Acts (Belief: A Theological Commentary on the Bible)
Overview
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 revolution—life 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.
Top Highlights
“The book of Acts speaks of revolution. We must never forget this. It depicts life in the disrupting presence of the Spirit of God.” (Page 1)
“The controversy that grew up around Pentecostalism and later the charismatic movement has always been an unfortunate misplacement of focus, exposing our modern inability to grasp the desire of God revealed by the Holy Spirit. Neither concern for auditory evidence nor for linguistic authenticity brings us to the heart of the Spirit’s signifying reality. The only real question is, Do we hear what the tongues mean? For this, we do not need interpreters. We need translators, people who will allow their lives to be translated, not just once, but again and again as the Spirit gives utterance.” (Page 33)
“The risk here is found not in believing in new revelations but in new relationships. The new word that God continues to speak to us is to accept new people, different people that we had not imagined that God would send across our paths and into our lives.” (Page 108)
“The book of Acts reminds us that to follow Jesus is to already be a betrayer of one’s people” (Page 9)
“The community of Jesus confronts the couple with a new truth: you belong to us. We do not belong to you.” (Page 54)
- Title: Acts (Belief: A Theological Commentary on the Bible)
- Author: Willie James Jennings
- Edition: First edition
- Series: Belief: A Theological Commentary on the Bible
- Publisher: Westminster John Knox
- Print Publication Date: 2017
- Logos Release Date: 2018
- Era: era:contemporary
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subject: Bible. N.T. Acts › Commentaries
- ISBNs: 9780664234003, 9781611648058, 0664234003, 161164805, 161164805X
- Resource ID: LLS:BELIEFACTS
- Resource Type: Bible Commentary
- Metadata Last Updated: 2023-01-16T23:02:40Z