Acts (Believers Church Bible Commentary | BCBC)
Overview
The Believers Church Bible Commentary Series is published for all who seek more fully to understand the original message of Scripture and its meaning for today—Sunday school teachers, members of Bible study groups, students, pastors, and other seekers. The series is based on the conviction that God is still speaking to all who will listen, and that the Holy Spirit makes the Word a living and authoritative guide for all who want to know and do God’s will.
Each volume illuminates the Scriptures; provides historical and cultural background; shares necessary theological, sociological, and ethical meanings; and, in general, makes "the rough places plain." Critical issues are not avoided, but neither are they moved into the foreground as debates among scholars. The series aids in the interpretive process, but it does not attempt to supersede the authority of the Word and Spirit as discerned in the gathered church.
The Believers Church Bible Commentary is a cooperative project of Brethren in Christ Church, Brethren Church, Church of the Brethren, Mennonite Brethren Church, and Mennonite Church.
Overall Outline
The commentaries are organized into sections according to the major divisions of the text. Each section comprises five parts:
- An introductory preview
- A summary outline of the section
- Explanatory notes
- The text in its biblical context
- The text in the life of the church
Acts
Chalmer E. Faw brings Acts to life for our day. He blends thorough biblical scholarship with wisdom from extensive and varied experience in missionary work and Bible teaching. His careful exposition of the book of Acts is supplemented with literary and theological discussion.
The key word in Acts is witness for Jesus Christ, from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth. God's Spirit anoints the church at Pentecost, leads believers in handling conflicts between converts new and old, and empowers Christians to overcome false beliefs and magic. In Acts, Luke tells this dramatic story with subtle humor.
Top Highlights
“Taken as a whole, Peter’s message on this day makes three great affirmations which set the tone for the remainder of Acts. (1) The outpouring of the Holy Spirit is the genuine fulfillment of OT prophecy (2:14–21). (2) This Spirit has been bestowed by Jesus, who was attested by God with deeds of power, crucified, raised from the dead, and made both Lord and Christ (2:22–36). (3) The promise of salvation and the outpoured Spirit through Jesus are for all who will repent and believe: both Jew and Gentile, near and far, for all generations (2:38–40).” (Page 46)
“Permeating all these special interests and tying them together is the most basic one of them all: the divine guidance and empowerment provided by the Holy Spirit, with the accompaniment of prayer, signs, wonders, visions, angels, and prophetic utterances. God is at work on every page!” (Page 25)
“First mentioned is Stephen, whose name in Greek means ‘wreath’ or ‘crown’—an appropriate name for the first Christian to be ‘crowned’ with martyrdom.” (Page 87)
“The members of the church are of one heart and soul because all are centered on Jesus, who unifies deep within.” (Page 68)
“Luke is careful to point out that, as the true heirs of Israel, the new believers faithfully attend times of temple prayer. According to Josephus (Ant. 14.4.3), these are twice daily, one early in the morning and the other at three in the afternoon (cf. 3:1 for the 3:00 p.m. service).” (Page 49)
- Title: Acts
- Author: Chalmer E. Faw
- Publisher: Herald Press
- Publication Date: 1993
- Pages: 336
Reviews
1 rating
Pat Callahan
4/11/2016
I love the Believers Church Bible Commentary and Mr. Faw's commentary on Acts is fantastic.
