumes 9780801039898 by craig s. Every so often, a commentary comes to the attention of the student of scripture that strikes him or her as being head and shoulders above the crowd.
It is intended to help you better understand some of the background and issues in lukes second volume. The book of acts is a thrilling account of the early church discovering what it means to be christian. Blue letter bible study tools make reading, searching and studying the bible easy and rewarding. Christ having ordered them not to depart thence, but to wait for the pouring out of the holy spirit. Some liberal critics have attempted to raise doubts, yet the authorship of the book is solidly established both by the clear statement in the book itself and by the records of the early uninspired christian writers. He at this time ruled over all his fathers dominions.
This section is an exposition on the early part of genesis. Parsons writes his commentary acts grand rapids, mi. Study guide for acts 14 by david guzik blue letter bible. This unique commentary provides, in versebyverse format, the crucial cultural background you need for responsibleand richerbible study. It will help to keep the whole of the book before you as you work your way through each section. Over fifty entries by a range of scholars offer valuable insight into the geographical, social, and historical context of the book of acts, the new testament letters, and revelation.
Zondervan illustrated bible backgrounds commentary set. Commentary on the book of acts of the apostles by matthew. Let me mention just a few of the reasons why actsand thus our study of this bookis so important. Hopefully, youve had a chance to complete the suggested assignments in our bible study of acts orientation. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. The book of acts provides a bridge for the writings of the nt. A workbook suitable for bible classes, family studies, or personal bible study by david e pratte feb 19, 2014 4. Its subject and intention is nicely summarised by the words of the lord in chapter 1. This 82page word document was originally designed for use with students in nigeria. Since acts ends with paul awaiting trial before caesar, some have wondered if luke acts are not defense briefs on pauls behalf to give a roman official background on pauls case. A commentary on the acts of the apostles by pastor galen l. Luke acts makes up 28% of the new testamentmore than that written by either paul or john. The background of acts 2009 by third millennium ministries. Luke is uniformly identified as the author acts by the second century a.
These studies will be expository, devotional, practical and varied, and this is an introduction to the whole book. Perhaps luke was using it to mean any christian reader. Joseph a alexander acts commentary 1857, 1866 over pages. 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. We find this important background information on the book of james in acts 8. But it is more likely that theophilus was a real person. I read this bible study book as part of my yearlong study on the book of acts. As a second volume to lukes gospel, it joins what jesus began to do and to teach 1. For many basic details verse by verse, it still is of good value and often will help on word meaning and. The dating of acts is largely determined by the author.
Authorship of actsluke is the author of the book acts. Lesson 1 investigates the author, historical setting, and the theological background of the book of acts. In addition, there are topical studies on issues such as spiritual leadership, gods redemptive plan, and old testament character studies. 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. 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 lexham geographic commentary on acts through revelation is a worthy sequel to the awardwinning lexham geographic commentary on the gospels. It was the day on which the holy spirit made a unique visit to the earth.
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