Let’s Study Acts (Dennis E. Johnson)

Description

The Acts of the Apostles is unique among the books of the New Testament. Of the four men who wrote an account of the ministry, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, only one—Luke—continued the story into the decades which followed . Without his book, we would be unable to explain how the still-frightened band of disciples, seen behind closed doors at the close of the Gospels, became the boldly expanding movement seen in the rest of the New Testament.

Dennis Johnson has taught the book of Acts to seminary students for over twenty years. Here he leads the reader with clarity and insight through the amazing process by which Jesus' words were fulfilled: 'You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth' (Acts 1:8)

Features

Accessible: Each volume in the Let’s Study series mines the Scriptures to get to the root of the text, but is written in an approachable and friendly, tone, making them an excellent resource for the layperson.

Practical: The warm, pastoral explanation of the text is coupled with concise, practical, helpful application.

Designed for group study: Each volume in the Let’s Study series includes a Group Study Guide in the back of the book to help facilitate discussion—an excellent tool for leading family worship or small groups.

Endorsements

‘The whole unfolding Let’s Study series is a must for every Christian home that is serious about getting to know the Word.’ — COVENANTER WITNESS

Table of Contents

Publisher’s Preface ix

Acknowledgments and Dedication xi

Introduction xiii

Outline of the Book of Acts xxiii

Part 1: The Lord’s Word in Jerusalem (1:1–7:60)

1 The Risen Lord Commissions His Witnesses (1:1–11) 1

2 The Apostolic Number Restored (1:12–26) 5

3 The Lord Comes to His Temple (2:1–13) 10

4 The Rejected, Risen Christ Pours Out the Spirit (2:14–36) 14

5 Showers of the Spirit Bear Fruit (2:37–47) 19

6 The Lame Leaps (3:1–10) 23

7 The Glorified Servant Bestows Blessing (3:11–26) 27

8 The Name That Saves (4:1–22) 33

9 Scripture-Formed, Christ-Centred Prayer (4:23–31) 39

10 Witness in Word and Deed (4:32–35) 44

11 The Spirit’s Dangerous Holiness (4:36–5:11) 47

12 The Terrifying Power That Makes Us Whole (5:12–16) 52

13 Obey God Rather than Men (5:17–32) 55

14 Worthy to Suffer Dishonour (5:33–42) 61

15 Ministry of the Word and of Tables (6:1–7) 65

16 Witness in the Wisdom of the Spirit (6:8–15) 70

17 Promise, Rejection and Deliverance (7:1–16) 74

18 Moses, the Rejected Redeemer (7:17–43) 79

19 Murderers of the Righteous One (7:44–53) 86

20 A Witness to the Death (7:54–60) 91

Part 2: The Lord’s Word Dispersed to Judea and Samaria (8:1–12:25)

21 The Word Scattered as Seed (8:1–13) 96

22 The Free Gift of the Spirit (8:14–25) 100

23 Scripture and Grace Opened to an Outcast (8:26–40) 104

24 From Persecutor to Apostle (9:1–19a) 109

25 God’s Tale of Two Cities (9:19b–31) 115

26 Jesus raises the Helpless (9:32–43) 119

27 God Speaks to a Gentile (10:1–8) 123

28 God cleanses the Defiled (10:9–23a) 126

29 Peace to All Peoples through the Lord of All (10:23b–43) 130

30 The Gentile Pentecost (10:44–48) 136

31 Peter Answers Objections (11:1–18) 138

32 God’s Gift Exchange Unites Jews and Greeks (11:19–30) 143

33 Death and Deliverance (12:1–19a) 147

34 God Defends His Glory and Grows His Word (12:19b–25) 152

Part 3: The Lord’s Word to the End of the Earth

I: Asia and Greece (13:1–20:38)

35 Darkness and Daybreak (13:1–12) 155

36 Paul’s ‘Inaugural’ Sermon (13:13–43) 159

37 Jewish Rejection and Gentile Joy (13:44–52) 168

38 A City Divided (14:1–7) 171

39 The Living God Calls Pagans to Turn Around (14:8–20) 174

40 Mission Accomplished! (14:21–28) 179

41 Not Circumcision, But Faith (15:1–11) 182

42 James Cites Prophecies of the Gentiles’ Inclusion (15:12–21) 187

43 Encouragement for the Gentiles (15:22–35) 191

44 A Traumatic Argument (15:36–41) 195

45 The Gospel Crosses the Aegean (16:1–15) 198

46 Christ’s Prisoners Set Others Free (16:16–40) 204

47 Disturbers of the Peace (17:1–15) 211

48 Making Known the Unknown God (17:16–34) 216

49 Christianity at the Crossroads (18:1–17) 223

50 Travels and Teachers (18:18–28) 229

51 Christ’s Power Pierces Pagan Darkness (19:1–22) 233

52 The Camp of the Goddess Confounded (19:23–41) 240

53 Reunions and Farewells (20:1–12) 246

54 Charge to Watchmen and Shepherds (20:13–38) 250

II: Rome (21:1–28:31)

55 Paul’s Face Fixed Toward Jerusalem (21:1–16) 258

56 Chains in Jerusalem (21:17–36) 263

57 Paul’s Defense to the People of Israel (21:37–22:21) 269

58 The Rights of a Roman Citizen (22:22–29) 277

59 Paul’s Defense to the Leaders of Israel (22:30–23:11) 280

60 Assassins Thwarted (23:12–35) 285

61 Paul’s Defense to Governor Felix (24:1–27) 292

62 Paul Appeals to Caesar (25:1–12) 300

63 An Expert Consultant (25:13–27) 304

64 Paul’s Defense to King Agrippa (26:1–23) 310

65 The King’s Verdict (26:24–32) 318

66 Good Advice Ignored (27:1–12) 322

67 Hope Amid the Storm (27:13–26) 327

68 Shipwreck and Salvation (27:27–44) 332

69 Snakebite and Hospitality (28:1–10) 338

70 Paul’s Unhindered Witness in Caesar’s City (28:11–31) 342

Group Study Guide 351

For Further Reading 371

Product Details

Title: Let’s Study Acts 

Author: Dennis E. Johnson

Publisher: Banner of Truth

Pages: 368

Binding: Paperback

Size: 21.5 x 13.7 x 2.0 cm

ISBN: 9780851518343