In this new commentary for the Belief series, award-winning author and theologian Willie James Jennings explores the relevance of the book of Acts for the struggles of today. 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 of the Spirit of God. According to Jennings, Acts is like Genesis, revealing a God who is moving over the land, "putting into place a holy repetition that speaks of the willingness of God to invade our every day and our every moment." He reminds us that Acts took place in a time of Empire, when the people were caught between diaspora Israel and the Empire of Rome. The spirit of God intervened, offering new life to both. Jennings shows that Acts teaches how people of faith can yield to the Spirit to overcome the divisions of our present world.

Experience Pentecost. Look on as 130 converts shake a city. Meet Paul. Go with him as he plants the first Gentile church. Extend the kingdom's power and see the enemy upset. Walk with Paul as he travels to Corinth, Antioch, Ephesus and beyond. For those desiring to be a part of God's action in their churches, their communities and throughout the world, there is nothing that will help more than thoroughly understanding the book of Acts and applying what we can learn from it. Acts was designed to be God's training manual for Christians. It worked in the early church, and it works in the postmodern world. The reader's study of Acts in The Book of Acts will bring new intimacy with the Spirit and new joy in doing His will.

This substantive yet highly accessible commentary leads readers through all aspects of the book of Acts--sociological, historical, and theological.

This latest addition to the Fortress Social-Science Commentaries on New Testament writings illuminates the values, perceptions, and social codes of the Mediterranean culture that shaped Paul and his interactions - both harmonious and conflicted - with others, Malina and Pilch add new dimensions to our understanding of the apostle as a social change agent, his coworkers as innovators, and his gospel as an assertion of the honor of the God of Israel.

Guy Waters's Study Commentary on the Acts of the Apostles is exegetically and theologically sound, cogently reasoned and clearly written. I highly recommend this commentary to pastors and teachers preparing to preach and teach Acts, and to anyone interested in a readable exposition of Luke's unique account of the risen Lord Jesus' words and deeds through his chosen witnesses. Dennis E. Johnson Ph.D., Professor of Practical Theology, Westminster Seminary California

Distinguished Pentecostal scholar Stanley Horton takes an in-depth look at the story of the Early Church. This powerful book is an excellent foundational study for your church staff, Sunday school class, and an important component of every pastoral library. Horton takes each Scripture to share the overarching truth that the Early Church's story is still being written in the lives of believers like us today. He brings a compelling combination of research and experience to this study of Luke's inspired record. Complete with maps, Scripture index, and subject index.

Highly respected scholar Carl R. Holladay offers an in-depth critical commentary on the book of Acts in this new work from the acclaimed New Testament Library series. Holladay offers a theological, contextual, and literary interpretation, paying attention to Acts as a rich narrative that accounts for the development of the early Christian church. He sees Luke's literary style as an expression of its theological purpose. Holladay writes, "Convinced that Jesus' life and death and the emergence of the early Christian movement occurred under divine guidance and continued the biblical story by fulfilling God's ancient promises, Luke decided to incorporate them into a grandly conceived narrative told in a dignified yet dramatic style. Acts reflects the close relationship between medium and message, yet it also illustrates how the medium is the message." Holladay's commentary is theologically rich and steeped in narrative analysis that understands the high level of literary style as an expression of the theological content and the telling of the Christian origin. The New Testament Library series offers authoritative commentary on every book and major aspect of the New Testament, providing fresh translations based on the best available ancient manuscripts, critical portrayals of the historical world in which the books were created, careful attention to their literary design, and a theologically perceptive exposition of the biblical text. The contributors are scholars of international standing. The editorial board consists of C. Clifton Black, Princeton Theological Seminary; M. Eugene Boring, Brite Divinity School; and John T. Carroll, Union Presbyterian Seminary.

Designed for laypeople, these commentaries deal seriously with the biblical text without being overly technical. Introductory information, doctrinal themes, problem passages, and practical applications are examined.

Acts is the sequel to Luke's gospel and tells the story of Jesus's followers during the 30 years after his death. It describes how the 12 apostles, formerly Jesus's disciples, spread the message of Christianity throughout the Mediterranean against a background of persecution. With an introduction by P.D. James

Noted preacher and expositor James Montgomery Boice has created a unique blend of scripture insight, rich devotional application, and vivid illustration in this commentary on the book of Acts.