A Commentary on Acts

Yon Gyong Kwon, Yon Gyong Kwon

• Publisher: Fortress Press
• Year: 2015
• Print ISBN: 9781451499650
• eBook ISBN: 9781506400310
• Topic: Theology & Religion
• Subtopic: Biblical Commentary

The book of Acts recounts the birth of the church and the ministry of the earliest disciples. It occupies a place of critical importance in the New Testament, acting as a bridge between the Jesus of history and the Jesus of faith. It is a record of the early church, a rich source of theological wisdom, and a powerful testament to the transformative power of the Holy Spirit.

In this helpful guide, the section-by-section commentary draws out the historical, theological, and pastoral significance of the biblical text. There are also four theological essays that highlight the relevance of the book of Acts today. Clear and helpful maps and study suggestions at the end of each chapter make A Commentary on Acts ideal for students in biblical study courses and for anyone wishing to learn more about this thrilling New Testament book.

The International Study Guides (ISGs) are clear and accessible resources, contextual and ecumenical in content and missional in direction. The contributors are theological educators who come from different countries and different religious backgrounds and bring practical emphasis alongside contemporary scholarly reflection.

Table of contents

• Contributors
• The International Study Guides
• Acknowledgements
• Using this Commentary
• Further reading
• MAPS
• Introduction
• 1.1–11: Forty days with the risen Jesus
• 1.12–26: Waiting and preparation
• 2.1–13: The disciples are filled with the Spirit
• 2.14–41: Peter’s first witness to the risen Jesus
• 2.42–47: The fellowship of the believers
• 3.1–26: The name of Jesus heals a crippled beggar
• Theological essay 1: Mission and healing in Acts
• 4.1–31: Peter and John before the Sanhedrin
• 4.32—5.16: The Church overcomes a danger from within
• Theological essay 2: Communal sharing and poverty
• 5.17–42: The apostles before the Sanhedrin
• 6.1–15: A new leadership emerges
• 7.1—8.1a: Stephen’s speech
• 8.1b–40: Witnessing in all Judea and Samaria
• 9.1–30: The conversion of Saul
• 10.1—11.18: Opening the door: Peter and Cornelius
• 11.19–30: The church in Antioch
• 12.1–25: Herod persecutes the Church
• 13.1–12: Mission to Cyprus
• 13.13–52: Mission in Antioch of Pisidia
• 14.1–28: The mission to Iconium and Lystra and back
• 15.1–35: The Jerusalem Council
• 15.36—16.10: The gospel spreads to Macedonia
• 16.11—17.15: Paul in Macedonia
• 17.16–34: Paul in Athens
• 18.1–28: Paul in Corinth
• Theological essay 3: Women in and in Oceania
• 19.1–44: Paul in Ephesus
• 20.1–38: Paul begins his journey to Jerusalem
• Theological essay 4: Leadership in the Early Church and today
• 21.1–36: Paul’s arrival and arrest
• 22.1–29: Paul defends himself before the crowd
• 22.30—23.35: Paul before the Sanhedrin and the plot to kill him
• 24.1–27: Paul before Felix
• 25.1–27: Paul before Festus and Agrippa
• 26.1–32: Paul’s defence before Agrippa
• 27.1—28.16: Paul sails for Rome
• 28.17–31: Paul in Rome
• Key to study suggestions