Luke is the author of the gospel of luke and the book of acts. The god of abraham, isaac and jacob, the god of our fathers, has glorified his servant jesus acts 3. The first one was the sermon at pentecost and the second one was the sermon at solomons porch. By faith in the name of jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. However, formatting rules can vary widely between applications and fields of interest or study.
The book of acts reflection and discussion questions acts 1 the apostles knew they needed to replace judas. The book of acts follows christs chosen representatives from 30 to 62 ad as they preach the good news of salvation in the farthest parts of the roman empire. Seventh, awe at gods power through the apostles gripped the community of believers. An ancient prologue to lukes gospel indicates that luke was first a follower of the apostles and then became close with paul.
An english translation of the venerable bedes book of reflection on the acts of the apostles chapters 2. Have you ever worried about how the struggles you face in life will turn out. How can we apply this principle to the relationships in our own lives. Lewis and there is some similarity to the first part of lewiss mere christianity.
There are different ways to divide the book of acts. First, the phenomenon of speaking in tongues caught the peoples attention and thus stimulated their inquiry. Apr 02, 2020 last week i found myself studying the end of the book of acts. Book of acts the christian reflection project baylor university. Christian reflection is an ideal resource for discipleship training in the church. As has been common for centuries, the lectionary collectors turn to the book of the acts after easter to trace the movement of the early. I think i have literally gone through two copies of that commentary the first one tore in half because i used it so much. Reflections on the book of acts fogle, maurice w on. We hope you enjoy and can benefit greatly from this study. John chrysostom homilies on the acts of the apostles. The book does not contain the acts of all the apostles, neither does it contain all the acts of any apostle. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. The book begins with an account of the lords ascension and the election of matthias to take the place of judas as a member of the twelve apostles.
Studying the book of acts 88 kathy maxwell editors 94 contributors 96. Lukes gospel is an orderly account of jesus life, death, burial and resurrection. Commentary on the book of acts bible study lessons. The orthodox faith volume i doctrine and scripture. Reflections on hermeneutics and the purpose of acts. The book of acts can help calm our fears and strengthen our faith because we are reminded that we do not face our struggles alone. He called on his audience to repent and be converted ac 3. In the reading from the acts of the apostles, st peter is being criticised for associating with uncircumcised people. The instant and dire judgment of god on ananias and sapphira as recorded in acts 5 would absolutely appal these contemporary christians. We are exploring the book of acts in a series titled acts. In fact, the name, acts of the apostles, does not precisely convey the idea of the contents of the book. Smashwords reflections on the eldership based on acts 20. Acts 2 outsiders looking in thought jesuss followers were drunk because they were so filled with the. An exciting look at the birth of the early church, through the eyes of luke, the author of the gospel of luke.
This wrongminded requirement that was advocated by even key members within the early church is discussed at length in acts 15. But there is so much more found in the book of acts which differs so radically from what we find in most churches today. What is the reflection of the book of acts 1055 words. John chrysostom homilies on the acts of the apostles homily i. Reflections on the book of acts day 4 dromore cathedral. Jesus commands the apostles not to leave jerusalem but to wait for the holy spirit. In the book of acts, peter gives two different sermons for two different groups of listeners. Feb 14, 2020 churches electing a pastor or elders need confidence that the individuals concerned and the church have gods leading. What todays church needs to learn from the book of acts.
Apr 14, 2020 each chapter concludes with some personal reflections and a few study questions. 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. As it is expected, the book of acts has a similar literary style as the gospel of luke because it is the second volume of lukes account. The final scenes of lukeacts might seem like an anticlimax. So keep up your courage, men, for i have faith in god that it will happen just as he told me. The book of acts is an important book for understanding the actions of the apostles, mostly paul and peter, after jesuss ascension into heaven. It is intended to help you better understand some of the background and issues in lukes second volume. I will explain below why i think this matters and then suggest two factors that need to be taken into account in any discussion, but first a. The third gospel and the acts form a wellordered work, written with reflection and even with art, written by the same hand, and with a definite plan. This pamphlet points gods people in the direction of this assurance. The temple in this book called acts was the third temple. The acts of the apostles is used at mass during the easter season more than any other book of the bible. 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. This is the story of christianitys beginnings and how evangelism played.
He tells them that the scripture has been fulfilled and judas must be replaced meaning a new apostle must be appointed. Therefore they trusted god to place the right person in that spot. Read acts commentary using commentary critical and explanatory on the whole bible. Watch the book of acts in primetime by rusty wright contributing writer. For the next few months, we will be exploring the book of acts in a series titled acts. Indeed, i am sure most would never even mention the episode, let alone preach on it. Reflections on the end of the acts of the apostles mike bird patheos. Please share far and wide to encourage as many people as possible. Acts free bible commentary on the book of acts in easy. Study the bible online using commentary on acts and more. Reflection and meaning about paul and silas in jail to begin with, if you have already read the entire chapter of acts 16, in this story paul and silas were in the city of philippi in macedonia doing the will of god, being obedient to the holy spirit acts 16. Reflections from the book of acts believers and churches dont practice the above privately or corporately and are puzzled as to why their lives are not impacting people for christ. But stephen reminded the jews that god was bigger than any temple.
Reflections on the book of ephesians by christine colbert pauls words in his brief letter to the ephesians ring with such power and conviction that we can easily accept that the ruach hakodesh holy spirit is communicating with us through pauls pen. The outer court of the second temple in jerusalem was called the court of the gentiles. The book of the acts of the apostles was written by saint luke toward the end of the first century, as the second part of his history for theophilus about christ and his church. Originally written as a personal meditation book for lent, this book can be used for group bible study or as. Paul, like peter, is presented as a miracle worker acts 14.
Lukes preoccupation with the christian community as the spiritguided bearer of the word of salvation rules out of his book detailed histories of the activity of most. This commentary is based upon my personal devotional notes and reflections on the book of acts. Faith is something you can have and it can be a defining characteristic. Reflections from the book of romans which messiah must come, is the gospelhe is god. Framed by reflections from church leaders jennifer baskervilleburrows and gay clark jennings, the book provides encouragement and practical suggestions to help individuals and groups move from acts to action.
Todays text is one of the more delightful ones in lukes arsenal of good stories. The two works taken together form a whole, having the same style, presenting the same characteristic expressions, and citing the scripture in the same manner ibid. Stephen said some words from the book by the prophet isaiah isaiah 66. John chrysostom found it to be repletewith christian wisdom and sound doctrine to guide believers.
May 12, 2011 i also had john stotts commentary on acts with me. Reflections on gods guidance from the book of acts in his letter to the roman christians, the apostle paul declares, as many as are led. Having defended his case at least six times, he finally appealed to the supreme authority of the time, caesar. Recognizing the value of consistent reflection upon the word of god in order to refocus ones mind and heart upon christ and his gospel of peace, we provide several reading plans designed to cover the entire bible in a year. These five study guides integrate bible study, prayer, worship, and reflection on themes in the book of acts issue. Much like signs and wonders, god here is using a physical occurrence to point to a spiritual reality. A commentary on the acts of the apostles by pastor galen l. Excerpts from acts serve as the first reading for every sunday mass from easter sunday to pentecost, as well as for the first reading for every daily mass for all seven weeks of the easter season. This post will exhaustively look at every example we see in the book of acts with a brief commentary on each. When the church follows specific guidelines, the outcome can be that the holy spirit has indeed given the church its pastor and elders.
He decides to hang around with all his favorite disciples for forty days. The book of acts, and the acts of the apostles were written by an eye witness. Reflections on the book of acts day 6 how big is your god. Devotions with scripture from acts today daily devotional. For the last third of the book paul had been enduring approximately 2 years of unfair imprisonment, as well as the jewish leaders attempt to kill him. Reflections on the book of acts paperback january 15, 2018. He was a good man, full of the holy spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the lord. Commentary on the book of acts of the apostles by matthew. Reflections on acts 28 by nick barnes trinity central. Using every means you can, please call your friends, fellow parishioners and others to join with many in this opportunity for us to. Doughty southside christian church january 2014 introduction. Reflections on gods guidance from the book of acts in his letter to the roman christians, the apostle paul declares, as many as are led by the spirit, these are the sons of god rom. The acts of the apostles scripture for the easter season.
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. Here is a look at our fifth book in the new testament filtering through all the examples we see of the word faith. The orthodox faith volume i doctrine and scripture new. Paul and silas in jail reflection and meaning in acts 16. My initial impression on church renewal was a picture which included growing church attendance, people lining up at the altar accepting christ, numerous baptisms, powerful preaching, and many more other positive images. Acts 1 new international version niv jesus taken up into heaven.
Just as was true for the apostles and disciples, we are guided and protected by the holy spirit as jesus promised. 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. Acts 1 commentary commentary critical and explanatory on. For many basic details verse by verse, it still is of good value and often. 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. All the awesome things he said and did and the super cool way he died and came back to life again. This would indicate it was matthew, mark, luke, or john. Book of acts the christian reflection project baylor.
The book of acts paints a picture of renewal of the people from a traditional, lawbound, performancebased and ethnocentric 1 religion to a group of believers who were gracebound, transforming into an ethnorelative 2 mindset and filled with the holy spirit. 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. Marshall, mentions in his book, that lukes mention of individuals, their positions in society, their tittles and surrounding have been proved to be true archaeologically. Sixminute reflections on the acts of the apostles kindle edition by untener, ken, haven, catherine. After an earthquake shook the prison, they were released and at pauls insistence were given a police guard until they were safely out of the city. The bible continues they really take this spiritual stuff seriously. Hollywoods bible power couple is backwith a flourishthis time on primetime network television with their new series, a. The former treatise have i made, o theophilus, concerning all things which jesus began both to do and to teach, until the day on which, having given charge to the apostles, whom he had chosen. Reflections on the readings for every day of the churchs year. The acts of the apostles a book report religion essay. This would cause us to believe that we all have faith in degrees. This series combines video clips from the movie, the book of acts, with thoughtprovoking questions for reflection, discussion and practical life application. Joseph a alexander acts commentary 1857, 1866 over pages.
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. This book is designed for personal devotional reading or as the center of a small group bible study. Third, the revolutionary called the egyptian in acts 21. Even in our darkest moments, we are never alone as jesus promised. Nonjewish people were prohibited from going into the holier parts. Joseph alsay, carrie boren headington, frank logue, brendan osullivanhale, steve pankey, and holli powell. The reflections above are available in printed form in. 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. Reflections on hermeneutics and the purpose of acts recent scholarship on the purpose of the book of acts is in disarray. Anyhoo acts starts with jesus already back in black. Mikeal parsons traces the themes in acts not only to lukes gospel, but also to a plurality of gospels, which luke refers to as many. Visit new advent for the summa theologica, church fathers, catholic encyclopedia and more. Book of acts overview insight for living ministries.
And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. Both sermons highlights the resurrection of jesus and the eyewitness accounts of the apostles and disciples of jesus. Bedes book of reflection on the acts of the apostles 2. Reflections on the gospel of luke and book of acts lent bishop knisely invites you on a journey through luke and acts. I thought i would share some of my reflections on the book in a series of posts. I wrote a reflection paper on the book of acts and the epistle to the ephesians for a course i am taking. While in the city of philippi, paul and his companion, silas, were thrown into prison. 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.
Acts 1 niv jesus taken up into heaven bible gateway. I will explain below why i think this matters and then suggest two factors that need to be taken into account in any discussion, but first a sketch of the current situation. What is the reflection of the book of acts 1055 words 5 pages in the opening chapters of the book of acts, peter gives a speech to one hundred and twenty believers of jesus. The study guides and lesson plans integrate bible study, prayer, and worship to help us explore acts as a theological treasure that can shape our discipleship today. Acts is thoroughly missional, steve walton notes, for it is focused on gods mission, as god draws people into his orbit and brings them into.
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