Reflection on the book of acts

The nickname stuck, just as jesus people or jesus freaks was the description that came out of the jesus movement in the 1970s. Reflection on the book of acts april 10th, 2010 category. A commentary on the acts of the apostles by pastor galen l. You may use your bible to answer the study questions. The acts of the apostles is used at mass during the easter season more than any other book of the bible. Recognizing the value of consistent reflection upon the word of god in order to refocus ones mind and heart upon christ and his gospel of peace, we provide several reading plans designed to cover the entire bible in a year. Book of acts the christian reflection project baylor university. Whereas the gospel of luke focuses on the life and ministry of jesus christ, the acts of the apostles builds upon what jesus did and taught see acts 1.

This commentary is based upon my personal devotional notes and reflections on the book of acts. Acts 2 outsiders looking in thought jesuss followers were drunk because they were so filled with the. In acts 2, peter preached a sermon to thousands of people in jerusalem. It traces the first decades in the history of the church after the resurrection of christ, focusing in particular on the work of peter and paul. That both peter and pauls defenses for the jews were ultimately rejected that the promise of god remained for the jews despite having crucified the messiah by peter in acts 2, 4, 5, etc. There are three distinct times marked in the book of the acts. These five study guides integrate bible study, prayer, worship, and reflection on themes in the book of acts. What is the reflection of the book of acts 1055 words. Even in our darkest moments, we are never alone as jesus promised. This post will exhaustively look at every example we see in the book of acts with a brief commentary on each. The study guides and lesson plans integrate bible study, prayer, and worship to help us explore acts as a theological treasure that can shape our discipleship today. Read acts commentary using commentary critical and explanatory on the whole bible. First, the phenomenon of speaking in tongues caught the peoples attention and thus stimulated their inquiry. The miracles in the book of acts miracles where wrought recorded in.

My initial impression on church renewal was a picture which included growing church attendance, people lining up at the altar accepting christ, numerous baptisms, powerful preaching, and many more other positive images. Several of the quotes within the passage occur throughout the book of acts. Much like signs and wonders, god here is using a physical occurrence to point to a spiritual reality. But there is so much more found in the book of acts which differs so radically from what we find in most churches today. Acts of the apostles reflection acts of the apostles acts of the apostles the second part of the work that begins with the gospel according to luke is acts of the apostles reflection acts of the apostles acts.

Lukes preoccupation with the christian community as the spiritguided bearer of the word of salvation rules out of his book detailed histories of the activity of most. It is important to see what the disciples were saying about jesus, and what titles they used in referring to him. The acts is an historical book, but it is not mere history. Rather, he pulled cornelius to his feet and said, stand up. In the first book, theophilus, i wrote about all that jesus did and taught from the beginning until the day he was taken up to heaven 1. Acts of the apostles reflection acts of the apostles acts. Like luke, acts is addressed to the unknown reader theophilus, and in the introduction to acts, it is made clear that it is a continuation of luke. Stephen said some words from the book by the prophet isaiah isaiah 66. The god of abraham, isaac and jacob, the god of our fathers, has glorified his servant jesus acts 3. He decides to hang around with all his favorite disciples for forty days. The title of the book of acts comes from the greek word praxis, a word often used in early christian literature to describe the great deeds of the apostles or other significant believers. Acts was apparently written in rome, perhaps between ad 70 and 90. The acts of the apostles, abbreviation acts, fifth book of the new testament, a valuable history of the early christian church. Acts 1 niv jesus taken up into heaven in my bible gateway.

John chrysostom homilies on the acts of the apostles homily i. Studying the book of acts 88 kathy maxwell editors 94 contributors 96. Luke is the author of the gospel of luke and the book of acts. Acts was apparently written in rome, perhaps between ad 70 and 90, though some think a slightly earlier date is also. Ludlowthe book of acts was written by luke after his gospel as the second part of a great twovolume work on jesus christ and the early christians. I think i have literally gone through two copies of that commentary the first one tore in half because i used it so much. Feb 23, 2018 i wrote a reflection paper on the book of acts and the epistle to the ephesians for a course i am taking. Ive been reading acts 28, pauls arrival in rome, how the narrative. The title of the book of acts comes from the greek word praxis, a word often used in early christian. How can we apply this principle to the relationships in our own lives.

Lukes gospel is an orderly account of jesus life, death, burial and. Bedes book of reflection on the acts of the apostles 2. The book of the acts of the apostles in the bible is an important piece of evidence on the present subject. With a sure hand, he guides the reader through numerous approaches to the text. It is intended to help you better understand some of the background and issues in lukes second volume. This would indicate it was matthew, mark, luke, or john. It opens with a greeting to theophilus, who was also the intended recipient of lukes gospel. Therefore they trusted god to place the right person in that spot. There are different ways to divide the book of acts. The four gospels matthew, mark, luke, and john present various accounts of the life and teachings of jesus christ. The following are the five that i have found to be the most helpful.

The book of acts the book of acts is known as the birth of the church. It appears that there were three hours of the day destined by the jews to public prayer. What is the reflection of the book of acts 1055 words 5 pages in the opening chapters of the book of acts, peter gives a speech to one hundred and twenty believers of jesus. The book of acts, and the acts of the apostles were written by an eye witness. As it is expected, the book of acts has a similar literary style as the gospel of luke because it is the second volume of lukes account. There are a number of good commentaries on the book of acts. Acts gives a detailed report of what happened to some of jesus early followers as they carried the message about jesus from jerusalem to the other areas of the roman empire. Marshall, mentions in his book, that lukes mention of individuals, their positions in society, their tittles and surrounding have been proved to be true archaeologically. Commentary on the book of acts of the apostles by matthew. But stephen reminded the jews that god was bigger than any temple. The first thing he encountered in caesarea was this gentile centurion falling at his feet in worship. Here is a look at our fifth book in the new testament filtering through all the examples we see of the word faith. Sep 16, 2019 reflection and meaning about paul and silas in jail to begin with, if you have already read the entire chapter of acts 16, in this story paul and silas were in the city of philippi in macedonia doing the will of god, being obedient to the holy spirit acts 16. This title accurately reflects the contents of the book, which is a series of vignettes chronicling the lives of key apostles especially peter and paul in.

Such acts are foundational in the sense that all of our experience arises out of them and can be interpreted only by reference to them 89. Book of acts the christian reflection project baylor. Reflecting on acts 2 and the community that is referenced at the end of the chapter, i saw three characteristics of the community in acts 2. Acts 1 the apostles knew they needed to replace judas. The book of acts describes how the church spread after jesus ascended to heaven. They were constantly defending their faithto religious leaders, political officers, secular philosophers, and average citizens. I thought i would share some of my reflections on the book in a series of posts. Matthew henry 18 october 1662 22 june 1714 was an english commentator on the bible, who published his works in 1706, sixvolume exposition of the old and new testaments 17081710 or complete commentary, provides an exhaustive verse by verse study of the bible, covering the whole of the old testament, and the gospels and acts in the new testament.

An english translation of the venerable bedes book of reflection on the acts of the apostles chapters 2. Acts 1 new international version niv jesus taken up into heaven. There are three occasions in the book of acts where speaking in tongues happens when you receive the holy spirit acts 2. The book of acts paints a picture of renewal of the people from a traditional, lawbound, performancebased and ethnocentric 1 religion to a group of believers who were gracebound, transforming into an ethnorelative 2 mindset and filled with the holy spirit. Interpreting the book of acts presents the fruit of the authors thirtyyear reflection on the lukan corpus. Have you ever worried about how the struggles you face in life will turn out. The book of acts reflection and discussion questions acts 1 the apostles knew they needed to replace judas. Chapter 2 and when the days of pentecost were completed, they were all together in the same place, some of the other codices 1 wrongly have pentecost in the accusative case. Reflections on the end of the acts of the apostles mike bird patheos. The book of acts reflection and discussion questions. The gospels and acts resources american bible society. The temple in this book called acts was the third temple.

Indeed, i am sure most would never even mention the episode, let alone preach on it. Acts 1 commentary commentary critical and explanatory on. School suny buffalo state college course title phil 102. All the awesome things he said and did and the super cool way he died and came back to life again. Acts has been called a transitional book because it serves as a bridge between. John chrysostom found it to be repletewith christian wisdom and sound doctrine to guide believers. Acts is thoroughly missional, steve walton notes, for it is focused on gods mission, as god draws people into his orbit and brings them into his community. By faith in the name of jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. In fact, the name, acts of the apostles, does not precisely convey the idea of the contents of the book. Acts was written in greek, presumably by the evangelist luke, whose gospel concludes where acts begins, namely, with christs ascension into heaven. Just as was true for the apostles and disciples, we are guided and protected by the holy spirit as jesus promised. Peter did not say, thank you for recognizing my high spiritual office, and offer him his ring to kiss. The former treatise have i made, o theophilus, concerning all things which jesus began both to do and to teach, until the day on which, having given charge to the apostles, whom he had chosen.

The book of acts the acts of the apostles is a hidden treasure. The acts of the apostles a book report religion essay. The book of acts contains three subarguments, seen throughout the text, to support its conclusion. Devotions with scripture from acts today daily devotional. What are some ways that we can show the holy spirit is working in our lives today.

Study the bible online using commentary on acts and more. Each ripple includes inspiring quotes and thoughtprovoking messages intended to take one minute or less to read and follows a simple format. In these names we see that the lord raises up instruments for his work, from various places and stations in life. In this passage, luke is restating the great commission challenge jesus gave in luke 24. The book of the acts new international commentary on the new. Understanding the book of acts in the bible learn religions. The other answers, o, these are the people who are always talking about christos, the christpeople, the christians the book of acts eerdmans, p. The book does not contain the acts of all the apostles, neither does it contain all the acts of any apostle. Acts tells us how the christian movement came into beginning. Learn more about its significance in the new testament. For pentecost in the nominative case is called the fiftieth in the genitive, is called of the fiftieth, in the accusative it is simply the fiftieth day 2. Christian reflection is an ideal resource for discipleship training in the church. Book of acts overview insight for living ministries.

Doughty southside christian church january 2014 introduction. Mikeal parsons traces the themes in acts not only to lukes gospel, but also to a plurality of gospels, which luke refers to as many. We hope you enjoy and can benefit greatly from this study. Ripples for reflection collects 52 of the most cherished newsletters into an easytocarry book, making it the perfect resource for anyone seeking encouragement and inspiration. Paul and silas in jail reflection and meaning in acts 16. The book of the acts new international commentary on the. The book of acts can help calm our fears and strengthen our faith because we are reminded that we do not face our struggles alone. Top 5 commentaries on the book of acts ligonier ministries. Excerpts from acts serve as the first reading for every sunday mass from easter sunday to pentecost, as well as for the first reading for every daily mass for all seven weeks of the easter season. John chrysostom homilies on the acts of the apostles. He tells them that the scripture has been fulfilled and judas must be replaced meaning a new apostle must be appointed. What todays church needs to learn from the book of acts. Commentary on the book of acts bible study lessons.

Anyhoo acts starts with jesus already back in black. Evening and morning, and at noon, will i pray and cry aloud. Literary purpose and structure, narrative theology, discourse analysis, cultural backgroundsall are exploited for insight. The picture of revival in the early church as shown in acts and ephesians. Reflection and meaning about paul and silas in jail to begin with, if you have already read the entire chapter of acts 16, in this story paul and silas were in the city of philippi in macedonia doing the will of god, being obedient to the holy spirit acts 16. The instant and dire judgment of god on ananias and sapphira as recorded in acts 5 would absolutely appal these contemporary christians. It lays bare what appear to be the basic issues in any philosophical account of human action. Too often, our own lives do not reflect that sort of change. It opens with a brief notice of the forty days succeeding the resurrection of christ during which he appeared to the apostles, speaking the things concerning the kingdom of god.

This book details the activity of the disciples over a period of thirty years after jesus was raised up. God takes the initiative using a variety of creative means, and. What is the reflection of the book of acts 1055 words 5 pages. In the book of acts, when the apostles did evangelism, they did apologetics. Acts of the apostles reflection acts of the apostles. Acts free bible commentary on the book of acts in easy english. Jan 25, 2019 a book of reflection on the acts of the apostles.