Acts (Life Application Bible Commentary | LABC)
Digital Logos Edition
Overview
The book of Acts continues the story Luke began in his Gospel. Acts covers the thirty years after Jesus’ resurrection and ascension (i.e., from A.D. 30 to 60). In that short time, the church was established and the gospel of salvation was taken throughout the Roman Empire-reaching all the way from Jerusalem to Rome. Those preaching the gospel, though ordinary people with human frailties and limitations, were empowered by the Holy Spirit to change the world they lived in. Through the book of Acts we learn about the workings of Christ’s Spirit though his body, the church, and we realize that he is still working today through those who live in the Spirit.
About the Series
The Life Application Bible Commentary series provides verse-by-verse explanation, background, and application for every verse in the New Testament. In addition, it gives personal help, teaching notes, and sermon ideas that will address needs, answer questions, and provide insight for applying God’s Word to life today. The content is highlighted so that particular verses and phrases are easy to find.
Each volume contains three sections: introduction, commentary, and reference. The introduction includes an overview of the book, the book’s historical context, a timeline, cultural background information, major themes, an overview map, and an explanation about the author and audience.
The commentary section includes running commentary on the Bible text with reference to several modern versions, especially the New International Version and the New Revised Standard Version, accompanied by life applications interspersed throughout. Additional elements include charts, diagrams, maps, and illustrations. There are also insightful quotes from church leaders and theologians such as John Calvin, Martin Luther, John Wesley, A. W. Tozer, and C. S. Lewis. These features are designed to help you quickly grasp the biblical information and be prepared to communicate it to others. The reference section includes a bibliography.
Top Highlights
“The point so far seems to be that Abraham had to believe the unfulfilled promises of God. He had to look ahead in faith to what God was doing, not to what seemed best or most logical.” (Page 108)
“The apostles kept their priorities straight. They were successful in part because they realized that both tasks were important: the task of meeting the physical needs of the church body and the task of meeting the spiritual and educational needs of the body. They had to ask themselves the basic question: since we can only do some things, which of these many good things to do are the most important and the most appropriate for us? For the apostles, the answer was clearly praying and teaching the Word, as they had been commissioned to do.” (Pages 97–98)
“The main emphasis, however, is not who was present but what they were doing—praying! Prayer begins to appear as a mark of the early church. When they were fearful, they prayed. When they were confused, they prayed. When they were waiting for God to fulfill his promise to them, they prayed. When they needed an answer to a question (such as who was to be the twelfth apostle), they prayed!” (Page 15)
“When the Spirit comes, he told his followers, you will receive power. To do what? To be my witnesses. Power from the Holy Spirit is not limited to strength beyond the ordinary; that power also involves courage, boldness, confidence, insight, ability, and authority. The disciples would need all these gifts to fulfill their mission.” (Page 9)
“Acts has it all—supernatural intervention, astounding miracles, powerful preaching, breathtaking escapes, harrowing journeys, life-and-death decisions, courtroom dramas, thrilling rescues, action, mystery, and adventure! Acts will grab your attention, trigger your imagination, and tug at your emotions. It’s a terrific story and a great read ... and it’s true.” (Pages x–xi)