Synopsis of the Books of the Bible: Acts to Philippians
Overview
Darby’s synopsis on the middle books of the New Testament is devoted to the Holy Spirit, the events at Pentecost, and the work of the Spirit through apostolic authority. He also provides an introduction to the Epistles as a literary genre, noting that they connect the life of God with life on earth. His synopsis on Romans is especially thorough, because, he says, it aptly describes Christ’s presence on earth and the life of the Church.
Top Highlights
“For this we need the Lord’s strength, and of this the apostle now speaks. ‘Be strong,’ he says, ‘in the Lord.’ The enemy is subtle. We have to withstand his stratagems even more than his power. Neither the strength nor even the wisdom of man can do anything here. We must be armed with the panoply, that is the whole armor of God.” (Page 475)
“God was with His servant; and, instead of the self-seeking which instigated these sorry preachers of the truth, there was found in Paul the pure desire for the proclamation of the good news of Christ, the whole value of which he deeply felt, and which he desired above all, be it in what way it might.” (Pages 492–493)
“as in this world. He is justified and has life in Christ, but is here, and not viewed as risen with Him” (Page 120)
“If I have a bad conscience, I am vexed with myself, I grow angry with others.” (Page 481)
“when the will is held in check, peace reigns in the soul.” (Page 481)
Darby left a lasting legacy for us today.
—Conservative Theological Journal
To see classical dispensationalist theology at its best, one must read Darby…
—Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society
Darby was a brilliant man…
—Moody Handbook of Theology
- Title: Synopsis of the Books of the Bible: Acts to Philippians
- Author: John Darby
- Publisher: Loizeaux Brothers
- Publication Date: 1950
- Pages: 531
John Darby (1800–1882), an evangelist, was known as the father of dispensationalism. He attended Westminster School and Trinity College. Darby became a lawyer, but he practiced law for just one year because he thought it was incompatible with his religious beliefs. He was ordained as a deacon in the Church of England in 1825 and became a priest in 1826.
While a priest, Darby realized he disagreed with the Church of England’s rituals and ideas. He gathered like-minded individuals to form the movement later known as the Plymouth Brethren and left the Church of England in 1832. Darby influenced individuals such as C. I. Scofield and Charles Henry Mackintosh, whose writing contributed to the rise of fundamentalism in America.
Darby has authored several titles, including the 1890 Darby Bible, his Synopsis of the Books of the Bible (5 vols.), and several writings, letters, and notes included in The Collected Writings of John Nelson Darby collection.